Today’s book introduces the Exponential Era, the extraordinary times we are living where the convergence of technology platforms that grow at exponential rates is creating unprecedented opportunities for companies that know how to benefit from it, and disastrous results for those that don't.     In the book we learn about: The megatrends shaping the future of business and society The exponential platforms that are creating astonishing opportunities and risks The types of companies that thrive in this environment and those that are being destroyed   We will also learn about a robust methodology called SPX that challenges the current thinking in strategic planning and provides an effective playbook for companies to stay ahead of the exponential curve.   Finally, our guest provides a thoughtful discussion about the impact of the Exponential Era on humanity, and how the rapid changes we are experiencing challenge our current societal structures, economics, and ethics. We welcome the co-author of The Exponential Era: Strategies to Stay Ahead of the Curve in an Era of Chaotic Changes and Disruptive Forces David Espindola More about David: https://davidespindola.com

Toys ‘R’ Us. Kodak. Blockbuster. Why is it that some companies evolve while others get left in the dust? How do they lose their relevance with customers? The scary truth is that the only thing harder than getting to the top is staying there. It may sound counterintuitive, but in many cases, it is the success of a company that eventually leads to its downfall. So what does it take to stay competitive and relevant when what customers went wild for yesterday is the boring, banal, bare minimum they’ll accept today? Through the story of the rise and plateau of a gym franchise recounted as a novel, today’s book shows exactly why most companies reaching the peak of their potential lose their curiosity and crash into irrelevance. From how we develop blind spots about our business to the pitfalls of feeling like an expert, this thought-provoking, engaging tale reveals the smokescreens obscuring imminent threats to long-term viability and walks you through specific ways to boost innovation, uncover customer needs, solve problems, create new value for customers, and increase employee engagement. Most importantly, this book demonstrates why curiosity is your greatest asset, driving constant innovation and improvement and helps you ask the essential questions that will take your business from stagnant to soaring. By continuing to work your curiosity muscle over time, you can help your company thrive and become competitive on more than price alone—ultimately, future-proofing your business. We welcome the author of “The Curiosity Muscle: How Four Simple Questions Can Uncover Powerful Insights and Exponential Growth “ Diana Kander. Find Diana here: https://dianakander.com Find her podcast here: https://dianakander.com/podcast/

When a company is committed to growing through innovation standard accounting documents offer insufficient and, oftentimes irrelevant data. Innovation Accounting is a practical guide for these companies to help them measure and track innovation. Most established organizations have understood the need to innovate and become more digital, however the management tools available to leaders seeking to understand the investments in innovation are lacking. Financial accounting in particular is difficult to use in the context of (digital) innovation. Therefore a new complementary system for measuring and tracking innovation is needed.
The book provides tools, frameworks, templates, and visualizations that can be easily understood and applied. These can all be used by executives looking for a new way of measuring corporate performance in a world where accounting-recognized assets are becoming commodities, by investors seeking better ways of looking at a company's growth potential, and by managers who need to valuate innovation product teams using more than just financial indicators. Today’s book is an essential go-to book for anyone that wants to measure their company's innovation ecosystem. We welcome the co-authors of Innovation Accounting, Esther-Emmely Gons and previous guest and friend of the show, Dan Toma More about Esther here: https://togroundcontrol.com/about/esther-emmely-gons/   More about Dan here: https://weareoutcome.co  

Have you ever felt like you were on a roll? Every thing seems to be going your way. Time slows, and you see clearly. Past the noise and distractions, you’re able to zoom in on the essential. You take the perfect action at the perfect time. You instinctively know what to do, and you have the profound feeling that you are on the right path. This experience is the manifestation of what our guest calls alignment. Alignment is the congruence of who you are, what you feel, and what you love on a deep and fundamental level with what you do, what you say, what you envision, and where you are going. Alignment is not about falling in step or conforming to others’ expectations, but rather it’s about becoming more yourself—and, in so doing, transcending what you thought were the limits of your capabilities. You too, if properly aligned, can reach higher than you ever thought possible, effortlessly and joyfully inspiring others to embrace and follow your vision. You too can generate that sense of clarity and ease, even in the face of challenges and setbacks. You too can create that congruence of who you are, what you think, and what you do. We welcome the author of "Aligned: Connecting Your True Self with the Leader You’re Meant to Be", Hortense Le Gentil. More about Hortense HLGconsulting.org

Today's books tell us how digital platforms are inverting our economy and what that means for our public high schools.  It is a fascinating read for those interested in transformation, bitcoin, education, and universal basic income.  Questions include: - What does the future of work look like as jobs continue to decline? - Why will trends like decentralization and open-source impact education?  - When does human bias impact economic viability and how can anti-bias lead to an anti-fragile democracy and economy? - Will artificial intelligence help or hurt us?     And - Should we worry about "surveillance capitalism?" We welcome Principal Z, the author of Education in the Digital Age: How We Get There, Nadav Zeimer.

