Faces of Innovation is hosted by Rachel Gordon, featuring in-depth interviews with leaders across the innovation ecosystem—from venture builders and studio operators to Chief Innovation Officers and brand/strategy executives. Episodes explore how organizations structure innovation, de‑risk new ventures, and build growth engines, with guests from firms like Danone, Spark No. 9, and Co:Created

In this conversation, Mark Payne, co-founder and CEO of Electric Innovation, discusses the evolution of innovation consulting, emphasizing the shift from idea generation to a more strategic approach. He highlights the importance of building client capabilities and the role of AI in enhancing innovation processes. The discussion also touches on the characteristics of successful innovators and the future challenges and opportunities in the consulting landscape.

Mark's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-payne-4820466/ Rachel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgordonma/

Faces of Innovation is hosted by Rachel Gordon, featuring in-depth interviews with leaders across the innovation ecosystem—from venture builders and studio operators to Chief Innovation Officers and brand/strategy executives. Episodes explore how organizations structure innovation, de‑risk new ventures, and build growth engines, with guests from firms like Danone, Spark No. 9, and Co:Created

In this conversation, we discuss the evolution of innovation consulting, and Adam expands on how businessfourzero uniquely helps clients accelerate their performance. 

We explore two key aspects of how B4Z works, focusing on how it helps set clear, strategic directions and mobilize teams through energy and commitment. Learn more about their purpose-driven approach at businessfourzero.com and discover other topics like how B4Z helps clients drive strong execution and change behaviors in daily work.

Adam's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adammichaelrubin/
Rachel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgordonma/

In this conversation, Matt Stewart of Disruptive Edge discusses the transformative impact of AI on corporate innovation and the future of work. He emphasizes that while AI will automate many jobs, it also presents unprecedented opportunities for those in strategic design roles. The discussion explores the challenges of human bottlenecks in decision-making, the emergence of new job roles, and the potential shift towards a self-fulfillment economy where traditional work structures may no longer apply. The conversation concludes with a call to imagine a new economic model that prioritizes purpose and meaning in a rapidly changing world. 

Faces of Innovation is hosted by Rachel Gordon, featuring in-depth interviews with leaders across the innovation ecosystem—from venture builders and studio operators to Chief Innovation Officers and brand/strategy executives. Episodes explore how organizations structure innovation, de‑risk new ventures, and build growth engines, with guests from firms like Danone, Spark No. 9, and Co:Created

Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjmstewart/
Rachel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgordonma/

Faces of Innovation, hosted by Rachel Gordon, dives deep into the world of innovation by featuring candid conversations with leaders across the innovation ecosystem, including venture builders, corporate executives, and startup founders.

Faces of Innovation is sponsored by Bamboo Crowd, the global leader in recruiting for innovation, strategy, design, research, data, & AI helping corporates and consultancies to build world-class teams responsible for unlocking growth.

In this conversation, Josh Cohen discusses the importance of innovation in corporate settings, emphasizing the role of individuals in fostering a culture of creativity and adaptability. He highlights the significance of asking questions, creating safe learning environments, and developing a growth mindset.

The discussion also touches on the integration of learning into daily life and the future of corporate training in an ever-evolving landscape.

Takeaways
The power of questions can drive significant change in organizations.
Innovation should be seen as everyone's responsibility, not just a select few.
Learning to learn is essential for fostering innovation in corporate environments.
Adaptability is crucial in navigating uncertain conditions and challenges.
Creating a safe space for learning encourages creativity and risk-taking.
Questions should be viewed as tools for growth, not burdens.
A growth mindset involves accepting that we are evolving and capable of learning new skills.
Continuous learning is necessary for personal and professional development.
Work and personal growth are interconnected and should not be viewed separately.
Teaching individuals how to learn effectively is vital for future success in innovation.

Rachel Gordon on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelgordonma
Josh Cohen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cohenjoshua1/

In this conversation, Dave Lewis discusses the essential elements of capability building for corporate innovation. He emphasizes the importance of clarity, commitment, and the right conditions for fostering innovation. The discussion covers the definitions of innovation and capability, the significance of creating safe learning environments, and the need for empathy in capability building. Additionally, the conversation highlights the distinction between organizational and individual capabilities, the importance of influencing skills, and the ongoing nature of capability development. Finally, the conversation touches on the challenges of measuring success in innovation efforts. 

