Innovation Storytellers

In this episode of Innovation Storytellers, I sit down with Yaron Flint, author, and seasoned innovation strategist, to explore what it truly takes to drive long-term innovation in today’s dynamic environment. As someone with deep experience spanning automotive, smart materials, environmental, and construction tech, Yaron brings a wealth of insights into how to make innovation strategies a reality within established organizations. Yaron argues that no innovation effort can thrive without a champion at the helm—a dedicated advocate who navigates complexities galvanizes support, and keeps the momentum alive. This champion, he explains, must be willing to take calculated risks, champion the cause, and turn passive stakeholders into active supporters. Yaron shares stories from his career on how internal champions, equipped with strategic storytelling and persistence, have driven breakthrough success and garnered buy-in even when facing resistance. We also touch on Yaron’s recent achievements, including projects that bridged technologies from unrelated industries to achieve new solutions, like his award-winning environmental project in manufacturing. Yaron provides a glimpse into his methodology for forging partnerships and cross-sector collaborations, emphasizing that a genuine partnership is an ongoing commitment to learning and evolving together. As we dive into his book, Innovative Business Development: Implementing Transformation from Within, Yaron offers practical tools for leaders looking to adopt and sustain innovation across sectors, no matter the challenges. Tune in to discover why having a champion is essential and learn how cross-cultural and cross-sector experiences can be leveraged to foster innovation that is as profitable as it is transformative. Is your organization ready to make the leap? Listen now and share your thoughts on what it takes to turn innovative ideas into organizational wins.  

In my new episode of Innovation Storytellers, I chat with Rob Majteles as we delve into the transformative potential of Impact Frameworks in Innovation. During our enlightening conversation, Rob shares an inspiring example of a global agricultural company that has radically shifted its business model to embed sustainability into its core operations. This shift involves a comprehensive reevaluation of their impact on carbon emissions and biodiversity, representing a profound change from their historical reliance on fossil fuels. The company is not only adjusting to new market realities but is also setting a benchmark in the industry for integrating climate and sustainability considerations into every facet of its business. This involves complex risk analyses and a strategic overhaul that aims to generate value-added revenue through sustainable practices. Rob emphasizes the importance of viewing impact not just as an external obligation but as a crucial component of internal corporate strategy. By meticulously defining, aligning, and executing impact through detailed strategic roadmaps, companies can navigate the complexities of modern markets and unlock substantial opportunities for growth and innovation. Our discussion delves deep into how these frameworks can be a catalyst for significant organizational change, enabling companies to thrive in an increasingly conscientious business environment. Join us as we unpack these themes and more, understanding how true innovation often begins with rethinking how we measure and implement impact at every level of business.  

What role does innovation play in the federal government, especially when it comes to healthcare? On this episode of Innovation Storytellers, we take a deep dive into the innovation happening at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) with Allison Amrhein, Director of the VHA Innovators Network. Allison brings us behind the scenes, sharing how the VA empowers frontline employees and veterans to identify problems and collaborate on solutions that impact real lives. It’s not about fancy tech—it’s about solving everyday challenges. From building a sense of community among employees to fostering a culture of human-centered design, the VA is showing how innovation can happen anywhere, even in the most traditional environments. During our conversation, Allison explains how the VA focuses on identifying problems before jumping to solutions—a mindset that has transformed how healthcare providers and veterans innovate together. We also explore the VA’s Greenhouse Initiative, a program that connects industry and entrepreneurs with the VA to shape products not yet on the market.  

In this episode, David Schatsky, a retired Research & Innovation Executive from Deloitte, shares his profound insights on leveraging narrative to champion big ideas and foster widespread adoption of innovative technologies. His experience at Deloitte, designing and leading cutting-edge research programs and creating an acclaimed online course in artificial intelligence, has positioned him as a luminary in translating complex innovations into actionable strategies. David dives into the challenges that often accompany climate tech solutions—ranging from skepticism about climate change to the intricacies of corporate buy-in. He elaborates on the methodology employed by Deloitte's futurists to identify viable commercial opportunities, emphasizing the critical role of open innovation and strategic storytelling in overcoming these hurdles. During our conversation, David discusses his pivotal role in launching a climate tech advisory service at Deloitte. This initiative aimed to fill a crucial gap in professional services, extending beyond basic compliance and reporting to actively facilitate emissions reductions through advanced technologies like carbon capture, energy storage, and sustainable production methods. We explore how David and his team developed a comprehensive taxonomy of climate technologies to aid clients in understanding and navigating this complex field. This taxonomy, covering hundreds of technologies and innovators, serves as a foundational tool for technology scouting, techno-economic analysis, and facilitating partnerships that drive meaningful environmental impact. Tune in to learn how storytelling can not only convey the urgency and feasibility of embracing climate tech but also inspire corporate leaders and innovators to invest in solutions that can shape a sustainable future.