Episodes

In this week's episode, we delve into the synergetic relationship between people and technology and how it can create a competitive edge in businesses. Our conversation with Alex Adamopoulos, CEO of Emergn, focuses on the complex and evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI). With a unique perspective on the integration of AI in business strategies, Alex shares deep insights on how organizations are navigating this space and the challenges they face in harnessing the full potential of A...

In this week's episode, we unwrap the nuanced relationship between artificial intelligence and human creativity in innovation. Our insightful conversation with Robyn Bolton dives deep into using AI as an assistive tool rather than a replacement for human ingenuity. We explore the indispensable value of human insight and the role of AI in augmenting, not overshadowing, the human experience, especially in consumer discovery interviews and educational settings. Robyn Bolton brings a wealth of know...

In today's episode, we unravel the intricacies of change management within the realm of digital transformations. We shine a light on the continuous need for adaptation in the digital landscape and the importance of embracing new technologies to maintain a competitive edge. Change management can be as daunting as it is necessary, especially when digital advancements happen at a breakneck pace. Ketan Jahagirdar shares his extensive experience as a specialist in program management and champion of ...

Today's episode explores the critical intersection of talent management and innovation. We delve into how companies can nurture and sustain breakthrough innovation capabilities, particularly through effective talent management strategies. Professor Gina O'Connor unveils some surprising truths about the obstacles and opportunities within large, mature organizations striving to achieve a culture of continuous innovation. Gina O'Connor brings expertise in innovation management, strategic marketing...

In this week’s episode, we dive deep into the complexities of intellectual property and its pivotal role in fostering innovation and business strategy. We delve into what intellectual property entails, its significance in today's digital era, and the heavy process of managing and maximizing its value. Our insightful guest, Rupert Osborn, educates us on the intricate relationship between IP and corporate growth and the shift towards a more open and collaborative approach to innovation. Rupert Os...

In this week’s episode, we're diving deep into portfolio management. We're joined by Gerard Ryan, an expert in nurturing innovation within companies and masterfully balancing product development projects. Understanding how to prioritize, manage, and evolve product portfolios is critical for any business looking to drive growth and maintain competitive advantage. Gerard provides insights into the 10 key practices ensuring portfolio management success, reflecting on real-world challenges and strat...

In this week’s episode, we delve into the exciting intersection of technology and manufacturing operations. Discussing the future of this rapidly evolving sector, we seize the opportunity to understand how advancements in AI and software are reshaping the landscape. With riveting insights into the challenges and potential of integrating technology into manufacturing processes, we look at the theoretical and practical elements that business leaders and industry professionals should anticipate in ...

In this week's episode, I had the privilege of diving into the world of innovation and product development with Alex Adamopoulos, CEO of Emergn. With a focus on improving the way people and companies work, Alex has extensive expertise in helping organizations navigate the complexities of transformation and innovation. Emergn has a 15-year history of successful case studies, making them a valuable resource for companies seeking to enhance their innovation processes. Alex Adamopoulos is a visiona...

In this week's episode, we have an engaging conversation with Jared Raszewski, the founder of DisSolves. Jared has an impressive journey in the realms of intellectual property, innovation, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and startups. He shares his insights on the product he created and its challenges during its development journey. From pioneering a groundbreaking packaging film to navigating the complexities of product development, Jared offers valuable perspectives on innovation in today's ...

John Mansour is a true leader in the world of product management. He founded Product Management University and has a wealth of experience. His main goal is to refine and define how companies manage and market their products. Leveraging his impressive background, John helps companies raise their product quality. Education is a big passion for him, which is evident in how he mentors professionals from diverse fields. His approach goes beyond the norm, aiming for a complete view of customers that b...

In this week's episode, we explore the world of innovation excellence in production. Our guest, Huub Rutten, has been at the forefront of innovation in production, working with numerous companies to advance their production methodologies. As companies navigate the increasing complexities of manufacturing and production, Huub Rutten provides valuable insights into the challenges, advancements, and opportunities in this often-overlooked aspect of innovation. Huub Rutten is the co-founder and Vice...

