Innovation Rockstars
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Eduspiring B2B video podcast about everything innovation. A virtual stage for real-life stories about innovation, foresight, strategy and growth. Success or failure, opportunities or challenges, growth or survival - in this podcast, you'll learn about the journey of the most innovative companies around the globe. Tune in!
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May 16, 2023
#59 - Nic Umana | Mars | Activating Human Intelligence for Global Agile Innovation
“We try to get our people attached to the learning rather than the outcome. It's not a failure, if you decide to kill your project. In fact, we celebrate that.”
In this episode we are delighted to welcome Nic Umana, Global Agile Innovation Human Intelligence Director at Mars. Having worked at Mars for more than two decades, the self-proclaimed "chaos pilot" has gained a wealth of experience within the company, which she now brings to her role by putting people at the heart of innovation.
In this entertaining conversation, we delve into Nic's approach to innovation and get an inside look at the agile innovation model recently implemented at Mars. In addition, we also discuss the challenges of implementing agile innovation across a global organization, and learn how to strike the perfect balance between data-driven decision-making and human-centered innovation.
So put on your headphones and get ready for an insightful journey into activating human intelligence for global agile innovation.
The episode at a glance:
Getting to know Nic:
Who is Nic? (00:01:53)
Nic, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:03:39)
Human Intelligence:
How to explain the job of a Global Agile Innovation Human Intelligence Director in a way that granny and grandpa will understand? (00:07:19)
What's the deal with the self-proclaimed Chaos Pilot? (00:08:04)
What's the secret of balancing the need for data-driven decision-making with the importance of keeping humans at the center of innovation? (00:09:18)
What are the benefits of this approach, both for people and for the organization? (00:12:04)
In light of recent developments driven by artificial intelligence: What's the role of humans in the innovation process evolving? (00:14:37)
What are the key skills and attributes when building teams, considering future changes in skill requirements? (00:17:12)
Will AI, or at least data-driven approaches, strongly influence human decision-making in the future? (00:18:47)
The “Either-Or” game (00:22:26)
Human Intelligence Cont’d:
Nic on the challenges and lessons learned in implementing agile innovation across a global organization, and how to adapt to different cultures and working styles (00:27:50)
How might other global companies embrace human intelligence and the process age of innovation? (00:32:05)
Is the question of return on innovation a question that was asked at the top management level at Mars? (00:36:12)
Closing:
Nic’s 3 actionable key recommendations from this episode (00:38:47)
Looking back: Nic’s Innovation Rockstar moment (00:41:09)
** FEEDBACK WELCOME
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@innovationrockstars.show with your feedback, comments, or questions.
***HUNGRY FOR MORE?
Be sure to check out our website at www.itonics-innovation.com/podcast or browse through our Innovation Rockstars channel on all major podcast platforms.
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May 2, 2023
#58 - Dr. Christoph Nabholz | Swiss Re | Leveraging Technology and Data to Tackle Emerging Risks
“You can only be at the top of your game when it comes to creating accurate prediction models with a large amount of up-to-date data. And that's what we do, because the risk industry is all about predicting the future.”
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Christoph Nabholz, Chief Research Officer and Head of the Research, Engagement & Sustainability Team at the Swiss Re Institute.
Get ready for an insightful conversation as we delve into how Swiss Re is leveraging its technology and data expertise to tackle emerging risks. We kick things off by taking a snapshot of the biggest hurdles facing innovation in the insurance industry, giving you an inside look at how Swiss Re is driving its own transformative change.
Things get even more exciting when we dive into the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in risk modeling. We'll explore the immense potential of AI to revolutionize the way insurers approach risk, and how a robust, high-quality, and up-to-date database is the key to unlocking this potential. Curious to learn more? Then tune in!
The episode at a glance:
Getting to know Christoph:
Who is Christoph? (00:01:59)
Christoph, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:03:57)
The Swiss Re & Swiss Re Institute
What exactly is reinsurance? And what is it good for? (00:05:27)
What are the biggest challenges facing the reinsurance industry in terms of innovation, and how are companies working to overcome them? (00:07:53)
What exactly is Swiss Re Institute (SRI) and how does it contribute to Swiss Re's business? (00:11:14)
What does a typical day of a Chief Research Officer look like? (00:13:33)
The “Either-Or” game (00:14:50)
Digitalization and Innovation within the New Risk Landscape
What does "today's risk landscape" in the context of reinsurance actually look like? (00:17:48)
What is needed to mitigate these new risks successfully - i.e. move from protection to prevention? (00:23:27)
What models and data are behind risk prevention and mitigation? (00:26:10)
Identifying and assessing trends and trends: Where do you collect what kind of data, and how do you get from trend to impact? (00:29:08)
What role does artificial intelligence play in the reinsurance industry for the early detection of emerging risks? (00:33:25)
How does Swiss Re manage to balance the need for innovation with the need for stability, operational efficiency and risk management? (00:35:01)
Closing
Christoph’s 3 actionable key recommendations from this episode (00:40:17)
Looking back: Christoph’s Innovation Rockstar moment (00:43:55)
** FEEDBACK WELCOME
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@innovationrockstars.show with your feedback, comments, or questions.
And if you're hungry for more inspiring innovation stories, be sure to check out our website at www.itonics-innovation.com/podcast or browse through our Innovation Rockstars channel on all major podcast platforms. Get ready to be inspired and take your innovation game to the next level!
***LISTEN - LIKE - SHARE
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Apr 18, 2023
#57 - Tom Kegode | Lloyds Banking Group | The Toolbox for High-Impact Hybrid Work
“I would describe myself as a friendly disruptor. And the people I probably give the most trouble to are those who are very set in their ways and their fixed mindset zone where innovation is hardly possible.”
Today we are joined by Tom Kegode from the Lloyds Banking Group. Calling himself a “friendly disruptor”, Tom is an expert in harnessing human innovation and the power of community to create a more inclusive workplace.
With Tom, we'll explore how to make work a place of passion, the importance of communication, and tools to make hybrid working as impactful as possible for both sides. Tom also reveals why the best ideas don't come from behind a desk and talks about new approaches to brainstorming. For example, using a walking tour as an idea generator, because getting out of the environment can really help to spark creativity. Want to learn more? Then let's jump right in.
The episode at a glance:
Getting to know Tom:
Who is Tom? (00:01:31)
Tom, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:03:47)
Reimagining the concept of work
Who does Tom give the most trouble to as “Professional Troublemaker, and how? (00:06:49)
Tom gives an example of a traditional way of 'doing things' being disrupted by innovation (00:08:19)
Why do we need hybrid work? (00:10:10)
Work-life balance discussion: Why would you balance your work if you actually have fun doing your work? (00:14:09)
The “Either-Or” game (00:16:36)
Toolbox for High-Impact Hybrid Work
Tom gives insights into the toolbox and provides some concrete examples for the implementation of high-impact hybrid work (00:18:17)
What can be done to foster creativity and innovation in a hybrid setting? (00:22:17)
How can organizations ensure that innovation efforts are integrated with day-to-day business operations, rather than seen as separate or competing priorities? (00:25:36)
The best ideas never come from behind a desk, but… (00:26:33)
Closing
Looking ahead: Tom’s vision for the evolution of hybrid work and innovation in the workplace (00:28:42)
Tom’s actionable key recommendations from this episode (00:32:50)
Looking back: Tom’s Innovation Rockstar moment (00:34:21)
** FURTHER LINKS
** FURTHER LINKS
Tom’s book recommendation “The Joy of Work” to be found at: https://www.amazon.de/Joy-Work-Business-Bestseller-Culture/dp/1847942393/ref=asc_df_1847942393/?tag=googshopde-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=500890759604&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9296860145188081686&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1004234&hvtargid=pla-864167176756&psc=1&th=1&psc=1
** FEEDBACK WELCOME
If you would like to give us feedback on this episode or know someone who also has some thrilling stories or insights to share from the world of corporate innovation (maybe yourself?), just shoot us a note at info@innovationrockstars.show.
***LISTEN - LIKE - SHARE
You like our show? Then leave us a rating or a review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Google Podcast and share it with colleagues and friends and whomever!
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Mar 7, 2023
#56 - Kelly Van Dyke | PepsiCo | Collaborating with Startups: Lessons Learned
“When starting a collaboration with a start-up, you should ask yourself the following three questions: Is it the right company, with the right technology, at the right time?”
In this episode, we catch up with Kelly Van Dyke, Director - R&D External Innovation at PepsiCo. Her mission: Identify new technologies to disrupt the CPG category through strategic partnerships and business opportunities, and to drive product innovations that truly delight consumers.
This highly entertaining conversation focuses on PepsiCo's start-up collaborations. In addition to an introduction to the company's tripartite collaboration strategy, including a brief look at the partnerships between different areas of R&D, we also return to the PepsiCo Positive (pep+) Journey: A sustainable approach to creating growth and shared value with a focus on sustainability and human capital. Want to learn more about PepsiCo's projects with startups? Then grab your headphones and tune in!
