What is Innovation?

In this episode of the "What is Innovation?" podcast, host Jared Simmons speaks with marketing expert Reggie James, founder of Digital Clarity. Reggie discusses how AI, analytics, and innovative branding redefine digital marketing. This episode is a great introduction to why innovation strategy is essential for thriving in today's market. -----------------------------------------------------------...

Niara Nicholas has led marketing and technical teams across globally recognized consumer product giants, including P&G, Johnson & Johnson, and Estee Lauder. Her leadership has been pivotal in pioneering novel commercial and product frameworks, strategically amplifying product reach and identifying lucrative growth avenues—both adjacent and forward-looking. Niara's mission is deeply entrenc...

🎙️ Dive into the realm of innovation with Helene Cahen, founder of Fire Up Innovation Consulting, on this week's episode of "What is Innovation?" Discover how innovation intertwines with creativity, navigating the evolving landscape of the modern world. Seeking inspiration for your innovation journey? Tune in for Helene's invaluable advice and insights!  Know more about her here: Helene Cahen Comp...

🎙️ Join us for this week's episode with Katrin Zimmerman, CEO of TLGG USA, on "What is Innovation?" Katrin shares her perspective on innovation types—evolutionary vs. revolutionary—and dives into innovation portfolios, values, and the delicate balance between investment and ROI. She also offers advice on navigating innovation cycles, confronting AI resistance, and applying innovation across variou...

This week,  delve into the world of innovation with us on “What is Innovation?” together with Janice Fraser, an innovation expert and author. Explore the challenges of intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship, including imposter syndrome, and uncover the pivotal roles of courage and confidence in venture funding.   More about our guest: Janice Fraser built a storied career in Silicon Valley as a star...

More about our guest: Peter Compo is the author of “The Emergent Approach to Strategy: Adaptive Design & Execution.” Unlike many strategy authors from universities and consulting firms, Compo’s professional experience was spent working in the “corporate trenches” at E. I. DuPont. Hired as a research scientist, he held leadership positions in product management, marketing, supply chain, busines...

Frederick Cary , a powerhouse entrepreneur and CEO of IdeaPros, a company that guides qualified entrepreneurs through the complexities and pitfalls of the startup world. With his entrepreneurial spirit, Fred started many businesses in different industries, created many successes, and acquired thousands of lessons along the way. His desire to give back to a community of like-minded eccentrics led h...

More about our guest: Merrick Furst, Ph. D., is a Distinguished Professor and the Director of the Center for Deliberate Innovation (CDI) at Georgia Tech. In 2011, he founded Flashpoint, a first-of-its-kind deliberate innovation studio, to develop formative leaders and exceptional technology startups. Flashpoint was the thirty-sixth startup accelerator worldwide, very early in the development of bu...

🎙️ This week on "What is Innovation?" podcast, we're joined by Ajay Malik, CEO of Secomind.ai and AI thought leader Ajay defines innovation as figuring out how and what to do better. Hear how he connects this definition to his deep knowledge of applying AI to businesses, seeing it as an enabler to that process. Let us know what you think! 🎧✨ More about our guest: Ajay Malik is a recognized thoug...

🎙️ We are so grateful to have Joris Hensen, Co-Lead of the Deutsche Bank API Program, on the “What is Innovation?” podcast this week! Joris shares his perspective on innovation as evolution. His insights into how banking is evolving to meet customer needs are sure to spark ideas for how you can use innovation principles to delight stakeholders in your world as well. Listen in and let us know what...

🎙️ This week’s “What is Innovation?” episode brings us an engaging conversation with Doug Patton, renowned inventor and author.  Listen in as Doug expands on his simple definition of innovation—revolutionary change—and its connection with an inspiring environment. He highlights passion as the essential spark of innovation and discusses how cultivating the right atmosphere contributes to the creati...

🎙️ Our innovation journey brings us perspective from Africa this week, as we talk with Tiisetso Maloma, a renowned South African entrepreneur and author, on the "What is Innovation?" podcast. Tiisetso shares his view of innovation as the process of making one or more things into something profoundly useful, enhancing efficiency in our daily lives. This leads to a discussion on the core concept of...

