Better Innovation

As the digital landscape becomes increasingly dominated by a few major technology companies, the drive for a more equitable and inclusive internet has never been more urgent. In this episode of Better Innovation, host Jeffrey Saviano is joined by Dr. Tomicah Tillemann, President of Project Liberty and a visionary leader working tirelessly to decentralize data control and democratize digital platforms. Tomicah, who leads this $500 million initiative to develop alternatives to big tech, presents Project Liberty's mission to enhance individual control over data and ensure fair economic benefits resulting from innovation initiatives.   With a rich background in policy and global advisory roles across both the public and private sectors, Tomicah shares how businesses can contribute to and benefit from a more open and equitable digital future. From examining the role of major tech platforms like TikTok in driving change, to debating the future of data rights and AI regulation, Tillemann offers a comprehensive view on how we can build a better internet.

As AI rapidly advances, integrating ethical considerations into AI-enabled products, solutions, and business models is essential, however AI practitioners and business leaders report that putting AI ethics into practice is quite daunting. In this episode of Better Innovation, host Jeff Saviano welcomes Reid Blackman, a world-renowned AI ethics leader, author, podcaster, and CEO of Virtue, a digital ethical risk consultancy. Drawing from many leading principles in his book "Ethical Machines," Reid unpacks the complexities of AI ethics and explains why implementing ethics in practice often lags behind other elements of AI adoption. The discussion extends beyond the book to explore how organizations - and their corporate boards in particular -can effectively navigate ethical dilemmas and risk management more broadly. Join this insightful conversation that will broaden, and perhaps even challenge, your understanding of the ethics of AI.

Join host Jeff Saviano as he welcomes back to the show Beatriz Sanz Sáiz, EY's Global Data and AI Partner Leader. Six years and nearly 100 episodes later, Beatriz returns to the microphone to provide a roadmap for embarking on an AI transformation journey within organizations, and the importance of championing diversity along the way.   From crafting robust AI strategies to tackling the challenges of change management, Beatriz is a leader in achieving tech-influenced enterprise value at scale, spearheading AI transformative outcomes for both EY and its clients. In this episode, Beatriz shares invaluable insights drawn from her vast AI and data experiences. Jeff and Beatriz also candidly explore the challenges she's faced in leading EY's AI transformation, illuminating how she navigated obstacles and reflecting on the frameworks that will allow others to find success in their own AI transformation efforts. 

The spotlight on Generative AI (GenAI) is intense, dominating headlines and sparking novel experiments in many companies. Yet amidst the fervor, the technology's emergence raises critical questions. Do leaders truly understand its implications for their businesses? What investment and deployment frameworks should they be considering? Joining host Jeff Saviano is Roger Park, EY America's Innovation Leader, renowned for guiding companies through disruptive change emanating from digital technologies. Jeff and Roger explore the complexities of GenAI, examining its origins, identifying investment opportunities, and establishing the groundwork for effective deployment strategies. Whether you're a seasoned innovator or just dipping your toes into the world of emerging technologies, this episode promises to leave you inspired and equipped to embrace the future of GenAI.

How does AI's growing influence on the law intersect with ethical obligations, such as ensuring transparency in AI decision-making and data privacy? Join host Jeff Saviano in a thought-provoking conversation with Dazza Greenwood, an expert on AI ethics and founder of CIVICS.com, as they explore the complex relationship between AI and the law in this episode of Better Innovation.  Drawing from Dazza's expertise as a researcher at MIT Media Lab and Lecturer at MIT Connection Science, the discussion explores the mission of the MIT Task Force on Responsible AI, chaired by Dazza, and the ensuing guiding principles (which can be found at law.MIT.edu). These principles provide a crucial framework for navigating the ethical landscape of AI and the law. Tune in as Jeff and Dazza discuss emerging trends in AI ethics within the legal industry, the importance of individual and organizational actions in promoting responsible AI applications and offer invaluable insights for leaders navigating the ethical complexities of AI.

Welcome to the 100th episode of Better Innovation! We've reached this remarkable milestone thanks to our incredible and dedicated listeners, old and new. We're excited to present you with this special edition of the show, where Jeff shares memorable moments from past episodes, featuring some of the most fascinating innovation insights from our exceptional guests over the years. From favorite memories to profound leadership and innovation lessons, join us as we celebrate and relive some of the most memorable moments from Better Innovation's seven seasons.

