Innovators - The Digital Innovation Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis
Podcast details
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Innovators - The Digital Innovation Podcast
Sebastian Gier
Frequency: 1 episode/50d. Total Eps: 28
The podcast on the future of design and digital innovation. Interviewing global digital innovators that make a positive impact with their work and learning from their journey, experiences and projects.
Formerly known as the Designdrives Podcast
Recent rankings
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Apple Podcasts
🇫🇷 France - management
20/03/2026#91🇫🇷 France - management
19/03/2026#76🇫🇷 France - management
18/03/2026#54🇫🇷 France - management
17/03/2026#37
Spotify
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Shared links between episodes and podcasts
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See all- https://www.facebook.com/
6751 shares
- https://www.airbnb.com/
451 shares
- https://www.pinterest.com/
268 shares
- https://www.thoughtspot.com/
145 shares
- https://www.spotify.com/us/
801 shares
RSS feed quality and score
Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.
See allScore global : 42%
Publication history
Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.
Jennifer Kaiser-Steiner - Enable New Ventures to Succeed
samedi 11 janvier 2025 • Duration
Head of Learning & Exchange Center at UnternehmerTUMIn today’s fast-paced business landscape, the role of designers and innovation managers is crucial in driving successful digital innovation. As a strategic leader at UnternehmerTUM, Jennifer Kaiser-Steiner provides invaluable insights into how collaboration and a user-centered approach can spark creativity and foster sustainable solutions. By leveraging local ecosystems and engaging diverse stakeholders, organizations can adapt and thrive amidst shifting market demands. According to a 2021 McKinsey report, companies that prioritize collaboration see a 50% increase in innovation success rates. Jennifer's expertise not only highlights the importance of these strategies but also offers a roadmap for designers and innovation managers looking to excel in a competitive environment. Her experiences provide a unique perspective on the synergy between design, entrepreneurship, and innovation management, illustrating how these elements can coalesce to create impactful outcomes.Building a Thriving Ecosystem for Digital InnovationJennifer emphasizes the power of collaboration within local ecosystems, stating, "One of the reasons UnternehmerTUM is so successful is the strong collaboration with local players. Having top-tier universities and established corporations like BMW and SAP in Munich creates a vibrant ecosystem. This synergy not only provides access to talent and research but also fosters innovation. Designers and innovation managers should recognize the importance of building networks that include diverse stakeholders. Engaging local talent and resources is crucial for developing sustainable solutions and effectively addressing market needs." This perspective underscores the critical role that community and collaboration play in nurturing innovative ideas. Research from the European Startup Network indicates that regions with robust collaboration networks see a 30% increase in startup success rates, reinforcing the value of engaging local players.In discussing how to replicate success in other regions, Jennifer notes, "When we talk about replicating the success of UnternehmerTUM in other regions, the focus should be on existing strengths rather than starting from scratch. It’s about leveraging what is already there. For instance, if a location already has a strong university or a cluster of industries, those can be the foundation for a new startup factory. Innovation often thrives when we build on existing capabilities and foster collaboration among local entities. Designers should adopt this mindset, as it can lead to more efficient and impactful project outcomes." Her insights encourage designers to harness the unique assets of their locales, promoting an efficient approach to innovation that is rooted in the existing strengths of the community. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor found that 62% of successful startups attribute their success to leveraging local resources, supporting Jennifer’s assertion about the power of existing capabilities.Jennifer's emphasis on the importance of educational initiatives reflects her understanding of the skills needed for effective digital innovation. "Education is a key pillar for entrepreneurship. At UnternehmerTUM, we prioritize providing comprehensive educational programs that cover the entire entrepreneurial journey. Last year alone, we educated over 10,000 students in entrepreneurship. This demonstrates the necessity of equipping future innovators with the right skills and knowledge. Designers and innovation managers should emphasize learning opportunities and workshops, ensuring that their teams are skilled in both design and business fundamentals, fostering a more holistic approach to innovation." By prioritizing education, she underscores its role as a foundational element for cultivating a new generation of innovators who are equipped to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape. A 2022 report from the World Economic Forum found that regions investing in entrepreneurship education experience a 40% higher rate of new business creation, highlighting the impact of educational initiatives. The Role of Education in Shaping User ExperienceAs Jennifer points out, the startup ecosystem is not without its challenges, particularly when it comes to funding. "One major challenge startups face in Germany is the lack of accessible private funding compared to the U.S. This gap in funding is often a barrier to innovation. For designers and innovation managers, this highlights the need to creatively seek alternative funding sources, such as crowdfunding or partnerships, and to advocate for policy changes that could improve access to capital. Understanding the financial