Today, Paul reflects on his journey as an innovation evangelist and shares the valuable lessons he's learned over nearly four decades in the industry. He expresses gratitude to his listeners, guests, and colleagues while recounting the significant milestones that have shaped the Innovation Talks series. This introspective episode serves as a heartfelt farewell as Innovation Talks closes its podcast run, leaving a legacy of knowledge and insight for innovators worldwide.

Paul Heller has an illustrious career advancing innovation practices across various organizations. Paul's work has influenced countless professionals in the field. With a background at IBM and startup experience, Paul's journey is rich with firsthand accounts of implementing cutting-edge solutions and methodologies such as Expert Systems and Stage Gate. His unique perspective on cross-functional integration and empathy in innovation has made him a revered voice in the industry.

“Staying positive and seeing the good in every situation keeps the spirit of

innovation alive through any challenge.” ~ Paul Heller

Today on Innovation Talks:

• The importance of cross-functional understanding: Innovation involves marketing, sales, manufacturing, distribution, product development, and customer success, aligning towards a common goal.

• Embracing diverse business disciplines: Experience in sales, consulting, customer support, and engineering development can significantly enhance one's capability in innovation.

• The value of empathy: Empathy towards colleagues, especially when challenges arise, is crucial for a positive and collaborative work environment.

• Staying positive as a strategic advantage: Maintaining a positive attitude and seeing the best in people can drive team morale and productivity.

• Configurability as a cornerstone: Unique processes and success measurements require adaptable systems, a lesson learned from product configurator projects.

• The evolution of Expert Systems to AI: Early experience with Expert Systems demonstrates how foundational technologies have evolved into modern AI applications.

• Importance of compassion in leadership: Genuine compassion and understanding within teams foster a collaborative environment conducive to innovation.

• Continuous learning and respect for colleagues: Maintaining a beginner's mindset and respecting peers can lead to ongoing personal growth and team success.

Resources Mentioned:

• Guy Kawasaki's Wikipedia page: To learn about the origins of the term "evangelist" in a technology context. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Kawasaki

• Sopheon: A company supporting innovation and methodologies like Stage Gate. https://www.sopheon.com/

• Union Pacific Railroad innovations: Historical examples of early AI application in rail maintenance and optimization.

https://www.up.com/aboutup/community/inside_track/ai-rahul-insights-it-230721.htm

• Gateway 2000: A case study in product configurators for complex product sales. https://www.techspot.com/article/2087-gateway-2000/

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Jim Fava is the recently retired Executive Director at Anthesis Group, which supports businesses and governments in understanding and navigating the risks and opportunities they face. Throughout his career, Jim has provided invaluable guidance, tools, and expertise on strategies and actions that enable organizations to operate in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. Renowned as the "father of modern-day life cycle assessment," he has devoted his career to advancing and promoting the practice and application of life cycle information worldwide. His efforts have contributed significantly to supporting global decision-making processes. Notably, he led the United States delegation responsible for shaping the first generation of ISO LCA standards. Moreover, Jim co-founded influential organizations such as the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, Five Winds International, and the Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation (FSLCI).

Today, Jim and I discuss what his career taught him about supporting businesses and governments, turning risks into opportunities, and strategies and actions to operate more sustainably. Jim shares his journey from frat house to c-suite and talks about how he saw the human impact on the environment firsthand and started focusing on sustainability. He outlines life cycle assessment and how it helps us understand the environmental impact of a product over its entire life. He cites disposable diapers as a case study to understand life cycle assessment. Jim also recounts his experience in developing the Technical Framework for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Code of Practice that eventually became the foundation of the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) Environmental Management Standards. 

“You have to put what we want to have happen in the language of the decision-makers, and that's our revenue, brand, cost, and risk management.” - Jim Fava

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     Jim’s best sustainable business strategies

●     The Life Cycle Assessment journey to sustainability

●     What cloth diapers can teach us about sustainability

●     How Jim played a leading role in the development the Life Cycle Assessment Methodology

●     How Life Cycle thinking affects product design

●     The ten golden rules for achieving sustainability

●     How to drive change

●     The urgency of sustainability in business management

●     The role of the product manager

Resources Mentioned:

●     Early Life Cycle Assessment Books Laid the Foundation for Modern-Day LCA

●     The Origins of LCA: Perspective from The Father of Modern-Day Life Cycle Assessment

Connect with Jim Fava:

●     Jim Fava Website

●     Jim Fava on LinkedIn

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

In this episode, I sit down with Adrian Wong, a startup and global corporation innovation technology leader and venture partner with expertise in digital transformation, early-stage startups, and new product development. We discuss the evolving landscape of user experience (UX) design, the importance of understanding customer needs, and the challenges and opportunities that emerging technologies like AI, VR, and AR present for businesses. Adrian shares his insights on the future of UX and the critical role that design plays in shaping successful products and brands.

Adrian is a dotcom veteran with a unique hybrid background as a product and creative director in startups and innovation CTO in corporations across a dozen industries. He’s scaled gaming startup PKR to the fastest-growing UK tech company, pioneered innovation labs for AstraZeneca, BDO, and Wipro, and works as a fractional CxO and venture capitalist to invest in and support emerging digital ventures. 

