Inspiration for innovation

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

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 hereAnd click here for more stories, songs, and stimulaing innovation resources

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 hereAnd check out my website for more innovation resources:

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 hereAnd more like this here

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 hereYou can find a transcript here And check out my website here for many other innovationresources

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 hereand more resources like this at my website here

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

Fifty years ago and Keith Jarrett created a legendary performance which was captured on record and became the best selling solo piano album of all time. That experience offers some powerful and inspiring lessons for today's innovation managers, as this podcast highlights. You can find a transcript and more resources at my website here

Managing innovation isn’t a matter of abstract systems or process flow charts; it's much closer to the challenge of planting and tending an orchard. A rich harvest of innovation fruit comes from strong branches on trees which have matured thanks to careful cultivation. Maintaining what's already established and allowing for new shoots, sprouting in new directions, opening up more possibilities for future growth.   This doesn't happen by accident. We need to think about 'innovation horticulture' - how best to manage the orchard. This podcast explores that idea.  Check out my website here for more stories, cases, tool, even some innovation songs!

It’s the time of year when letters are getting hastily scribbled and sent to the old gentleman in Lapland expressing preferences for possible presents. This is a sample from a somewhat frustrated but ever hopeful innovation manager…. You can find the lyrics and a rich assortment of other innovation resources - songs, cases, videos, podcasts, tools, etc. - at my website here