Shows
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseThe Inevitable Economics of Trust with Mark AchlerToday we’re sharing another insightful presentation from our most recent Innovative Executives League Summit, where Mark Achler, Managing Director of MATH Venture Partners, spoke about the central role of trust in a successful company—with customers, employees, and partners. In this presentation, Mark details three experiences involving broken trust. He shares his journey remaining optimistic in the face of negativity and an array of reasons to embrace cynicism. Mark touches on several occurrences in which trust, ethics, and standards have been at the center of faltering companies and outlines why trusted companies perform better. (01:11) – Three stories...2024-01-1139 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseInnovation as a Process with Angel MendezIt is essential for companies to approach transformation from many directions, and leadership that embraces that multiplicity will innovate through process. Experienced technology executive Angel Mendez knows these methods intimately from years of working alongside visionary founders and forward-thinking teams. His business and technology journey includes a decade at Cisco Systems steering the acquisition of nearly 50 companies.In this episode, Angel, who is now Executive Chairman of the Board at LevaData, shares critical lessons from his impressive career in developing a multiprong approach to transformation. He discusses collaboration and partnerships across companies, leveraging ecosystems, and empowering all...2023-12-1444 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseLearn More about Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseWelcome to the Innovation and the Digital Enterprise podcast, hosted by Patrick Emmons and Shelli Nelson.Join us as we interview successful visionaries and leaders, giving you an insight into how they drive and support innovation within their organizations.Each episode we'll focus on a different aspect of leveraging the digital revolution like…building a culture of innovationovercoming a fear of failurefinding time to focus on innovative product ideasteaching and recruiting innovatorsSo join us as we learn the secrets that successful entrepreneurs and leaders use to spark innovation amongst their teams an...2023-11-3001 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseEasing Friction in Retail Technology with Subramanian KunchithapathamHow do you create a frictionless experience for shoppers while keeping shrink under control? CTO of Sensormatic Solutions Subramanian Kunchithapatham (KS) spearheads innovative technologies to solve major retail questions and utilizes over two decades of experience to meet these challenges at the speed of retail evolution and digitization. His work explores shopper experience, inventory intelligence, loss prevention, and operational efficiency, all of which are underpinned by AI, machine learning, and video analytics technologies.In this episode, KS shares insight into a detailed pain-point innovation methodology, including honing in on areas ripe for disruption and the consideration of...2023-11-1633 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseForging a New Path with David Heinemeier HanssonProfound innovation has occurred across web-based communication technologies in the last decade, and truly accelerated in the years since the start of the pandemic. But David Heinemeier Hansson recognized a massively neglected arena, one we all use, every day: email. Bringing his experience as co-owner and Chief Technology Officer at 37signals (Basecamp, Ruby on Rails, and more), David launched HEY, an innovative approach to email that provides a modernized, user-first service. In this episode of Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, David articulates a dedication to forging new paths in software and entrepreneurship.He shares important lessons in...2023-11-0252 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseBuilding Innovative Software Technology and Teams with Dom ScandinaroThe first day on the job sets the tone, which is why Dom Scandinaro, SVP of Engineering & Data at fan connection app Cameo, encourages new hires to deploy code to production on their very first day. As an experienced software engineer and technology leader, Dom fosters day-one collaborations when bringing on a new team member. Even during growth periods with competing priorities.In this episode, Dom discusses his journey in software engineering and his own spirit of curiosity, which was inspired by his entrepreneurial father. He talks about his work with Black Girls Code, whose mission is “to...2023-10-1928 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseResiliency and Innovation in Challenging Times with Ronald BlahnikFor retail businesses, being able to provide real-time, precise inventory is key to exceeding customer expectations. Ronald Blahnik, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President of Strategy, Innovation, Customer Experience, and Retail Analytics of Hibbett Sports, knows that providing customers with what they want, when they want it, has been essential to Hibbett’s growth over the last six years.In this episode, Ronald Blahnik provides insight into Hibbett’s expansive network of relationships with customers, associates, and vendors (who are also direct-to-consumer). He shares the strategies that led to expanding business during the COVID-19 pandemic, including avoi...2023-10-0531 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseGrowth-Stage Leadership with Arne SaupeSecond City is an iconic Chicago institution training comedic geniuses across generations, but developing the talents of a VP of Technology is one of its more under-the-radar accomplishments. Arne Saupe, Vice President of Technology at Farmer’s Fridge, learned more than acting and improvisation when exploring this new arena. He discovered lessons in management, failure, team building, empathy, and communication that bolstered his years of experience as a technologist and growth-stage leader. In this episode, Arne dives into finding complementary team members, ensuring diversity in thought, and balancing the vision with guardrails. He provides clear advice for app...2023-09-2128 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseChampioning Physical