The episode at a glance:
Getting to know Kelly:
Who is Kelly? (00:00:53)
Kelly, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:01:54)
PepsiCo Global R&D:
What is one thing that most people probably don’t know about PepsiCo? (00:04:24)
PepsiCo's tech and corporate scouting groups: What’s their purpose, and what do they focus on? (00:06:04)
What is the size of each team? (00:07:40)
What is the mission of the external innovation team? How does it contribute to the bigger picture? (00:08:25)
PepsiCo External Innovation:
A walk-through the 4 stages of PepsiCo’s framework for open innovation: “Want”, “Find”, “Get” & “Manage” (00:09:23)
Sneak peek into PepsiCo’s ecosystem: How do you operate? How do you reach out to external companies? (00:12:22)
Kelly’s most important lessons learned in collaborating with startups (00:14:37)
About recent success stories of external collaboration (00:20:43)
PepsiCo’s current (technology) needs and opportunities (00:22:20)
Closing:
Kelly’s #1 do and #1 don’t about innovation (00:24:00)
Looking ahead: What are your biggest challenges at the moment? (00:26:27)
Kelly’s actionable key recommendations to take away from this episode (00:28:35)
Looking back: Kelly’s Innovation Rockstar moment (00:29:36)
*** FEEDBACK WELCOME
If you would like to give us feedback on this episode or know someone who also has some thrilling stories or insights to share from the world of corporate innovation (maybe yourself?), just shoot us a note at info@innovationrockstars.show.
***LISTEN - LIKE - SHARE
You like our show? Then leave us a rating or a review and share it with colleagues and friends and whomever!
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Feb 23, 2023
#55 - ChatGPT | OpenAI | Will AI Replace Creative Jobs First?
“AI can be like a trusty sidekick to a superhero. I can provide support and assist with the heavy lifting, but the superhero is the one calling the shots and using their creativity and imagination to save the day.”
Have you ever done a full interview with an AI? We have!
In this unconventional episode of INNOVATION ROCKSTARS, we take on a very special interview guest: ChatGPT - one of the largest language models currently available, developed by OpenAI, a leading artificial intelligence research institute based in San Francisco.
Besides the somewhat controversial core question "ChatGPT conquering our (work) lives - Will creative jobs be replaced first?", we discuss with ChatGPT concerns about the singularity, the ability to be creative, and the limits of AI. We also take a look at the supporting role of AI in driving innovation and ask our interview guest for the secret sauce of innovation success. Want to know the answer? Then tune in!
The episode at a glance:
Who is ChatGPT? (00:02:11)
ChatGPT, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:02:56)
AI & Creativity
How exactly were you trained? What and how much data was used, and what algorithms? (00:04:50)
Why do people tend to focus on the more dystopian scenarios when it comes to the increasing impact of AI on our lives? (00:06:22)
Can AI systems have creativity and imagination, or are they limited to the data they are trained on? (00:08:06)
How does ChatGPT define creativity? (00:09:25)
Will AI replace creative jobs first? (00:10:32)
What does it take for an AI to be truly creative? (00:13:01)
AI & Innovation
What role will AI play in innovation? (00:14:25)
How can AI help solve real-world problems? (00:16:44)
What about scenarios where AI is already being used to solve real-world problems (00:18:50)
What are the real secrets to innovation success? (00:21:38)
AI & The Future of Industries and Work
How is AI impacting different industries in the near future? (00:23:25)
How is AI helping companies stay ahead of the competition? (00:24:38)
How will AI impact the job market in the next 5–10 years? (00:26:00)
What skills will new jobs require when working with AI? (00:27:10)
What should companies and individuals consider who are just starting to explore the potential of AI? (00:28:26)
Closing
ChatGPT’s about the top 3 dos and don'ts in innovation? (00:30:04)
Looking ahead: What are the biggest challenges facing AI today, and how are they being addressed? (00:31:49)
Looking back: ChatGPT’s Innovation Rockstar moment (00:33:36)
If you could ask us, humans, just one question, what would it be? (00:35:00)
*** FEEDBACK WELCOME
If you would like to give us feedback on this episode or know someone who also has some thrilling stories or insights to share from the world of corporate innovation (maybe yourself?), just shoot us a note at info@innovationrockstars.show.
***LISTEN - LIKE - SHARE
You like our show? Then leave us a rating or a review and share it with colleagues and friends and whomever!
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Feb 7, 2023
#54 - Cordell Hardy | 3M | Navigating the Balance of Ambition and Returns in Global R&D
“To value a portfolio, you have to be able to forecast and if you're not in the business of delivering on forecasts, then your innovative roadmap is not going to turn out to be too valuable.”
In this episode, we are joined by Cordell Hardy, PhD, Senior Vice President of Corporate R&D Operations at 3M. With more than 20 years of experience at 3M, Cordell is a seasoned R&D leader driving business growth by combining skillful management, technical breadth, and business acumen on a global scale.
Having shared responsibility for a wide range of products worldwide, Cordell has become a true expert in the field of portfolio management. In this informal exchange, we not only explore the question of what a balanced portfolio looks like and how this "balance" can be achieved but also learn about the role that the net present value and the degree of innovation of new investments play in this context. Want to know more? Listen to the full episode!
The episode at a glance:
- Who is Cordell? (00:01:23)
- Cordell, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:02:10)
- Very brief insight into Cordell's work at the non-profit organization Minnesota Community Care (00:05:20)
R&D and Innovation at 3M
- Cordell about his leading function of a geographically and functionally diverse technical organization that supports the 4 global business groups within 3M (00:06:34)
- Do you think the word “innovation” is at risk of being commoditized or overused? (00:09:03)
- What separates winning companies from others who are just "muddling along" when it comes to “doing science”? (00:11:13)
- Where do you see opportunities for new ways of doing business, and how can you use them to drive growth? (00:15:57)
- The “Either-Or” game (00:19:34)
Portfolio Compositions
- How can organizations achieve the right balance in their portfolio? (00:22:14)
- What does a well-balanced portfolio look like then? (00:25:21)
- What does the decision-making process look like at 3M? (00:28:30)
- How to ensure that the portfolio is linked to strategy and the resources are allocated in a way to support the overall goal? (00:30:31)
- What are some of the most pressing H2 or H3 challenges and opportunities you're currently facing at 3M? (00:32:51)
- Cordell’s actionable key recommendations to take away from this episode (00:34:43)
- Looking back: Cordell’s Innovation Rockstar moment (00:37:39)
*** FEEDBACK WELCOME
If you would like to give us feedback on this episode or know someone who also has some thrilling stories or insights to share from the world of corporate innovation (maybe yourself?), just shoot us a note at info@innovationrockstars.show.
***LISTEN - LIKE - SHARE
You like our show? Then leave us a rating or a review on Spotify or Apple Podcast and share it with colleagues and friends and whomever!
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Jan 10, 2023
#53 - Vera Betz | o2 Telefónica Germany | HR Driven Innovation
“Innovation is not done by one business unit, innovation is done by everyone.”
In this episode, we are pleased to welcome Vera Betz, HR Digital Transformation Manager at o2 Telefónica Germany. Her mission: Connecting people and combining their strengths with the goal of developing the right innovations together.
During this very casual exchange, Vera gives us insights into how HR empowers employees at o2 Telefónica to change and develop new ideas for the future. In this context, we not only learn about the role of trends and how HR operates with them, but also what are - according to Vera - the three core competencies that future employees need to bring along for the development of future products.
The episode at a glance:
Who is Vera? (00:01:18)
Vera, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:02:28)
Innovation x o2 Telefónica
Brief deep-dive into products and subsidiaries of o2 Telefónica Germany (00:03:59)
Telefónica turns 100! What is planned? (00:05:01)
Why is there a need to harmonize and synchronize the innovation efforts within o2 Telefónica? And why start now? (00:05:47)
About business need and business outcome (00:07:24)
The “Either-Or” game (00:09:08)
HR Driving Innovation at o2 Telefónica
Why did o2 Telefónica decide to use HR as a driver for innovation? (00:10:54)
How does o2 Telefónica design the innovation management process? (00:12:26)
How you do work with trends, and which trends are currently on the radar? (00:15:20)
Skills needed for future employees developing future products (00:19:47)
Vera’s actionable key recommendations to take away from this episode (00:21:14)
Looking back. Vera’s Innovation Rockstar moment (00:22:22)
*** FEEDBACK WELCOME
If you would like to give us feedback on this episode or know someone who also has some thrilling stories or insights to share from the world of corporate innovation (maybe yourself?), just shoot us a note at info@innovationrockstars.show.
***LISTEN - LIKE - SHARE
You like our show? Then leave us a rating or a review on Spotify or Apple Podcast and share it with colleagues and friends and whomever!
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Dec 27, 2022
#52 - Hod Fleishman | BCG X | The Realist’s Guide to Emerging Technologies
“Doing innovation means to spent more time on figuring out the problem than the solution.”
