The Innovation Crowd with Helen Dawson

Helen Dawson
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Everyone has an Innovation or AI story. Almost nobody tells you what it cost and who blocked it. My guests do. I'm Helen Dawson. Chartered chemical engineer. Ex-Shell. 25 years of change programmes in big organisations. I help boards decide which AI bets deserve the money. Politics isn't an inconvenience. It's the job. AI Confidence Snapshot (4 mins): scorecard.helen-dawson.com The Hard Part newsletter: helen-dawson.kit.com/the-hard-part LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-dawson/

  1. Jul 27 ·  Bonus

    The Hard Part: Why successful pilots don't scale

    Most AI pilots succeed. Then they die on the way to scale and leaders blame the technology when the real problem was the pilot itself.In this solo episode, Helen Dawson takes apart the most expensive mistake in corporate innovation: running a pilot that proves the wrong thing. A pilot that "works" tells you almost nothing if it tested an assumption you already believed, in a corner of the business that doesn't matter, on data too thin to act on. Helen walks through how to design a pilot that actually tests what scaling will demand, so the win you get is a win you can build on.In this episode:- Why a "successful" pilot is often just proof you already had the answer, not proof it will scale- The trap of piloting in the low-stakes, low-resistance part of the business, where nothing you learn transfers- Pilots don't test whether the technology works. They test value and assumptions. Confusing the two is where the money goes.- Why sample size and data-gathering time quietly decide whether a pilot can ever inform a real decision- The obstacles a too-clean pilot never surfaces: the operational friction and adoption resistance that only appear at scale- How to pick the right pilot for what you actually need to prove: the business case, customer demand, or technical feasibility — and why those need different designs

  2. Jul 20 ·  Bonus

    The Hard Part: The First AI Decision on Andy Burnham's Desk

    Key decisions on AI for government and business leaders. In this episode, Helen Dawson explores the critical considerations for integrating AI into government and business. She emphasizes that AI should be viewed as an ingredient within broader solutions rather than a standalone fix, emphasizing outcomes over technology buzzwords.Main topics: The three-layered framework of AI: infrastructure, models, and functionalityThe importance of using AI to improve government outcomes and solving hard challengesRisks of vendor capture and the 'siege' dynamic in critical infrastructure contractsEdge cases and the unique challenges in public sector AI deploymentThe notion of AI as an ingredient versus a meal – focusing on real-world impactEthical concerns: fairness, bias, and the distribution of gains in AI-powered societyStrategic decisions governments face, exemplified by the NHS Palantir contractThe importance of protecting supply chains and avoiding vendor lock-in Sign up for the newsletter for more insights like this: https://helen-dawson.kit.com/the-hard-part?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=episode&utm_campaign=the-hard-part&utm_content=burnham

  3. Jul 13

    S3 E2: Your Sales Proposals Are Probably Rubbish — Here's the 7-Step Fix with Sandie Essemann

    Summary Helen Dawson and Sandie Essemann discuss how to craft sales proposals that resonate with buyers by focusing on the buyer's needs, using industry language, and creating compelling storytelling. They share practical tips to improve proposal effectiveness and build stronger client relationships. Key Topics Upgrading the user experience, not the technologyUsing industry-specific language and client languagePinpointing the client's core problemVisualizing what good looks like for the clientCreating memorable sound bites for pitchesBuilding early value into client relationshipsGiving your company a human face in proposals Keywords sales proposals, B2B sales, proposal tips, industry language, storytelling, client engagement, sales strategy, technology, innovation, SaaS Contact: Helen Dawson https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-dawson/ Sign up to Helen's Newsletter: https://helen-dawson.kit.com/the-hard-part Sandie Essemann https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandieessemann/ Sign up to Sandie' newsletter https://sandie-copy.kit.com/b5fe467b47

  4. Jul 6 ·  Bonus

    The Hard Part: The Pope's Unexpected Take on AI

    The Pope has said the thing that most CEOs are paying consultants to dance around. I talk through the The Vatican's Take on AI, Humanity, and Society from the Magnifica Humanitas. This episode explores a surprisingly profound Vatican document on artificial intelligence, human dignity, and societal values, highlighting the moral and ethical considerations that are often overlooked in tech discourse. Main Topics: The Vatican's perspective on AI and the common goodHuman limitations, dignity, and the risks of unchecked technological upgradesEthical frameworks for AI governance and data ownershipThe role of work, community, and moral responsibility in an AI-driven futureThe Pope's document as a rallying cry for AI aligned with human and societal goodWhy embracing human limitations is essential to preserve creativity, surprise, and societal cohesionThe danger of believing AI will fix inherent human weaknesses and the concept of unbounded human upgradingThe importance of safeguarding human dignity and participatory workPractical strategies for leaders to navigate AI ethics, including governance, data ownership, and supply chain issues

    The Hard Part: The Pope's Unexpected Take on AI

  5. Jun 29

    S3 E1: When You Pull the Lever and It Comes Off in Your Hand with Graham Young, Harbour Energy

