Innovation Rockstars Dr. Christian Mühlroth, ITONICS

"How can you create this army of everyday innovators throughout your organization? Whether it's 100 people or 100,000 employees, democratizing innovation is key." 

In this episode of Innovation Rockstars, we feature Michael McCathren, Senior Principal for Enterprise Innovation at Chick-fil-A and former Adjunct Professor at the University of Georgia. Michael shares his incredible journey from a 15-year-old restaurant worker to leading innovation at Chick-fil-A.

Discover how his team transformed from project execution to becoming in-house innovation consultants, democratizing innovation across the company. Learn about their unique approach to fostering a culture of innovation, including consulting, facilitation, and leveraging Gen-AI. This episode is a must-listen for corporate leaders and innovation enthusiasts looking to understand how to foster a culture of innovation, scale innovation and drive impactful change.

Tune in to learn about best practices and strategies for scaling innovation across large teams.

*** RELATED LINKS ***
Check out Michael's book "6Ps of Essential Innovation" (https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Michael-McCathren/dp/B0B5GZ6BT2) we talk about in this episode.

*** FEEDBACK WELCOME ***

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Don't hesitate to contact us at info@innovationrockstars.show with your feedback, comments, or questions.

*** HUNGRY FOR MORE? ***

Check out our website at ⁠⁠⁠www.innovation-rockstars.show⁠⁠⁠ or browse our Innovation Rockstars channel on all major podcast platforms.


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“A [startup] program gives a very clear collaboration platform to engage with startups. It's a clear gateway that corporations can create to send a signal to the startup ecosystem, that they are ready to collaborate.”

In this episode, we welcome Paolo Lombardi, author of the book ‘Startup Program Design’ and Director of Artificial Intelligence Innovation at Taylor & Francis. Together with Paolo, an expert in AI and startup engagement, we delve into the essentials of effectively partnering with startups, exploring various engagement models such as venture funds, hackathons, accelerators, and incubators.

Paolo shares his unique journey, starting with coding at age seven, and how his early experiences shaped his career in technology and AI. He emphasizes the importance of choosing the right startup engagement program, avoiding common pitfalls, and aligning corporate goals with startup innovation. Paolo also offers insights on fostering productive relationships between corporate managers and startup founders to mitigate cultural clashes and maximize collaboration success.

This episode is packed with practical advice for corporates and startups looking to navigate the complex landscape of innovation partnerships and drive impactful results.



*** RELATED LINKS ***
To check out Paolo's book ‘Startup Program Design’ we talk about in this episode, click on the following link: https://www.startupprogramdesign.com



*** FEEDBACK WELCOME ***We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Don't hesitate to contact us at info@innovationrockstars.show with your feedback, comments, or questions.



*** HUNGRY FOR MORE? ***Check out our website at ⁠⁠www.innovation-rockstars.show⁠⁠ or browse our Innovation Rockstars channel on all major podcast platforms.


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"Measuring innovation is not about finding one perfect metric; it's about understanding the broader impact on your organization."

In this enlightening episode of the Innovation Rockstars podcast, we welcome Dan Toma, acclaimed author, innovation expert, and co-founder of OUTCOME to demystify the complexities of measuring innovation performance. Dan, known for his entrepreneurial spirit and deep understanding of enterprise transformation, explores why traditional R&D metrics fall short and shares his unique perspectives on effective innovation measurement. Whether you're a startup enthusiast or a leader in a blue-chip company, this discussion will challenge your assumptions and offer new insights into fostering innovation effectively within your organization. Join us as we dive deep into the art and science of innovation measurement with one of the industry's thought leaders.

This episode is a treasure trove of insights for aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs seeking practical advice on navigating the complexities of global business and making impactful decisions.



*** RELATED LINKS ***

For further reading, check out Dan's publications:


Innovation Accounting - A practical guide for measuring your innovation ecosystem’s performance 
The Corporate Startup - How established companies can create successful innovation ecosystems



*** FEEDBACK WELCOME ***
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Don't hesitate to contact us at info@innovationrockstars.show with your feedback, comments, or questions.