In this episode, we welcome Hod Fleishman, Partner, VP, Deep Tech Business Innovation at BCG X, Boston Consulting Group’s new tech build and design unit, and also a successful founder of various startups with a deep passion for connecting the physical and digital worlds, and digital innovation.
In addition to an insight into the very successful work of BCG X and some very exciting real-world examples, we will also learn about the importance of involving customers in the development of new businesses from the very beginning. Why do Hod & team see themselves as "master builders" in what they do? Find out!
The episode at a glance:
Who is Hod? (00:01:32)
Hod, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:03:35)
Ghost Innovators
Hod’s #1 “Do” and #1 "Not to do” in innovation. (00:05:32)
How did the game of innovation change for corporates in the past years? (00:06:35)
Hod, what’s your job-to-be-done exactly - in and outside the company? (00:08:37)
Do you see yourselves as “ghost innovators”? (00:10:10)
How do people get in touch with you when it comes to building a new venture? (00:12:07)
Talking about emerging technologies: How are they assessed in terms of their applicability? (00:13:21)
What is a possible way to overcome the chasm between business people and engineers sitting at one table building a new venture together? (00:15:40)
Do the ventures BCG X builds end up at the brand of your corporate clients? (00:18:08)
How about velocity - with which setup can you move faster? (00:18:44)
The “Either-Or” game (00:20:45)
The Outcomes: How many businesses did you launch at BCG X? (00:24:10)
Hod’s 3 actionable key recommendations to take away from this episode (00:28:20)
Looking back: Hod’s Innovation Rockstar moment (00:36:40)
***FURTHER LINKS
For more info on BCG X, the tech build and design unit of BCG, please visit: https://www.bcg.com/x
*** FEEDBACK WELCOME
If you would like to give us feedback on this episode or know someone who also has some thrilling stories or insights to share from the world of corporate innovation (maybe yourself?), just shoot us a note at info@innovationrockstars.show.
***LISTEN - LIKE - SHARE
You like our show? Then leave us a rating or a review on Spotify or Apple Podcast and share it with colleagues and friends and whomever!
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Dec 6, 2022
#51 - Tessa Finlev | Dolby Laboratories | Running a Futures Council
“To assume that running a Foresight or Future program is something that people can do on the side of their regular work would doom the whole thing directly to failure.”
In this episode, we are joined by Dolby Laboratories' first-ever Foresight Strategist, and current founder of her own consultancy, Tessa Finlev. As Head of Foresight, she has launched an internal Futures Council, a company-wide resource that scans the horizon and connects the dots back to Dolby.
In addition to a brief explanation of how Tessa "accidentally" became a futurist, and a short dive into the foresight activities at Dolby Laboratories, we address the core question of how to run a Futures Council. If you want to learn more about the characteristics, responsibilities, and goals of such a council, but also how time travelers come into play in that context, you shouldn’t miss this episode.
The episode at a glance:
Who is Tessa? (00:01:29)
Tessa, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:02:57)
Foresight X Dolby
Tessa’s story about “accidentally” becoming a Futurist. (00:05:03)
How Tessa kick-started corporate foresight movement within Dolby (00:06:17)
Who were Tessa’s first followers inside Dolby? (00:08:13)
How Tessa managed to get the internal buy-in for using a software platform within Dolby (00:10:33)
How do gamification approaches come into play to increase engagement in corporate foresight activities? (00:12:50)
The “Either-Or” game (00:13:38)
The Futures Council of Dolby
Why Tessa recommends having a dedicated futures team inside a company (00:15:12)
What are the characteristics, responsibilities, goals and structure of such a council? (00:16:44)
Who is the audience of the Futures Council? (00:22:17)
In Tessa’s opinion, where should Foresight ideally sit within the corporate context, and why? (00:25:21)
A look ahead: What are some of the most relevant H2/ H3 topics Dolby is currently dealing with? (00:27:07)
Tessa’s 3 actionable key recommendations to take away from this episode (00:33:12)
Looking back. Tessa’s Innovation Rockstar moment (00:34:30)
***
FEEDBACK WELCOME
If you would like to learn more about Tessa and her boutique futures firm, “Facilitating Foresight”, then why not visit her at veryfuture.xyz. For feedback on this episode, just shoot us a note at info@innovationrockstars.show.
***
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More inspiring innovation stories, to be found on our website at www.innovationrockstars.show or visit our Innovation Rockstars channel on all major podcast platforms and leave us a rating or a review!
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Nov 22, 2022
#50 - Roni Michael | KPMG International | Global Innovation - Together
“If we want to be truly ahead of the market, we need to do more of what we've been doing, but so much faster and in a more intense way.”
In this episode, we are pleased to welcome Roni Michael from KPMG International. Roni is dedicated to innovation at heart and in her role as Global Head of Innovation responsible for establishing, driving and accelerating innovation activities within KPMG's global organization.
In addition to the question of how KPMG helps clients innovate in an increasingly fast-paced future, also talks to us about how to maintain a balanced innovation portfolio, but also how to measure the success of innovation. We will also take a look at one of KPMG's focused topics, "The new era of work," which included a large-scale hackathon. Want to learn more? Then tune in!
The episode at a glance:
Who is Roni? (00:01:22)
Roni, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:02:42)
KPMG x Innovation
What led to KPMG's decision to accelerate their efforts in innovation? (00:04:14)
How do you communicate withing KPMG to share success stories? What are the formats you use? (00:07:14)
What role will KPMG play in helping your clients innovate in the coming years? (00:09:24)
How does KPMG build and maintain a balanced innovation portfolio? (00:11:24)
How does KPMG measure innovation success? (00:14:30)
The “Either-Or” game (00:20:21)
New Era of work - Hackathon
What is the new era of work, and what are its real challenges? (00:22:39)
Short walk-through of the KPMG hackathon on the topic of (digital) future of work and its outcome (00:27:07)
A look ahead: What’s next for KPMG’s innovation efforts? (00:31:44)
Roni’s 3 actionable key recommendations to take away from this episode (00:34:05)
Looking back. Roni’s Innovation Rockstar moment (00:35:48)
***
FURTHER LINKS
Not enough of Roni yet? Then check out Roni’s own podcast “Back from 2040” on: https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2022/01/back-from-2040-podcast.html or on all major podcast platforms e.g. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3oeYTmxzclpJbqnwrIWuE3 / Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/back-from-2040/id1627322734
***
DROP US YOUR FEEDBACK
If you would like to give us feedback on this episode or know someone who also has some thrilling stories or insights to share from the world of corporate innovation (maybe yourself?), just shoot us a note at info@innovationrockstars.show.
***
LISTEN - LIKE - SHARE
You like our show? Then leave us a rating or a review on Spotify or Apple Podcast and share it with colleagues and friends and whomever!
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Nov 2, 2022
#49 - Hans Lind | Volvo Group | How to Make Innovation Labs Work
“Being immersed in the customer operations is a key to producing things that are credible and innovative, not overload stuff with fancy things and technology."
In this episode, we welcome Director Business Innovation & Foresight, Hans Lind from the Vovo Group. As part of the Volvo Connected Solutions Innovation Lab, Hans’ job is to explore ideas that add value to the business and help it stay relevant in the long term.
In addition to a brief dive into the Volvo Group and its strategy, we take a look behind the scenes of the Volvo Connected Solutions Innovation Lab and learn a lot about partnerships, the right team composition, but also about the importance of patience and a holistic approach when it comes to building up such a lab.
Curious to learn more? Then tune in to get the full story!
The episode at a glance:
Who is Hans? (00:01:41)
Hans, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:02:42)
Volvo, Goals & Strategy
Brief insight into the Volvo brand and its products. (00:…
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Oct 18, 2022
#48 - Steven Fisher | McKinsey | A Design x Foresight Approach
“The best part of being a futurist is: It allows you to take proactive action in all parts of your work and organizations."
In this episode, we welcome Innovation Leader and Design Futurist, Steven Fisher from McKinsey. In addition to his secret sideline as a winemaker, Steven has a deep passion for exploring all the technologies that would change the world.
This talk is all about futurology. Next to methods and challenges, we delve into the question of how important futurology has become in recent years and address the necessity of including futurology as an integral part of corporate culture for a better responsiveness. If you want to learn more about the difference between (strategic) foresight and future design, or what Steven's mission of democratizing future thinking is all about, you shouldn't miss this episode.
The episode at a glance:
• Who is Steven? (00:01:42)
• Steven, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:03:12)
Design x Foresight
• How would you de…
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Oct 4, 2022
#47 - Stefan Reuss | Würth Industrie Service | Innovation & Digitalisierung im C-Teile Handel
“Meine Mission ist es, die Würth Industrie Service jeden Tag ein wenig digitaler zu machen - sowohl technisch, als auch im Mindset.”