landscape is critical for driving innovative projects forward, and being proactive in seeking diverse funding avenues can make a significant difference." Her acknowledgment of funding challenges highlights the importance of resourcefulness in navigating the entrepreneurial landscape. A 2023 PitchBook report shows that European startups received only 50% of the venture capital funding available to their U.S. counterparts, underscoring the need for innovative funding strategies.Jennifer also articulates the necessity of physical spaces for collaboration, stating, "Building a startup ecosystem requires not just great ideas but also the right infrastructure. In Munich, we have co-working spaces like Munich CoLab that facilitate collaboration between startups and corporates. This physical space is essential for nurturing innovation. Designers should consider how their workspaces can promote collaboration and creativity. Creating environments where ideas can be easily shared and developed can significantly enhance the innovation process, making it more dynamic and responsive to change." This insight emphasizes the role of environment in fostering creativity, encouraging innovation managers to design spaces that facilitate collaboration and the free exchange of ideas. Forrester Research found that 68% of employees believe collaborative workspaces enhance their productivity, reinforcing Jennifer’s point about the importance of infrastructure in the innovation process.Moreover, Jennifer stresses the critical role of user experience: "User experience plays a pivotal role in the success of startups. In our pre-incubation programs, we emphasize the importance of including UX professionals in the founding teams. This user-centered approach ensures that products are not only innovative but also meet the needs of end-users. For designers, this underscores the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. Bringing together diverse skill sets can lead to more well-rounded solutions that resonate with users and effectively address their pain points." This focus on user-centered design reinforces the idea that successful innovation is inherently tied to understanding and addressing user needs. According to the Nielsen Norman Group, companies that prioritize user experience see a 30% increase in customer satisfaction and retention, highlighting the tangible benefits of this approach.The need for rapid prototyping is another key point Jennifer makes: "The ability to prototype quickly is crucial in the innovation process. By transforming abstract ideas into tangible prototypes, teams can gather feedback early on and make necessary adjustments. This accelerates the development cycle and enhances communication among team members. Designers should champion rapid prototyping methodologies, as these can significantly streamline the innovation process. Visualizing concepts early allows for clearer discussions and ensures that everyone is aligned on the project vision." This advocacy for rapid prototyping illustrates her practical approach to driving innovation and enhancing team collaboration. Forrester research indicates that teams using rapid prototyping methodologies can reduce product development time by up to 30%, showcasing the effectiveness of this strategy. Navigating Regulatory Landscapes and Future OpportunitiesIn addition to the challenges already discussed, Jennifer addresses the regulatory landscape, stating, "Regulatory challenges can stifle innovation. We often encounter bureaucratic hurdles that complicate the startup process in Germany. Initiatives like the proposed '28 regime' aim to simplify these challenges by allowing startups to operate more freely across European countries. Designers and innovation managers need to be aware of these regulatory landscapes and advocate for policies that promote a more conducive environment for innovation. Simplifying processes can unlock potential and encourage more entrepreneurial ventures." Her call for awareness and advocacy reflects a deep understanding of the regulatory barriers that can hinder innovation. The OECD’s 2022 report highlights that streamlined regulations can lead to a 15% increase in startup activity, underscoring the importance of navigating these challenges effectively.Moreover, Jennifer suggests that a proactive approach to regulatory engagement can foster a more innovative environment. Organizations that actively participate in discussions around policy changes are better positioned to influence outcomes that benefit the startup ecosystem. As startups become more intertwined with societal needs—especially in areas like sustainability and digital transformation—advocating for favorable policies is not just advantageous but necessary. According to a 2023 report by the European Commission, companies that engage with policymakers are 60% more likely to succeed in obtaining the support they need for innovative projects. This highlights the dual role of designers and innovation managers as not just creators but also advocates for the change they wish to see in their industries. ConclusionJennifer Kaiser-Steiner's insights illuminate the essential interplay between digital innovation, education, and user experience. Her emphasis on collaboration, leveraging local strengths, and advocating for a supportive regulatory environment provides a compelling framework for designers and innovation managers. By prioritizing education and embracing a user-centered approach, organizations can cultivate impactful solutions that resonate with users. As the landscape of digital innovation continues to evolve, Jennifer's perspectives serve as a guiding light for those seeking to drive sustainable success in this dynamic field. Her unique combination of strategic vision and practical experience offers valuable lessons for the next generation of innovators, empowering them to navigate the complexities of the digital era. Through her work, Jennifer not only contributes to the growth of UnternehmerTUM but also inspires a broader movement toward a more interconnected and innovative future.