April Dunford is the founder of Ambient Strategy, a consulting firm that helps technology companies grow. She has led marketing, product, and sales teams at companies like IBM, Siebel, and Sybase. April's work is focused on early and growth-stage startups—recognizing that weak positioning can be the difference between success and failure. She also works with large global companies, helping them develop deeper positioning expertise in their product and marketing teams. April's best-selling book, ...

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

In today's episode, we're peeling back the layers of organizational innovation with expert Chris Beswick, who introduces a transformative approach to measuring innovation maturity. We're delving into the advanced methodologies that assess where a company stands on the innovation curve and provide actionable steps for progression. With a non-linear and sentiment-based assessment tool called AIM, Chris guides us through the pillars of a comprehensive innovation system and how companies can diagnos...

Greetings, innovation enthusiasts! Today, Paul is joined by Innovation Talks producer Emma Hughes. Together, they reflect on a stellar year of insightful conversations and forward-thinking guests whose stories have left indelible marks on our understanding of the innovation landscape. Emma Hughes is not only the producer extraordinaire with an uncanny knack for identifying transformative narratives but also a voracious learner whose grasp of innovation and its nuances has deepened with every ep...

Today, on Innovation Talks, Paul Heller and Greg Coticchia, the CEO of Sopheon, bring a wealth of experience in product management. In this episode, they delve into the challenges and opportunities faced by product managers, highlighting their crucial role in driving innovation and business success. Greg emphasizes the importance of leadership, collaboration, and strategic thinking for product managers to excel in their roles. He stresses the need for product managers to gain the trust and suppo...

In this week's episode, we dive into the fascinating world of product development and innovation. We explore the evolution of the StageGate methodology, which has been a cornerstone of successful product launches for decades. Our guest, Dr. Robert Cooper, is a renowned innovation thought leader who has spent over 40 years studying the practices and pitfalls of new product projects. With his extensive knowledge and expertise, Dr. Cooper shares valuable insights on how companies can refine and imp...

In today's episode, I dive into governing digital products using an agile development approach. I discuss the challenges of transitioning from physical products to digital products and how the traditional phase gate model can be adapted to suit the unique needs of digital product development. I outline a four-gate process model that includes decision points such as funding development, MVP review and reconfirmation, decision to launch, product review, and strategic adjustment. I emphasize the im...

You might have heard the term Stage-Gate when discussing product development processes, from Idea to Product Launch. The name comes from one, Dr. Robert Cooper, one of the most influential innovation thought-leaders in the industry. He trademarked the term Stage-Gate and its methodology, which was implemented by almost 80% of North American companies. In his framework, a product's genesis will go through discreet stages until it hits the market with expected high success rate results. In today'...

Benji Coetzee is the Chief Strategy Officer at KPN, a Dutch communications company. With a background in psychology and a passion for understanding human behavior, Benji brings a unique perspective to her role. She has led numerous digital transformation projects and is known for her ability to inspire and motivate teams. Benji is also the author of the book "Daddy Says No," which explores the psychology behind decision-making and offers practical advice for personal and professional growth. Wit...

Jim Fava is a leading pioneer in sustainability who has made significant contributions to sustainability and environmentalism for over 40 years. Regarded as the “father of modern-day life cycle assessment,” Jim has spent his career guiding businesses and governments through risks and opportunities, enabling them to hold environmentally responsible and sustainable operations. He is the co-founder of the Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation, a multi-stakeholder and membership-bas...

Partho Ghosh is a customer-centered, data-informed product executive and GM who specializes in B2B SaaS, MarTech, product-led growth, and creating measurable product processes that lead to efficient growth and market fit. He is the VP and Product & General Manager at SecurityScoreCard, the global leader in cybersecurity ratings, response, and resilience. He also serves as an advisor for OpenView, through which he advises on product-led growth. Before working at SecurityScoreCard, Partho served a...

Adam Brotman is the co-founder and co-CEO of Forum3, an organization committed to building and partnering with creators, brands, and projects that leverage the unique innovations and creativity unlocked by Web3. Prior to co-founding Forum3, Adam served as the Chairman and CEO of Brightloom and the CEO of J.Crew. He also served as the EVP for Global Retail Operations at Starbucks. Adam holds a BA in Classical Civilizations specializing in Business & Administration from UCLA and a JD from the Univ...