Join Jeff and his guest, futurist and innovation catalyst David Shrier, as David draws on his expertise in data, fintech, digital identity, cybersecurity, and innovation to examine the EU AI Act. You'll learn how David contributed to the development of the Act, and how it may influence AI regulation in the U.S. and the rest of world. Jeff and David will unpack AI and technology policy across the globe, governance, ethics, and so much more! To round out the episode, David offers a glimpse into his latest book, “Welcome to AI: A Human Guide to Artificial Intelligence,” which dissects human and AI capabilities, job security, and industries poised for growth in our AI-driven world.

How is Generative AI reshaping the principles of design thinking and product innovation? In this latest episode of Better Innovation, host Jeff Saviano sits down with Sam Yen, Chief Innovation Officer for Commercial Banking at JP Morgan Chase & Co., for a thought-provoking conversation on the transformative potential of Generative AI. Jeff and Sam traverse the evolution of AI, the intersections of AI and design thinking, the relationship between humans and technology, and more. Whether you're a seasoned designer, tech enthusiast, or simply intrigued by the evolving landscape of AI, this episode offers a glimpse into the transformative potential that lies ahead, and some practical applications here today.

To kick off 2024, we bring you a special Better Innovation episode featuring renowned author Rich Cohen. Join Jeff as he sits down with the acclaimed American non-fiction writer, whose works have been New York Times Best Sellers and amongst the Best American Essays. In this episode, Jeff and Rich explore the influences on Rich's captivating narratives and the timeless innovation lessons embedded in his works, which include "The Fish that Ate the Whale,” “The Adventures of Herbie Cohen: World's Greatest Negotiator,” and "When the Game was War." This conversation will give you a glimpse into Rich's creative mind and explore the power of resilience, cleverness, and the indomitable spirit of interesting people who have outsmarted their opponents. And, as a bonus . . . Jeff (a tennis fanatic) indulges in a discussion about Rich's experience working with Maria Sharapova, delving into her remarkable ascent in the tennis ranks against all odds. Learning outcomes: Scarcity can be a driving force for innovation, turning challenges into opportunities Altering the perception and accessibility of a product can revolutionize an industry A corporation ages like a person, in the evolution of its culture, risk-taking, and innovation over time The gamification of life and business can foster an innovative mindset that allows for creative breakthroughs Humor can be a valuable asset in navigating life's challenges

Step into the world of digital transformation strategy with our latest guest, David Rogers. As the Faculty Director of Executive Education Programs at Columbia Business School, David is a visionary in the realm of digital business strategy and transformation. He is the author of five books, including "The Digital Transformation Playbook,” the book that put digital transformation on the map. Join our host, EY Emerging Technology Strategy Leader, Jeff Saviano, as he and David – in keeping with our season's focus – explore AI's role in digital transformation, and the five biggest barriers to successful digital transformation, as explored in David's latest book, "The Digital Transformation Roadmap.” Plus, they debate a crucial question: does innovation always have to begin with the customer problem? Tune in to find out.

Join us as we kick off season 7 of Better Innovation and our mini-series on Responsible AI with guests Benjamin Alarie and Abdi Aidid, co-authors of their new book ‘The Legal Singularity: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Law Radically Better.' Ben is a professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and is the co-founder and CEO of Blue J. Abdi teaches in the areas of civil procedure, torts, and law & technology, also at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Jeff, Abdi and Ben explore the concept of “The Legal Singularity,” a future state where technology facilitates the functional "completeness" of the law. The conversation spans the implications of the law's textual nature, AI's impact on the professional responsibilities within the practice of law, and the potential for AI to radically improve our legal processes, institutions, and society.

On today's Better Innovation episode with Martin Chorzempa, Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Jeff explores a significant moment in the annals of innovation history: China's cashless revolution. In a discussion about his recently published book, The Cashless Revolution: China's Reinvention of Money, named one of the best economics books of 2022 by the Financial Times, Martin provides an extraordinary look at China's innovation in finance and technology. He and Jeff delve into the rise of super-apps, the shifting views in China about how to best regulate these fintech solutions, and how other countries can learn from China's leading transformation.