In this episode, we deep dive into the Built To Innovate framework. More details on https://www.builttoinnovatethebook.com It’s no secret that continuous innovation is the key to seizing and maintaining the competitive edge in today’s increasingly challenging business environment. Unfortunately, the process for achieving this holy grail of business has been a mystery—until now. Today's book delivers a proven system for building relentless innovation into your company’s DNA. Our guest, a Professor and former Dean of Executive Education at INSEAD explores the essential practices of many of the world’s most innovative organizations and demonstrates how you can leverage them in your own company. You’ll learn how to drive innovating in product design and creative use of technology―as well as business activities, such as business model redesign, customer service, distribution, finance, talent development, and sales. The big question on the mind of every business leader today is: What can I do to create extra value for my company and the customers we serve?  This book provides everything you need to transform your organization into an innovating engine that continually produces new products and processes to generate enormous new value for you and for the customers you serve. It is a pleasure to welcome back the author of “Built to Innovate: Essential Practices to Wire Innovation into Your Company’s DNA" Ben Bensaou, welcome to the show

With new technology, constant change and uncertainty, and far-flung virtual teams, getting things done at work is tougher and more complex than ever. We’re in the midst of a collaboration revolution, working with everyone, all the time, across silos and platforms. But sometimes it feels like we're stuck in a no-win cycle—dealing with an overwhelming influx of asks, with unclear lines of communication and authority. Overcommitment syndrome looms larger than ever before. But even amid the seeming chaos, there's always that indispensable go-to person who thrives on their many working relationships with people all over the organization chart. How do they do it? Go-to people consistently make themselves valuable to others, maintain a positive attitude of service, are creative and tenacious, and take personal responsibility for getting the right things done. Our guest today reveals the secrets of the go-to person in our new world of work. Based on an intensive study of people at all levels, in all kinds of organizations, He shows how go-to people think and behave differently, building up their influence with others—not by trying to do everything for everybody but by doing the right things at the right times for the right reasons, regardless of whether they have the formal authority. We welcome the author of The Art of Being Indispensable at Work: Win Influence, Beat Overcommitment, and Get the Right Things Done Bruce Tulgan   More about Bruce and links mentioned in the episode: Email hygiene: https://rainmakerthinking.com/improve-productivity-by-practicing-good-email-hygiene/ Meetings: https://rainmakerthinking.com/a-guide-to-great-one-on-one-meetings/

In this episode, we explore the case study of Bayer and how the 40billion dollar giant diffused a mindset of innovating across the organization. It’s no secret that continuous innovation is the key to seizing and maintaining the competitive edge in today’s increasingly challenging business environment. Unfortunately, the process for achieving this holy grail of business has been a mystery—until now. Today's book delivers a proven system for building relentless innovation into your company’s DNA. Our guest, a Professor and former Dean of Executive Education at INSEAD explores the essential practices of many of the world’s most innovative organizations and demonstrates how you can leverage them in your own company. You’ll learn how to drive innovating in product design and creative use of technology―as well as business activities, such as business model redesign, customer service, distribution, finance, talent development, and sales. The big question on the mind of every business leader today is: What can I do to create extra value for my company and the customers we serve? This book provides everything you need to transform your organization into an innovating engine that continually produces new products and processes to generate enormous new value for you and for the customers you serve. It is a pleasure to welcome back the author of “Built to Innovate: Essential Practices to Wire Innovation into Your Company’s DNA" Ben Bensaou, welcome to the show

Companies and organizations around the world are being confronted with alarming challenges—a global pandemic, market shocks, climate change, political instability. But in these unsettled times, today’s guest reveals that managers and executives have a secret weapon on their side: an overlooked group of employees that share what she calls “the gig mindset”—a freelancer-style knack for improvisation, adaptability and innovation that offers a crucial key to the future. Found at all levels of the workforce but often stifled by managers, gig mindsetters are disruptors who upend business as usual and bridge gaps while achieving surprising outcomes and charting new directions. Six case studies of early adopters illustrate how it is shaping business in diverse fields: science and technology, industrial energy, healthcare, financial services, agricultural commodity trading and legal services. We welcome author of The Gig Mindset Advantage: Why a Bold New Breed of Employee is Your Organization’s Secret Weapon in Volatile Times, Jane McConnell

Intro It’s no secret that continuous innovation is the key to seizing and maintaining the competitive edge in today’s increasingly challenging business environment. Unfortunately, the process for achieving this holy grail of business has been a mystery—until now. Todays book delivers a proven system for building relentless innovation into your company’s DNA. Our guest, a Professor and former Dean of Executive Education at INSEAD explores the essential practices of many of the world’s most innovative organisations and demonstrates how you can leverage them in your own company. You’ll learn how to drive innovating in product design and creative use of technology―as well as business activities, such as business model redesign, customer service, distribution, finance, talent development, and sales. The big question on the mind of every business leader today is: What can I do to create extra value for my company and the customers we serve? This book provides everything you need to transform your organization into an innovating engine that continually produces new products and processes to generate enormous new value for you and for the customers you serve. It is a pleasure to welcome back the author of “Built to Innovate: Essential Practices to Wire Innovation into Your Company’s DNA" Ben Bensaou, welcome to the show In this episode, we explore some case studies in innovation including: Samsung The Pentagon The cement company-turned renewables EcoCem The paint company AkzoNobel and many nuggets of wisdom in between