The speakers delve into the intricacies of innovation and capability building within organizations. They emphasize the importance of setting clear milestones and metrics to track progress, the need for engagement throughout the innovation journey, and the value of interdisciplinary teams. The discussion also includes a unique analogy comparing innovation to surfing, highlighting the skills required to adapt and ride the waves of change. Finally, they outline the three C's of successful capability building: clarity, commitment, and conditions.

Chapters
00:00 The Three C's of Innovation Success
04:58 Defining Innovation and Capability Building
10:03 Creating Safe Spaces for Learning
15:00 The Importance of People in Capability Building
20:02 Organizational Capability vs. Individual Capability
25:11 Measuring Success in Capability Building
28:53 Milestones and Metrics in Innovation
32:34 Engagement and Progress Tracking
35:58 Building Interdisciplinary Teams
38:04 The Surfing Analogy for Innovation
48:30 The Three C's of Capability Building

Find Dave here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-lewis-jr/  

Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bamboo-crowd/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9AhSS5LGb6iepeZW3o 
To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/

In this conversation, Ana Plasencia, an innovation explorer at Mars, discusses the critical role of consumer insights in driving innovation. She emphasizes the importance of understanding human truths and the need for collaboration across multifunctional teams to create products that resonate with consumers. The discussion also touches on the tension between enjoyment and health consciousness in the confectionery industry, highlighting the responsibility of marketers to provide clear information to consumers. Ana shares insights into her daily work as an insights professional, illustrating how empathy and consumer engagement are essential for successful product development. 

The speakers delve into the complexities of consumer insights and innovation processes, emphasizing the importance of empowering teams, fostering psychological safety, and navigating the challenges of a fast-paced environment. They discuss the need for collaboration between insights and marketing, the balance between rigor and creativity, and the significance of building a culture of trust and open communication. The conversation highlights the iterative nature of innovation and the necessity of adapting to changing consumer needs while maintaining curiosity and depth in research.

Takeaways:

• The voice of the consumer is often forgotten in business.
• Consumer research provides multiple perspectives, not a single truth.
• Innovation requires a deep understanding of consumer needs.
• Human insights professionals must connect consumer truths to business strategies.
• Collaboration across multifunctional teams enhances innovation.
• Understanding consumer problems is key to successful product development.
• The tension between enjoyment and health consciousness is prevalent in confectionery.
• Responsible marketing involves providing clear information to consumers.
• Empathy for the consumer is crucial in decision-making processes.
• Consumer insights are subjective and require integration of diverse perspectives.
• Innovation is an iterative process that often requires revisiting hypotheses.
• Rigor in innovation does not mean sacrificing creativity.
• Psychological safety is essential for fostering innovation.

Chapters:
00:00 The Role of Consumer Insights in Innovation
05:58 Understanding Human Truths
12:43 Navigating Tensions in Confectionery
19:24 A Day in the Life of an Insights Professional
22:48 Empowering Teams Through Research
25:48 The Alchemy of Consumer Insights
27:30 Navigating the Innovation Process
30:50 Balancing Rigor and Creativity in Innovation
31:15 Fostering Psychological Safety in Teams
32:36 The Synergy of Insights and Marketing
36:40 Building a Culture of Trust and Collaboration
42:00 Challenges in the Fast-Paced World of Innovation

Find Ana here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-paula-plasencia-best-1a130b1a/ 

Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bamboo-crowd/ 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9AhSS5LGb6iepeZW3o 
To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/ 

In this conversation, Julian Boxenbaum discusses the critical role of connection in innovation, contrasting the approaches of corporations, startups, and academic institutions. He emphasizes the importance of understanding human needs and the challenges faced by each sector in fostering innovation. The discussion also highlights the need for critical thinking in education and the impact of technology on the democratization of innovation. 

Takeaways:
Innovation requires a broad understanding and connection.
Corporations often resist change, unlike startups.
Education systems are failing to teach critical thinking.
The startup world is more exposed to market realities.
Universities are structured in ways that hinder innovation.
Successful innovation requires understanding human needs.
Technology democratizes access to innovation.
Value creation is a human-centered process.
Critical thinking is essential for future innovators.
Collaboration between sectors is crucial for innovation.