Jennifer Kaiser-Steiner is the Head of the Learning & Exchange Center at UnternehmerTUM, where she leads innovative educational and strategic initiatives. With over two years of experience at UnternehmerTUM, including her role as Senior Expert for Strategic Projects, Jennifer specializes in fostering impactful learning environments. Her diverse background combines academic research, strategic project management, and educational leadership, contributing to a dynamic and forward-thinking approach to innovation and learning.
Felix Lee - Empowering the next generation of creative leaders
samedi 7 septembre 2024 • Duration
Michael Janda - How to grow your design business
samedi 19 février 2022 • Duration
So you are planning to launch your own creative business or you’ve already launched, and you’re starting to grow.
That’s great!
But good growth won’t just happen. Just like a junior designer starts with small projects and slowly builds skills, a new business needs time to mature, test new ideas, and prepare itself, too.
We are happy to tell you that this episode is packed with tips and strategies that can help you with your business.
In EP64 we chat with Michael Janda on the intersection of business and design.
We talk about how you set up a design agency so you can actually sell the business at some point and also how you scale the design business and drive sales.
That means how you get clients or get better ones and how you can convince them to spend more money with you.
We also drive into some of the biggest mistakes designers are doing, and how you can communicate the value of design towards business and marketing in the most powerful way.
Mike is running one of our absolute favorite Instagram channels where he inspires and shares his insights on business aspects of design.
So we are really honored to have him on the show.
With Mike, we jump into;
Why systemising the business is key.
How to design your business as a system.
How to communicate design deliveries when negotiating with clients.
Communicating the positive business impact of design.
Disadvantages of value-based pricing.
How to find new customers and boost sales.
How to convince price-sensitive customers to invest into design.
Thanks a lot for your time and for learning Mike!
Kadambari Sahu - Driving new sensing experiences
mardi 1 février 2022 • Duration
We are super excited to launch another episode of Designdrives where we explore why, how, and what design drives forward.
In EP63 We chat with Kadambari Sahu SVP Design at ValueLabs, about her learnings working as a design leader for many years.
Recently she has been winning many global design awards and building up her design competence at Value Labs India.
Kadambari creates design cultures by infusing design thinking within organizations and businesses to create a holistic strategy and marketing experience.
We learn how she positioned up and build design within the company from scratch and grow raw responsibilities of design and value of design within the organization.
We also have a super interesting chat on one of her most awarded projects called "Sniffing out the differences" where we not only learn about the challenges and opportunities designing with smell as a creative medium but also the business value considering it in a commercial setup and what it could be if brands would invest into the design with sniffing.
With Kad, we jump into;
What were the key challenges that she had to face in the “Sniffing out the differences” project?
How can interaction designers and companies incorporate the sense of smell more into their projects?
What are the positive outcomes when designing with the “smell in mind”.
How does she grow and position design within the company?
What strategies she uses to communicate the business value to design.
Thanks a lot for your time and for learning Kad!
Darshan Gajara - Driving digital design resources, education, inspiration
lundi 10 janvier 2022 • Duration
We are super excited to kick off 2022 with a fresh episode of Designdrives.
In EP62 we had the chance to chat with Darshan Gajara Head of Design at GraphCMS a growing startup based in Berlin.
He is also the creator of Product Disrupt.com which is a popular newsletter and website for design resources linked towards the best design blocks, the best podcasts, the best resources, and also a great newsletter for young designers to advance themselves as a designer.
With Darshan, we jump into;
What it means to join an early-stage startup as a designer as he joined GraphCMS as the founding designer.
What it means to grow together with the team and the company as a designer.
What kind of challenges come ahead as you work in such an environment.
We also talk about why and how you can use the power of online education and inspirations to advance yourself as a designer using good resources and online programs.
During the episode, he also shares his insights on:
As a designer how you can find fresh materials online.
What to expect and how to adapt to your job role after joining a startup.
How to stay agile and structure the design projects?
How to set up projects and design teams?
Thanks a lot for your time and for learning Darshan!
Josh Clark - Driving digital AI product experiences
mardi 21 décembre 2021 • Duration
We are thrilled to launch our EP61 featuring Josh Clark founder of Big Medium in New York.
