The Circuit Breaker

Really good innovators and entrepreneurs have this ability to see things and connect the dots between different views. They are empathetic because they do not judge what it is. Rather, they ask themselves, What is it? And what can we do with it? On today's episode of the Circuit Breaker Show, Bob and Greg talk about the empathetic perspective in Bob's new book, Learning to Build. Bob will explain why he does not like personas and why you need them. You'll discover why the empathetic perspective is more art than science. You'll also learn why you need diverse perspectives on your team and how different worldviews are connected.When Bob wrote his book, he studied a lot of good innovators and entrepreneurs. You'll learn how they anticipate problems before they happen. Greg will address the most difficult aspect of having an empathetic view of people. He will also talk about his experience working in an independent living facility. You will learn why it is easier to practice an empathetic perspective in a group setting than alone. You will see why Greg is known as "Bob's Whisperer" You will also learn the steps you need to take to adopt an empathetic perspective.You will discover several skills that are part of an empathetic perspective. Bob will explore some of the obstacles that prevent us from adopting an empathetic perspective. You will learn how Greg maintains an empathic stance with Bob and what is the most important thing you can take away from an empathic perspective.Join us for this thought-provoking discussion.Enjoy!What You'll Learn in this Show:What is an empathetic perspective?A teaser of a future episodeHow good innovators and entrepreneurs see problems before they arise The importance of being able to put yourself in someone else's roleThe importance of empathetic perspective in the workplace.Why Bob always asks unconventional questionsAnd so much more...Resources:The Rewired Group Website

We do a postmortem on the podcast to help us frame what we're going to do in season two. In today's episode of the Circuit Breaker Show, we reflect on a tool we frequently use, the postmortem, and present some thoughts on the season that just ended. You'll learn about the unexpected growth Bob and Greg have achieved. You'll learn what strategies they plan to use to increase growth next season. Join us for this fascinating and thought-provoking discussion! Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show:  Bob's mastery of the postmortem and when he employs it. Some of Bob and Greg's struggling moments in the first season.  Hints at the possible themes for season two. And so much more... Resources: The Rewired Group https://therewiredgroup.com/ (Website) (https://therewiredgroup.com/ (https://therewiredgroup.com/)) https://bit.ly/3yfSzfs (The Postmortem PDF) https://bit.ly/3yfSzfs

I see prototyping as a tool that I can use on both the supply and demand sides. In today's episode of the Circuit Breaker Show, we take a closer look at one of the skills Bob discusses in his book Prototyping to learn.  Bob distinguishes between divergent and convergent prototypes and the contexts in which both can be used. You'll learn about the dimensions of prototyping.  You'll learn why 80% of the code generated by some software companies doesn't make it into the product. Bob explains why A/B testing is the most ineffective way to test anything. Join us for this fascinating and thought-provoking discussion! Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show:  The difference between the demand side and the supply side. About the role of prototypes. Questions to ask yourself to understand what prototypes you need. Is A/B testing prototyping?  And so much more... Resources: The Rewired Group https://therewiredgroup.com/ (Website) (https://therewiredgroup.com/)

When we are at a very early stage of the development process, it is very difficult to get big data. In today's episode of the Circuit Breaker Show, we take a look at Big Data to show you how to develop better products. You'll learn why Big Data is not the answer, but only part of the answer.  Bob will talk about design of experiments.  You will discover why it is very important to look at the market in context.  Bob will share the projects they have worked on to help with Big Data. Join us for this riveting discussion. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: The impact of Big Data on innovation.  Where you can leverage Big Data. Why over-reliance on Big Data is detrimental.  The importance of clustering data rather than segmenting it.  And so much more... Resources: The Rewired Group https://therewiredgroup.com/ (Website) (https://therewiredgroup.com/) Todd Rose | https://www.amazon.com/End-Average-Succeed-Values-Sameness/dp/0062358367 (The End of Average) Thomas Kuhn | https://www.amazon.com/Structure-Scientific-Revolutions-Thomas-Kuhn/dp/0226458083 (The Structure of Scientific Revolutions)

“When you're actually in the B2B space, you need to satisfy both the consumer and the customer.” In today's episode of the Circuit Breaker Show, Bob and Greg discuss the distinction between a customer and a consumer and how you can distinguish the two.  Bob will also explain the difference between big hires and small hires. You'll discover a unique scenario where 'Jobs To Be Done' are in conflict.  You'll learn how to determine the overlap between the customer and the consumer.   Bob will reveal his approach when dealing with clients. Join us for this insightful discussion about approaching your business from a customer-consumer perspective Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: Identifying who needs to make progress for you to sell more. The importance of aligning both the consumer and the customer.  How making trade-offs ensures customer and consumer satisfaction. And so much more... Resources: The Rewired Group https://therewiredgroup.com/ (Website) (https://therewiredgroup.com/)