For several decades, data protection has captured our full attention, but have we failed to protect people in its pursuit? Live from our Better Innovation Boston studio, EY's Jeff Saviano sits down with Elizabeth Renieris, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford University, who explores this topic in her new book, Beyond Data: Reclaiming Human Rights at the Dawn of the Metaverse. Elizabeth's captivating book calls for an entirely different data framework centered on the protection of human rights. A leading authority on digital identity, cross-border data protection / privacy laws, and innovative technologies such as blockchain and AI, Elizabeth argues that laws focused on data protection, data privacy, data security and data ownership have unintentionally failed to protect core human values, including personal privacy. Jeff probes this topic with Elizabeth, while also addressing technology governance, common data misconceptions, and her proposition for a new human rights-based approach to data.

What compels a society so dependent on technology to be so innovation-averse? And what is the role of the government in promoting innovation? Live from our remote studio in Washington D.C., EY's Jeff Saviano reunites with Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy for Circle, for another conversation on Better Innovation to explore these questions which have taken on a greater sense of urgency on the global stage. Regular listeners to the show know Dante well, as this is his 3rd appearance! A seasoned expert who has been at the very center of innovation across fintech, public policy, social impact, and global risk, Dante sheds light on an ‘anti-innovation streak' that exists within our society, the role of government in regulating and promoting innovation, and the importance of public-private collaboration to advance innovation ‘moonshots.'

Decentralized systems are evolving at a dizzying pace. How are these systems solving real-world problems today? What is a DAO and how may this new form of business organization disrupt the status quo? How can we ensure new Web3 regulatory frameworks protect citizens without stifling innovation? On this latest episode of EY Better Innovation, Jeff Saviano explores these questions with Kevin Werbach, professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. As former Counsel for New Technology Policy at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, and a frequent author on emerging technologies, Kevin is deeply engaged in matters of Web3 policies and governance. He is a pioneer in emerging fields such as gamification (applying digital game design principles to business), algorithmic accountability, and blockchain. Kevin has published four books, including The Blockchain and the New Architecture of Trust, For the Win: The Power of Gamification and Game Thinking in Business, Education, Government, and Social Impact, and After the Digital Tornado: Networks, Algorithms, Humanity. His work and scholarship are shaping the future of technology systems, as they're poised to better address important societal and business problems.

Today's guest exemplifies what it truly means to ethically harness data and technology to transform the most vulnerable nations in the world. Yolanda Jinxin Ma, Head of Digital Policy and Global Partnerships at the United Nations Development Programme, joins Jeff on today's show to address digital transformation in the UN's international development.  Yolanda leads the development and implementation of the UNDP's digital strategy. She advises on multi-disciplinary initiatives in numerous countries. This includes public sector digital transformation, innovative financing for sustainable development, digital public goods proliferation, and cross-sector public-private partnerships. Yolanda has such a unique perspective on today's digital, social, political, and economic landscape. Listen-in as Jeff and Yolanda explore what it means to transform societies in an era of digital division and rapid technological change, and how nations can overcome the challenges that accompany such important work. 

Better Innovation listeners who have been with us for a few years may feel a sense of déjà vu with this episode. Today's guest, Alex Osterwalder - inventor of the Business Model Canvas, founder & CEO of Strategyzer, and one of the world's most influential strategy and innovation experts - appeared on the show back in November 2018 to speak with Jeff in front of a live audience. Alex and Jeff discussed how organizations can thrive with renewed attention to business modeling.   2018 now feels like a lifetime ago . . . Seeking updated insights from Alex, Jeff hosts a discussion on a new culture of innovation that has emerged and how organizations can reframe their approach to innovation in the context of today's volatile global landscape. Listen-in as Jeff and Alex catch-up and address how business challenges should be converted to innovation challenges to achieve new breakthroughs.

On this episode of EY Better Innovation, Yoav Amiel, Chief Information Officer at RXO, the recent spin-off of XPO Logistics, joins Jeff to explore how novel tech and data solutions are fueling innovation in freight transportation - an industry ripe for radical disruption.  The culmination of Yoav's experiences at RXO and formerly, XPO, Amazon, and Microsoft, give him a unique perspective on the global challenges facing the transportation and logistics sector. Tune-in to learn about the state of the industry, and how Yoav is driving what some might call one of the most significant disruptions the sector has ever seen.

