Eureka Moments
After the Acquisition: How Entrepreneurs Navigate the Transition to Big Company Life
Interview subjects needed! Are you game? I'm talking to entrepreneurs about how they navigated the transition to corporate life after selling their companies. What happened. What worked well or poorly. What turned out to be most important for success, however they...
Microsoft Innovates in Reading Education
I recently saw a video on an education innovation from Microsoft that had me almost literally jumping up and down in my seat with excitement. I’m not an objective observer, as Microsoft is a client, but I invite you to judge for yourselves. Here's the full video....
How BroadbandUSA Leveraged the Power of the Private Sector
For the last several months I have been serving as a merit reviewer for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s BroadbandUSA grants program. BroadbandUSA's Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program makes $980 million available for grants to...
Amazon One: Hmmm
In September 2020 Amazon introduced Amazon One, a new innovation to make everyday activities effortless. Photo credit: Amazon As I noted in my previous customer experience report on Amazon Go, removing friction from the shopping process is a strategy that has...
Black Dot – Helping Black Entrepreneurs Thrive in Seattle
I am always excited to discover new entrepreneur communities in Seattle. So I was thrilled to learn about Black Dot. Black Dot is a startup community hub that serves current and aspiring black entrepreneurs in Seattle’s Central District, also known as Africatown....
Brand Collaborations that Rock (or, In This Case, Rap)
Developing brand collaborations with outside partners is a tried and true method for established brands looking to demonstrate relevance and broaden appeal to new audiences. The best are truly innovative. Baby Got Back – Sir Mix-A-Lot Rocks Benaroya Hall I recently...
Are We Pioneers Yet? Sustainability During COVID-19
Since COVID-19 has confined us to our homes I am noticing some strange (and wonderful) consumer behaviors. There’s a Run on Flour The first episode of King Arthur Flour’s new video series, The Isolation Baking Show, features superstar bakers Gesine...
Grow-NY: Growth Opportunities in Both Senses
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to speak with Jenn Smith, Program Director for Grow-NY. This organization is leading a very exciting competition to bring next generation food and agriculture innovation to the upstate NY region. Please spread the word. Calling All...
Marketing During COVID-19: 5 Strategic Actions to Help You Navigate a Path Forward
The world has changed and marketing during COVID-19 must change too. "Getting through a trying year - but not without scars." This note card never fails to crack me up. It seems especially appropriate now. For those of you who are early in your careers you may not...
Collaborating during Coronavirus (with apologies to Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
For those of you remotely collaborating during Coronavirus I wanted to share a new innovation with you. Vibe digital whiteboard. This past January I was at WeWork Labs to present to a group of maritime startups. Just before I stood up to speak, my sponsor Elizabeth...
Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator Makes a Big Splash
What do the following have in common? Marine biology program. Emergency physician practice. Technology to extract contaminants. Data and insights platform. Trucking app and online platform. Fishing gear recycling program. Least-cost ballast water treatment system. ...
Are you letting your customers design their own products yet?
I subscribe to Trend Hunter’s newsletters and it’s always fascinating to read about what innovations they are finding through their community. One of the trends they have been writing about for a while is customization. Customization in this context means enabling...