"Another essential ingredient to non-consumption is a desire to be better." In today's episode of the Circuit Breaker Show, we dive into unpacking non-consumption and how it helps people grow their businesses.  You'll learn why companies should be concerned about non-consumption. Bob will share why "blue-sky thinking" doesn't work for him.  You'll discover whether big companies or startups are better at identifying non-consumption. Bob and Greg will reveal how they got out of non-consumption. Join us for this illuminating discussion. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: Bob's concept of non-consumption, its underlying premises, and real-life illustrations. The contrast between blue-sky innovation and non-consumption innovation. The barriers that limited them from consumption. And so much more… Resources: The Rewired Group https://therewiredgroup.com/ (Website) (https://therewiredgroup.com/)

"Instead of looking at the world through the lens of what we do or what we have, we should look at the world from the perspective of the consumer." In today's episode of the Circuit Breaker Show, we discuss why there needs to be a mindset change if you want to use Jobs To Be Done. You'll learn what paradigms you need to change to be truly customer-centric. You will learn what it means to be truly customer-centric, including a real-world example. You will learn some of the skills required to do 'Jobs To Be Done." Join us for this fascinating and thought-provoking discussion! Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show:  Why do you need to acknowledge what you don't know? One of the biggest paradigms that most businesses and innovation teams operate under. The importance of knowing your zombie revenue numbers. The goal of unpacking.  Why your brand is not the cause, but the effect.  And so much more... Resources: The Rewired Group https://therewiredgroup.com/ (Website) (https://therewiredgroup.com/)

“So the jobs existed, but the change to a new product did not change the jobs. It changed the solutions that were available to satisfy the jobs.” In today's episode of the Circuit Breaker Show, Bob and Greg chat with Matt Sheppard, Associate and Principal at The Rewired Group. You'll learn why there is no such thing as a new idea.  Bob will talk about the knowledge that Jobs To Be Done is built on and how Dr. Deming influenced JTBD. You will learn about the new book Bob is writing. Join us for this thought-provoking discussion. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: Why creating a new idea is supply-side thinking. The difference between usage and attitudes and need states. Has the pandemic economic crisis created new jobs? Why working from home is not a job.  And so much more… Resources: The Rewired Group https://therewiredgroup.com/ (Website) (https://therewiredgroup.com/) Book | https://www.amazon.com/Demand-Side-Sales-101-Customers-Progress/dp/1544509987 (Demand-Side Sales 101)

Is your innovation plagued with biases that prevent you from becoming customer-centric? In today's episode of the Circuit Breaker Show, we talk about the biases innovators need to drop and the paradigm shifts they should adopt to help them use Jobs To Be Done (JTBD). You'll discover the common assumptions innovators make and why these often act as constraints to innovation. You'll discover why innovators need to spend most of their time focused on what they don't know instead of dwelling on what they already know. You'll learn how innovators often ask the wrong questions and why this inhibits them from becoming customer-centric. Join Greg, Bob and Matt for this fascinating discussion. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: Prevalent biases innovators and entrepreneurs need to watch out for and get rid of. Critical paradigm shifts businesses and innovators have to embrace to fully utilize Jobs To Be Done. What it takes to become truly customer-centric. The indispensable set of skillsets you need in order to employ Jobs To Be Done What is the goal of unpacking in the product design process and why this is so important? And so much more… Resources: https://therewiredgroup.com/index.php/jobs-to-be-done/ (Jobs To Be Done)`

While a lot of people tell us that they want to learn 'https://therewiredgroup.com/index.php/jobs-to-be-done/ (Jobs To Be Done),' this often leaves us with a tough question to answer—to what extent do they want to delve into the process? In today's episode of the Circuit Breaker Show, Bob and Greg delve into some of the challenges they see people facing when trying to learn 'Jobs To Be Done' and some of the arguments this has raised between them. You'll discover what they think learning 'Jobs To Be Done' will take vs. what most people believe and why there's often a discrepancy between the two. You'll discover why learning 'Jobs To Be Done' is often a big ask for most entrepreneurs. You'll learn why Greg and Bob often argue about the best approach to help their clients learn Jobs To Be Done. Join us for this timely discussion about figuring out Jobs To Be Done (JTBD). Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: What exactly does it take to learn 'Jobs to be Done, and is it possible to master the framework? Why learning Jobs To be Done can never be one-size-fits-all. The difference between how to do 'Jobs To Be Done' and how to use it and why most people need the latter. Some of the struggles Greg and Bob have to deal with when guiding their clients through the process of learning Jobs To Be Done. Why it's essential to embrace discourse in the workplace. And so much more... Resources: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Demand-Side-Sales-101-Customers-Progress-ebook/dp/B08FRRF68Q (Demand-Side Sales 101) https://therewiredgroup.com/index.php/jobs-to-be-done/ (Jobs To Be Done)

