Managing innovation - creating value from ideas

John Bessant

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Innovation doesn't just happen. It's not like the cartoons - a lightbulb flashes on above someone's head and that's it. No - it's a journey and we need to understand how best to prepare for that journey, whatever kind of value we are trying to create. This podcast is about some useful lessons we might take on board to help develop our capabilities.For more, see my website:https://johnbessant.org

1D AGO

Innovation alchemy: How an unlikley partnership sparked a global inudtsry

Welcome to the ‘Managing innovation’ podcast, where we uncover the stories behind some of history's most fascinating innovations! In this episode we look at how a runaway alchemist's impossible dream of turning base metals into goldinadvertently led to the creation of "white gold" – porcelain – and sparked a global industry. Join us as we explore the journey from initial breakthroughs to widespread adoption, examining pivotal moments like thestrategic partnerships that made the impossible, possible ,and the painstaking discipline of experimentation that triumphs over mere luck. Discover how entrepreneurs of the past strategicallyidentified and nurtured wealthy market niches, eventually scaling their luxury products to become desirable commodities. Our episodes reveal the timeless principles of innovation and entrepreneurship, demonstrating how even in the face of intense imitation, differentiation and value proposition can secure lasting success. From the challenges of protectingintellectual property in an era before patents to the impact of shifting consumer trends like the rise of tea and coffee, we connect historical ingenuity to the complexities of modern entrepreneurship. If you're an innovator, a budding entrepreneur, or simplycurious about the forces that drive progress, then please subscribe to ‘Managing innovation. Podcast – and tell your friends! Transcript available here And many other innovation resources available on my website,here.

24 min
JUN 30

Connecting the world

Skype is no more. The familiar blue and white logo has quietly disappeared, retired by Microsoft back in May. But this was always much more than a powerful piece of software; it was an innovation which changed the world. In this podcast we explore the surprising origins of Skype, from music compression in a German PhD student's lab to file-sharing turmoil with Kazaa. Join us as we unravel how Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis transformed peer-to-peer technology into a global communication giant, making international calls virtually free. We’ll explore Skype's meteoric rise, its eventual "retirement" by Microsoft, and the profound lessons it offers about disruptive innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and why some good ideas eventually fade, leaving behind a powerful legacy. You can find a transcript here

41 min
JUN 4

Fashioning an innovation revolution

This May marks a huge anniversary for a brand that utterly transformed the way we dress, a company that became a chameleon, adapting instantly to the hottest trends. We’re talking about Zara, celebrating 50 years of disrupting the fashion world! How did a small operation, started in A Coruña, Spain, by an entrepreneurial couple, Amancio Ortega Gaona and his wife Rosalia, become a global powerhouse worth over $171 billion? What was the secret behind Zara’s "fast fashion" model, a system so agile it could take a design from sketch to store in a mere two weeks, while competitors were still planning months ahead? Join us as we explore the revolutionary pillars of Zara's success: from their pioneering vertical integration and rapid design turnover to their incredibly efficient distribution and unique "scarcity" strategy that keeps you coming back for more. But it's not all glamorous runways and record sales. We'll also delve into the significant challenges Zara faces today – from intense competition with ultra-low-cost rivals like Shein and Temu, to the increasing backlash against fast fashion's environmental and social impact. Can Zara truly pivot towards sustainability while maintaining its core DNA of speed and volume? You can find a transcript here And click here for more stories, songs, and stimulaing innovation resources

27 min
MAY 13

Neuroplastic entrepreneurs!

Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to rewire itself, is a powerful tool for entrepreneurs. This video explores how this capability allows individuals to reframe problems and envision new possibilities, drawing parallels between historical innovators and modern-day ventures. Learn about Malcolm Maclean's container shipping revolution and James Brindley's pioneering canal systems during the Industrial Revolution. Discover how the concept is applied today by companies like Gridless, which uses an innovative approach involving bitcoin mining to provide sustainable energy access in underserved regions of Africa. Understand the challenges they faced and the systems thinking required to turn vision into reality. This podcast highlights the importance of adaptability, problem-solving, and long-term vision in driving significant change. You can find a transcript here And check out my website for more innovation resources:

25 min
APR 18

Audacious bubbles - the secret ingredient in innovation success

A classic story of entrepreneurial grit, a passion for something and the willingness to persevere when things don’t go quite according to plan. Central to it all was a remarkable woman – Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin. Born in 1777 she went hard against the grain of what women were expected to do, creating and championing what became one of the most famous champagne houses in the world. 'Veuve Cliquot' - a legacy built on innovation. You can find a transcript here And more like this here

20 min
MAR 20

Working backwards to move forward – a surprising recipe for innovation success

This episode explores PR/FAQ in a fascinating interview withMarcelo Calbucci, an experienced entrepreneur who has extensive hands-on experience of using the 'Press release/FAQ' framework. Developed over a decade ago and widely used within Amazon this simple approach forces anyone with a change proposal to make their ideas come alive through the medium of a simple story. He’s now a self-proclaimed evangelist for the method and the author of a new book which explains the considerable power behind this deceptively simple approach. Check out his website here You can find a transcript here And check out my website here for many other innovationresources

21 min
MAR 6

The data alchemists - how an entrepreneurial couple helped start a retail revolution

The story of dunnhumby, a small entreprenurial business which changed the face of retailing by bringing the concept of consumer data science into the mainstream with the launch of the Tesco Clubcard. You can find a transcript here and more resources like this at my website here

21 min
FEB 7

Paralysed by possibilities? How to get to grips with AI

We grow through what we know. Put simply that’s at the heart of the innovation equation. Innovation is creating value from ideas, a journey which starts with an input of knowledge But when it comes to using external knowledge to help us grow we run into some challenges - as this podcast explores. We need 'absorptive capacity'. You can find a transcript here

20 min

Innovation doesn't just happen. It's not like the cartoons - a lightbulb flashes on above someone's head and that's it. No - it's a journey and we need to understand how best to prepare for that journey, whatever kind of value we are trying to create. This podcast is about some useful lessons we might take on board to help develop our capabilities.For more, see my website:https://johnbessant.org

Creator

John Bessant
Years Active

2020 - 2025
Episodes

132
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© John Bessant
Show Website

Managing innovation - creating value from ideas

Documentary

Documentary

Updated Weekly