Technology Innovation with Haven AllenImagine you are a founder developing a physical product with incredible potential, but the space and resources to advance your product are out of reach and cost-prohibitive. Haven Allen witnessed this hurdle to introducing life-changing HardTech into the world and co-founded a solution: mHUB, a hyper-resourced innovation center in Chicago.In this episode, learn from CEO Haven Allen the impact of mHUB on physical technology innovation and the current landscape for manufacturing in the US. Shining the spotlight on mHUB members and research and development culture in Chicago, Haven discusses balancing a focus on your business and...2023-09-0730 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseLessons in Technology Leadership with Tony NewcomeWith a growing family, Tony Newcome took a major risk in returning to his software engineering roots after years in leadership—pay cut and all. Ultimately, the risk was rewarded. During his two decades of experience in the industry, Tony has held significant roles during critical growth moments at ExactTarget and Salesforce, and he currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer at ActiveCampaign. In this episode, Tony reflects on his journey to earning his degree and the mentorship he received from his father. He shares his approach to “integrating” your life and his mindset when people leave an organ...2023-08-2436 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseData, Patterns, and the Value of Information with Kevin PoganyA distaste for the repetitive is a powerful motivation. Something Kevin Pogany discovered as a teenager writing code for his father’s pharmacy to automate their processes. An early experience that catalyzed a nearly thirty-year career across nine industries pushing for data-driven innovation. Most recently, he has found himself as a Chief Technology Officer within the aerial imagery industry encouraging transformation in this critical juncture of machine learning, robotics, and proprietary data assets. In this episode, Kevin provides insight into balancing innovative, aspirational thought with structured, realistic innovation. He shares how value is almost always situated with cha...2023-08-1046 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseEnterprise Change Management with Andrei Girenkov“You don’t get a chance to be new twice.” Technology and business executive Andrei Girenkov embraces moments of great potential and offers essential advice for achieving success in 2023. Recent Senior Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer at Greystar, Andrei discusses speaking the CEO’s language, enterprise change management, and his journey to law school and beyond.In this episode, Andrei encourages digital transformation with a business-before-technology mindset. He shares how a deep knowledge of the particular business and industry while staying on top of new technologies, can empower others to embrace growth when proposing transformation. Andrei discusse...2023-07-2725 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseEnhancing the Developer Experience with TransUnion’s Deepika DuggiralaToday we're sharing another insightful presentation from our most recent Innovative Executives League Summit, where Deepika Duggirala, SVP of Global Technology Platforms at TransUnion, spoke about how focusing on your people and the developer experience leads to improved business performance.At TransUnion, Deepika leads the technology strategy and execution of cloud-based platform transformation. With over two decades of leadership experience, she has led teams that build high-performing software across a variety of companies, ranging from startups to large global enterprises. Prior to joining TransUnion, Deepika led product development as the CTO and VP of Engineering at Yello...2023-07-1322 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseAccelerating Digital Transformation at Allstate with Christopher PaquetteTasked with accelerating digital transformation at Allstate, Christopher Paquette recognizes the digital potential embedded everywhere. Reflecting on his first year as Chief Digital Transformation Officer at Allstate, Christopher shares essential lessons in collaboration, creating value for the customer, and transformation strategy. In this episode, Christopher discusses focus areas of connectivity, automation, decisioning, and pattern recognition. He gives examples of analysis indicators and the various speeds of digital transformation. Christopher dives into the idea of influence when your discipline is not siloed and discusses his passion for community building through music and music education.(01:42) – Introducing Christopher Paquette(03:21) – Digit...2023-06-2929 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseCreating an Effective Innovation Culture with Jack KingToday we're sharing an insightful presentation from one of our Innovative Executives League Summit speakers, Jack King. At the November summit, Jack spoke to the audience about creating an effective innovation culture and leveraging disruptive technologies through VR and AR.Jack currently serves as the CIO for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, AAOS. He provides vision and leadership to help develop and manage both the application, data, and service portfolios to enable AAOS to be the trusted leader in advancing muscular skeletal health. Prior to AAOS, Jack served as the Chief Technology Officer of Broward Health...2023-06-1514 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseLeading the Innovation Lab at United Airlines with Jorie SaxIn an industry deeply focused on the “now”— scheduling down to the minute—and dedicated to safety above all else, how can innovation with an eye to the future and taking risks fit in? In aviation, United Airlines found a solution by tasking Jorie Sax with launching and leading its first innovation lab, Airshop. In this episode, Jorie shares how an innovation lab can foreground collaboration and inspire peers throughout the company while maintaining safety standards and continuing to produce value. Jorie dives into how leading with play and exploration can naturally guide collaborators back to constraints and tensi...2023-06-0133 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseBuilding Platforms and Patterns for Innovation with Fitch