How can leaders derive maximum value from ecosystems and their associated business models? In this episode of Better Innovation, Jeff Saviano sits down with Greg Sarafin, Global Managing Partner - EY Alliance Ecosystem. Greg oversees the EY strategy, enablement, and value creation derived from alliances and other ecosystem relationships -- which means he holds a unique perspective on the role that creative business models play in scaling innovation strategies. Tune in for best practices on unlocking the potential of ecosystems, and the creative business models leveraging these important relationships.   You can find Greg's article on the seven real-world ecosystem business models here: https://www.ey.com/en_lu/alliances/seven-business-models-for-creating-ecosystem-value 

What comes to mind when you think of innovation? Maybe it's the latest development in artificial intelligence, or what's on the horizon for Web3. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Bruce Jackson, Associate General Counsel at Microsoft, to explore a type of innovation frequently overlooked . . . self-innovation, often in response to life's greatest challenges.  Bruce is the author of Never Far from Home, his personal memoirs recounting an inspiring life story, including his rise from childhood poverty in pre-gentrified New York City to a stellar career at the very top of the tech and music industries. Bruce opens up to Jeff about his unfathomable life hardships, requiring extraordinary grit, perseverance, and an ability to reinvent oneself, repeatedly, to survive - and ultimately, thrive.  For more on Bruce's memoirs, Never Far from Home: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Never-Far-from-Home/Bruce-Jackson/9781982191153 

Joining host Jeff Saviano on today's episode is Jeremy Utley, Director of Executive Education and professor at Stanford's d.school - and a master storyteller. Jeremy has dedicated his career to helping others unleash their innovative potential, changing deeply ingrained behaviors, and discovering better innovation through improved ideaflow, the optimal KPI for innovation. In conversation with Jeff, Jeremy vividly recounts life experiences demonstrating the power of treating every problem as an idea problem. Jeremy's leading innovation practices are brought to life in discussions around his provocative, newly released book Ideaflow, helping innovators with proven strategies to discover breakthrough ideas and unleash new creativity within their organization.

How has the role of the CFO transformed over the last decade - and where is it headed? In our second episode of Better Innovation in Season Six, Glenn Hopper, Chief Financial Officer at Sandline Global and author of Deep Finance: Corporate Finance in the Information Age, sits down with Jeff Saviano. Glen discusses his insights and lessons from financial transformations, the evolution of Web3, and how today's leaders can optimize value from their data. He has two decades of experience leading finance operations spanning a variety of industries, including telecommunications, retail, and legal technology. Glen also shares the benefits of serving as a journalist in the U.S. Navy.    From the U.S. Navy to the C-Suite, Glenn has demonstrated the power of harnessing innovation to fuel the finance function of the future - tune in to hear valuable lessons from Glenn! 

Better Innovation is back with season 6! Our first guest of the season is Jim Euchner, author of Lean Startup in Large Organizations. With over 25 years of experience in the field of intelligent systems, Jim is a co-founder of the MIT Innovation Laboratory and was previously the Vice President of Global Innovation at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Before that, he held roles as Vice President at Pitney Bowes and Bell Atlantic (now Verizon). Jim was at the forefront of digital transformation at these large enterprises, driving innovation during periods of immense technological change, most notably in the telecommunications industry during the 80s and 90s amid the rise of the internet. In this episode, Jim discusses his new book, which explores a systematic approach for implementing Lean Startup in large organizations, and he reflects on the experiences that provided him with the courage, curiosity, and vision to drive innovation and break barriers throughout his career.

Jeff speaks to serial entrepreneur and tech legend Jim McKelvey about entrepreneurship, his founding of ‘Square,' and his fascinating new take on innovation that emerged from that experience. Jim shares this innovation theory in his book: “Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a time.” Jeff and Jim also talked about his new start up “Invisibly,” Jim's loyalty to St Louis, and what it's like to work with Jack Dorsey. A long-time entrepreneur, Jim explains how he built his first software company out of the proceeds of his glass-blowing business. Jim's Square story will have you on the edge of your seat! Square wasn't just a single innovation, but instead a creative new ‘Innovation Stack' comprised of 14 interlocking and interdependent breakthroughs. Jim touches on the importance of an emotional connection with a product and why it can make sense to spend $1 on the product and $2 on the box. Enjoy a discussion with one of the innovation legends of our time!