He specializes in product, growth, artificial intelligence and corporate innovation - the practical application and commercialisation of emerging tech combined with consumer-grade UX for competitive advantage and democratisation of advanced technologies.

"Understanding the right problems to solve with technology is a common challenge for companies, and there's a growing emphasis on continuous learning and user research." ~Adrian Wong

Today on Innovation Talks:

·     The Cambridge, UK, area fosters innovation due to its concentration of talent and innovative tech companies.

·     User research and qualitative research are crucial for understanding customer behavior and incorporating it into the digital space.

·     Voice interaction and differences in device interactions across the world, such as the super app environment in China, impact AI interactions and privacy concerns.

·     Data privacy and IP protection pose challenges and opportunities for corporations and startups.

·     The evolution of UX has progressed from static to dynamic, personalized experiences, with a focus on accessibility and inclusive design.

·     Lean and agile methodologies have contributed to a more collaborative and iterative design process.

·     AI and data analytics have led to increased personalization and customization in user experiences.

·     The future of UX may involve multimodal interfaces, haptic feedback, brain-computer interfaces, and seamless cross-device experiences affecting the physical world.

Connect with Adrian Wong:

https://www.adrianxwong.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/axwong/

https://x.com/adrianxwong

https://www.openvc.app/fund/Adrian%20Wong

https://portfolio-collective.com/profile/adrian_1/

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

RSC Sustainability

Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?

If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.

Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.

Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.

Download your copy today.

Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

The Innov8rs Conference has hosted conferences for innovators in various industries since 2011. They’ve hosted in over 25 cities globally, from San Francisco to Sydney and Singapore. They have multiple programs that promote an atmosphere of creativity and discussion surrounding the future of innovation. I went to the Innov8rs Conference held recently in Austin, Texas, and I found it to be one of the largest and most engaging conferences in a long time.

In this episode, I share my thoughts on the recently concluded Innov8rs Conference and why I found a lot of value during my time. I explain how it promoted discussions and engagement despite being a large gathering. I describe some of the topics I was fortunate to sit in, especially regarding the future of innovation and ESG. I also share some of the interesting points regarding internal innovators and innovators hired.

"This was a good chance to talk with other people, peers with other companies, and share success and challenges." - Paul Heller

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     My experience during the Innov8rs Conference

●     What was impressive throughout the conference

●     Sitting at the ESG round table

●     The six shifts that will shape the future of innovation

●     How corporations can beat start-ups at innovation

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.

For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Noel Sobelman is a partner at Accel Management Group, a business and consulting company that gives clients in the tech and life sciences data-driven competitive advantages in innovations and operations. With 35 years of professional experience, Noel has become an expert in innovation. He is responsible for directing a wide range of transformational initiatives in the areas of management and innovation. He’s also a frequent speaker and writer on innovation topics, having addressed innovation’s effectiveness in disrupting legacy systems.

Noel Sobelman joins me today to describe the five keys of transformative innovation. He details his passion for innovation and the articles he’s written. He discusses what the five keys are and how they solve many problems regarding innovation management and strategy. He explains how leaders can appropriately allocate resources to high-value projects. Noel also shares his thoughts on leadership in the innovation industry.

“Leadership needs to continually combat that tendency toward complacency” - Noel Sobelman

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     Writing about innovation and building transformative innovation

●     The five keys of transformative innovation

●     Finding the roadblocks that prevent transformative innovation

●     Properly allocating resources based on strategy and alignment

●     What leaders should change to become more effective in resource allocation

Resources Mentioned:

●     The Journey toward World-Class Innovation: 5 Keys to Successful Implementation

Connect with Noel Sobelman:

●     Accel Management Group

●     Noel Sobelman on LinkedIn

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Greg Coticchia is the President, CEO, and Member of the Board of Directors at Sopheon. He is an award-winning sales leader, market expert, product manager, and business strategist. He has almost 40 years of experience holding leadership positions across organizations and institutions in finance, education, and cybersecurity. Greg is also the Board Director of the Product Development Management Association or PDMA.

Greg joins me today to describe his thoughts on the future of innovation and how Covid-19 spearheaded the technology we will likely use forever. He explains some of the benefits and hindrances of the pandemic as it relates to innovation. He shares his thoughts on sustainability and how it’s directing the course of innovation. Greg also discusses a few examples of companies adjusting to new customer habits.

“Technology isn’t always the right answer. Sometimes, it’s just a change in behavior or process or some other way of achieving the same result.” - Greg Coticchia

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     The future of innovation

●     The benefits and drawbacks to innovation resulting from Covid-19

●     Habits that changed as a consequence of the pandemic

●     How Home Depot addressed their customers’ number one problem

●     Innovations that were direct results of the pandemic

●     Why a lot of B2B companies are in a supply chain

●     How sustainability and innovation work together

●     Examples of innovation with sustainability in mind

Connect with Greg Coticchia:

●     Greg Coticchia on LinkedIn

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Jeff Eiben is the Founder and CEO of River Point Technology, a digital service provider. They provide solutions that help level up businesses, including Cloud Platforms and DevOps. Jeff was chosen as one of the Top 100 Innovators and Influencers in Technology in 2020 by Intercon and led River Point as a NextGen 250 winner through CRN. Jeff’s commitment to technology talent has also made him set up a STEM scholarship at his high school alma mater.