GroupDeploying the most critical systems to the cloud first was a bold strategy for Fitch Group. It’s an approach Derek Ferguson, Global Head of Enterprise Architecture, and Chris Lalor, Senior Director – Technology Enablement, believe was essential to the successful transformation to the cloud for the Group’s companies and is how they continue to manage complex, new technology to date.In this episode, Derek and Chris dive into avoiding friction in the development process, enabling developers to innovate, and embracing the possibility of failure while reducing potential failure points. They also share their perspectives on service mesh...2023-05-1834 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseExploring Hybrid Cloud Solutions with VMware’s Amanda BlevinsHow do I use cloud services intentionally? What might I build out on-prem? What might my edge architecture look like? – These are just some of the questions Amanda Blevins is hearing from technology leaders these days. Finding solutions to those challenges is a big part of her current role as Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of the Americas at VMware.In this episode, Amanda shares her thoughts on the future of cloud technology and how to tame the "cloud chaos" by creating an intentional multi-cloud strategy that makes sense for your business. She also discusses accounting fo...2023-05-0433 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseBringing Civic Engagement and Community Building Online with Rich AlapackParticipating in school activities and community building has been challenging for remote and hybrid students, let alone the near impossibility of "running into a friend." Rich Alapack, founder of we all live here, witnessed this experience early in the pandemic and envisioned a program in which this was all possible: SchoolTopia.In this episode, Rich shares the mission of we all live here and their commitment to public art projects that promote inclusivity and empower students to challenge hatred in their communities. Rich discusses his experience developing an off-campus housing website in college and his current journey...2023-04-2030 minInnovation and the Digital EnterpriseManaging Product Innovation with Tommy RichardsonWhen Tommy Richardson enlisted in the United States Army at 18, he narrowed his options to operating a tank or going into computer operations and programming. In selecting the latter, he launched a lasting career in the field, has led several major companies in C-suite positions, and recently arrived as Chief Product and Technology Officer for Litmos, leading product innovation. In this episode, Tommy discusses balancing technology evolution to remain competitive, feature development to meet customer demand, and product innovation to keep ahead of the curve. He shares insight into establishing the right resource allocation for the various p...2023-04-0628 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseHow to Sell Your Startup with Mark AchlerBetween confidentiality agreements, polite manners, and ego, it can be difficult to get a real story of what selling a company is like. Breaking that taboo was the inspiration for Exit Right, a book co-authored by today’s guest Mark Achler, Managing Director at MATH Venture Partners. In this episode, Mark shares the hard-earned lessons captured in Exit Right about key actions that lead to successful exits. He makes the case for viewing these transactions not as a moment in time but as an opportunity to build relationships and value over a long time horizon. Mark emphasizes the...2023-03-2344 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseInnovation at Scale with Justin McNallyOne consequence of success for a startup is outgrowing the very strategies that made you successful. As an experienced founder, it’s a challenge Justin McNally was prepared to tackle as Chowly grew from a seedling idea to a market leader in point-of-sale integration. At each stage of growth, Justin’s role, and sometimes title, evolved to meet the changing needs of the organization. Through the lens of his current role as Chief Innovation Officer, Justin discusses traversing the gap from startup to established company, shifting hiring emphasis from generalists to specialists, and adapting competitive strategies as a mar...2023-03-0929 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseInnovative Executives League Summit HighlightsThe Innovative Executives League recently held its second in-person summit with an amazing slate of thought leaders sharing their experiences and perspective on innovation and leadership. In this episode, Patrick and Shelli highlight a variety of insightful presentations from the event. If you're unfamiliar with the Innovative Executives Leagues, it's an invite-only community of innovators, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs with a growth mindset and a passion for innovation. It was founded to increase the network of innovation in the Chicagoland area and also on a national scale. If you're interested in becoming a member, send us a message a...2023-02-2345 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseMentorship in Innovation with Larry BerlinA great teacher can be the key to welcoming challenges, self-confidence, and a curious spirit. In the case of Larry Berlin, Chief Financial Officer at Freedom Fries, great teachers also inspired a lifelong commitment to mentorship, including his critical mentor role for the New Venture Challenge, an accelerator program that has launched Grubhub, Braintree/Venmo, and many more successful companies.In this episode, Larry shares details of the development process and aims of his recent venture: search engine and news aggregator Freespoke.com. He outlines how to approach analyzing product-market fit and your company’s competitive grid. Br...2023-02-0936 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseEnvisioning the Future of Artificial Intelligence with Michael HousmanSpecific, problem-solving artificial intelligence is here, but when will the general, exponentially learning AI arrive in full force? Technologist Michael Housman, CTO of a stealth project at Doma, shares the anticipated arrival of AGI and his career contributing to machine learning and artificial intelligence. In this episode, Michael debunks misconceptions about AI and illuminates how malicious actors