gguttalks

gguttalks podcast

Creative and Critical Thinking in Business... and Life. Through episodes about leadership, AI, design & innovation, and some on health. ggutt.substack.com

  1. Secrets to Leading Creative Teams and the Role of Chief Design Officer Revealed with Eric Quint

    12/14/2025

    Secrets to Leading Creative Teams and the Role of Chief Design Officer Revealed with Eric Quint

    Eric Quint, a prominent design leader and author, discusses the critical aspects of effective design leadership, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, the distinction between design as strategy versus tactics, and the need for a governance framework to elevate design within organizations. In this episode, he shares insights on measuring the impact of design, building a design center, and navigating organizational politics. Quint also highlights the significance of intuition, creativity, and the ability to say no in design leadership, providing valuable takeaways for aspiring design leaders. Eric is former Chief Brand and Design Officer at 3M Company (United States) and former Vice President and Head of Design Management and Consulting at Royal Philips (the Netherlands). Eric’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericquint3mcdo/ Design Leadership Ignited - Elevating Design at Scale: https://www.sup.org/books/business/design-leadership-ignited (also available on Amazon) Design leadership at scale requires leaders who design the design function, establish a thriving environment for the creative team, and shape the design organization to drive progress, advance innovation, and enhance meaningful customer experiences. Eric’s white papers and publications (Linkedin Featured section): * Foreword for book “Research for Designers” by Gjoko Muratovski (3rd edition, 2024) * Journal of Innovation Management: “Collaborative Creativity: A Design Approach to Systemic Challenges Navigating the Innovation Ecosystem.” * Journal of Design and Allied Sciences: “Designing the Future: How Balanced Design Leadership Can Drive Desirable Futures.” * California Management Review: Leadership to Elevate Design At Scale: Balancing Conflicting Imperatives * Foreword for book “Futures By Design” by Corà-Fazio-Collura (2023). Takeaways: Collaboration is essential for effective design leadership. Design should be viewed as a strategic capability, not just a tactical function. Engaging stakeholders is crucial for demonstrating design’s value. Establishing a governance framework for design is necessary for success. Measuring design impact requires a focus on progress rather than just financial KPIs. Creating a design center can significantly enhance design’s role in an organization. Navigating organizational politics is a key skill for design leaders. Intuition and creativity play vital roles in design leadership. Aspiring design leaders should focus on building influence and resilience. Understanding the business language is important for design leaders. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ggutt.substack.com

    1h 3m
  2. From building companies to building & working with AI | with Ivo Boniolo

    12/07/2025

    From building companies to building & working with AI | with Ivo Boniolo

    Ivo Boniolo is an inventor, PhD in in Automation Engineering and agentic entrepreneur. He co-founded one of the most well-known Italian venture builders. He’s now focused on building an entire business operated by AI agents. In this episode, Ivo Boniolo shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, focusing on the evolution of AI and its potential impact on various industries. He discusses the importance of innovation management, the challenges of technology transfer, and the need for businesses to adapt to the rapidly changing technological landscape. Ivo emphasizes the democratization of AI technology, the significance of human-AI collaboration, and the critical role of critical thinking for future generations. Ivo’s Linkedin: https://it.linkedin.com/in/ivo-boniolo-4884979 Watch on Youtube Takeaways AI’s computational power has grown exponentially in recent years. The potential of AI is vast, especially in automating processes. Innovation models must be tailored to specific industrial clusters. AI can enhance manufacturing processes and make businesses more resilient. The integration of AI into business operations is crucial for efficiency. Democratization of AI technology allows more people to start businesses. Managing human and AI collaboration is essential for future success. There are significant challenges in AI development, including cybersecurity. Europe faces competition from the US and Asia in AI technology. Critical thinking is vital for the next generation in a digital world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ggutt.substack.com