Jeff joins me today to describe the current state of cloud-based systems and what it was like when they were among their first adopters. He explains why companies don’t like being the first to adopt new technology. He shares how they help clients understand the value of the latest innovation. He discusses why Big Data didn’t take off as many expected. Jeff also shares his thoughts on the future of the innovation industry.

“Culture is not something you can control; it’s something that comes along for the ride as success happens.” - Jeff Eiben

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     What Jeff observed in the cloud-based industry over the last decade

●     Why companies hesitate to be the first to adopt new technology

●     The challenges of being years ahead technologically

●     Making organizations understand the value of a new shiny object

●     Why Big Data didn’t become the next big thing

●     Jeff’s thoughts on company culture

●     What Jeff thinks will happen in the future of innovation

Connect with Jeff Eiben:

●     River Point Technology

●     Jeff Eiben on LinkedIn

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Daniel Elizalde is a seasoned product executive with over two decades of experience producing B2B industrial and enterprise tools and products for IoT, AI, 5G, and Edge Computing. He is particularly passionate about creating and using technology to address climate change. He has trained over 1,500 product leaders across various companies that produce IoT and SaaS products. Daniel is also the author of the book The B2B Innovator’s Map, which explains the steps involved in idea generation and how to get your first few customers.

Daniel joins me today to describe the different innovations surrounding IoT. He explains the importance of security and cites some examples of potential fatal security flaws. He shares how innovators approach IoT differently. He discusses machine learning and why it’s not the goal of any IoT project. Daniel also details some challenges in producing IoT for consumers and the complexities involved in cost computations based on aggregated data.

"When working with IoT, security must be at the heart of your consideration early on.”

- Daniel Elizalde

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     Daniel's thoughts on IoT and innovation

●     The challenge with creating IoT for the consumer space

●     The different ways innovators approach IoT

●     Challenges associated with computing costs based on data

●     Why IoT is no longer a technical or chronological problem

●     Examples of machine learning around IoT

●     Why the goal isn't to use machine learning

●     Guaranteeing cybersecurity for IoT

Resources Mentioned:

●     B2B innovation in energy and climate with Daniel Elizalde

Connect with Daniel Elizalde:

●     Daniel Elizalde Website

●     Book: The B2B Innovator’s Map: How to Get from Idea to Your First Ten Customers

●     Podcast: Enterprise Product Leadership Podcast

●     Daniel Elizalde on LinkedIn

●     Daniel Elizalde on Twitter

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.

For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

I went to the recently concluded INDUSTRY: The Product Conference. There were a lot of attendees from the products and innovations industry. They talked about product strategy, product development, data and analytics, and customer development. However, the most memorable aspect of the event is how some of them talked about the importance of retaining a company’s humanity and customer-centric approach as they scale.

In today’s episode, I discuss what I learned from attending Industry: The Product Conference. I highlight the speakers I liked and the topics they focused on. I explain why being first in the market is not essential to finding success. I describe the importance of establishing your company’s vision from the customer’s perspective. I also detail an experience my son had with a recent business transaction that was entirely digital.

"Your vision needs to be rich—it needs narrative and depth, not one-liners in a paragraph." - Paul Heller

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     The speakers at the conference and guests I’d like to have

●     Why 95% of products fail

●     Why it's not critical to be first to market in innovation

●     Interesting and relatively unknown facts about Instagram

●     Expressing your business's vision from the customer's point of view

●     The problems the digital world helps solve regarding customer interaction

Resources Mentioned:

●     Roadmapping Dos and Don'ts with Mike Belsito

●     Derek Redmond's Emotional Olympic Story - Injury Mid-Race | Barcelona 1992 Olympics

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

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For additional information on new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Mark Adkins is the Director and Chair of the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA), an international community of professionals, professors, students, and service providers. PDMA supports the education of its members while expanding their networks. Mark is also the CEO of LeanMed, a medical device company that aims to use innovative technologies to provide essential treatment to underserved regions.

Mark joins me today to discuss PDMA's mission, its members, and its humble beginnings. He explains the importance of networking in expanding your skills and reach. He shares how the pandemic was a mixed blessing for PDMA. He describes what people can expect from their annual conference. Mark also highlights the trends he sees around the PDMA world and reveals what he wishes he had known early in his career.

"When you're part of a chapter, you meet people doing what you do, but you never know it."

 - Mark Adkins

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     PDMA’s mission and humble beginnings

●     How Mark got involved in PDMA

●     What the chapter in Pittsburgh is all about

●     Why the pandemic was a mixed blessing

●     The Knowledge Hub (kHUB)

●     The Journal of Product Innovation Management’s reputation

●     The changes and trends Mark sees around the PDMA world

●     What to expect from their annual conference

●     What Mark wishes he knew earlier in his career

Resources Mentioned:

●     Using Lean Startup for Social Impact with Mark Adkins

●     The Journal of Product Innovation Management

Connect with Mark Adkins:

●     PDMA

●     kHUB

●     Inspire Innovation Conference

●     Mark Adkins on LinkedIn

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Frannie Matthews is the President and CEO of the Colorado Technology Association—the definitive tech hub between the coasts—and has helped leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs since 1994. Under Frannie’s leadership since 2018, CTA has grown in size and influence, with a 31% membership revenue boost in 2019. She has over 35 years of experience in the tech industry but never stops scanning for refinement and improvement. Frannie was part of IBM for 18 years, driving the company’s success by putting client experience, value, and satisfaction at the forefront.