have benefitted from developments in data science (and how we can use data to catch them). Beginning his impressive career with a Ph.D. in economics, Michael shares insight into matching your strengths to the right company culture and how t...2023-01-2641 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseMilitary Defense Innovation with Glenn BantonMilitary training can result in a staggering number of injuries, and virtual reality is ready to intervene. HAVIK Chief Operations Officer Glenn Banton is passionate about the role of virtual reality in military training and continued innovations in visual fidelity and acceleration in learning. In this episode, Glenn shares how training and simulation software marries elements of the gaming industry with the best innovations of the Department of Defense at HAVIK, which provides fully portable, self-contained VR military training solutions. He discusses leading companies through periods of growth and innovation throughout his career and how to balance c...2023-01-1234 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseLeadership Amid Growth with James GrayAdaptability is an essential skill for anyone navigating their career in a company experiencing growth. Chief Information Officer James Gray curates his teams with this priority due to REEF’s exponential growth in recent years, especially as the neighborhood-focused company saw the desire for the proximity of goods and services increase during the COVID-19 pandemic.In this episode, James Gray shares insight into the importance of articulating your needs as an employee, addressing company-employee value mismatch, and managing vertical and horizontal growth. James discusses REEF innovations, like “ghost kitchens,” and the opportunities for those interested in working with t...2022-12-1528 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseEngineering Your Career Progression with Deborah Spence-CummingsOnly an exceptional innovator would look at a burgeoning career in operations and pause to examine their reputation and evaluate their goals. With the help of an executive coach, Deborah Spence-Cummings did just that and now serves as the Director of AI/ML Operations at Apple. Deborah shares how she used an engineering mindset developed at MIT and Northwestern to drive her career progression through positions in operations, planning, project management, sales, and now, artificial intelligence and machine learning. In this conversation with Pat and Shelli, Deborah also discusses her contributions to the innovative processes at Apple a...2022-12-0138 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseCare in Leadership with General James MukoyamaWith a decorated thirty-year career in the U.S. Army behind him, General James Mukoyama’s retirement is one of passionate advocacy and aid for veterans. In the organizations he leads, Military Outreach USA and Enabled Enterprises, as well as other faith-based acts of service, General Mukoyama believes in leading by example and with care while maintaining balance in your life. In this episode, General Mukoyama highlights two critical efforts of Military Outreach USA: reducing veteran suicide rates and equipping veterans exiting homelessness with much-needed supplies. He outlines how the organization approaches its work and provides a cru...2022-11-1747 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseAutomation and Electrification with Marc SaltzmanImagine a career sparked from the desire to play a video game that’s out of your budget. Marc Saltzman began his career as a journalist and technologist with a promise of publishing a review. With twenty-five years in the industry, Marc shares insight into automation and electrification alongside the questions these current innovations prompt in consumers and businesses alike.In this episode, Marc highlights several moments for the industry: the misdirection of Blackberry and Motorola, Queen Elizabeth’s pioneering use of technology, and the current advances toward autonomous and electric vehicles. He provides insight into the inte...2022-11-0338 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseReimagining Clinical Research with Katherine VandebeltA fresh spotlight is on clinical research on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. Katherine Vandebelt, Global Vice President of Innovation at Oracle, shares how she is innovating clinical research participation through inclusive, accessible, and human-centered practices.In this episode, Katherine highlights the challenges of recruitment and retention of clinical research participants. She reflects on the stress that arrives alongside health conditions, diagnoses, and deciding a treatment path. Katherine shares her people-oriented approach to innovation and acknowledges our aversion to change. (1:22) – Global VP of Innovation at Oracle(3:30) – Getting to know patients(5:28) – The impact of Bill C-22(8:50) – Reflecting the actua...2022-10-2032 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseServing our Country through Innovation with Mike SeperServing the United States does not have to be in uniform. Mike Seper, University Program Director of the National Security Innovation Network at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses how the problem-solving network NSIN embraces university-based innovators and entrepreneurs from all areas of study to bring their expertise into the service of our country. In this episode, Mike reflects on the importance of an inclusive and diverse innovation process while providing a glimpse into programs available to students and university members. He highlights select focus areas—energy needs, artificial intelligence, and drone technology—and exciting partnerships with HBCUs...2022-10-0633 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseMotivation and Innovative Technology with Jack KingExtended reality has Jack King animated about innovation and the future of technology. As Chief Information Officer at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Jack sees the countless ways that augmented and virtual realities can accelerate learning and opportunities for the 39,000 members of AAOS.In this episode, Jack discusses motivation, connection, and encouraging employees to be participants in driving change. He speaks on company culture and his approach to communication, including daily