Nik Froehlich , the Founder and CEO of Saritasa , leverages two decades of experience in construction-related services to drive the innovative software solutions that empower businesses for exponential growth. He defines innovation as using technology to enhance businesses. More about our guest: With a strategic blend of business expertise, technical aptitude, and forward-thinking vision, Nik tran...

Paul V. McEnroe, the engineer behind the ubiquitous Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode. Paul’s definition centers around an open mind, technical capability, and teamwork. Hear the fascinating story of how the barcode transformed the retail category from the man who was there from the beginning and his advice on the value of patience, returning favors, and how we all can leave a lasting impact in...

Gideon Kedem, Head of Valen Semiconductor 's Automotive Business unit, discusses innovation's deep roots in our DNA and the need for effective management to ensure its impact.  He also shares his view on the different types of innovation beyond technology. Finally, Gideon offers his thoughts on technology's direction and emphasizes the importance of taking risks and managing the process.  More abo...

Chris Kocek, Founder and CEO of Gallant Branding defines innovation as a fresh perspective on the world and a novel way to frame questions. This conversation explores how perceptions shape innovation and delves into the synergy between qualitative and quantitative approaches in the insight-driven innovation space.  More about our guest: His company, Gallant Branding, a creative branding firm in Au...

Discover the essence of innovation in a podcast with Natalie Born, an innovation facilitator, consultant, author, and keynote speaker. She discusses the importance of pattern recognition, balancing authenticity and perfectionism, and the importance of differentiating innovation from creativity. More about our guest: Natalie Born is from Atlanta, Ga. She is an Innovation Facilitator, Consultant, Au...

Our special guest, Tommaso Buganza, Professor of Leadership & Innovation at Politecnico di Milano, discusses the realm of science fiction and its practical implications on society. Jared and Tommaso also explore ethics, user responsibility, and education's role in nurturing holistic innovators. Tommaso's insights on AI's transformative power and the importance of a critical mindset offer a com...

Michael D. Abramoff, MD, Ph. D., a visionary retina specialist, computer scientist, and entrepreneur. Dr. Abramoff shares his view of innovation as a series of small steps and how he works to ensure progress at every stage.  More about our guest: Michael D. Abramoff, MD, PhD, is a fellowship-trained retina specialist, computer scientist and entrepreneur. He is Founder and Executive Chairman of Dig...

Ahmed Reza, Founder and CEO of Yobi , shares his perspective on innovation shaped by his uniquely American experience and the dangers of over-specialization and the importance of ethics, philosophy, and anthropology as we work to solve new problems. More about our guest: Ahmed Reza is a tech entrepreneur with a story that reads like a blockbuster movie. He started as a child actor in Bangladesh be...

Beth McDaniel, President and Chief of Administration at Reactive Surfaces , discusses the role of creativity in innovation and how to get consumers to demand innovative products. More about our guest: Beth McDaniel received her BBA in finance from the University of Texas in 1988 and JD in law from South Texas College of Law in 1996. She has been with Reactive Surfaces since 2006, both as a directo...

Doug Howarth— CEO of Hypernomics, Inc.- discusses the concept of innovation, why it matters in today's world, and practical ways to drive innovation in your business More about our guest: Doug Howarth's life is a story of remarkable challenges and groundbreaking discoveries. From his fascination with coordinate systems to a life-saving kidney transplant, his journey led him to uncover the concept...

Chris Marshall— behavioral scientist, futurist, and author—offers his thoughts on the impact of innovation on regulation, culture, and the natural environment. In this episode, we explore the essence of innovation as human nature.  More about our guest: Chris uses his diverse career journey spanning behavioral science, global macro strategy, ski racing, and Master Distiller to help people manage f...

Daniel Trabucchi is a Senior Assistant Professor at the School of Management Politecnico di Milano. Daniel shares his definition of innovation, the role of regulatory bodies in innovation, the distinction between a new thing and a new purpose, and much more. More about our guest: Daniel has also co-authored “ Platform Thinking. Read the past. Write the future. ”. His research interests are focused...

Robert Huber role as Twisthink ’s first Chief Strategy Officer has been critical to the company's growth and success of their strategy offerings, joins us  we explore how innovation sparks creativity in business and the positive impact of a musical background. More about our guest: Robert leverages his extensive experience to establish key growth initiatives and partnerships through a global open...