Frannie joins me today to describe what the Colorado Technology Association is about and how they empower future leaders in the technology space. She explains what people will love about Colorado and how the CTA has been working hard to turn it into a tech hub. She shares how the pandemic made it hard for CTA to sustain its growth in 2019 and how it improved its business model throughout the last two years. Frannie also discusses why she sometimes prefers an old-school approach to business structuring and to-do lists.

“Collaboration is so much more powerful in a growth mindset.”

- Frannie Matthews

This week on Innovation Talks:

●      What the Colorado Technology Association is about

●      What Frannie says is beautiful about Colorado

●      How the pandemic required them to change their business model

●      What Frannie sees as the best way to retain technology talents

●      Why Frannie prefers an old-school approach to having a structure

●      The advantages of partnering and collaborating for growth in any industry

Resources Mentioned:

●      Book: Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman

Connect with Frannie Matthews:

●      Colorado Technology Association

●      Colorado Technology Association on LinkedIn

●      Colorado Technology Association on Twitter

●      Colorado Technology Association on Facebook

●      Frannie Matthews on LinkedIn

●      Email: membership@coloradotechnology.org

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon 

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information on new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly!

The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Huub Rutten—Vice President of Product Research and Design and co-founder of Sopheon—joined me last episode to talk about the governance pillar of portfolio management. He explained the importance of having a Rules of Governance Charter and the difference between technology-driven and marketing-driven growth, among other topics.

In Part 2 of our portfolio management series, Huub describes why the navigation system is the first data your database should have. He shares his experience regarding estimations and how to obtain more realistic expectations. He explains what can happen to your governance if your data is of poor quality. Huub also describes how portfolio management is slowly becoming integral to innovation management.

"If the data is not good, the governance is not implemented. A direct consequence of bad governance is bad data." - Huub Rutten

This week on Innovation Talks:

●      Why the navigation system is the first data your database should have

●      Why estimations are more realistic further along your project

●      Pertinent data to have for portfolio management

●      Ensuring high-quality data is always obtained

●      How data allows you to make better decisions

Connect with Huub Rutten:

●      Huub Rutten Website

●      Huub Rutten on LinkedIn

●      Email: huub.rutten@sopheon.com

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

In this week's episode, I had an insightful conversation with Ruth Rennie about the growing importance of sustainability in business and how companies can leverage data to drive meaningful change. We explore the various factors pushing organizations to prioritize sustainability, the challenges they face in measuring and acting on sustainability data, and the crucial role of innovation in developing sustainable solutions. Ruth shares her expertise on how companies can effectively integrate sustainability into their operations and supply chains, ultimately creating value for their brand and the planet.

Ruth Rennie is a seasoned expert in sustainability and social impact, currently serving as the Director of Standards and Impacts at Fairtrade International. With a robust background in social research and international development, Ruth has dedicated her career to advancing fair trade practices and improving the livelihoods of producers worldwide. Her extensive experience includes leading complex projects and developing rigorous standards that ensure ethical and sustainable supply chains. Ruth's passion for social justice and her strategic vision make her a pivotal figure in promoting equitable trade and fostering positive global change.

"Sustainability and innovation are both necessary for each other, leading to a fundamental rethinking of current business models and ways of working to incorporate sustainability." ~Ruth Rennie

Today on Innovation Talks:

·     Millennials and consumers are increasingly pressuring companies to demonstrate sustainability efforts.

·     Companies face legal action over misleading sustainability claims, forcing greater transparency and accountability.

·     Specific and granular data is needed to understand and address sustainability challenges within supply chains.

·     Companies are focusing on ensuring sustainable processes within their supply chain and developing new sustainable products and services.

·     Sustainability and innovation are interconnected and need to be measured, monitored, and integrated into business processes.

·     Companies need to associate value with sustainability across the organization, not just for marketing purposes.

·     Aligning incentives and bringing together various skill sets can help support sustainability initiatives.

·     Collecting the right and accurate data, rather than just gathering a large amount of data, is crucial for making informed decisions and driving innovation.

Contact Ruth Rennie:

LinkedIn

Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?

If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.

Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.

Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.

Download your copy today.

Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.

For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Huub Rutten is the co-founder of Sopheon and its Vice President of Product Research and Design. He helped establish Polydoc, Sopheon's ancestor, in 1993. Before launching Sopheon, He spent over 15 years teaching college students communication skills and linguistic disciplines. Huub then pursued a career in strategy development for various industries, including banking, medical services, and aviation.

Huub joins me today to discuss the Governance Pillar of Portfolio Management. He shares the challenges of allocating resources as a portfolio manager. He explains what the Rules of Governance Charter should entail and why having one is essential. He describes the key differences between technology-driven and marketing-driven growth. Huub also clarifies what it means to cultivate a culture of innovation in your organization.