huddles. While sharing his excitement over continuing technological innovations, such as haptic feedback, Jack reflects on lessons from his cross-industry career. (2:42) - CIO at A...2022-09-2225 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseHighlights from the Innovative Executives League SummitIn addition to hosting Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, Pat is also the founder of the Innovative Executives League, a group that connects visionary Chicago leaders. Earlier this year, the group held its first in-person Innovative Executives League Summit with an amazing slate of leaders sharing experiences and perspectives on innovation and leadership. Today’s episode pulls together highlights from three of the day’s presentations. First up, Gale Wilkinson, Founder and Managing Partner of VITALIZE Venture Capital, shares insights on today's trends in angel investing and venture capital. Next, Steve Rubinow, Director of the Institute for Profe...2022-09-0839 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseDriving Strategic Change with Patrick DineenSeeking professional advice to advance your career? Patrick Dineen, Chief Information Officer at Nielsen, has the answer: solve bigger problems. As a leader in strategic planning and transformational thinking within several major companies over his career, Patrick is perfectly positioned to witness the incredible value of team members who seek out challenges and take advantage of big opportunities to contribute.In this episode, Patrick reflects on outside-in thinking and a growth mindset in the workplace. He shares insight into the value of building relationships and trust across companies. Patrick discusses his leadership style: influence over authority, a...2022-08-2533 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseChampioning Transparency and Collaboration with Sara RossioNot many people are willing to call up their competitors and dive into discussions on bettering the industry at large—choosing to see their competitors as partners. Sara Rossio, Chief Product Officer at G2, is curious about the ways transparency can build trust internally and how to embrace transparency and collaboration with customers, vendors, and across an industry.In this episode, Sara talks about how she approaches product management at G2, including utilizing artificial intelligence and people to moderate and validate reviews and personalizing data to meet a customer’s needs. She discusses her leadership style of prov...2022-07-2832 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseVision and Transformational Change with Mike KennedyIt is all about the people, the process, and the technology for Mike Kennedy, VP of Technology, Enablement, and Strategy at CDW and U.S. Army veteran. Whether analyzing processes, recruiting and retaining great employees, and implementing new technologies, Mike is invested in holistic transformation.In this episode, Mike Kennedy discusses the importance of “little i” innovation, motivating employees, and inclusion in decision-making. He shares insight into a VSOM approach and agile practices while diving into processes. Later in the episode, Mike reflects on hiring and training the right personnel, including military veterans, and connecting with talented peop...2022-06-2332 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseLearning to be a Technologist and Executive with Fred LeeFred Lee, Chief Technology Officer at Amount, is skeptical of “culture fit.” In leading technology teams of various sizes and goals, he has welcomed team members who approach things differently, who embrace their unique perspectives, and witnessed their added value across organizations. In his cross-industry career, a fresh perspective has often served him well.In this episode, Fred shares insight into the shifting experience of banking and the industry’s digital innovations. He reflects on how he has approached new roles and how getting close to the customer is essential to understanding a company’s successes and failures...2022-05-2632 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseVulnerability in Leadership with Edward WagonerEdward Wagoner, CIO of JLL, acknowledges what many C-suite executives do not: leaders are human. In his 26 years at JLL, Edward has seen tremendous company growth—investment in data and proptech, the purchase of two AI companies, and a serious effort to recruit the highest-level data scientists—and he’s had to grow as well. In this episode, Edward talks about innovating the ways that we work together (in digital and physical space) and building environments that suit meaningful collaboration. He shares insight into JLL’s expansion and investments, including their focus on sustainability. Reflecting on his own journ...2022-05-1240 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseRethinking Payment Processing and Fostering Community with Dan MullerAeroPay founder Dan Muller embraced Chicago’s supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem to build his innovative payment processing business in 2017, and he is looking to return the favor. This week’s episode offers an insightful conversation about finding the resources and community needed to materialize an idea, the often-fraught scaling period of a company, and the importance of advocating for fellow entrepreneurs.Dan Muller is a product-first founder dedicated to rethinking the collection and distribution of payments, but he is equally committed to building community within his company and beyond. With Pat and Shelli, Dan discusses hiring philosophies at diff...2022-04-0729 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseEmbracing Failure and Authenticity with Kayne GrauHow do we learn from our failures? Kayne Grau, CEO of Uptake, reflects on the highs and lows of his career in this week’s episode dealing with authenticity, leadership, and staying open-minded in your career path. He shares advice to his younger self about finding balance and embracing the lessons that emerge in difficult moments. Before joining Uptake, Kayne had a long career building brands and growing companies. He’s a self-described “product guy”, who relishes opportunities to engage with the people side of business, whether that is by getting face time with customers or picking up the ph...2022-03-2434 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseThe Entrepreneurial Journey with Jay RudmanSometimes a simple desire to give back can lead to unexpected places. That’s what happened when Jay Rudman decided to help other entrepreneurs in the Chicagoland community after selling his last business. What started as a semi-formal coaching relationship with the founder of Topstep, eventually led to Jay stepping in as Chief Growth Officer and eventually CEO, a role he held until recently. In this episode, Jay talks about his entrepreneurial journey prior to Topstep, one that started all the way back in high school running lawn care services. He also walks Patrick and Shelli through the...2022-03-1035 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseBuilding Platforms that Deliver Real Value with Mohan PutchaIn his role as Vice President of Enterprise Architecture and Technology Strategy at Aon, Mohan Putcha’s job is to be ahead of the curve in spotting technology trends and understanding how they’ll impact the industry. It is also about leveraging those trends to deliver better service for Aon’s clients and internal teams, not just in theory, but in practice. Which is why Mohan’s team has taken a different approach to building platforms – one that starts by looking at the full value stream and understanding the real pain points of the people contributing to each piece...2022-02-2430 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseChanging Perceptions and Teaching Transformation with Sandee KastrulTechnology is about solving problems and building solutions. This week’s guest, Sandee Kastrul, recognized the overlap in competencies needed for both technology and community leadership when she co-founded i.c.stars. This week she talks with Pat and Shelli about teaching technology with systems thinking, a community-lens, and an orientation of ‘how can I help’ versus ‘what can I get’.For more than two decades, i.c.stars has been developing tech talent in Chicago through a rigorous four month curriculum rooted in midwestern practicality and centered in resilience. Each cycle, a new cohort of interns is divided...2022-02-1734 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseBuilding Product-Focused Engineering Teams with Steve CaudillRand McNally’s Chief Technology Officer, Steve Caudill joins Pat and Shelli this week to talk about building and maintaining the culture of a startup inside a well-established brand with a 165-year history. They cover a range of topics including recruiting talent in a highly competitive market, creating tight feedback loops between customers and engineers, and structuring product development for the shortest path to revenue. (01:13) - Technical product development(03:17) - Recruiting product makers(05:46) - Seek out diverse perspectives (08:35) - Pair programming during interviews(10:19) - Addressing salary expectations(12:38) - Making products that have impact(17:18) - Challenging remote work trends(19:15) - Tak...2022-01-2038 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseRethinking Change Management with Allen SmithWhat does change management look like in a world of constant, rapid change? Allen Smith, CIO at Baker Tilly, believes keeping up with the pace of change today requires rethinking change management as a discipline, including the rigid processes and communication protocols from traditional waterfall development.Allen joins Patrick and Shelli to talk about the increasing overlap between our personal and professional lives. People bring the expectations they have for consumer software into their view of workplace software and tools. Whether they like it or not, businesses have to contend with any negative aspects of that trend...2021-12-0928 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseMaking Trust Possible with Swati ShahAt TransUnion, creating innovative products, building talent, and delivering excellent customer experiences start with an environment where trust is possible. Swati Shah, U.S. Markets CIO, talks with Patrick and Shelli this week about what cultivating that trust looks like for the organization. She also describes the various programs in place to support continuous learning for cross-functional teams and the importance of helping engineers understand the ‘why’ in addition to the ‘what’ for the solutions they are building. (01:24) - Swati’s role at Transunion(02:57) - Delivering Value to customers(04:40) - B2B2C(06:47) - Understanding your customer's c...2021-11-1829 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseTurning Adversity into Opportunities for Innovation with Matt DiBariExperiencing a sudden 90% revenue drop is a formidable challenge for any business. When SpotHero found themselves there at the start of the pandemic, the team took it as an opportunity to pause and rethink their business. In this episode Matt DiBari, Chief Product Officer at SpotHero, talks with Patrick and Shelli about how creative thinking and a strong team foundation allowed SpotHero to weather the sudden downturn. He also discusses how a culture of looking around corners and reacting with wonder fuels innovation both today and for the company’s ‘horizon 3’ plans. (04:19) - COVID’s influence on parking...2021-11-0432 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseVenture Capital Pros and Cons with Will McGivern-SmithWhile eye-popping capital rounds make headlines, sometimes smaller is better when it comes to venture fundraising. Will McGivern-Smith, Chief Strategy Officer of TrueData joined Patrick and Shelli to discuss what questions to answer for your business when considering venture capital. Understanding the type of company you’re building, the problem you’re solving and the total addressable market is a good place to start. Listen in to get Will’s take on what factors to weigh when looking for the best fundraising partner, how to nail your pitch by keeping it simple, and what motivates different types of inve...2021-10-2140 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseProduct Thought Leadership with Timothy AlvisTimothy Alvis is the Chief Product Officer at SPINS and has over 20 years of experience marrying product, consumer needs, and business outcomes. He joined the podcast today to offer his tips for product teams and why they should focus on understanding problems rather than coming up with solutions. Having started his career as the founder of multiple gaming companies, Tim also discusses the creativity involved with popular video games like Minecraft and Roblox. Tune in for his insights.