In dieser Folge begrüßen wir den Managing Director Digital Solutions & IT, Stefan Reuss, von der Firma Würth Industrie Service. Seine Mission: die strategische Weiterentwicklung von Geschäftsmodellen, kundenorientierten Innovationen und Technologien.
Neben einem kurzen Einblick in die Kultur und Struktur der Würth-Gruppe widmen wir uns in dieser Folge den Themen Digitalisierung und Erschließung neuer Geschäftsmodelle bei Würth Industrie Service. Wenn Du wissen möchtest, welche wesentlichen Trends und Treiber den Wandel vom reinen C-Teile Dienstleister zum (erweiterten) Daten- und Systemdienstleister maßgeblich prägen, aber auch, welcher Mehrwert dadurch beim Kunden geschaffen wird, dann solltest Du diese Folge nicht verpassen.
Die ganze Folge auf einen Blick:
Wer ist Stefan? (00:01:21)
Bitte vervollständigt die folgenden Sätze… (00…
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Sep 20, 2022
#46 - Andrew Willett | Toyota Motor Europe | Innovating the Toyota Way
“Targeted innovation requires a "single point of truth". A single source of information to guide people and to make it easy for them to find what's going on."
In this episode, we welcome Andrew Willett, Senior Expert at Toyota Motor Europe.
Together with Andrew, we explore "The Toyota Way" - a set of principles and behaviors that underlie the Toyota Motor Corporation's managerial approach.
We also take a digression into Toyota's digital innovation platform, which not only positively impacts the cost and environmental footprint of the innovation activities, but also serves as a valuable interface for the employees involved. Curious for more? Then tune in!
The episode at a glance:
Who is Andrew? (00:01:05)
Andrew, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:02:18)
Innovating the Toyota Way
What is the Toyota way? (00:03:51)
What is Toyota's view and approach of innovation? (00:05:42)
How does Toyota blend new ways and impulses coming from outside with the traditional Toyota busi…
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Sep 6, 2022
#45 - Nicholas McQuire | Microsoft | Breaking Silos: How Microsoft Innovates
"The key to an innovation mindset is in the culture we call a growth mindset. At Microsoft, we elevate learning, and kind of learn, above everything that we do.”
In this episode, we welcome Nicholas McQuire, Director of Growth Innovation and Strategy, Strategic Missions and Technologies at Microsoft. His passion: Artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and enterprise innovation.
In this very entertaining exchange, we talk about the three pillars that form the foundation of the future of the cloud, the innovation vision of Microsoft. By means of some concrete examples, we further take a look ahead and shed light on the question of what innovation at Microsoft will look like in the future (keyword: technological convergence) and how Microsoft as a global player will manage to expand beyond silos to innovate at scale. Curious to learn more? Then tune in.
The episode at a glance:
Who is Nick? (00:01:51)
Nick, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:03:12)
How Microsoft…
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Aug 23, 2022
#44 - Dr. Eva Mitterreiter, Bosch & Jennifer Graf, digetiers | Partnering for Innovation
“Apart from creating a win-win situation, there’s a great benefit in partnering with other firms to really achieve the best value creation and added value for our customers.”
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Eva Mitterreiter, Head of New Business Building & Innovation, Consulting at Bosch, and Jennifer Graf, Partner at digetiers. With the goal of creating the greatest possible customer value, Eva and Jennifer are partnering to combine their strengths and offer transformation and business model innovation consulting services.
We discuss the consulting approach they follow and what their partnership looks like, including benefits, challenges, and their formula for success. Want to learn more? Then tune in!
The episode at a glance:
Who is Eva? (0:01:38)
Who is Jennifer? (00:02:47)
3 sentence starters… (00:04:02)
Consulting
Is the consulting business changing? Where is the innovation in consulting? (00:06:09)
How do you approach the new normal, and what role does partnering play…
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Aug 15, 2022
#43 - Manuel Krauß | Bosch Innovation Consulting | The Ambidextrous Organization
"There is an enormous change going on forcing us to look for new business models without losing sight of the core business, because that's where the money is made."
In this episode, we welcome Manuel Krauß, Senior Consultant Business Model Innovation at Bosch Innovation Consulting. His mission: Supporting internal and external innovation teams to validate new ideas and take innovation management to the next level.
In this casual exchange, we talk about the different types of innovation at Bosch and take a look at the organizational structure required to manage organizational ambidexterity. Furthermore, we talk about the topic of business model innovation in companies and - in this context - get introduced to the Bosch Accelerator Program. Want to get the full story? Then tune in.
The episode at a glance:
Who is Manuel? (00:01:25)
Manuel, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:02:55)
Organizational Ambidexterity
What are the different ways to innovate at BOSCH? (00:06:24)
H…
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Jul 26, 2022
#42 - Dr. Kerstin Höfle | Körber Supply Chain | Conquering Sustainability in the Supply Chain
“Logistics is sexy. It's a cool industry to work in. The same goes for innovation - it's also very sexy. You just have to find a way to make it happen. Don't give up. It sometimes takes some time and patience.”
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kerstin Höfle, Vice President R&D and Product Management at Körber Supply Chain. Together with her team, Kerstin is responsible for the automation portfolio, driving knowledge creation and implementing new technologies and solution approaches at Körber Supply Chain.
Among other things, we dive into the topic of sustainability: What does sustainability mean for the logistics industry? Where does it come into play? Why are collaborations so important to successfully implement this topic? And what is it about the special challenge of the "last mile"?
We also address the question of how attractive the logistics industry is perceived to be today and what needs to be done to bring the right talent on board. Curious to find out more? The…
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Jul 12, 2022
#41 - Mirko Heid & Calvin Deppisch | Stadtwerke Bonn | Energiewende & Co - Stadtwerke im Wandel
“Die derzeit größte Herausforderung ist, dass wir alle Themen zeitgleich behandeln müssen, was einen enormen Zeitdruck erzeugt. Die Innovationsthemen sehen wir hierbei in erster Linie als “Enabler”, um bei der Umsetzung der aktuellen Themen Tempo aufzubauen.”
In dieser Folge begrüßen wir wieder einmal zwei Gäste: Mirko Heid und Calvin Deppisch von den Stadtwerken Bonn. In ihren Rollen als Leiter der Konzernstrategie & Prokurist und stellvertretender Fachbereichsleiter Konzernentwicklung & Innovationsmanager, haben sie vor allem eine Mission: die Entwicklung digitaler, innovativer und nachhaltiger Produkte bei den Stadtwerken Bonn.
Die beiden geben uns einen Einblick in das Innovationsmanagement der Stadtwerke Bonn. Dabei erfahren wir nicht nur, welche Transformation dieser Bereich in den letzten Jahren vollzogen hat, sondern auch, welche speziellen Herausforderungen die Energie- und Mobilitätswende in Kombination mit dem Thema der Klimaneutralität für die Stadtwerke…
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Jun 28, 2022
#40 - Sanjeev Mervana | Cisco | Think BOLD: Creating Possibilities for Greatness
“Innovation is a continuous process. It's not something you take care of when you have a spare moment. It has to be part of your culture, it has to be deeply rooted.”
Today, on our Innovation Rockstar stage: Sanjeev Mervana, Vice President of Product Management, Emerging Technologies & Incubation (ET&I) from the multinational technology company Cisco. With more than two decades of experience at Cisco, Sanjeev leads the ET&I team in sourcing, developing, testing and managing new innovations, and incubation ideas that ultimately drive Cisco's product-led growth.
In this talk, it’s all about change, new innovation approaches, culture, partners, and leadership. With Sanjeev, we dive into Cisco's first-ever Bold Bets, an expanded new approach to driving future innovation and incubation, and learn that true innovation can only work by aggregating diverse talent with the right design partners.
If you want to learn more about Cisco's bold innovation approach but also what big topics…
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Jun 14, 2022
#39 - Dr. Ina Nordsiek | Miele | Pioneers Camp: Intrapreneurship for New Growth
"Intrapreneurship should, above all, help encourage people to try new things by both, motivating people and providing a platform for them to do so."
Today we welcome Dr. Ina Nordsiek, Director Intrapreneurship at the German domestic appliance manufacturer Miele. When she joined the company in 2020, Ina's mission was to develop an intrapreneurship program from the scratch. The result: the Miele Pioneers Camp that empowers people to transform their ideas into new business.
Ina shares with us her experience in setting up such a program in a traditional family business like Miele. She provides insights into dealing with challenges such as resistance to change, identifying the most promising ideas, or selecting the right projects to further pursue. Tune in and make sure to not miss the three recommendations Ina has for building a successful intrapreneurship program!
The episode at a glance:
- Who is Ina? (00:01:28)
- Ina, please complete the 3 sentence starters… (00:02:52)
- What is t…
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May 30, 2022
#38 - Alex Goryachev | WSJ Bestselling Author | Innovate or Die: Going Beyond the Buzzword
"When people communicate and collaborate with each other, that's when they become empowered and get a voice. And that's when innovation happens."