"When you don't have a governance system in place, there is chaos." - Huub Rutten

This week on Innovation Talks:

●      What it means to have governance around portfolio management

●      The challenges of being a portfolio manager when allocating resources

●      The importance of having a Rules of Governance Charter

●      The difference between technology-driven and marketing-driven growth

●      The importance of cultivating a culture of innovation

Connect with Huub Rutten:

●      Huub Rutten Website

●      Huub Rutten on LinkedIn

●      Email: huub.rutten@sopheon.com

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Innovation takes place all over the world, but a few places have earned a reputation as certified innovation hubs. One of these places is Munich, Germany. I recently went on a trade mission delegation to Munich, and some of the things I saw blew my mind, especially in the automobile industry. The innovations I saw made me think about what’s in store for the future of cars and space aeronautics.

In this episode, I recount my trip to Munich and elaborate on why it’s one of the best places on Earth if you want to see innovation and futuristic concepts. I describe my experience touring the BMW factory and how efficient their building process is. I explain what their robots do and why BMW still makes its own seats. I discuss IHK and why it’s the future of talent. I also highlight a new type of aerospace engine that’s still in the development stage.

"Munich is positioning itself as a knowledge and innovation hub." - Paul Heller

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     What I learned during my mission delegation to Munich

●     What I saw when we toured the BMW manufacturing plant

●     The efficiency of BMW's automobile factory

●     Why BMW still makes their own seats

●     The IHK and why it's the future of talent

●     Exploring the Urban Co-Lab

●     Innovations in aerospace engines

Resources Mentioned:

●     Urban Colab

●     IHK

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.

For additional information on new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Mark Adkins is the Co-founder & CEO of LeanMed, a medical device company that aims to bring essential treatment to underserved and remote regions with the help of innovative products and technologies. Their first successful product is the O2 Cube, a solar-powered oxygen production system meant to help rural hospitals without medical access to oxygen. Mark is also the Director & Chair of the Product Development Management Association (PDMA), an international community of professors, professionals, and students deeply interested in innovation.

Mark joins me today to discuss how LeanMed came to be and how they plan to innovate the medical industry in underserved regions. He elaborates on Africa’s problems with pneumonia and hospitals lacking medical oxygen. He describes why you can’t crowdsource medical equipment and how you can use your network to develop solutions for problems worth solving. Mark also explains why scaling is necessary to have a social impact.

"If you want to make the world a better place, you have to have social impact. Social scale equals social impact.” - Mark Adkins

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     LeanMed and the services they offer

●     How pneumonia in Nigeria spurred the need for Mark to start LeanMed

●     Finding a problem worth solving

●     The difference between innovation and research companies

●     Why you can't crowdsource medical equipment

●     The ecosystems you encounter in innovation

●     The challenge of getting their product out in the market

●     Why scale means social impact

●     Mark's actionable advice to startups

Resources Mentioned:

●     Oxygen as a Utility Report

Connect with Mark Adkins:

●     LeanMed

●     Product Development Management Association

●     Mark Adkins on LinkedIn

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Huub Rutten is the Vice President of Sopheon’s Product Research and Design. He co-founded Polydoc, Sopheon’s predecessor, in 1993. He spent over 15 years in education and research, educating college students on linguistic disciplines and communication skills. He then moved to work as a strategy development consultant for various industries, including banking, healthcare, and aerospace. His focus for the last 20 years has been innovation management software and methodologies.

Huub joins me today to describe portfolio management and the steps involved in creating the ideal portfolio. He dissects different types of portfolios and defines portfolio management. He explains what to consider when making a portfolio. He discusses his experience in helping others manage their portfolios and offers tips for those who don’t know where to start. Huub also outlines the processes involved in creating the ideal portfolio.

"Strategy is the navigation system and portfolio management is the steering wheel." - Huub Rutten

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     Huub's definition of portfolio management

●     The different types of portfolios

●     Addressing the confusion about portfolio management

●     The right way to implement portfolio management

●     The processes involved in portfolio management implementation

●     Creating the ideal portfolio and the criteria to consider

●     Huub's experience helping leaders manage their portfolios

●     Huub's advice to those who want to get started with their portfolios

Connect with Huub Rutten:

●     Huub Rutten Website

●     Huub Rutten on LinkedIn

●     Email: huub.rutten@sopheon.com

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Brian Utz is the Director of Product Management at Sopheon. His responsibilities include defining and communicating Sopheon’s core product strategies, encompassing idea generation, setting goals, and marketing and launching products. Before joining Sopheon, Brian was the Director of Digital IT Practice at Highmark Health Solutions and VP of Product Management Consumer Lending at PNC Financial Services.

Brian joins me today to discuss product management, goal setting, and what it means to only have one big goal per product. He recounts where his passion for innovation started and what led him to work in product management. He explains the critical difference between a tool that does the job and a tool that does the job better. He describes how goals can inform your team of the product’s overarching purpose. Brian also shares the worst thing that can happen when you’re nearing product launch day.