    Graham Young spent 25 years in big corporate energy: Shell, one of the largest global SAP rollouts ever attempted, decarbonising key accounts across the chemicals sector. Then he made the jump to a smaller, leaner, acquisition-hungry oil and gas company, and discovered that the levers he was used to pulling weren't connected to anything. In this episode he and Helen Dawson dig into what that transition really teaches you: why systems thinking is becoming a core skill, why being an AI follower beats being a leader, and why steering the ship yourself beats persuading five other people to nudge the wheel Keywords: Energy, Digital Transformation, M&A, AI, Business Strategy, Change Management, Technology, Leadership, Oil and Gas, Innovation, Harbour Energy Graham Young on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/graham-p-young/ Helen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-dawson/ The Hard Part newsletter: https://helen-dawson.kit.com/the-hard-part AI Confidence Snapshot (four minutes): https://scorecard.helen-dawson.com

  6. Jun 11

    S2 E8: A Hammer Doesn't Make Everything a Nail — Lucy Scott Brown on product, blockchain and not chasing the hype

    In this episode, Helen Dawson speaks with Lucy Scott Brown about the essentials of effective product management, the evolving role of communication, and the fascinating world of blockchain technology. Whether you're a seasoned product professional or new to the field, Lucy's insights on teamwork, technical understanding, and innovative applications of blockchain will inspire and educate. Key Topics: The core skills of a great product manager: understanding user needs and effective communicationBalancing technical and business knowledge, and fostering diverse, collaborative teamsBuilding communication skills: from early career experiences to leadership developmentCollaboration with engineering teams: respecting boundaries and mutual respect as keyExploring blockchain: how shared ledgers work, beyond cryptocurrency use casesReal-world applications of blockchain: anti-counterfeiting, certification verification, and currency stabilityPractical advice for companies exploring blockchain: problem-focused and avoiding hypePersonal lessons: asking questions early and often, embracing vulnerability in leadershipThe importance of emotional intelligence and diversity in team dynamicsLucy Scott Brown’s LinkedIn Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to product management and guest Lucy Scott Brown02:02 - What makes a great product manager?02:30 - Key skills: understanding user needs and effective communication03:48 - Balancing knowledge of business vs. technology05:41 - The role of diversity and teamwork in product success06:27 - Developing communication skills over time08:14 - Respectful collaboration with engineering teams09:22 - Building confidence through support and small wins10:39 - Decoding blockchain: what it is and how it works18:36 - Blockchain beyond cryptocurrency: real-life use cases22:47 - Favorite blockchain applications and industry insights25:26 - How companies should approach exploring blockchain technology26:46 - Avoiding tech hype: focus on problem solving over solutions27:43 - Hard lessons: asking questions and embracing vulnerability29:20 - Leadership and learning from team diversity30:44 - Connecting with Lucy for further insights

  7. 02/19/2025

    S2E7: AI and Automation - The Future of Energy with Glen Milne

    Today's guest is Glen Milne from Spirit Energy. Glen discusses the impact of digitalization and AI on the energy industry, emphasizing the importance of remote work, automation, and the role of engineers in driving digital transformation. He shares insights on the need for a culture that embraces failure as a learning opportunity and the significance of domain expertise in leveraging technology effectively. The discussion also touches on the evolving nature of technology and the importance of trust and communication in implementing digital solutions. Takeaways: Digital transformation in the energy sector accelerated due to COVID-19.Failure should be viewed as a learning opportunity, not a setback.The Aviation industry serves as a model for learning from failures.Automation can significantly improve efficiency and productivity.Engineers should take the lead in digital transformation initiatives.Domain expertise is becoming increasingly valuable in technology implementation.Trust and communication are essential for successful partnerships.Listening is a critical skill for effective leadership.Technology should address real business problems, not just be innovative for its own sake.Keywords: digitalization, AI, energy industry, transformation, automation, engineers, technology, communication, failure, innovation

  8. 02/05/2025

    S2 E6: Shin Kickers and Staircase Scaling - Transforming Mega Projects with Neill Pawsey

    In this conversation, Neill Pawsey of Cohesive (a Bentley company) discusses the challenges and opportunities to use digital tools in capital mega-projects. Packed with amazing metaphors, Neill emphasises the need to start with the end in mind. Digital tools create transparency but with that are impacts on behaviours and ways of working. Onto the soapbox, Neill and Helen discuss that managing change is hard but the people aspects are the most important to get right. Using examples from Crossrail (HS2), Highways and the Energy sector, Neill talks about dealing with "shin kickers", how to fail fast in a safety critical, thin margin world, scaling using the staircase method and how to collaborate with the whole supply chain on digital. And Neill and Helen remind us to think big but act small and avoid giving your organisation "indigestion". 00:00 Introduction to Digital Transformation in Capital Projects 06:03 The Importance of Transparency and Coordination 11:07 Learning from Field Engineers 16:44 Cultural Attitudes Towards Failure 25:26 Navigating the Data Journey 30:33 Owner-Driven Technology Adoption 36:35 Behavioral Insights in Project Management 42:44Silo Mentality and Organizational Behavior

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About

Everyone has an Innovation or AI story. Almost nobody tells you what it cost and who blocked it. My guests do. I'm Helen Dawson. Chartered chemical engineer. Ex-Shell. 25 years of change programmes in big organisations. I help boards decide which AI bets deserve the money. Politics isn't an inconvenience. It's the job. AI Confidence Snapshot (4 mins): scorecard.helen-dawson.com The Hard Part newsletter: helen-dawson.kit.com/the-hard-part LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-dawson/

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