In this episode, we are joined by the award-winning global technology executive and best-selling author Alex Goryachev. With a resume that reads like a short history of technological disruption, Alex not only shares his expert knowledge on digital transformation as a sought-after speaker, but he also regularly contributes to leading media in the field.
Together with Alex, we try to get to the bottom of the big buzzword "innovation" and learn what key role communication plays in this context. If you also want to know the secret story behind sushi and what it has to do with innovation, but also why Alex believes that children are better innovators than adults, then you should definitely invest 30 minutes of your life and tune in to this episode - it's definitely worth it.
The episode at a glance:
- Alex’s 60-second introduction sprint (00…
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May 16, 2022
#37 - Sami Mäkeläinen | Telstra | Debunking Conspiracy Theories Using Strategic Foresight
"In my work, I prefer to focus on asking better questions rather than providing straight answers."
This episode takes us down under, where we welcome Finnish-born Sami Mäkeläinen. In his role as Head of Strategic Foresight at Telstra, Australia's largest telecommunications company, Sami tries to ensure - as he says himself - that the company is not caught by surprise by the future.
Next to a brief look at the structure and organization of strategic foresight at Telstra, we take up the issue of the 5g conspiracy theory that Telstra faced at the time of the introduction of this new technology and learn how Sami's work fed into developing strategies to counter this world of misinformation and disinformation. Curious to learn more? Then tune in!
The episode at a glance:
- Sami’s 60-second introduction sprint (00:01:53)
- 3 sentence starters (00:02:40)
- The 5G conspiracy theory and how Telstra dealt with it (00:04:59)
- The “Either - Or” Game (00:09:34)
- Diving into Strategic…
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May 2, 2022
#36 - Bob Petrie | Citi Ventures | Grinding Corporate Innovation at Citi
"We are always on the lookout for people that can think like a startup and have experience building companies and products from scratch. So it's a good kind of middle ground of both new and existing."
In this episode, we are joined by the seasoned entrepreneur and innovator Bob Petrie - Director of Innovation at Citi Ventures. With more than 20 years experience in building new products, launching new businesses, and transforming companies, he is now responsible for running the innovation program at and incubating new businesses within Citi Ventures.
In his role as Director of Innovation, Bob gives us an an inside look at Citi’s innovation ecosystem, introduces us to Citi Ventures, and elaborates on the symbiotic interplay of the ventures investing and the incubation arm.
If you want to learn more about how governance affects the pace of innovation, which successful project is hidden behind the alias "Proxymity" or what - according to Bob - significantly differentiates innovation i…
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Apr 19, 2022
#35 - Ricardo Brito | Doodle | People First: Innovating the Individual
"You can't innovate a product if you don't innovate the people behind."
In this episode, we are pleased to welcome Ricardo Brito, Innovation Lead at Doodle. Originally, the Portuguese native wanted to be a horror film director, but as what often happens, things turned out differently. Today, as Innovation Lead at Doodle, Ricardo's innovation focus does not only rely on Doodle's products and services, but also on the people working and innovating in the industry.
In this casual exchange, it's all about attitudes, culture, and people. We learn why Ricardo sees "fear" as one of the biggest barriers to innovation, but also why successful innovation starts with people. Plus, Ricardo gives us valuable advice on how to stay in a continuous state of innovation. Curious to hear more? Then tune in!!
Ricardo, please introduce yourself (00:01:46)
The 3 sentence starters (00:02:58)
Innovation comes from within:
What are the differences and similarities between the various industries when it c…
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Apr 4, 2022
#34 - Dr. Sebastian Kaiser | ERGO | Opportunities for AI in the Insurance Industry
"AI is an exciting thing, but it has to be used at the right time and moment. I've seen people produce true magic with AI, but it boils down to that AI should be considered an enabler to something bigger."
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Sebastian Kaiser, Head of Machine Learning at ERGO - one of the largest insurance groups in Europe. His passion: Data and statistics. His mission: To relieve employees of repetitive tasks by using AI to enable a more customer-focused way of working and thus increase company growth.
By means of some concrete use cases, Sebastian explains to us how and where AI and Machine Learning are already being used at ERGO. We also learn about the bright minds that make up Sebastian's team, the 'Advanced Analytics Unit' and the central role behind the 'AI Engagement Manager'.
If you want to dive deeper into the use of AI in the insurance industry, but also if you want to know why Sebastian perceives AI and Machine Learning rather as a kind of 'enabler for innova…
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Mar 22, 2022
#33 - M. Gansle, McDonald's & Dr. R. Hofmann, Audi Business Innovation GmbH | A Foresight Academy
"The genius of this platform is that when it comes to foresight, foresight and insights are universal, but what we choose to do with that information is going to look different whether I'm SAP, Audi or McDonald's."
In this episode we welcome two exciting guests: Michelle Gansle, Vice President Global Strategic Insights at McDonald's and Dr. Rupert Hofmann, initiator of the Foresight Academy at Audi Business Innovation GmbH.
This lively conversation is kicked off by Michelle, who gives us a glimpse into McDonald's "Accelerating the Arches" program - outlining the three central growth pillars, while Rupert introduces us to the Foresight Academy. This collaborative, cross-industry platform brings together executives from well-known brands - including McDonald's - with the goal to gain insights on the core question: "How do we want to live in 10 years?"
If you'd like to learn more about how exactly this collaboration is organized, what tools are used, but also what Rupert and Michelle t…
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Mar 8, 2022
#32 - Dr. Gabriele Rizzo | University of Lausanne | The Principle of Positive Futures
Our today's guest has a very impressive list of references:
- He is a futurist and an executive advisor.
- He has a Ph.D. in String Theory and Astrophysics and has grown into a Defense expert in foresight, up to being the NATO’s Member at Large for Strategic Foresight and Futures Studies.
- He founded the Swiss Center for Positive Futures at the University of Lausanne, and serves as its Director of Research; plus, he is the 2022 UNESCO Chair candidate for Positive Futures, Futures Literacy, and Anticipation.
- He is the Futures Advisor to the Chief Scientist of the U.S. Air Force and the Futures Advisor to the Chief Scientist of the U.S. Space Force, and leads futures thinking in the General Office for Defense Innovation in the Italian Ministry of Defense, reporting to the Vice Chief of Defense.
- And last, but not least, he previously has been the ministerial advisor for Futures to the Italian Minister of Defense.
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Gabriele Rizzo in his role as Direc…
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Feb 14, 2022
#31 - Maria Mileder | PayPal | Innovation - A Global Tournament
"If 20 random volunteers can pull off a tournament that now includes 1000s of employees with next to no budget whatsoever, then, you know, everyone else can do their small bit."
In this episode, we are pleased to welcome Maria Mileder, Global Head of Innovation at PayPal. As an expert in the Technology and Innovation space, Maria has been accompanying PayPal for more than 12 years now. Her mission: Enabling everyone to find their entryway into innovation.
Together with Maria, we take a look into PayPal's innovation toolbox and learn that innovation has less to do with titles but more with cultural values. The fact that innovation often starts small and is the result of the interplay of many individuals' contributions becomes especially clear when we talk about PayPal's Global Innovation Tournament. If you want to learn more about this concept to foster and enhance innovation, this is your episode!
***LISTEN - LIKE - SHARE***
You like our show? Then leave us a rating or a review on S…
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Feb 3, 2022
#30 - Christian Schmitz | DZ BANK | Banks In Time Of Digital Change
"As soon as CBDCs are available. As soon as there's a digital Euro. I'll check it out. That's the task of an innovation manager."
In this episode, it's all about banking, cryptocurrencies, and the big question of how to explain modern banking to grandma. We welcome Christian Schmitz from DZ BANK, who in his role as Senior Consultant in the Innovation and Digitalization department not only runs DZ BANK's Innovation LAB and Think-and-Do-Tank, but also oversees trend and technology scouting to support strategic innovation management initiatives.
Together with Christian, we exchange ideas about the future of the monetary system, take a look behind the scenes of the DZ BANKS’s innovation radar and discuss the various LABS, how they are interlinked and their innovation impact for the DZ Bank. If you want to learn more about where DZ Bank is headed in the future, stay tuned!
***LISTEN - LIKE - SHARE***
You like our show? Then leave us a rating or a review on Spotify or Apple Podcast and…
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Jan 17, 2022
#29 - John Miranda | Intel Corporation | Moore’s Law and Corporate Foresight
"What does Foresight have in common with astrophotography? In both, you try to extract the maximum of signals from the noise out there in order to get a clear picture in the end."
In this episode, we exchange ideas with John Miranda, Director Strategy Office, Data Center and the AI group at Intel. His first programming attempts in high school with the Commodore 64 eventually brought him to Intel, where John now leads an enterprise-wide foresight program for emerging trends in the Data Center and AI business unit.
Together with John, we take a critical look at the validity of Moore's Law and look back at the beginnings of the Intel Foresight Program. What are the key dos and don'ts when it comes to enabling Foresight in a global company like Intel, and how does a down-to-earth and responsible corporate culture pay off on this issue? If you want to dive deeper into the topic of enabling Foresight in a global company like Intel, you shouldn't miss this.