(01:18) - Providing shaped retail insights(03:51) - The eras of the gaming industry(10:07) - Practicing team dynamics(16:47) - Bad/l...2021-09-2341 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseCreating an Inclusive Tech Community with Desiree Vargas WrigleyFounders looking to secure funding face a long, arduous process. Founders of color can find it almost impossible and often receive significantly less money than their white counterparts. Desiree Vargas Wrigley believes that the tech ecosystem in Chicago needs to do more to support and nurture the untapped potential of Black and Latinx founders.Desiree is our guest this week on Innovation and the Digital Enterprise. She shares her experience as one of the two Latinx women in the last decade to have raised over a million dollars and her vision for an inclusive Chicago tech community...2021-09-0936 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseThe Power of Machine Learning with Alex MullerArtificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are powerful tools that companies can leverage to create better customer experiences. However, they traditionally require millions of dollars' worth of investment. Alex Muller believes that every product team, regardless of size, should benefit from the same machine learning capabilities used at the most successful companies in the world.Alex, the founder of SAVVI AI, is our guest this week on Innovation and the Digital Enterprise. Listen to the episode to learn more about democratizing machine learning.(01:47) - SAVVI AI(03:41) - Machine learning barriers(09:02) - AI and ML for...2021-08-2635 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseDeep Tech in the World of Banking with Chintan MehtaBanking has been around for hundreds of years. How do you teach an old dog new tricks? Chintan Mehta, CIO and Head of Digital Technology and Innovation at Wells Fargo, joined Patrick and Shelli to discuss the technological revolution happening right now in banking. He talks about what the next five years look like for innovations such as quantum computing and cultural shifts such as the gig worker economy. Listen in and get inspired.(02:23) - Deep tech work in banking(03:59) - Risks & challenges(08:50) - Five years out(11:02) - Quantum computing(12:34) - Fundamental shifts in powering our lives(15:51) ...2021-08-1239 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseInnovation Summit Highlights Part 2The Chicago Innovation Roundtable, a group that connects visionary Chicago leaders and the brainchild of IDE host Patrick Emmons, recently wrapped up their yearly Summit. For part 2 of the IDE season finale, Patrick shares some of the thought leadership from the Summit’s brightest stars.Take a listen to the episode to hear from Dick Burke, Adam Kanouse, Thru Shivakumar, Greg Svitak, and Ari Kaplan. IDE will be back with all new episodes soon.(00:44) - Dick Burke(03:18) - Adam Kanouse(12:08) - Thru Shivakumar(16:14) - Greg Svitak(21:09) - Ari KaplanIf you'd like to receive ne...2021-07-2925 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseInnovation Summit Highlights Part 1In addition to hosting Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, Pat is also the founder of the Chicago Innovation Roundtable, a group that connects visionary Chicago leaders. Recently, the group hosted a summit where leaders could share their insights on what has helped them innovate in their respective fields.For the IDE season finale, Pat shares some of the highlights from the Innovation Summit. In part 1, you will hear from Betsy Ziegler, Scott Prugh, Dustin Kirkland, and Catherine Clay. Tune in for the latest innovation thought leadership.(00:43) - Betsy Ziegler(05:07) - Scott Prugh(11:11) - Dustin Kirkland(17:41...2021-07-1522 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseInvesting in Digital and Renewables with Brian CaseBrian Case is the Chief Digital Officer at GE Renewable Energy. In his field, the COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the importance of switching over to digitization. He is our guest this week on the podcast and chatted with Patrick and Shelli about his approach to leadership.Tune in to the episode to learn more about the importance of a company’s motivation to adopt digital, how repeatability of a problem leads to product advancement, and how to train the ideal team player.(01:04) - Driving the energy transition(02:50) - Building escape velocity(04:55) - Navigating customer ne...2021-06-1729 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseThe Future of Banking with Dean HaackerWith complicated technological tools and processes, companies sometimes fill too many roles with specialists. Generalists are also needed for a fresh set of eyes and to approach problems with outside the box solutions. Dean Haacker prides himself on being a generalist and this skill has served him well as he’s helped reimagine banking while working with CIBC.Dean joined Patrick and Shelli for a wide-ranging conversation about the importance of living at the corner of strategy and innovation. Check out the episode for insights from a multiple award-winning CTO/CIO.(02:56) - The future of banking(06:48) ...2021-06-0326 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseInnovating Cboe's Data and Access Solutions with Catherine ClayTrading exchanges are highly regulated. This makes the implementation of technological changes a tricky proposition. Catherine Clay, Executive Vice President of Cboe Global Markets, has had to pivot and adapt her thinking when it comes to affecting change in a large, regulated corporation.Catherine joined Patrick and Shelli for this week’s episode of Innovation and the Digital Enterprise. She stressed the importance of keeping a company’s end goals in mind instead of getting caught up in the immediacy of sprints. Catherine also shared how to keep up the stamina and perseverance when you are met with...2021-05-2040 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterprisePurpose-Driven Decision Making with 1871's CEO Betsy ZieglerAs the CEO of 1871, an entrepreneurial hub of innovation, Betsy Ziegler is an expert in early-stage growth and helps businesses grow from idea to the Fortune 500. For Betsy, one of the most important metrics for success is whether a business adheres to purpose-driven decision making.This week on Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, Betsy joins Patrick and Shelli to discuss how 1871 is supporting businesses throughout Chicago as well as what metrics she believes will help catapult businesses to higher levels of growth. Listen in for her insights.