Chapters:
00:00 The Importance of Connection in Innovation
02:56 Navigating Corporate vs. Startup Innovation
05:52 The Role of Academia in Innovation
09:05 Challenges in Academic Innovation
11:50 The Startup Mindset vs. Corporate Culture
15:12 The Disconnect Between Innovation Worlds
18:06 The Need for Critical Thinking in Education
20:53 The Future of Innovation and Technology
23:56 Democratization of Innovation
26:47 Value Creation in Innovation
29:51 Conclusion: Bridging the Innovation Gap

Find Julian here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-lion-boxenbaum-821b071/ 

Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bamboo-crowd/ 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NVE9AhSS5LGb6iepeZW3o 
To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/ 

In this conversation, Alice Ponti, a corporate innovation expert, discusses the intricate relationship between innovation and risk management in organizations. She emphasizes the importance of psychological safety, the limitations of traditional Stage Gate processes, and the need for intelligent risk-taking. The discussion also covers portfolio management strategies and the role of startups in accelerating innovation. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the significance of cultivating a culture that embraces risk-taking and learning from failures.

Takeaways: 

• Leaders often overlook the bigger risks of disruption.
• Psychological safety is crucial for innovation teams.
• Innovation should be seen as an option to create future value.
• StageGate processes can hinder breakthrough innovation.
• Portfolio management helps identify gaps in innovation.
• Piloting new products is essential for risk management.
• A culture of risk-taking starts with leadership.
• Intelligent risk-taking can lead to greater innovation success.
• Collaboration with startups can de-risk innovation processes.
• Innovation teams can inspire risk-taking across the organization.

Chapters: 
00:00 Understanding Innovation and Risk
09:40 The StageGate Process: A Double-Edged Sword
22:01 Portfolio Management in Innovation
31:15 Venture Fuel: Bridging Startups and Corporations
39:21 Cultivating a Culture of Risk-Taking

Find Alice here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliceponti/

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To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/ 

​​About The Faces of Innovation: This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers.

In this conversation, Robin Bolton discusses the challenges and strategies of corporate innovation, emphasizing the importance of leadership, the need for a structured approach, and the significance of understanding the growth gap. She introduces the concept of the Innovation ABCs, which focuses on architecture, leadership behaviors, and culture, and highlights the necessity of executive sponsors in fostering innovation within organizations. 
The speakers delve into the intricacies of innovation within organizations, emphasizing the importance of executive sponsorship, team dynamics, and the critical role of people over processes. They discuss how effective leadership can protect and empower innovation teams, the necessity of psychological safety, and the value of shared values in fostering collaboration. 

The conversation also highlights the significance of quick wins and organizational clarity in driving innovation, ultimately leading to a legacy of impactful behaviors within the company.

Chapters:
00:00 The Reality of Corporate Innovation
02:49 Understanding Leadership in Innovation
05:52 The Structure of Innovation Leadership
09:00 The Three-Year Innovation Strategy
11:51 The Innovation ABCs
14:56 Defining the Playground for Innovation
17:53 Measuring Innovation Success
21:03 Decision-Making in Innovation
23:53 The Role of Executive Sponsors
27:46 The Role of Executive Sponsors in Innovation
30:44 People Over Process: The Heart of Innovation
34:18 Team Dynamics: Building a Unified Vision
37:12 The Importance of Psychological Safety
40:45 Invisible Leadership: Protecting the Innovation Team
44:21 Quick Wins and Organizational Clarity
49:24 Leaving a Legacy: Innovation Behaviors that Matter

Find Robyn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynmbolton/ 
Check out Robyn’s book, Unlocking Innovation: https://www.milezero.io/book/ 

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To learn more about BTG: https://bambootalent.group/ 

​​About The Faces of Innovation: This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers.

Navigating the Future of Professional Services, AI and Automation w/ Jan Beranek | EP 7 Today we’re excited to be speaking to Jan Beranek Founder and CEO, FifthRow.
In this conversation, Jan and Rachel discuss the significant transitions in the professional services landscape, particularly in light of recent job losses and the rise of generative AI. They explore the capabilities of Fifth Row, a platform designed to automate innovation and knowledge work, and how it enables companies to streamline their processes and enhance efficiency. The discussion also delves into the concept of autonomous agents and their potential to revolutionize business operations, ultimately leading to a future where organizations can respond more rapidly to market demands.
 
Key Takeaways

• Everybody's in a massive transition.
• 350,000 professional services jobs lost at the beginning of the year.
• Fifth Row automates the front end portions of work.
• The platform enables companies to deploy talent better.
• Innovation is typically a cost center, not a profit center.
• Fifth Row has proven to be more efficient than traditional methods.
• Automation allows for more quality thinking time.
• The future will see humans managing agents, managing agents.
• Companies need to experiment with autonomous agents.
• The landscape of venture building is changing rapidly.