***NEWS***
The Innovation Rockst…
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Jan 3, 2022
#28 - Erik Wirsing | DB Schenker | #hungryforinnovation - What’s Hot in Logistics?
"Innovation is a necessary part of our DNA. It's all about openness and transparency, about spotting trends and finding out if there's something in it for us or not. If not, hands off. But if yes, try to convince your company to adopt and scale."
In this episode we exchange ideas with Erik Wirsing, Vice President Global Innovation about the hottest innovation topics at the logistics company DB Schenker. The die-hard innovation enthusiast has been with the company for over 22 years now and is always on the lookout for new trends and technologies that are shaping the future of logistics.
The fact that the term "hungryforinnovation" is not just a simple company hashtag, but rather an attitude at DB Schenker that stands for genuine desire and passion for innovation, becomes particularly evident when Erik enthusiastically talks about a unique cooperation project with the German aircraft manufacturer Volocopter. But what exactly is it all about? And how will projects like this and similar…
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Dec 6, 2021
#27 - Roman Šiser | ŠKODA Auto | A Blueprint for Systematic Innovation Management
"When I received the call from the headhunter telling me that
Škoda Auto was building a new innovation management team, I knew instantly that this would be my dream job."
In this episode, Innovation Manager Roman Šiser takes us on the innovation journey of Škoda Auto and explains how innovation management has changed in recent years. On the same note, we also shed light on the circumstances that are not only increasingly revolutionizing the automotive market, but also make systematic innovation management essential for a company like Škoda Auto.
If you want to learn more about how Roman received the black belt for innovation or what the Innovation Toolbox of Škoda Auto's is all about - its components and how to use it to specifically drive innovation - then you shouldn't miss this episode!
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Nov 22, 2021
#26 - Christopher Gerdes & Michael Eichelberger | Mercedes-Benz-AG | Wie agil darf Strategie sein?
"Du musst dich als Unternehmen im Vorfeld festlegen, welchen Weg du gehen möchtest und danach Deine Strategie ausrichten.". Das wusste schon der US-amerikanischer Ökonom und Universitätsprofessor Michael Porter, als er sagte 'Strategy is Choice'.
In dieser Folge sprechen wir mit Christopher Gerdes und Michael Eichelberger über das Thema Strategy Intelligence & Development bei der Mercedes-Benz AG. Dabei erfahren wir nicht nur, wie Strategie bei dem Automobil-Riesen praktiziert wird, sondern auch, wie aus einem alljährlichen Hinterzimmer-Review-Prozess, ein offenes und kontinuierliches Konzept mit Mitgestaltungsverantwortung geworden ist.
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Nov 8, 2021
#25 - Dr. Simon Vogt | Cyberagentur | Sicherheit im Cyberraum von Morgen
"Die Tatsache, dass es immer noch Menschen gibt, die auf E-Mail-Anhänge klicken ohne vorher zu prüfen woher die eigentlich kommen, macht sehr deutlich, dass der Mensch einer der wesentlichen Faktoren in der Cybersicherheit ist und immer bleiben wird."
In dieser Folge sprechen wir mit Dr. Simon Vogt von der Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit. Als Vice President liegt Simon’s Schwerpunkt in der Beantwortung von Zukunftsfragen rund um das Thema Human Machine Interaction. Warum? Weil der Mensch ein ganz entscheidender Faktor beim Thema Cybersicherheit ist.
Gemeinsam mit Simon erörtern wir spannende Fragen wie “Ist das menschliche Gehirn hackbar?” oder “Sind die Autos der Zukunft in der Lage unsere Stimmungslage zu erkennen?”. Außerdem erfahren wir, wie es um die Cybersicherheit in Deutschland bestellt ist und welches Potenzial sich hinter dem Zusammenspiel von menschlichem Gehirn und Computern in Form von Gehirn-Computer-Schnittstellen verbirgt. Science Fiction…
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Oct 25, 2021
#24 - Noelia Almanza Ahari | When the Innovation Theater Kills Innovation
"The worst thing about working in innovation is innovation theater, and innovation fatigue, which you can sort of die from as an innovation manager."
In this episode we are joined by charming Noelia Almanza Ahari, a true Innovation Rockstar who has held several positions at the intersection of foresight, strategy, and people management in various industries, including health tech and defense. Most recently, Noelia accepted a contract working as Senior Development Manager at the world’s largest game & mobile game development company.
As this podcast marks a special anniversary for Noelia; as she celebrates 20 years as an innovation practitioner, Noelia speaks to us about the phenomenon of the “Innovation Theater”; what it is, why people avoid discussing it, as well as the danger it can cause to companies and innovation managers.
If you want to learn more about this phenomenon and hear from someone with two decades’ experience on how companies should utilize innovation manager…
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Oct 11, 2021
#23 - Caroline Snyman | Distell | The Power of Purpose-Led Innovation
"But the magic ingredient beyond teamwork is when you find real purpose around which to innovate. Purpose creates that bold vision that people can align to and identify with."
As Group Innovation Lead at Distell, one of South Africa's leading alcoholic beverage manufacturers, Caroline Snyman is not only leading innovation strategy and implementation for the group but is also building innovation as a strategic capability across the organization to shape the business of tomorrow.
In this episode, we speak with Caroline about the value teamwork can have for a company like Distell, especially when it comes to staying relevant as a business, even under the intense and unexpected pressure of events as the Covid lockdown.
If you want to learn more about the power of purpose-driven innovation and the smart move the South African company made to stay afloat during the pandemic, then this is your episode.
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Sep 28, 2021
#22 - Clemens Chaskel | Roadmapping - A Road to Success?
"Roadmapping is something that kind of flies under the radar and once you actually use it in your organization, it can bring tremendous benefits."
In this episode, Dr. Clemens Chaskel Industrial Associate at the Institute for Manufacturing from the University of Cambridge initiates us into the secrets of roadmapping. As a true expert in this field, he provides first-hand tips on what to consider and what to avoid when implementing roadmaps.
We also highlight the key questions that everyone involved in roadmapping should have an answer to sooner or later:
- Where do we want to go?
- What is our starting point?
- What are the steps that take us forward?
- Why do we want to do something different now?
- What do we want to do?
- How do we achieve that?
Whether roadmapping is a path to success? Let's find out!
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Sep 28, 2021
#22 - Clemens Chaskel | Roadmapping - Ein Fahrplan zum Erfolg?
"Roadmapping ist etwas, das irgendwie unter dem Radar fliegt, aber sobald man es in seinem Unternehmen einsetzt, sieht man die enorme Vorteile, die es hervorbringt."
In dieser Folge weiht uns Dr. Clemens Chaskel, Industrial Associate am Institute for Manufacturing der University of Cambridge, in die Geheimnisse des Roadmapping ein. Als echter Experte auf diesem Gebiet zeigt er auf, was bei der Implementierung von Roadmaps zu beachten und was zu vermeiden ist.
Außerdem beleuchten wir die zentralen Fragen, auf die jeder, der sich mit Roadmapping beschäftigt, früher oder später eine Antwort parat haben sollte:
- Wo wollen wir hin?
- Was ist unser Startpunkt?
- Welches sind die Schritte, die uns weiterbringen?
- Warum wollen wir jetzt etwas anders machen?
- Was wollen wir tun?
- Wie können wir das erreichen?
Ob Roadmapping am Ende ein Weg zum Erfolg ist? Finden wir es heraus!
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Sep 7, 2021
#21 - Joanna Lepore | Mars Wrigley | About the Foresight Formula
When it comes to innovative thinking and acting, Joanna Lepore - Global Foresight Lead at Mars Wrigley is all heart! In order to help Mars Wrigley identify and capitalize on opportunities for expansive growth, Jo even left her Australian homeland to live nowadays in the US.
In this episode, we not only explore the foresight formula at Mars Wrigley with Jo, but also learn why it is so important to focus on true long-term strategic decisions rather than being guided by short-term trends. In addition to that, Jo also highlights why the involvement of external foresight experts and sources is crucial for a company like Mars Wrigley when it comes to painting a realistic picture of the outside world and the opportunities at hand.
If you want to learn more about the foresight formula at Mars Wrigley and why the focus of strategic thinking is increasingly shifting to the consumer and their changing needs then this is your episode!
Still haven't had enough of Jo and her passion for innovativ…
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Aug 24, 2021
#20 - Thomas Boermans | e.on. | Driving Global Energy Transition Through Foresight
When Head of Foresight at E.ON and passionate Energy Transition Manager, Thomas Boermans talks about Foresight, he is simultaneously referring to the "effort to build a bridge into the future that we can walk across."