In 1991 one of his mentors, Dr. Genichi Taguchi told him to write a book and 31 years later, he's finally written his first book. In Today's episode of Rewire Show, we discuss Bob's upcoming book Learning To Build: The Five Bedrock Skills of Innovators and Entrepreneurs. You'll discover Bob's primary motivation for writing Learning To Build and how he was able to write the book despite being dyslexic. You'll discover the main lesson Bob learned from each of the four mentors featured in Learning To Build. You'll learn five critical yet often overlooked skills to help you address the unknowns and succeed as an innovator. You'll learn what kind of entrepreneurs will benefit the most from reading this book. Enjoy! What You'll learn in this Show: Why the title "Learn To Build." Learning from your mentors and why it's essential to pass on what you've gained from them. What to do when you realize you don't have a specific skill. Innovation in the corporate environment. And so much more... Resources: Learning To Build: The Five Bedrock Skills of Innovators and Entrepreneurs https://scribemedia.com/service/publishing/ (Scribe Publishing)

In product design and development, the thinking is often on what's next. The challenge is defining what's next for the consumer, since most of us can't really envision how a product can be improved.   In today's episode of the Rewire Show, we dive into the concept of 'Jobs to be Done,' a process for determining what the next steps are in developing new products that will help consumers solve their current problems and help them achieve more in the future. You'll learn about the concept of 'Jobs to be Done,' including what constitutes a job, and how defining them can help create progress.  You'll discover why there's a lack of symmetry between the problem consumers are experiencing, and the solution they believe they need.  You'll also learn how areas of your business such as Marketing can benefit from JTBD by helping to define and then educate consumers on problems they didn't realize they'd been struggling with. Join us for this fascinating discussion around Jobs to be Done and gain clarity on creating future product offerings for your customers. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: A definition of the concept of 'Jobs to be Done,' and how it's related to progress. The lack of symmetry between the problem a consumer has, and the solution they are looking for. How JTBD can help areas such as marketing, in helping consumers to see problems they didn't even know they were struggling with. And so much more... Resources: https://therewiredgroup.com/ (https://therewiredgroup.com/)

In today's episode of the Rewire Show, we chat with Katherine Thompson, one of the Principals at https://therewiredgroup.com/ (The Rewired Group). You'll learn about Katherine's career background in education and how she came to join The Rewired Group. You'll learn what motivated her to enroll in business school while working a full-time job as a school administrator. You'll discover the key lessons Katherine has learned working at The Rewired Group for the past two years. You'll learn some of the ways Katherine helps the company and its clients navigate the complex business landscape. You'll discover the importance of training yourself to take a step back and actually evaluate what you mean or what someone else means when they say they want something. Join us in this fascinating and insightful discussion! Enjoy! What You'll learn in this Show: How Katherine landed her current job at The Rewired Group and her role at the company. A comparative look between working in a school environment versus working at The Rewired Group. Katherine's advice on embracing change and reaching out for new lanes of growth in your career. The power of "Unpacking Words"— go beyond a superficial level of understanding and ask pertinent questions. How Katherine was able to shift her mindset from Perfectionism to Progress. Resources: https://therewiredgroup.com/ (The Rewired Group) https://therewiredgroup.com/index.php/katherine-thompson/ (Katherine Thompson)

We're all familiar with the concepts of supply and demand, at least in the abstract. However, many of us fail to understand the differences between these concepts from a product development standpoint, as well as the ways they work together. In today's episode of the Rewire Show, we dive deep and offer some insights into the concepts of supply and demand. You'll discover how supply and demand differ when placed in a product development context. You'll learn how to determine whether you're seeing the world through a supply or demand mindset, and how that can dictate the way you approach your work. You'll discover the importance of seeing supply and demand as an interdependent system and how that can affect product development. Join us for this fascinating discussion around seemingly simple concepts that are in fact far more interesting and complex than you may have realized. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: The difference between supply and demand in terms of product development. How you can determine whether you're looking at the world through the less of supply or demand, and how the two can work together. How supply and demand diverge from each other and what that means to the product development process. And so much more... Resources: https://therewiredgroup.com/ (The Re-wired Group)