Chapters
00:00 Navigating the Landscape of Professional Services and AI
04:50 The Fifth Row Platform: Revolutionizing Innovation and Automation
10:05 Understanding Autonomous Agents in Business Processes
20:14 The Future of Venture Building and Knowledge Work Automation 

Find Jan Beranek here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beranekjan/
 
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To learn more about Bamboo Crowd, check us out here: https://www.bamboocrowd.com/ 
 
About The Faces of Innovation: This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers.

"It's not about the technology, it's about the way it's used."

Today we’re excited to be speaking to Geoff Gibbins, an expert practitioner in growth strategy and innovation. Geoff leads the Americas region at BOI, the global leader in Autonomous Innovation. 

In this Episode of Faces Of Innovation, Rachel Gordon and Geoff Gibbins discuss the concept of autonomous innovation, its implications for corporate innovation, and the transformative role of generative AI. They explore the current state of innovation in various industries, the challenges companies face with data collection, and the misconceptions surrounding generative AI. The discussion also covers the need for companies to rethink their operating models, the importance of understanding AI, and predictions for the future of work in an AI-driven world.

Key Takeaways

• Autonomous innovation allows for outcomes previously deemed impossible.
• Generative AI is most valuable in complex scenarios.
• Companies can still engage with data collection effectively.
• Understanding the breadth of data sources is crucial.
• Generative AI can create new job opportunities, not just eliminate them.
• Misconceptions about generative AI stem from outdated experiences.
• AI will integrate seamlessly into business processes in the future.
• Companies need to focus on strategy before technology implementation.
• AI fluency will be essential for future job roles.
• The future of work will see shifts in job types and industries affected by AI.

Connect with Geoff on LinkedIn.
 
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To learn more about Bamboo Crowd, check us out here: https://www.bamboocrowd.com/ 
 
About The Faces of Innovation: This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers.

Today we’re excited to be speaking to Abhay Jain, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at A+E Networks.
 
In this conversation, Abhay Jain shares his extensive experience in innovation across various sectors, particularly in media and technology. He discusses his journey from startup founder to corporate strategist at A&E Networks, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities in fostering innovation within large organizations. Abe highlights the importance of understanding corporate mindsets towards failure, the need for structured innovation teams, and the role of external partnerships in driving growth. He also reflects on successful companies in innovation and the critical need for leadership to embrace new ideas and approaches.
 
Key Takeaways

• Innovation can succeed or fail based on corporate culture.
• Failure is often not tolerated in large organizations.
• Creating pockets of innovation can help foster creativity.
• External partnerships can drive innovation in corporates.
• Leadership must embrace new ideas for successful innovation.
• Data storytelling is crucial in corporate strategy.
• Netflix's gaming venture exemplifies innovative risk-taking.
• Incentives for innovation need to be restructured.
• Understanding audience engagement is key to content strategy.

Find Abhay here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhaykjain/
 
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To learn more about Bamboo Crowd, check us out here: https://www.bamboocrowd.com/ 
 
About The Faces of Innovation: This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers.

"We need innovation, but we need growth."
 
Today we’re excited to be speaking to Greg Brody, a Venture Partner with 25 years of venture investing experience, specializing in corporate venture capital and building growth capabilities for large enterprises. 
 
In this conversation, Greg Brody shares his career journey and his current focus on helping big enterprises disrupt themselves and drive new growth. He emphasizes the need for companies to have programs to drive growth, rather than just focusing on innovation. These programs require senior leaders to be fully committed and involve a long-term process of building new growth capabilities. Greg discusses the different options for achieving growth, including building internal venture studios, acquiring companies, or investing in startups. He also highlights the importance of leveraging venture capital approaches as a form of management and the role of growth boards in governing the process.
 
Key Takeaways

• Growth is essential, not just innovation.
• Companies need programs to drive sustainable growth.
• Senior leadership buy-in is critical for success.
• Understanding the right questions is key to growth.
• A holistic approach to growth is necessary.
• Venture studios can be an effective model for growth.
• Talent structure must include dedicated resources.
• External partners can provide valuable insights.
• The growth board plays a crucial role in decision-making.
• Mindset shifts are essential for corporate innovation.

 
Find Greg here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbrody/
 
Follow us:
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To learn more about Bamboo Crowd, check us out here: https://www.bamboocrowd.com/ 
 
About The Faces of Innovation: This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers.

Welcome to Faces of Innovation!