At E.ON Thomas takes the lead in developing foresight based on trend and technology developments and provides strategic guidance to capture future opportunities and risks. In this episode, Thomas takes us on his mission to think, plan and implement the energy transition - at scale! We learn more about impactful trends in energy and whether we are on the cusp of the next energy revolution. He also points out why E.ON, as one of the world's largest private energy service providers, needs foresight and how it is changing the way the company invests in growth opportunities. Also, if you want to know what Thomas' secret tip is for making foresight a real game-changer in companies, you should definitely tune in!
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Jul 26, 2021
#19 - Danielle Ferry | Moody’s Analytics | Innovation Growth Boards: The Why, What, and How
"If you're gonna go you got to go all in!" - so Danielle Ferry, about setting up Innovation Grow Boards at Moody's Analytics.
In her role as Senior Director for New Product Innovation, evolving early-stage product ideas in order to transform them into future-growth initiatives is her daily business. Her mission: Empowering Moody’s customers to make better, faster decisions.
In this episode, Danielle introduces us to Moody's Innovation Growth Boards. Beyond talking about the effort involved in setting up such an innovation board, we also learn why staffing is not just about authority, but also about having the right mindset, asking the right questions, and being open to moving away from traditional structures and KPIs like asking about ROI.
If you want to learn more about the Innovation Boards at Moody's - how they work, their impact on the business and their outcome then this is your episode!
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Jul 12, 2021
#18 - Didier Boulet | Thales | The Design Journey - From Trial Run to a Global Center Network
What do science fiction author Isaac Asimov and manga comics have to do with design thinking? Let's find out! In this episode, Didier Boulet, THALES' first Group Chief Design Officer takes us on an exciting design journey and tells us how a one-year trial run evolved within a few years into a global design center network that now includes 13 design centers worldwide across the THALES Group. Since 2013 Didier has been leading the group-wide THALES Design Transformation with the goal of transforming the company into a world-class design organization. If you want to learn more about Didier's activities around the THALES Design Transformation, or why it can sometimes be important to take a few steps back in time to better understand what the future might look like, then you shouldn't miss this episode!
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Jun 28, 2021
#17 - Joscha Märkle-Huß & Sebastian Grimm | ZF Group | Mit neuen Konzepten die Mobilität gestalten
"In einer perfekten Zukunft ist Mobilität kein Zeitfresser mehr."- doch was genau verbirgt sich hinter dieser Aussage?
In dieser Folge tauschen wir uns wieder mal mit zwei Gästen aus: Dr. Joscha Märkle-Huß und Sebastian Grimm von der ZF Group. In ihren Rollen als Head of Global Scouting und Head of Innovation Lab sind die beiden ständig auf der Suche nach neuen Konzepten und Ansätzen für die Mobilität von morgen.
Sebastian erklärt uns, welchen Stellenwert dabei das firmeneigenen Netzwerk hat und wie man diese Fundgrube an Ideen und Expertenwissen maximal ausschöpft. Sein Geheimrezept: “Motivation durch Freiraum & Verantwortung”. Außerdem erfahren wir, welche Trends und Technologien die Mobilitätsbranche derzeit bewegen und werfen gleichzeitig einen Blick weit in die Zukunft, in der Joscha uns seine perfekte Vision der Mobilität von Morgen näher erläutert.
Neugierig geworden? Dann hör doch mal rein!
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Jun 7, 2021
#16 - Sven Schimpf | Wie innovativ und disruptiv ist Deutschland wirklich?
"Beobachten, verstehen und Dinge, die im ersten Anschein nichts miteinander zu tun haben, neu kombinieren – das ist der beste Weg, innovativ zu sein."
In dieser Folge begrüßen wir Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sven Schimpf vom Fraunhofer-Verbund Innovationsforschung. Sven befasst sich seit jeher leidenschaftlich mit allem, was neu zukunftsgerichtet ist. Besonders am Herzen liegt Sven dabei die Unterstützung von Unternehmen bei der Umsetzung von Innovation.
In dieser Folge stellt uns Sven gleich zwei spannende Studien vor. Im Impulspapier “Wandel verstehen, Zukunft gestalten” werfen wir gemeinsam mit Sven einen Blick in die Zukunft der deutschen Innovationslandschaft und beleuchten in der Praxisstudie “Disruption” unter anderem die Frage, wie disruptiv wir in Deutschland wirklich sind.
Wenn Du außerdem erfahren möchtest, warum wir uns im Vergleich zu anderen Ländern immer schwerer tun mit dem Innovationstempo Schritt zu halten und warum wir aus Svens Sicht das Thema Innovation stär…
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Jun 7, 2021
#16 - Sven Schimpf | Germany - A Global Player of Innovation and Disruption?
"Observing, understanding and recombining things that at first glance seem unrelated - that's the best way to innovate."
Today we welcome Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sven Schimpf from the Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Research. Sven has long been passionate about everything future-oriented and is particularly enthusiastic about supporting companies in the implementation stages of innovation.
In this episode, Sven unpacks two current studies that can hugely inspire innovation and wannabe Innovation Rockstars. The impulse paper "Understanding Change, Shaping the Future" provides a glimpse to the future of the German innovation landscape, while the Disruption Field Study addresses the question of how disruptive Germany really is.
Sven also outlines why he believes that it is becoming increasingly difficult for Germany to keep up with the pace of innovation compared to other countries, but also why the topic of innovation needs to be embedded more firmly in our learning culture if we want to remai…
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May 21, 2021
#15 - Jake Sotiriadis | U.S. Air Force | The Golden Age of Strategic Foresight
"The COVID 19 pandemic was really the catalyst for this new renaissance that we're living in strategic foresight and there just couldn't be a better time than now to be involved with that topic." In this episode, Lieutenant Colonel Jake Sotiriadis, Ph.D., gives us a glimpse into the Strategic Foresight activities at the U.S. Air Force and the recently released Global Futures Report, which he co-authored with a team of outstanding foresight practitioners and experts. In addition, we'll explore why we are currently in the midst of the golden age of Strategic Foresight and why - in that context - it's high time to bring new job positions like a "Chief Futures Officer" to life. You don't want to miss this episode.
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Apr 26, 2021
#14 - Michael Berns | PwC | How to Make the World a Better Place With AI
Today with Michael Berns from PwC. Michael is not only an expert in AI & FinTech, but also appears as keynote speaker at international conferences and as guest lecturer at a number of business schools. In this episode, Michael shares with us three exciting use cases on the different application areas of AI, where you subsequently might ask yourself: Is AI actually making the world a better place?
If you are also searching the answer to that question and want to learn more about how AI is actually being used in the context of financial crime prevention, how it significantly speeds up the process of cancer detection, or even helps to protect people from human trafficking and exploitation, then stay tuned.
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Apr 12, 2021
#13 - Benno Blumoser | Siemens AI Lab | Die KI-getriebene Innovationsschmiede von Siemens
In dieser Folge gibt uns der ursprünglich gelernte Kulturwirt und Musikpädagoge Benno Blumoser Einblicke in seine Arbeit als Head of Innovation beim Siemens AI Lab.
Wir erfahren nicht nur, wie hier KI-basierte Ideen entstehen, sondern auch, warum gerade der richtige Mix aus Nähe und Distanz zum Gesamtkonzern so wichtig ist, um das Potenzial dieses kreativen Co-Working-Spaces voll ausschöpfen zu können.
Außerdem erklärt uns Benno, wo die Schwierigkeiten in der Skalierung von KI liegen und warum er der Meinung ist, dass das Thema künstliche Intelligenz in Zukunft etwas von seinem Zauber verlieren wird.
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Mar 29, 2021
#12 - Robin Nehring & Patrick Fritz | Sparkasse | Digitalisierung & Transformation im Banking
In dieser Folge begrüßen wir gleich zwei Gäste: Robin Nehring und Patrick Fritz von der Sparkasse. Gemeinsam sind nicht nur selbst erfolgreiche Podcaster und Host der “Plaudertaschen”, sondern haben sich in ihrer Rolle als Innovationsmanager bzw. Digital Officer ganz der Mitgestaltung des Bankings und der Sparkasse von morgen verschrieben.
Anhand konkreter Beispiele wie der Open Innovation Challenge #buildyourbank oder dem Sparkassen Innovation Hub geben Robin und Patrick Einblicke darüber, wie die Sparkasse innoviert und welchen Stellenwert dabei die Einbindung des Kunden hat. Wenn Du wissen möchtest, WIE das Banking von morgen aussieht und ob es DIE EINE Antwort darauf überhaupt gibt, dann höre jetzt rein.
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Mar 16, 2021
#11 - Jan Lingenbrinck | Food Tech Campus | Shaping the Food Retail Experience of Tomorrow
In this episode food lover & technology scout Jan Lingenbrinck introduces us to the Berlin Food Tech Campus. Together with his team, Jan helps designing and implementing innovative solutions for the food retail industry.
In its role as a linking element, the Food Tech Campus matches creative minds and their innovative ideas with the right stakeholders to realize a go-to-market as smoothly as possible.
