Category: Technology & Innovation
Helping the Market Research Team Navigate Change & Uncertainty
Encouraging innovation is essential in helping your Market Research team successfully navigate periods of change and uncertainty. As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly takes over routine market research tasks, teams must pivot toward roles emphasizing emotional intelligence and strategic insight. However, transitions of this magnitude can sometimes lead to stagnation or fear, particularly concerning job security.… Read more
The Challenge of Balancing Business Goals with Tech Innovation
Balancing business goals with technological innovation is challenging but essential for growth. Innovation should be a core business objective to align stakeholders and demonstrate commitment to progress. A key starting point is creating a five-year roadmap that evaluates the company’s current position, anticipates market trends, and benchmarks against competitors. This roadmap should be regularly updated… Read more
NC IDEA Annouces Addition of Regional Entrepreneurs in Residence
I am thrilled and honored to serve as one of the four Regional Entrepreneurs in Residence for NC IDEA. North Carolina’s unwavering commitment to fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem is truly inspiring. The state’s strategic investments in entrepreneurship and innovation have positioned it as a rising leader on the national stage. From its world-class research… Read more
NC IDEA 6th Annual Ecosystem Summit
I had an incredible experience at the NC IDEA 6th Annual Ecosystem Summit, held on November 19-20, 2024, in the Charlotte region. This one-of-a-kind statewide conference brings together diverse leaders to discuss how we can better support entrepreneurs and work toward a shared vision of making North Carolina the premier destination to start and grow… Read more
Home-Based Hospital Care Flourishes
The rise of home-based hospital care aligns well with key supporting innovations such as Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) devices, telehealth platforms, IoT-enabled medical equipment, AI machine learning, automated medication dispensers, mobile diagnostic labs, robotics and assistive technologies, digital health apps, data integration and interoperability, home delivery of medical supplies, augmented reality tools, advanced communication systems,… Read more
Key Decision-Makers Clash Over New Technology Integration
When key decision-makers clash over technology integration, it’s crucial to guide them through a facilitated discovery process to identify individual concerns. It’s essential to include all key decision-makers in this session. This initial step provides a detailed understanding of the holistic problem, fostering empathy and understanding—critical components of a data-driven compromise. When key decision-makers clash… Read more
Dealing with Diverse Tech Skills in a Manufacturing Setting
Optimizing the mix of tech skills in manufacturing involves several key strategies, including skill assessments, targeted training, cross-functional collaboration, and implementing user-friendly technologies to sustain productivity. However, true optimization requires leadership’s dedication to cultivating an environment that values cross-functional sharing of best practices, continuous improvement, innovation, and team building. This leadership commitment has been pivotal… Read more
Colon Cancer Blood Test Approved
This colon cancer blood test represents a significant advancement in diagnostic medicine, poised to save many lives, especially among younger individuals. Colon cancer can affect people as young as their twenties, while traditional screening methods like colonoscopies are often not covered by insurance until age fifty. https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/colon-cancer-blood-test-approved-6109852/ Read more
Theranos Dream is Now Reality
This is excellent news. Less invasive blood tests may encourage more individuals to undergo these tests, especially those who previously avoided traditional venous blood draws due to their invasive nature. Research indicates that approximately 10% of the U.S. population suffers from trypanophobia, a fear of needles, significantly deterring them from traditional blood draws. Additionally, nearly… Read more
AI’s Influence on the Entrepreneur
Not only will individual entrepreneurs with advanced AI capabilities be able to take advantage of low-investment, high-return innovations, but so will those with a keen understanding of cumbersome processes and how AI can resolve them. I urge individuals with this unique insight and ingenuity to step forward and take these bold risks. The time is… Read more
New COVID Vax, Free Tests Available
I’m excited to see that the FDA has approved the updated COVID vaccine targeting the latest strain responsible for 40% of infections across the U.S. It will be available in a few days, and I’ll definitely be lining up to get my shot. https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/new-covid-vax-free-tests-available-6901602/ Read more
Technical Setbacks in Innovation
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of acknowledging the frustration your team may be experiencing, regardless of the cause. This is especially critical if your team feels demoralized by technical setbacks in innovation, as such feelings can lead to a sense of defeat and reluctance to explore new innovative possibilities. One effective approach is to… Read more
AI Can Help Ease Hard Conversations
I fully support the idea of using AI assistants to facilitate difficult conversations. Often, these conversations are delayed or avoided entirely because of discomfort and uncertainty. People may worry about choosing the right words or how their message will be received—whether it might escalate the situation or if a single word could end the dialogue.… Read more
AI Outrage Risks
That’s an excellent reminder about managing transitions during the evolution of AI systems. Embracing AI involves understanding that it’s a developing technology, and we must plan for and manage potential disruptions. Like any business transition, this requires careful planning, contingency strategies, and maintaining current practices to ensure stability and continuity. This approach helps mitigate risks… Read more
Pay Equity in the U.S. Labor Sectors
Achieving pay equity in the U.S. labor sectors remains challenging due to intermediaries who resist accepting lower profit margins. Their actions inflate costs beyond sustainable market levels, ultimately reverting conditions to the status quo. This results in financial instability for workers and negatively impacts the broader economy, as economic health relies on individuals having the… Read more
The Need for Flexibility in Technology Innovation
In today’s world of technological innovation, the race to market often sets the path for competitors. This urgency makes integrating flexibility into the innovation process challenging. This presents a conundrum since such flexibility can foster greater and more sustainable innovations. Therefore, a concerted effort is required to cultivate a flexible environment in technology innovation spaces.… Read more
Bridging the Gap Between Product Developers and Non-Technical Audiences
One way to bridge the gap between technical product developers and non-technical audiences is to include non-technical personnel in innovation sessions. Team members from marketing, sales, and operations can enhance innovation by providing insights on anticipated market shifts, competition, customer preferences and behavior, price sensitivity, infrastructure constraints, and resource limitations. This real-time information helps provide… Read more
Balancing Creativity and Productivity in Technological Innovation
Companies aiming to balance creativity and productivity in technological innovation should take several steps. First, they should develop a roadmap that outlines anticipated customer needs and how to differentiate their product or service in the market. Next, they should form a cross-functional team that regularly meets to explore new ideas that align with the company’s… Read more
Does Tech Have an Innovation Issue?
Innovative thinking is not enough. Companies must continue to improve internal mechanisms and systems that allow progress through the innovation path. We hire great people and then stifle their creativity with bureaucracy or do not take the time to understand and eliminate obstacles at the personal level (i.e., what makes an employee feel like a… Read more