This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers. Faces of Innovation is hosted by Rachel Gordon. Rachel is a growth and innovation advisor to ambitious industry leaders in consumer packaged goods and pharmaceuticals. In her 20-year career, she's led innovation initiatives across Europe and North America in-house and as a consultant.

Today, she helps clients create internal structures for successful long-term innovation, enabling them to uncover market opportunities, build innovation capability and position themselves for large-scale growth. Rachel’s experience includes work with: ABInBev, AstraZeneca, Danone, General Mills, Harley-Davidson, PepsiCo and Virgin.

Today we're excited to be speaking to Agathe Blanchon-Ehrsam. Agathe is VP of Plant-Based Growth Strategy and Innovation at Danone. She has had an incredible career and journey working both consultancy-side as Partner at Vivaldi, a global re-invention firm known for supporting some of the leading organizations in unlocking growth and transforming brands, through to her work today at Danone, where she focuses on growth & innovation strategy across the portfolio.

Agathe has had a career that has spanned multiple types of organizations and geographies and this is an incredible episode to hear more about her approach to building a career in brand and innovation. How she has approached growth and the decisions that have led her to her role today? The journey of going from consultancy side to an in-house role? What do decisions look like from the inside and how should consultancies be working as partners to innovation leaders? And so much more.

This is a fantastic episode for anyone building a career in innovation and for folks who really want to understand what decisions look like in-house when it comes to brand and innovation. There are so many insights and learnings jam packed in this episode and we hope you enjoy it!

Welcome to Faces of Innovation!

This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers.

Faces of Innovation is hosted by Rachel Gordon. Rachel is a growth and innovation advisor to ambitious industry leaders in consumer packaged goods and pharmaceuticals. In her 20-year career, she's led innovation initiatives across Europe and North America in-house and as a consultant.

Today, she helps clients create internal structures for successful long-term innovation, enabling them to uncover market opportunities, build innovation capability and position themselves for large-scale growth. Rachel’s experience includes work with: ABInBev, AstraZeneca, Danone, General Mills, Harley-Davidson, PepsiCo and Virgin.

Today we're excited to be speaking to Heather Myers. Heather is the founder of Spark No. 9, a strategy validation firm. Heather’s passion is bringing new strategies to life and testing them in real-life, bias-free environments. With the Spark No. 9 team, Heather has developed an experimentation platform that uses powerful design and innovative targeting for multivariate testing of big ideas. By using ad platforms and other real-life forums for testing, Spark generates evidence to de-risk new product development, rebrands, and other strategic initiatives.

Heather is a strategic advisor to The Luupe, a platform for creators; Pluralytics, an AI-powered platform that customizes language to audience; and GOLD, an online comedy platform. She is also the president of the Harvard Business School Women’s Association. Prior to founding Spark, Heather led corporate strategy and development for Scholastic, a leader in K-12 educational technology and children’s book publishing.

Before joining Scholastic, Heather managed the $12 billion merger of Polygram and Universal and created a digital music division for the Universal Music Group; she also led strategy and business development efforts for Universal Studios’ television, motion picture, theme park, and music businesses. Heather holds a BA in English from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

This is a fantastic episode for anyone working in Innovation!

Welcome to Faces of Innovation!

This podcast is dedicated to speaking to leaders across the innovation ecosystem, from Venture Builders to Chief Innovation Officers.

Faces of Innovation is hosted by Rachel Gordon. Rachel is a growth and innovation advisor to ambitious industry leaders in consumer packaged goods and pharmaceuticals. In her 20-year career, she's led innovation initiatives across Europe and North America in-house and as a consultant.

Today, she helps clients create internal structures for successful long-term innovation, enabling them to uncover market opportunities, build innovation capability and position themselves for large-scale growth. Rachel’s experience includes work with: ABInBev, AstraZeneca, Danone, General Mills, Harley-Davidson, PepsiCo and Virgin.

For episode 1 we're excited to be speaking to Ron J. Williams. Ron helps bold companies identify and de-risk "good growth" engines: High potential opportunities that are unapologetically impactful and unequivocally commercial. He is an Inclusive venture builder supporting overlooked founders and problem spaces. Ron has founded, built, invested in and advised on peer-to-peer, sharing economy, marketplace, machine learning and social commerce companies.

In varied roles as a founder, intrapreneur, consultant, Entrepreneur in Residence and Program Lead, he has helped Fortune 500 companies re-engineer core business strategies and innovation programs across industries.

This is a fantastic episode for anyone working in Innovation, Venture Building and Studios, Venture Capital, and Startups.