Do you consider yourself artistic or maybe creative? They are distinctly different, if related, concepts.  Sometimes, we take on new tasks or hobbies seemingly at random, as if the impulse to do a thing came from nowhere. This is flawed logic. All your actions, desires, etc. come from somewhere - there's some motivation behind it. In today's episode of the Rewire Show, we're discussing creativity and art. While many use these terms interchangeably, they are quite different in their approach. You'll discover the distinct differences between creativity and art, and how understanding these differences can help you use them to achieve outcomes. You'll learn why very few things you do are "random" - They all have purpose, even if you can't see it. You'll also discover how the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to be more creative when problem-solving. Join us for this fascinating discussion around the reasons we do what we do and why our actions may not be as random as they appear. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: The differences between art and creativity. The importance of understanding why you do the things you do, and why it's likely not random. How the COVID-19 pandemic has both empowered and challenged the ways we approach creativity. And so much more... Resources: https://therewiredgroup.com/ (The Re-wired Group)

In today's episode of the Circuit Breaker, the roles are reversed, and Katherine takes up the show moderator role. This is the pilot episode for a new segment whereby Greg and Bob dig into their experiences and answer different questions from their audience. You'll learn steps you can take when you get stuck and are not making progress in your work. You'll discover how to prioritize your tasks effectively and get more things done.  Join us for this fascinating and insightful discussion on how we navigate some of the challenges we face in our everyday work at the Rewired Group. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in this Show: The difference between being "stuck" vs. being "unmotivated." How to stay motivated even if you have a very demanding work schedule. Different prioritization strategies Greg and Bob use to stay ahead of their work What's the role of debate or discourse in the workplace? And so much more… Resources: https://therewiredgroup.com/ (The Re-wired Group)

"Your product is not the sandwich; it's probably the mustard." In today's episode of the Circuit Breaker podcast, we break down this aphorism and others Bob frequently refers to on this show and some of the classes he teaches. Product marketers are not going to like this, but in this episode, you'll discover why products play a much smaller role in people's lives than what we think they do. You learn why you need to be aware of the different contexts and their impact on how much value your product adds. You'll discover the difference between context vs. contrast and how this influences the consumer's decision-making process. This last one might surprise you. And you get the learn the secret language of "bob-isms" Join us for this fascinating and thought-provoking discussion! What You'll Learn in this Show: The different aphorisms Bob uses and their real-life applications. Why your product is never the entire solution. The importance of questioning why a product fits well in one situation vs. another. The definition of "value" to the consumer vs producer. The differences between context and contrast. And so much more… Resources: https://therewiredgroup.com/ (The Re-wired Group)

There's no denying that words and terms are powerful tools for communication and understanding. However, words can be overused, diluting their meaning and causing more confusion. In today's episode of the Circuit Breaker podcast, we're discussing the meaning, use, overuse and context of words and terms.  You'll learn why the context in which people use words and phrases is as important as meaning in communication. You'll discover the meaning of 'innovation", as well as the reasons why it's become such a popular word in business and on Wall Street. You'll learn why overuse of the phrase 'customer loyalty' has diluted its meaning and created confusion among those who use it. Join us for this fascinating conversation as we unpack popular words and phrases and try to gain a better understanding of what they mean to people in the context they're in. Take your notebook out, and let's dive in. What You'll Learn in this Show: The importance of understanding not only the meaning of words people use a lot, but their context as well. What innovation is, and what it isn't, as well as the reasons the term is so popular with Wall Street. Why the term customer loyalty has been overused to the point where it no longer has meaning. And so much more... Resources: https://therewiredgroup.com/ (The Re-wired Group)

We tend to stare at problems with the same lens over and over again and expect different results. And how can you get different results? You can't. Or at least with that frame in mind. In the very first episode of the Circuit Breaker podcast, Bob Moesta and Greg Engle share their motivation for starting this podcast and the value it will offer listeners. Bob and Greg are co-founders of The Rewired Group, a product and business development consulting firm based in Michigan. You'll discover the vision behind the Circut Breaker podcast. You'll learn if you are in the target audience of people who will benefit from listening to this podcast. You'll discover why and when you need to listen to multiple episodes or focus on one or two. Join us on this fascinating journey and get ready to dive in!! What You'll Learn in this Show: Why the name "Circuit Breaker"? What to expect and what not to expect from the Circuit Breaker podcast. The 3 promises Bob Moesta is making to the audience. And so much more... Resources: The Rewired Group https://therewiredgroup.com/ (Website) (https://therewiredgroup.com/)