"Having the goal behind your product allows you to instill that purpose in your whole team." - Brian Utz

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     Brian's professional experience before joining Sopheon

●     How Brian got started in product management

●     The worst thing you can do when nearing product launch

●     The difference between an "okay" and "great" tool

●     Brian's thoughts on generating product goals

●     What the SMART acronym means

●     How many goals a product should have

●     Why you should have one clear "Northstar" for your product

Connect with Brian Utz:

●     Brian Utz on LinkedIn

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Daniel Elizalde is a product executive and climate tech product team advisor. He provides support and consultations on the creation of digital solutions that accelerate the energy transition. He specializes in smart grids, energy efficiency, virtual power plants, renewable integration, electric vehicles, and charging infrastructures. Daniel is also the author of The B2B Innovator's Map, [...]

The post B2B innovation in energy and climate with Daniel Elizalde appeared first on Sopheon.

Ketan Jahagirdar is Sopheon’s Director of Product Management and has been with the company since December 2021. Before joining Sopheon, Ketan founded ROI Blueprints, which provides cloud-based project management software for various businesses. He has over 25 years of experience in technology strategy, program management, and enterprise architecture. Ketan specializes in telematic solutions, IT strategy, [...]

The post The role of project management in innovation with Ketan Jahagirdar appeared first on Sopheon.

Mike Belsito is the Co-founder of Product Collective, an independent online community for product management professionals. The community serves over 40,000 product management professionals in helping each other create the best products for their consumers. Mike has over ten years of experience in various startup companies, having held positions as an employee and executive. Mike is also the host of the Rocketship.FM podcast is a show for entrepreneurs and other tech industry members.

Mike joins me today to discuss how complex roadmaps can be and why they can be a rewarding experience. He shares why he is passionate about creating roadmaps. He describes why roadmaps shouldn’t be treated as promises. He explains the importance of establishing a theme or narrative when plotting roadmaps. Mike also details what consumers want from their products and reveals how organizations should adjust their roadmaps when disruptions occur.

"When it comes to roadmaps, things change and that's okay. Always make it a point to brush up on how things are changing." - Mike Belsito

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     Why Mike is passionate about product roadmapping

●     Creating and executing a roadmap that matches your company's goals

●     Why roadmaps are a plan, not a promise

●     What customers actually care about in a product

●     The parts of a roadmap and the narrative it provides

●     How roadmaps can give a sense of momentum and accomplishment

●     Mike's thoughts on sharing roadmaps across organizations

●     The complexities involved in roadmapping

●     The best way to respond to changes in roadmaps

Resources Mentioned:

●     Now-Next-Later Roadmap

Connect with Mike Belsito:

●     Product Collective

●     Podcast: Rocketship.FM

●     Mike Belsito on LinkedIn

●     Mike Belsito on Twitter

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Alex Castro is the CEO of M Corp, an IT services and consulting company that partners with businesses to help them achieve long-term modernization through improved data and technology. Alex is driven to bridge the gap between ideas and execution in the modern world, which explains why he took it upon himself to learn and [...]

The post Shifting Strategies with Alex Castro appeared first on Sopheon.

Noel Sobelman is a partner at Accel Management Group. Accel Management is a business consulting and services firm that helps high-tech and life sciences companies boost speed to market, increase profitability, and drive costs down. As a partner, Noel works with corporate leaders in growth strategy, portfolio management, and innovation capability building. He has also [...]

The post Project governance do’s and don’ts with Noel Sobelman appeared first on Sopheon.

We use roadmaps as a reference to tailor our projects and various investments in the business. They’re essentially our guide—a compass to where we want to be with all the details of getting there. However, many are confused by road mapping, especially regarding how it starts and who should spearhead it. 

In this episode, I describe roadmapping and the different kinds of roadmaps. I explain what road mapping is from the viewpoint of innovation and why we conduct road mapping exercises in the first place. I share valuable resources that dive deeper into road mapping. I also discuss when an organization should update its roadmap and the data that makes an excellent roadmap.

"Roadmapping is not a single-person endeavor, but a shared initiative." - Paul Heller

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     Defining road mapping and the different varieties

●     Roadmapping from an innovation perspective

●     Considering when to update a roadmap in your corporation

●     Why do we conduct road mapping exercises

●     Valuable resources for road mapping

Resources Mentioned:

●     Cambridge Roadmapping

●     IfM Engage

●     Sopheon Roadmapping

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.

For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Planning a strategy and executing it are two different beasts. When planning a strategy, you assume variables and prepare contingencies, while executing them means you have to make decisions on the fly. Quite frankly, many companies struggle with strategy execution. How do you avoid strategy execution woes? What are some factors to note when observing [...]

The post Executing on strategy appeared first on Sopheon.

Mike Belsito is the co-founder of Product Collective, an online hub that serves over 30,000 technology product management professionals. The community provides tools and resources—and hosts virtual and in-person meet-ups—for those in the innovation industry. Mike is also the co-host of Rocketship.FM, a podcast for product managers, entrepreneurs, and anyone in tech. They [...]

The post Getting started with JTBD (jobs-to-be-done) and more with Mike Belsito appeared first on Sopheon.