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Jeff Wray, global leader of EY-Parthenon to discuss the power of ecosystems as a new growth enabler. Which ecosystem business model is right for you? How can you build the right ecosystem relationships for a competitive advantage? What is the optimal way to leverage new ecosystem communities? Jeff Wray's perspective on these questions is a must-listen!

Joining Jeff for the latest episode of the Better Innovation podcast is Dr. Julia Glidden, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Public Sector, for Microsoft. Julia is a renowned expert on public sector digital transformations and recognized as the pioneer of Cognitive Government.  Naturally, technology and digitalization within the public sector is at the heart of today's discussion. Digital transformations within government have rapidly accelerated during the pandemic. Sure, the technology capabilities are critically important, but Julia also emphasizes the importance of personal skills and the human element of digital growth.  This compelling conversation with a digital government world leader explores the comparison of public vs private sector tech capabilities, public trust in government use of personal data, and the critical role of advanced tech for a sustainable future. 

In this important episode, Jeff talks to US Congressman Tom Emmer about the intersection of US policy and emerging technologies such as blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Rep. Emmer is the Co-chair of the Congressional Blockchain Caucus, a bipartisan group who study and promotes blockchain technology. Jeff and Congressman Emmer discuss 3 bills he introduced within the past year impacting blockchain and crypto. Rep. Emmer explains the value of well-drafted legislation and how to create a regulatory framework for technology that allows US innovation to succeed. For example, Rep, Emmer shares his views about the introduction of a digital fiat currency in the US (a Central Bank Digital Currency) and how if we're not careful it could lead to digital authoritarianism. And, there's more! Congressman Emmer also talks about his love of hockey, what it's like to be a father of seven, and how he ended up in politics when “a funny thing happened on the way to work.” An episode not to be missed!

Part two of Jeff's conversation with Whitney Johnson focuses on reaching the top of the personal learning S-Curve - the mastery phase - and why it's important to celebrate your achievements. Jeff and Whitney talk about their own career-shifting experiences, as they jumped from one S-Curve onto another. Are you contemplating a new personal S-Curve? If so, then let Whitney guide you through this period of change. If you haven't already, make sure you listen to part one of this interview.

In part one of a two-part episode, Jeff welcomes Whitney Johnson into Better Innovation. Whitney is the CEO of Distribution Advisors, S Curve Learning coach, Disrupt Yourself podcast host, and an award-winning author. In this timely discussion, Whitney breaks down the key principles from her latest book, Smart Growth: How to Grow Your People to Grow Your Company. Whitney is THE leader in the application of S Curves to personal growth - great for you, your people, and the organization. This book comes at just the right time, as many are contemplating jumping S Curves for personal growth. Are you ready for a change in your life? Listen as Whitney guides you through the journey.

In this episode, Jeff talks with Bruno Carrasco, a Director General and Chief Compliance Officer with the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department. Bruno explains how the ABD produced an oversized pandemic response, as it strives for economic stability in the Region. Jeff and Bruno also discuss innovation across climate change and sustainability, new ways to promote public-private partnerships, and the ADB's provision of much needed ‘knowledge embodied finance' to countries in the Region.

Jeff Wong, EY's Global Chief Innovation Officer and technology enthusiast joins Better Innovation host Jeff Saviano for a fascinating and fluid conversation about the Metaverse.    Some predict the Metaverse could soon become a $1 trillion+ industry. Jeff Wong explains the importance of distinguishing between hype and value curves when assessing emerging technology trends. The pair of Jeffs explore helpful definitions of the Metaverse and discuss the current limitations of VR/AR, the alignment to De-Fi (decentralized finance) and digital currencies, and the likely increased regulation for related Web3.0 tech solutions. Listen-in as Jeff Wong shares his belief in the Metaverse's incredible potential for good, ultimately transcending commercial applications to help solve humanity's biggest challenges – from climate change to social justice.

How will innovative technologies influence the Citizen - State relationship? In this episode, Jeff is joined by Nick Davies, an innovation and technology leader within Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the UK tax authority. Jeff and Nick discuss the role of innovation and advanced tech in the changing economy, perhaps manifested in a new (digital) social contract. Technologies such as AI and blockchain are supercharging the State's participation in the digital economy. Governments are playing an increasing role in the development and regulation of new tech, along with new incentive mechanisms to foster fresh growth opportunities.