    54 min
  3. AI Adoption, Fluff is in the DNA, China/USA

    09/09/2025

    AI Adoption, Fluff is in the DNA, China/USA

    In this episode, I share my journey into AI, emphasizing the importance of mindset, creativity, and human judgment in the adoption of AI. I highlight the transformative potential of generative AI while addressing the fears and misconceptions surrounding it, the collaborative approach to AI where human intuition and critical thinking play a crucial role in decision-making. I also explores the ethical implications of AI, the competitive landscape between the US and China, and the necessity of creating safe spaces for experimentation and learning within organizations. Key Takeaways * AI adoption is more about mindset than technical skills. * Generative AI has transformed the way we interact with technology. * Human judgment is essential in AI decision-making. * Fear of new technology is a natural human response. * Creating safe spaces fosters creativity and experimentation. * Expectations around AI need to be managed carefully. * Investing in AI tools does not guarantee their effective use. * Collaboration between humans and AI is crucial for success. * Ethics in AI is a significant concern for businesses. * The competitive landscape of tech is constantly evolving, especially between the US and China. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to AI and Creative Thinking * 02:16 The Shift to Generative AI * 05:35 Mindset and Maturity in AI Adoption * 09:28 Human Judgment vs AI Confidence * 12:18 Fear and Acceptance of New Technology * 15:45 The Role of Humans in AI Decision Making * 19:06 Ethics and Trust in AI * 23:33 Creating Safe Spaces for AI Experimentation * 25:58 China vs. US in AI Development * 34:02 The Future of AI and Human Collaboration This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ggutt.substack.com

    37 min
  4. From Aid to Trade. Transforming Agriculture in Papua New Guinea

    05/01/2025

    From Aid to Trade. Transforming Agriculture in Papua New Guinea

    Rona Conn, founder of Otherdots, is transforming Pacific agriculture and trade by connecting Indigenous producers to global markets. Rona’s story is deeply personal. She comes from a legacy of agricultural and community empowerment in Papua New Guinea, and she’s carried that forward—building sustainable businesses, focusing on trade-led economic growth over traditional aid. She’s bridging food security and economic gaps, joined by alliance partners creating a win-win for all, which means community-driven solutions to empower thousands of families. A solution that can be scaled which is the next step. She built all this with no investment, no debt and almost no tech. Live episode on youtube Contact Rhona: Rhona on Linkedin Otherdots website Maria Linkedin: https://go.ggutt.com/maria-linkedinTikTok: go.ggutt.com/tiktokYouTube: http://go.ggutt.com/videos Takeaways: * Rhona Conn's journey is rooted in her legacy of agriculture and community empowerment. * Milne Bay Organics was created to utilize unused fertile land in Papua New Guinea. * The importance of educating farmers about the value of their resources. * Community collaboration is essential for economic growth and sustainability. * The shift from aid to trade requires a change in mindset among local communities. * Building alliances among local producers can lead to shared success. * Technology can play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural practices. * The need for traceability in food production to ensure fair pricing. * Rhona's approach emphasizes the importance of community trust and relationships. * The journey of transforming local economies is a long-term commitment. Cultural understanding is crucial for business success. * Growth can lead to bottlenecks that need addressing. * Connecting markets to farmers is essential for sustainability. * Technology can bridge gaps in supply chains. * There is significant demand for agricultural products globally. * Infrastructure challenges hinder supply chain efficiency. * Empowering local communities leads to better outcomes. * Building trust takes time and effort. * The journey of establishing a business is often fraught with challenges. * External partnerships are necessary for scaling operations. Creating strong alliances is crucial for overcoming competition. * Evolving towards a profitable business model ensures sustainability. * Data collection is essential for guiding development efforts. * Local knowledge is vital for effective policy-making. * Quality control is key to maintaining market trust. * Balancing profit and purpose is necessary for long-term success. * Experience in the field leads to better business decisions. * Economic opportunities can significantly reduce crime rates. * Empowering local communities fosters independence and self-sufficiency. * Technology can enhance supply chain efficiency and scalability. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ggutt.substack.com

    1h 39m

About

Creative and Critical Thinking in Business... and Life. Through episodes about leadership, AI, design & innovation, and some on health. ggutt.substack.com