Hannah Keartland is the Outsourced Chief Impact Officer at Keartland & Co., a consulting service that helps businesses utilize sustainability as their competitive advantage. She helps organizations develop an actionable roadmap, create a budget and resource plan, and identify quick wins to make sustainability part of their business identity. Hannah also finished a [...]

The post Integrating Sustainability to Make an Impact with Hannah Keartland appeared first on Sopheon.

Derek Osgood is the Founder and CEO of Ignition, the first dedicated go-to-market (GTM) platform built for product marketing and product teams. Their services centralize launch plans, assets, and executions that make launches easier to manage. Derek has over a decade of experience working with the industry's biggest names, including a role as Sony’s Product [...]

The post GTM processes and product launches with Derek Osgood appeared first on Sopheon.

Michael Reubold is the Publishing Manager and Editor-in-Chief of CHEManager, a business newspaper for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. CHEManager is under Wiley, a publishing company that focuses on research, education, and technology. With over 25 years of experience in publishing and editing, Michael specializes in editing articles, executing interviews, and moderating conferences [...]

The post External Innovation in the Chemical Industry with Michael Reubold appeared first on Sopheon.

Pieter Leijten is the Vice President EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) at Sopheon. Pieter is in charge of representing Sopheon’s interests and spearheading its projects across these regions. He specializes in mapping and quantifying associated benefits that promote investments in various innovative solutions and initiatives. Pieter has over 30 years of [...]

The post Value of Digitalization with Pieter Leijten appeared first on Sopheon.

Roadmaps are what we use as a reference to tailor our projects and various investments in the business. It’s essentially our guide—a compass to where we want to be with all the details of getting there. However, many are confused by roadmapping, especially regarding how it starts and who should be spearheading it. 

In this episode, I describe roadmapping and the different kinds of roadmaps. I explain what roadmapping is from the viewpoint of innovation and why we conduct roadmapping exercises in the first place. I share valuable resources that dive deeper into roadmapping. I also discuss when an organization should update its roadmap and the data that makes an excellent roadmap.

"Roadmapping is not a single-person endeavor, but a shared initiative." - Paul Heller

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     Defining roadmapping and the different varieties

●     Roadmapping from an innovation perspective

●     Considering when to update a roadmap in your corporation

●     Why we conduct roadmapping exercises

●     Valuable resources for roadmapping

Resources Mentioned:

●     Cambridge Roadmapping

●     IfM Engage

●     Sopheon Roadmapping

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Andy Hannah is the President and Co-founder of Othot, a web-based and AI-driven company that provides analytics services focused on the education sector. They help organizations in the higher education sector optimize relationships with students and alumni at an individual level. As President, Andy creates strategies that achieve the company’s visions and build cultures with [...]

The post Innovation in education technology with Andy Hannah appeared first on Sopheon.

Bill Beane is the Senior Director of Parker Technology Center and Innovation Systems. Parker is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. If it moves, Parker's either involved or close to it. As Senior Director, Bill provides leadership to Parker's Technology Center, focusing on developing new and sustainable business solutions. [...]

The post Innovation for a Volatile World with Bill Beane appeared first on Sopheon.

Huub Rutten is one of the founding members of Sopheon and is currently its Vice President of Product Research and Design. He has over 20 years of experience working in the linguistics and language management sector. Before joining Sopheon, Huub taught linguistics and communication at several higher education institutes. He is currently concerned [...]

The post Digital Twin with Huub Rutten appeared first on Sopheon.

Dan Adams is a visionary in business growth and leadership, serving as president of the AIM Institute. With extensive experience guiding companies toward innovation and market-driven strategies, Dan has authored the groundbreaking book Business Builders. Dan's commitment to fostering a builder mentality in leaders has significantly impacted the business landscape, encouraging a new wave of transformative leadership.

This week's episode explores the strategic mindset that sets apart the most successful companies from their competitors. Joining us is business leader Dan Adams, who discusses the concept of the "builder mentality," which is essential for long-term competitiveness and growth. We examine how these principles, laid out in Dan's new book and his research-backed survey, impact leadership styles, succession planning, and the understanding of leaders' roles in shaping companies for future success.

" Our belief is that the duty of a senior leader is to leave their business stronger

than they found it.” - Dan Adams

This Week on Innovation Talks:

·     A builder mentality drives company growth: Dan Adams highlights that leadership focused on delivering customer value and expanding the company is most effective at driving growth.

·     Different leaders impact organizations in unique ways: Builders, decorators, remodelers, and realtors—each leadership style has a distinct approach, with builders being the most growth-oriented.

·     Understanding one's leadership style is key: Adams encourages leaders to use the self-assessment tool on his website to measure their belief system and adopt a builder mentality.

·     Balancing leadership styles for sustainable growth: While different leaders have varied priorities, a balance of strategies is crucial for organic growth.

·     CEOs must evolve with their companies: As companies grow, the need for a builder mentality remains critical, making succession planning pivotal.

Connect with Dan Adams:

LinkedIn

Resources Mentioned:

- Book: "Business Builders" by Dan Adams

- AIM Institute

- Builder Mentality Self-Assessment Tool

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.

For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Innovation is more than just bringing in the latest tools and technology to keep your product and service relevant. Before making sure your offering to the market is up to date, you must first understand your market, the industry’s needs, and which features to add or what upgrade to make. To properly understand what it means to innovate, you must define your product’s six W’s.