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Jeremy Allaire - technologist, internet pioneer, and serial entrepreneur. Jeremy is the founder of Circle, a global financial technology firm enabling a multitude of organizations to harness the power of digital currencies for payments, e-commerce and a wide variety of financial applications. Jeff and Jeremy talk about the fast-moving digital currency revolution, the evolution of money itself, and Web 3.0 ideals to create an open internet of value. Jeremy and Circle itself are changing the relationship between commerce and currencies. The conversation concludes with the exciting opportunities afforded by the programmability of money through smart contracts. If you're interested in the future of finance, this episode is a must-listen!

This episode is about the friction we face as innovators. Jeff is joined by David Schonthal, Clinical Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, and co-author of The Human Element: Overcoming the Resistance That Awaits New Ideas. Jeff and David discuss the headwinds that stand in the way of innovation; the four frictions that, unless overcome, will prevent new ideas from succeeding. We're hard-wired as humans to focus on new product features and functions. While important, Jeff and David had a rich conversation about the inevitable friction and resistance that innovators inevitably face when designing and bringing new ideas to market. We all face friction; David offers a creative roadmap to get past it.

As we kick off a new season, Jeff speaks with Rita McGrath, Professor of Management at the Columbia Business School and author of Seeing Around Corners, How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen. Rita has received the #1 achievement award for strategy from the prestigious Thinkers50, and has been consistently named one of the world's Top 10 management thinkers. Rita shares her unique perspective on how to spot leading trends, what to do about them, and practical tips to align your organization to important change events. Rita credits a line in Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises for inspiring her book. A character in Hemingway's novel answers a question about how he went bankrupt by saying, ‘two ways, gradually, then suddenly.' What a perfect metaphor for explaining how important change events impact organizations.  

Marcello Estevão, Global Director of Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment at The World Bank knows the importance and impact of public debt management. In this episode, Marcello takes Jeff through the process of debt intervention for national economies, the role of debt in tax policy making, and how emerging technology can materially enhance public finance (including tax) systems. Marcello also offers some insights on economic development as the pandemic recovery continues.

Susan Garfield, Chief Public Health Officer at EY, believes we're at the precipice of a transformational moment in health equity, leveraging innovative technology to make a difference in the lives of millions. Jeff and Susan chat about the cascading effect of technology in healthcare, its impact on the democratization of high-quality care, and how the public sector can learn from the pandemic to improve resiliency and the overall quality of healthcare. 

One episode was not enough, so we broke it in two. Here's the second part of Jeff's interview with Dave Duncan. Dave is the author of The Secret Lives of Customers: A Detective Story About Solving the Mystery of Customer Behavior. Through a very engaging parable, Dave dives into what motivates customers across the functional, social, and emotional spectrum, with an emphasis on the important questions you're asking about your customers. Whether your customer is a coffee shop or large enterprise, Dave's principles will help you better align your product or service to what matters most to your customers. In this fascinating two-part discussion, Jeff and Dave dive into the key messages from The Secret Lives of Customers to help you discover new ways to meet rapidly changing customer needs.

Dave Duncan, author of The Secret Lives of Customers: A Detective Story About Solving the Mystery of Customer Behavior, investigates what customers truly care about most. Through a very engaging parable, Dave dives into what motivates customers across the functional, social, and emotional spectrum, with an emphasis on the important questions you're asking about your customers. Whether your customer is a coffee shop or large enterprise, Dave's principles will help you better align your product or service to what matters most to your customers. In this fascinating two-part discussion, Jeff and Dave dive into the key messages from The Secret Lives of Customers to help you discover new ways to meet rapidly changing customer needs.

Are you incorporating “digital trust” into your digital transformation efforts? Hank Prybylski breaks down what it means to incorporate mission-critical trust elements into a successful digital transformation endeavor. In his role as Global Vice Chair of Transformation at EY, Hank helps business leaders approach innovation through an emphasis on courage and curiosity, with insights they need to build resiliency – especially important as we emerge from the global pandemic. Jeff and Hank cover a wide range of transformation and innovation topics, from digital governance and maximizing AI effectiveness, to mitigating biases within data. Take a listen, we think you’ll really enjoy their free-flowing innovation conversation!