Josh is a vivid speaker, a brilliant author, and an expert on UX design for AI.
With Josh, we jump into how AI could influence creative decision-making and how it’s already influencing our day-to-day activities and decision-making.
We also discuss what’s his perspective on why AI as a complementary aspect to human decision making should give, signals, recommendations but also what level of confidence the AI actually has in the signal to make it transparent to humans.
He also shares his experiences working with AI projects, making it a super inspiring conversation on the future of AI.
During the episode we explore:
The impact of technology on human decision-making
One of the biggest challenges in designing AI experiences
Why questions are more important than answers when designing for AI
What are the challenges in “probabilistic design”?
How much "AI/Data" do you need to prototype an experience?
How can design foster development in AI?
The Dark side of AI (Optimism and Practical Skeptmism)
Thanks a lot for your time and for learning Josh!
Brittany Arthur - Driving innovation cultures through facilitation
lundi 13 décembre 2021 • Duration
We are excited to announce our EP60 featuring Brittany Arthur, Co-founder & Director of Design Thinking Japan & Business Karaoke Podcast.
With Brittany, we dive into the connection between culture and innovation.
We learn how design as facilitation can foster business innovation and growth and where Brittany saw people's life change to create problem-solving.
Further, we dig into how design thinking can break company structure hierarchies and bridge cultural differences.
She also shares how to measure the impact of design facilitation and how to leverage the digital layer on a hybrid world of digital-physical facilitation.
During the episode we explore:
How do you evaluate if a workshop or design thinking session was a success?
How do you ensure your projects have an impact and not get "lost in the transition to implementation".
How do you ensure facilitation has a long-term impact on your work/workshops.
The design and innovation culture in Japan and how it differs to other regions in the world?
How the right facilitation can bridges cultures and bring people together.
Best practices in design facilitation
How to keep the alignment with the business vision and strategy, but still foster positive transformation
How to navigate design facilitation in a hybrid world of physical and digital sessions
Thanks a lot for your time and for learning Brittany!
Fabrice Pöhlmann - Driving behavior design and gamification
dimanche 5 décembre 2021 • Duration
We are thrilled to announce our EP59 featuring Fabrice Pöhlmann, Founder and CEO at HelloDesign
With Fabrice, talk about why, how, and what to focus on behavior design principles and how he's now implementing these principles to any kind of project.
We also discuss how to use behavior design to drive business goals and actually get stakeholders motivated to use gamification in order to drive business KPIs.
Further, we dig into a specific project where he actually had the chance to use gamification for making health content accessible to the generations.
During the episode we explore:
How do design with gamification in mind
How to design for behavior
How you can infuse behavior design in any project
How to start a design agency and grow it
How to understand the relationship between target group and choosing the right content & UX strategy
Thanks a lot for your time and for learning Fabrice!
Bob Baxley - Driving UX Leadership at Apple, ThoughtSpot, Pinterest and more
samedi 13 novembre 2021 • Duration
We are thrilled to launch EP58 with Bob Baxley, Senior Vice-President of Design at ThoughtSpot.
Before ThoughtSpot he served as a Senior Manager of Design and product management at Apple and Head of Product Design at Pinterest.
With Bob, we talk about the software as a creative medium and future opportunities for designers.
We also talk about the design culture at Apple and what makes it so unique when it comes to putting CX first.
During the episode we explore:
Why the team comes first and how important team and culture are for any product innovations.
What Bob has learned working with Steve Jobs
How Apple wins through design
How Apple drives UX design and user research
Why great design needs great engineering
How design visions can bring teams together and bring together design and engineering
Over a million users, no user research, why every project needs a tailored approach
Thanks a lot for your time and for learning Bob!
Catherine Nygaard - Driving UX/UI for billion+ users
dimanche 31 octobre 2021 • Duration
We are very excited to launch EP57 with Catherine Nygaard, Design Director wat WhatsApp and former Director at Airbnb and Spotify.
With Catherine, we explore how to grow design teams, foster creativity in your team, and what she has learned working with some of the world’s best product teams in the world.
We also learn her personal approach towards design and what she has learned managing design teams and working in transformative business environments: for example her time at Airbnb during the times of COVID.
During the episode we explore:
How to design for billion+ users.
How to drive productivity in your team.
How to empower users.
The importance to know the ‘why’ of your innovation.
What makes your product stand out.
Why culture is key for foster creativity.
Thanks a lot for your time and for learning Catherine!
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