If you want to know why the Food Tech Campus Open Innovation Call is YOUR chance to get your crazy stuff on the shelves, or why the pandemic of all things has brought to light how flexible and agile the campus is set up to be, stay tuned.
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Mar 1, 2021
#10 - Claudia Pohlink | Telekom T-Lab | KI als Innovationstreiber
In dieser Folge gibt uns die Berliner Powerfrau und KI-Expertin Claudia Pohlink nicht nur spannende Einblicke in die Organisation und Arbeitsweise der Telekom Innovation Laboratories, sondern verpasst uns ganz nebenbei auch noch einen Crashkurs in Quantum Computing und steht uns Rede und Antwort zum Thema Künstliche Intelligenz.
Wenn Du wissen möchtest, “wann eine KI wirklich eine ‘künstliche Intelligenz ist’, “was die Grundvoraussetzungen für eine erfolgreiche KI sind” und was wir tun können und müssen, um die jungen Generationen auf ein Leben mit KI vorzubereiten, dann bleibe jetzt dran - bei den INNOVATION ROCKSTARS.
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Feb 15, 2021
#9 - Jasmin Mathäß & Andreas Schobert | Hornbach Baumarkt AG | Eine Wette auf die Zukunft
"Es gibt immer was zu tun." - So lautet die Devise bei Hornbach. Das trifft auch auf Jasmin Mathäß und Vorstandsmitglied Andreas Schobert zu. Im Gespräch mit Dr. Mike Durst geben Jasmin und Andreas einen Einblick in das Innovationsmanagement bei der Hornbach Baumarkt AG. Wenn Du wissen möchtest, welche Rolle dabei Lego-Autos spielen, was genau ein Exit-Champion ist, und wie Andreas Schobert eine Wette auf die Zukunft gewonnen hat, dann schalte jetzt ein.
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Feb 1, 2021
#8 - Fabian Lindermer | MTU Aero Engines AG | Innovation auf der Überholspur
Unser heutiger Gast Fabian Lindermer von der MTU Aero Engines AG nimmt uns mit hinter die Kulissen des MTU Inno Labs und zeigt uns, welche Möglichkeiten ein firmeneigenes Lab im Hinblick auf Trendscouting, schnelles Prototyping und eine agile Entwicklung von neuen Innovationen bietet. Doch wie baut man so ein Inno Lab auf? Welche Hürden gilt es dabei zu überwinden? Und was hat es mit dem Bauteildoktor auf sich? Alle Antworten darauf und noch viel mehr - in unserer neuen Folge der Innovation Rockstars.
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Jan 18, 2021
#7 - Sven Taubert - Teil 2 | Lufthansa Technik | Über Nachhaltigkeit und die Zukunft der Luftfahrt
Wie sieht die Luftfahrt von morgen aus? Sind Luft-Taxis das neue urbane Fortbewegungsmittel der Zukunft? Und welche Rolle spielt bei der Entwicklung neuer Technologien die globale Erwärmung? Gemeinsam mit Sven Taubert versuchen wir Antworten auf all diese Fragen zu bekommen und erhalten dabei einen Einblick in die Arbeitsweise von Sven und seinem Team im Bereich Corporate Foresight & Market Intelligence der Lufthansa Technik.
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Jan 18, 2021
#7 - Sven Taubert - Teil 2 | Lufthansa Technik | Über Nachhaltigkeit und die Zukunft der Luftfahrt
Wie sieht die Luftfahrt von morgen aus? Sind Luft-Taxis das neue urbane Fortbewegungsmittel der Zukunft? Und welche Rolle spielt bei der Entwicklung neuer Technologien die globale Erwärmung? Gemeinsam mit Sven Taubert versuchen wir Antworten auf all diese Fragen zu bekommen und erhalten dabei einen Einblick in die Arbeitsweise von Sven und seinem Team im Bereich Corporate Foresight & Market Intelligence der Lufthansa Technik.
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Jan 18, 2021
#7 - Sven Taubert - Part 1 | Lufthansa Technik | About Sustainability and the Future of Aviation
What will the aviation of tomorrow look like? Are air cabs the new urban means of transportation of the future? And what role does global warming play in the development of new technologies? Together with Sven Taubert we try to shed light on all these questions and get an insight into how Sven and his team work in the area of Corporate Foresight & Market Intelligence at Lufthansa Technik.
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Jan 18, 2021
#7 - Sven Taubert - Part 2 | Lufthansa Technik | About Sustainability and the Future of Aviation
What will the aviation of tomorrow look like? Are air cabs the new urban means of transportation of the future? And what role does global warming play in the development of new technologies? Together with Sven Taubert we try to shed light on all these questions and get an insight into how Sven and his team work in the area of Corporate Foresight & Market Intelligence at Lufthansa Technik.
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Dec 7, 2020
#6 - Martin Magnet | Genossenschaftsverband Bayern e.V. | Der Innovationspool
Heute mit Martin Magnet, Senior-Referent für Innovation & Entwicklung vom Genossenschaftverband Bayern e.V.. In diesem lockeren Austausch mit Chris Mühlroth zum Thema Innovationsmanagement im Finanzsektor, geht es weniger um die Konzeption und Umsetzung von Innovationen, sondern vielmehr um die Basis, die erfolgreiches und agiles Innovieren voraussetzt. Und genau solch eine Basis hat der GVB mit seinem Innovationspool ins Leben gerufen. Was es genau damit auf sich hat, und wie der GVB es geschafft hat inzwischen gut 80% aller bayerischen Kreditinstitute auf dieser Plattform miteinander zu vernetzen, erfahren Sie in unserer neuen Folge des Innovation Rockstar Podcasts.
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Nov 4, 2020
#5 - Kara Cunzeman - Part 2 | Aerospace | How Continuous Foresight Helps to Dream Big
Welcome back to part two of our intergalactic exchange between ITONICS CCO Chris Mühlroth and Kara Cunzeman Senior Project Lead for Strategic Foresight for the Center for Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation. Our first part of the interview ended with Chris' question about how AI is related to the future of the space enterprise. Kara's answer as well as other hot topics such as the ongoing commercialization of space and its consequences for us humans can be listened to now.
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Nov 4, 2020
#5 - Kara Cunzeman - Part 1 | Aerospace | How Continuous Foresight Helps to Dream Big
Today with Kara Cunzeman, Senior Project Lead for Strategic Foresight for the Center for Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation.
In her talk with ITONICS CCO Dr. Chris Mühlroth, Kara emphasizes how important the ability to dreaming and envisioning is for successful Strategic Foresight. She introduces us to the FUTURE PATHFINDER'S GUIDE and gives an estimate of how the commercialization of space will change in the next 5-10 years and what this means for us humans.
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Apr 30, 2020
#4 - Maren Kottler | Die Mobiliar | Corporate Foresight und Trendmonitoring
In ihrer Funktion als Leiterin des Innovationsmanagements ist Maren Kottler für das Innovations- und Trendmanagement der Mobiliar zuständig. In diesem lockeren Austausch mit ITONICS CEO Dr. Mike Durst gibt Maren Einblicke in ihre Arbeit rund um das Corporate Foresight Management der Mobiliar und skizziert, wie sich insbesondere das Trendmonitoring der Mobiliar in den letzten Jahren entwickelt hat.
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Apr 17, 2020
#3 - Bene Heuer | WS Audiology | Wertschöpfung & Technologie
Bene Heuer Innovation-Strategy Manager bei WS Audiology - einem der weltweit führenden Hörgerätehersteller - über digitale Transformation und die Eroberung neuer Märkte. Im Gespräch mit ITONICS CEO Dr. Mike Durst erzählt uns Bene, welche Methoden und Tools WS Audiology im Bereich Innovationsmanagement, Strategie und Foresight einsetzt und wie wichtig die Erschließung neuer Wirkungsfelder besonders im Hinblick auf eine internationale Expansion ist.
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Apr 17, 2020
#2 - Florian Ponnath | Siemens Healthineers | Das DigiLab For Finance
Heute berichtet Florian Ponnath von Siemens Healthineers, wie sich der Finanzbereich eines der weltweit führenden Medizintechnikunternehmens verändert und digital transformiert. Im Gespräch mit ITONICS CEO Dr. Mike Durst gibt uns Florian einen Einblick darüber, mit welchen Methoden und Tools das Digilab for Finance bei Siemens Healthineers arbeitet und welche Erfolgsfaktoren dabei entscheidend sind.
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Apr 17, 2020
#1 - Sven Göth & Dr. Mike Durst | Zukunftstrends in Gesellschaft, Technologie und der Arbeitswelt
Branchenübergreifend sprechen Sven Göth und Dr. Michael Durst über Zukunftstrends und Entwicklungen welche schon bald unsere Gesellschaft und unsere Arbeitswelten maßgeblich verändern werden, wie zum Beispiel disruptive Geschäftsmodelle, Künstliche Intelligenz und die zunehmende Individualisierung von Produkten, um den Ansprüchen der Kunden von Morgen gerecht zu werden.
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