In this episode, Jeff is thrilled to speak with Tendayi Viki, PhD, Partner at Strategyzer, and author of Pirates In The Navy: How Innovators Drive Transformation. Jeff and Tendayi dive into the role of the “intrapreneur” within organizations, and the ways in which their ideas and innovations can gain greater traction with key organizational decision-makers. Tendayi talks about how “raising the pirate flag” can lead to great things. But, for innovation to succeed, it often requires layers of buy-in from executives and heavy collaboration. Jeff and Tendayi discuss the importance of asking the right questions at the right time, and key ways innovation teams can benefit from some degree of separation from the core business, without becoming isolated. We hope you enjoy this in-depth discussion on the power of channeling innovation within organizations.  

This week, Jeff sits down with FinTech expert, and friend from Davos, Lawrence Wintermeyer, Co-Chair of Global Digital Finance. They deep-dive into a wide range of topics, including digitization of products and services, and the opportunity for governments to utilize digital currencies for relief in times of crisis. Lawrence was the CEO of Innovate Finance, an NGO established by U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron with the goal of promoting FinTech by openly collaborating with regulators, technologists, and other key members of the FinTech ecosystem. Now, among other important efforts in the world of digital finance, Lawrence strives for greater adoption of technical standards and the use of digital assets. Jeff and Lawrence tackle subjects like how FinTech can become a driving force behind more resilient industries and why asking governments to solve things on their own actually might not work. They also discuss topics like the emergence of stablecoins as friction-less digital currencies, the rising tide of digital identification, and opportunities for commercial and government institutions to collaborate on resiliency initiatives. 

This week, we’re thrilled to speak with Sandra Ro, CEO of the Global Blockchain Business Council, and one Jeff’s favorite collaborators in the innovative technology community. Sandra’s positive influence in the blockchain community is significantly helping this potent technology flourish and illuminating how people and organizations can improve their resiliency. As we watch digitalization flourish and accelerate at an unprecedented speed fueled by the pandemic, there is an acute need for better data management across old and new networks. This surely includes improved data privacy and security, smart government regulation, and mass education of the many participants in these new innovative technology systems. Sandra discusses how blockchain could be of the highest utility to the world within the healthcare sector; notably, to improve access to health records, and vastly improve the patient experience.  Join Sandra and Jeff as they discuss the many dimensions of this transformative technology.    

Rumi Morales has seemingly done it all . . . she has worked at traditional financial institutions, advised blockchain startups, and at one point was even a lounge singer! She knows so much about the power of reinventing oneself. Rumi has adopted this unique philosophy of reinvention throughout her career. Over the years she has played the part of a forward-thinking innovator at century-old traditional organizations, while also venture investing in artificial intelligence, deep learning, predictive analytics, and quantum computing. Institutional Investor said Rumi was one of the “most powerful dealmakers in financial technology” two years in a row, and Crain’s recognized her in their esteemed “40 Under 40” list. How did Rumi achieve this success? On this episode Jeff and Rumi talk about the power of reinvention; in financial systems, businesses, and frankly life in general. Rumi shares her thoughts on how institutions can reinvent themselves to better prepare for disruption through innovative technologies. Jeff and Rumi dive deep into some of the lessons that Rumi has learned from surviving various economic crises, and how reinvention becomes particularly necessary following a crisis, as an important step on the path to recovery.

In this episode, Jeff talks tech governance with Shelia Warren, Head of Blockchain, Data, and Digital Assets at the World Economic Forum. While tech leaders often think that governance hinders innovation, Warren argues that a basic governance framework can help solution developers think more deliberately about their products and build more inclusive experiences for users, which ultimately translates to higher adoption. Warren also posits that good governance practice increases public confidence in new technologies, in sharp contract from the negative aspects of largely unregulated technologies or crypto assets (think, bitcoin). Jeff and Sheila also discuss the implications of “self-governance” in decentralized systems like blockchain, and the need to align tech developers and policy specialists. Join us for an in-depth conversation that just may change the way you look at governance in tech.