In this episode, I explain the six W’s in innovation. I describe the importance of knowing your consumers. I discuss why having too many features can be detrimental to innovation. I share the value of asking “why” before implementing any additions or changes to your product. I also share various examples of each “W” and how you can apply them to your organization.

"You should know your customers better than they know themselves." - Paul Heller

This week:

●     What the six W's are regarding product innovation

●     Determining the "who" of innovation and the people behind it

●     Knowing where to market your product or where to innovate

●     Launching your product in the right time

●     Why your product shouldn't have too many features

●     Understanding the reasons to start with "why"

Resources Mentioned:

●     Simon Sinek - Start With Why

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Huub Rutten is the Co-Founder and VP of Research at Sopheon. Before founding the software company, Huub spent over 15 years teaching linguistic disciplines and communication skills. He would then be a strategic development consultant and business processes engineer in several studies. Huub’s focus for the last two decades has been on innovation [...]

The post Financial implications behind product refactoring appeared first on Sopheon.

Paul O'Connor is the Founder of The Adept Group, a consulting firm that provides product development, product line strategy, and product management services to clients worldwide. Paul has extensive knowledge of relational database management and working with SQL Server. He is the author of The Profound Impact of Product Line Strategy: Your Guide [...]

The post Corporate innovation productivity appeared first on Sopheon.

HC Eppich is the Business Development Director at Sopheon, an innovations solutions company that works with clients to provide customized innovation performance tools and expertise. As Business Development Director, HC specializes in competitive strategies, business improvement opportunities, and diverse DACH market experience. HC also obtained certificates from the MEDDIC Academy and LinkedIn’s Unconscious Bias course.

HC joins me today to discuss Excel and homegrown systems and the best time to move away from them. He explains the challenges of scaling with a focus on legacy systems. He describes the problems involved in going for a checklist business model. He deliberates over the right mindset regarding methods and other tools. HC also shares what you can learn throughout the course of a new project, especially when it fails.

"If you want to rig up a playbook or an innovation system, you need many ingredients." - HC Eppich

This week on Innovation Talks:

●     Why Excel is the number one tool for management

●     The drawbacks of relying on checklists for your business goals

●     What paralyzes the development of new projects

●     When to stop using Excel for your business

●     The difficulty of changing templates in a large company

●     HC's opinions on homegrown systems used for innovation

●     The mindset innovators need to have regarding the system their company starts with

●     HC's advice regarding migrating toward a better system

Resources Mentioned:

●     Lotus Notes

Connect with HC Eppich:

●     Sopheon

●     HC Eppich on LinkedIn

This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.

For additional information on new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.

Cris Beswick is the Co-founder of Outcome, a consulting business that offers innovative strategies to its clients. He is the author of the book, Building A Culture Of Innovation, where he teaches leaders to embed a culture of innovation in their organizations. The book includes a blend of personal stories, experiences, and case [...]

The post Building a culture of innovation with Cris Beswick part two appeared first on Sopheon.

In this week's episode, we explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in boosting B2B selling performance. We also explore the shift in training methodologies and innovations within the sales domain, a conversation enriched by the insights of our esteemed guest, Dan Adams. With a keen focus on AI's potential, we examine how technology acts as a catalyst for revolutionizing sales preparation and effectiveness.

Dan Adams is a seasoned Aim Institute trainer specializing in B2B customer discovery techniques for Fortune 500 companies. A pioneer in integrating qualitative and quantitative methods for new product innovation, he has recently expanded his focus to the everyday voice of customer training, homing in on sales effectiveness. With a career dedicated to understanding and leveraging customer insights, Dan has successfully implemented AI tools that prepare sales teams more efficiently. His rigorous research in sales probing skills and his pragmatic approach to training make him a thought leader.

"Our new AI guide, Claire, is revolutionizing sales preparation by providing real-time coaching and feedback, thus changing our approach to training and coaching." ~Dan Adams

This Week on Innovation Talks:

·     The significance of using customer and company names in voice-of-customer (VoC) interviews to gain multiple perspectives within a business.

·     The irreplaceable value of human interviews in B2B settings for obtaining critical insights that AI might miss.

·     Utilizing AI for sales effectiveness, specifically in preparation and skills building for salespeople.

·     The introduction of Sales Prep, an AI tool that generates comprehensive reports on customer news, market trends, and common issues.

·     The challenge of onboarding new employees and technology's role in easing their transition.

·     Dan's research confirms a strong correlation between effective probing skills and sales performance, compared to traditional sales training.

·     The potential of AI-guided, asynchronous training as a cost-effective, rapid skill-building solution.

·     An independent sales prep website driven by self-motivated individuals to foster internal adoption of new methodologies.

Guest Contact Information:

Dan Adams - Aim Institute

Website: https://aiminstitute.com

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/danadams-aim/

Resources Mentioned:

Sales Prep AI tool: A solution for generating customer insights and preparing for sales calls.

Everyday VOC: How to turn every customer interaction into actionable insight.

AIM Institute Training Programs: B2B customer discovery and sales effectiveness training.

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This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart

Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.

For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.