*** HUNGRY FOR MORE? ***
Check out our website at ⁠www.innovation-rockstars.show⁠ or browse our Innovation Rockstars channel on all major podcast platforms.


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"No technology is ever going to make an impact today unless somebody is going to make money from it. And that's the cold hard reality."

In this episode, we welcome Prof. Dr. Andy Wynn, CEO TTIP Global, Professor @ IE Business School in Madrid, and professional globetrotter. Facing Andy’s decades of international business and innovation expertise, we explore the critical lessons gleaned from his global experiences—adaptability, problem-solving, and the power of networking. Key for listeners, Andy emphasizes how these skills are indispensable for anyone looking to thrive in today’s fast-paced business environment. We also discuss the often-underestimated importance of commercializing innovation, and how it overshadows the mere cultivation of a so-called innovation culture. Plus, Andy shares some personal anecdotes about transitioning from a corporate setting to launching successful businesses.

This episode is a treasure trove of insights for aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs seeking practical advice on navigating the complexities of global business and making impactful decisions.

*** FEEDBACK WELCOME ***
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Don't hesitate to contact us at info@innovationrockstars.show with your feedback, comments, or questions.

*** FEEDBACK WELCOME ***
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Don't hesitate to contact us at info@innovationrockstars.show with your feedback, comments, or questions.

*** HUNGRY FOR MORE? ***
Check out our website at ⁠www.innovation-rockstars.show⁠ or browse our Innovation Rockstars channel on all major podcast platforms.


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"One of the ways that I see humans are creating a problem for AI is that these large models... rely at the end of the day on data that humans have created and even that humans have curated."

In this engaging episode of the Innovation Rockstars podcast, we converse with Andreas Welsch, Chief AI Strategist at Intelligence Briefing and Adjunct Lecturer at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

Together with Andreas, we explore the nuanced dynamics between humans and generative AI, emphasizing the challenges posed by human-generated data on AI's performance. Andreas sheds light on strategic AI applications in business, highlighting the necessity of aligning AI initiatives with organizational goals. The discussion extends to the future role of AI in the workplace and the concept of AI agents in business negotiations, culminating with Andreas imparting valuable career advice for aspiring professionals in the AI domain. Ready for a mind-expanding journey? Tune in to this episode and fuel your curiosity about the AI landscape's future!

Tune in to uncover how AI is reshaping our professional landscapes and why it's more than just a technological advancement—it's a catalyst for innovation and strategic growth.

*** FEEDBACK WELCOME ***
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Don't hesitate to contact us at info@innovationrockstars.show with your feedback, comments, or questions.

*** HUNGRY FOR MORE? ***
Check out our website at ⁠www.innovation-rockstars.show⁠ or browse our Innovation Rockstars channel on all major podcast platforms.




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"Identify your most important problems as an organization, and then think whether you have a way to address them. That's the sweet spot where you should concentrate your strategy on."

In this episode, we are delighted to welcome Prof. Dr. Christian Stadler, a strategic management expert and Professor of Strategy from the Warwick Business School.

Together with Christian, we delve into the concept of "Open Innovation" exploring how businesses can democratize strategic planning by involving a broader range of voices within the organization. Christian shares insights and experiences from his book "Open Strategy", illustrating the value of diverse input in strategy formulation and execution. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of technology, such as AI, in enhancing strategic processes and the importance of adaptability and experimentation in corporate cultures embracing open strategy.

Tune in for an insightful episode and learn about the sweet spots in your business that your strategy should focus on.

*** FEEDBACK WELCOME ***
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Don't hesitate to contact us at info@innovationrockstars.show with your feedback, comments, or questions.

*** HUNGRY FOR MORE? ***
Check out our website at www.innovation-rockstars.show or browse our Innovation Rockstars channel on all major podcast platforms.

*** SHOW NOTES ***
Interested readers can find Christian's book "Open Strategy - Open Strategy: Mastering Disruption from Outside the C-Suite" here: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Christian-Stadler/dp/0262046113




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