Innovation and the Digital Enterprise

Hosts Shelli Nelson and Patrick Emmons are joined today by Adam Hecktman, long time civic technology executive at Microsoft. Adam shares how the role of technology in communities has evolved throughout the years. We discuss the social impact of technology, efficient government and the challenge of keeping talent in Chicago. [03:00] - 27 years and 10,000 great days at Microsoft[03:50] - The challenge of keeping talent in Chicago[05:35] - Chicago driving the transportation logistics industry forward[08:30] - Hiring for skills not diplomas[09:45] - Mentoring upcoming entrepreneurs in the social impact space[11:50] - Experiences with demands for efficient government [13:30] - Chicago mayoral campaigns with someone not named Daley[15:45] - 1871, Governor Pritzker and Illinois economic development[20:00] - The State of Illinois opportunity to provide equity in education[25:56] - The opportunity to live, work and grow in Chicago[29:00] - The call to action for business owners in Chicago when hiring candidates [34:15] - Lesson in encouraging lifelong learning & Microsoft Partner Program[38:30] - Creating a culture of learning starts at the top of an organization[40:00] - The gig economy, micro-internships and new models of employment[42:00] - Adam's one word  Adam J. Hecktman is Microsoft’s Director of Technology and Civic Innovation for Chicago. In this capacity, Adam helps the cities' civic leaders – and the communities they serve – use cutting-edge ideas around technology to solve the city’s biggest social challenges. He provides guidance on the key issues and opportunities facing neighborhoods and communities today and in the future. Prior to this role, Adam was the Director of the Microsoft Technology Center – Chicago, helping organizations ensure long-term success when facing their toughest business challenges and opportunities. He has been with Microsoft in Chicago since 1991. Prior to Microsoft, Adam was a consultant at Accenture. Adam received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is pursuing his Master of Data Science with a concentration on Computational Methods at DePaul University. Adam has served his community in various capacities and appointments at non-profit, civic, and professional organizations including: Founder of the Chicago City Data Users Group, Advisory Board of IT Knowledge Abilities Network, Leadership Council of THRIVE Chicago, along with many others. Adam can be found on Twitter and at the Microsoft Chicago homepage. If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Innovation and the Digital Enterprise Insider in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show Episode produced by Dante32.

In this second installment of “Innovation and the Digital Enterprise” Shelli Nelson and Patrick Emmons welcome Christian Anschuetz to talk about his role as UL’s Chief Digital Officer, having courage in the face of uncertainty and the criticality of trust in all relationships. As CDO at UL, Christian is responsible for embedding innovative technology and digital trends in operations to accelerate growth and enhance clients’ ability to predict and address regulatory and safety considerations in their value chains. He is passionate about the value trust brings to modern supply chains and the role data plays in delivering that trust.Christian is also a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the founder of the innovative nonprofit, Project RELO.Episode Highlights:[01:25] Christian on how being an American citizen shaped his life and experience[02:53] The winding path: “No plan survives its first contact with the enemy”[05:29] Having faith, confidence, and courage when you don’t know how things are going to turn out[06:10] Transitioning from marine officer to entrepreneur to corporate executive[10:31] Employing veterans as an entrepreneur and at UL[13:26] How being a mission-based person led Christian to UL, the kind of company seeking to make a difference in the world[16:37] UL’s history of moving with innovation[18:37] Challenges in transitioning from CIO role to Chief Digital Officer[21:39] Hiring based on the substance of a person’s character[24:31] Trust as the most essential ingredient for any relationship, including between companies and their customers[27:12] Trust vs Loyalty[29:06] Specific challenges, risk, and opportunities at UL[33:37] Considering mentors outside the typical conception of mentorship[37:03] Starting Project RELO[45:20 ] The “Plastics Question” - Christian’s one word is trustIf you enjoyed the show, please subscribe and leave a much-appreciated review in iTunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts!Episode produced by Dante32.

On DragonSpears first installment of “Innovation and the Digital Enterprise” Shelli Nelson and Patrick Emmons welcome Roman Dumiak to talk about how technology affects collaborative efforts in anything from programming to E-sports to smart speakers. Roman Dumiak, who currently works at a small private equity firm giving technical advice on potential clients, previously worked at Allstate Insurance for over 40 years, wearing many hats including software developer, infrastructure handler in database/network, chief architect, and held the position of Director of Technology Innovation for 6 years.Episode Highlights:[00:51] Introduction to Roman Dumiak[04:20] Scrum vs. Extreme Programming[06:06] Empathy in the recruitment process[10:09] Where the Allstate Innovation Team began and how it grew[16:19] Paired Programming as a valuable asset instead of a waste of resources[19:41] Shift in Programming as isolated work to collaboration[23:23] The approach of an Egalitarian work environment[27:55] Introduction of product managers to Allstate[33:38] Innovation Lab and the Car Sharing Startup[38:10] Alexa and other developments that toe the line of success/failure[43:12] E-Sports and Group Gaming[48:52] Collaboration evolving with technology[50:46] Innovation and RebuildingIf you enjoyed the show, please subscribe and leave a much-appreciated review in iTunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Editing & Post-Production by Dante32.

Welcome to the Innovation and the Digital Enterprise podcast, hosted by Patrick Emmons and Shelli Nelson.Join us as we interview successful visionaries and leaders, giving you an insight into how they drive and support innovation within their organizations.Each episode we'll focus on a different aspect of leveraging the digital revolution like…building a culture of innovationovercoming a fear of failurefinding time to focus on innovative product ideasteaching and recruiting innovatorsSo join us as we learn the secrets that successful entrepreneurs and leaders use to spark innovation amongst their teams and organizations.Subscribe by visiting our website at dragonspears.com/podcast or find us at iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.This episode was produced by Dante32.