Our third season of Better Innovation was like no other. COVID-19 caused us to refocus our strategy; we took our own advice and had a series of ‘innovation pivots’ along the way. This led to a season filled with diverse topics - from artificial intelligence, to technical convergence, and ultimately a deep dive into what it means to innovate during a crisis. In this wrap-up episode, Jeff recaps a season of thought-provoking interviews from a truly memorable group of guests. We introduce emerging trends - such as, advanced technology governance, proliferation of private / public partnerships, and sharing data through new cooperative and trust models. In early March, we paused our artificial intelligence theme, and focused the remainder of the season on COVID-19 and Crisis Innovation. We had fascinating interviews with leaders who are innovating for the next phase of this crisis and beyond; those change-agents who are making it a safer and prosperous world for all of us. To close out the episode – and the season - Jeff distills his three key insights from this season to help you along your own unique innovation journey. As always, thank you for listening to our show! We can’t wait to share the new ideas we’ve been cooking up for season four. Until then, please take good care everyone.    

In a few short years, there will likely be 10x as many IoT devices on the planet than humans. We’ve never had more data, but how do we utilize it without compromising privacy? This week, Jeff is joined by Dr. David Bray, inaugural Director of the GeoTech Center with the Atlantic Council. David knows how to innovate in a crisis. He has been on the front lines of the response to 9/11, anthrax attacks, SARS and now COVID-19. These crisis experiences exhibit the importance of data to help solve and prevent the world’s most difficult problems. Join us for an insider’s look at the future of data sharing through new trust and cooperative models.

This week, we’re joined for the second time by Steve Blank—innovator, educator and founder of lean start-up theory. Organizations of all types are seeking a return to growth. Steve has applied his lean theory to institutions reemerging from the pandemic; in search of unique ways to accelerate innovation. Steve and his team are running multiple 5-day virtual workshops at Stanford, called ‘Hacking 4 Recovery,’ designed to develop new business models for this new economy emerging. Steve provides practical tips from these workshops, designed for institutions – public and private - to reconfigure and reinvent their strategies. Join Steve and Jeff as they break down what leading organizations can do to thrive in our new world.

This week, we’re talking to Pete Newell, retired U.S. Army Colonel, CEO of BMNT (a government consulting/innovation firm), and close collaborator of former guest Steve Blank. Pete has helped entrepreneurs and organizations across the globe apply the innovation lessons he learned in the Army to better perceive when significant – and disruptive - change is near. Now, amidst a global pandemic, those lessons are needed more than ever to respond to the demands of this crisis for a better, safer future. We learned from Pete that to successfully innovate through a crisis, we must be incredibly prepared and nimble - ready to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. Successful crisis innovators react and respond well to signals . . . those flares in the sky signaling that distress is near. Pete’s lessons from his time innovating in the military are important to all of us COVID-19 crisis innovators. Tune-in for lessons on adapting in a storm, and stay tuned for next week’s return guest—Steve Blank!

This week, we’re back with the Safe Paths team as Jeff sits down with its founder, MIT Associate Professor Ramesh Raskar. Jeff and Ramesh explore the inspiration for Safe Paths and Ramesh’s vision for establishing Path Check, a nonprofit committed to developing leading technology to slow the spread of COVID-19.   Ramesh’s inspiration for the Safe Paths technology stems from his experience at Burning Man in 2017, where he was asked to be on the receiving end of a phone booth experience called “Talk to God.” As dozens of strangers shared intimate personal details with Ramesh, he realized that it wasn’t God they were looking for, but instead an impartial broker to receive their most personal information - free of judgment and repercussion. What if technology - and AI in particular - could be that impartial broker?   Join this free-flowing conversation exploring, among other topics, the dichotomy between data privacy and its utility, through the lens of Safe Paths’ revolutionary platform.

We’re launching our new miniseries with a bang. In episode 1 of COVID-19 and Crisis Innovation, Jeff is joined by Sienna Leis from the Covid Safe Paths initiative emanating from MIT. Sienna, a graduate student at the Harvard Kennedy School, along with a few hundred volunteers within this Safe Paths movement, have created a solution to help slow the spread of Covid-19.   Jeff and a team from EY are supporting the Covid-19 Safe Paths movement with pro bono support to help stop this deadly virus. Sienna and this incredible Safe Paths movement are making such a positive difference in the world; they truly represent what it means to innovate during a crisis. Join Jeff and Sienna for a glimpse into the advancement of a movement for the public good.