(01:10) - The home for start-ups(04:33) - Does it work?(06:46) ...2021-05-0640 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseDeveloping a Culture that Supports Innovation with Eric RempelDemocratizing innovation means that experts create tools that allow new industries to utilize technology to make their businesses stronger and more efficient. This leads to happy customers. Happy customers lead to happy employees that feel a sense of purpose and belonging at work. Creating teams that balance accountability and purpose is Eric Rempel’s vision of success.Eric is the Chief Innovation Officer at Redwood Logistics. He joined Patrick and Shelli on this week’s episode of Innovation and the Digital Enterprise for a discussion on creating an organization that is mission-driven where employees can see the impa...2021-04-2941 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseUsing Data Analytics to Fuel Medical Discovery with Jennifer Van CampJennifer Van Camp has worked in research for major pharmaceutical companies for more than 20 years. In her experience, medical research produces extensive data but doesn’t always have processes by which to leverage this information. When she had the opportunity to go on sabbatical, she thought about this problem and came up with an entrepreneurial solution.This week, Jennifer joined Patrick and Shelli to talk about the idea of digital exhaust in medical research and what she and her team are doing to combat it. She also discussed her philosophy of leadership as well as her belief in...2021-04-0136 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseBreaking Down Barriers to Success with John KettSometimes leadership isn’t about being a visionary. Sometimes leadership is about assembling a team of experts and breaking down the barriers to their success. This is the belief of John Kett, CEO and President of IAA.John joined Patrick on this week’s episode of Innovation and the Digital Enterprise for a discussion about the future of the car sales industry, John’s philosophy of leadership, and why he believes reading about historical and political figures can help you become a better leader. Take a listen to the episode.(01:47) - Driving business forward at IAA(02:57) - Leve...2021-03-1833 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseHelping the Next Generation of Startups with Roger LiewRoger Liew has a track record for leading cutting-edge teams. As the fifth employee of Orbitz, Roger led the team that created the original infrastructure powering orbitz.com. In the years since, he has helped lead many companies and has spent a lot of time leading the next generation of startups as a mentor and board member.On today’s episode of Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, Roger talked about what it means to add value to a board, why a first-time board member has a hard time switching gears from operations, and why companies that need to...2021-03-0444 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseEnabling Citizen Data Science with Ari KaplanBaseball changed forever once data and statistics were added to the toolkit. Ari Kaplan, Director of Strategy at DataRobot and one of the people responsible for revolutionizing sports analytics, joined Patrick and Shelli on today’s episode of Innovation and the Digital Enterprise.Ari took time to explain the role of AI in analytics, the importance of citizen data scientists, and how data can improve products and efficiency across industries. Take a listen to the episode for more on the up-and-coming applications of data as well as some sports team shout outs.(01:47) - DataRobot(04:37) - Business in...2021-02-1835 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseProduct Manager Mindset with Dustin KirklandTo be effective, a product manager in the SaaS space must be a visionary with an engineering degree. It takes deep knowledge of technical processes and a desire to help customers achieve the outcome they want. Dustin Kirkland, Chief Product Officer at Apex, has been in the product space for more than 20 years.Dustin joined Patrick and Shelli for a discussion on what it takes to develop a product manager mindset, why he wishes he would have stuck with controversial ideas early in his career, and the current landscape of product design in IT. Tune in for...2021-02-0434 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseContinuous Learning Programs within the DOD with Nicolas ChaillanNicolas Chaillan is the first ever Chief Software Officer for the United States’ government at his post with the US Air Force. As an agency tasked with both innovation and national security, the Air Force has its work cut out for it.On this week’s edition of Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, Nicolas shares his thoughts on why employers should give paid time for continuous learning to remain competitive. He explains why we need to think beyond college degrees and offer alternative pathways toward advancement. Take a listen.(01:31) - DevSecOps adoption(03:48) - Big picture moves(05:27) - Mu...2021-01-2136 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseBusiness Strategy Design with Matt KellyTo innovate, a company doesn’t necessarily have to rush out and invent a new product. Innovation starts when all stakeholders are working as a cohesive unit and have identified a common mission. Matt Kelly, a partner and Business Designer at Do Tank, believes that to be successful, a company needs to take some time to do some business modeling that allows them to increase efficiency and ensure they are targeting the right customer demographics.Matt spoke with Patrick and Shelli about business design and the concept of validating assumptions through pressure tests. If you are interested in...2021-01-0732 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseCreating Pipelines for Women Tech Leaders with Thulasi KethiniTo increase diversity in technology, step one is acknowledging that there is a problem. Step two is to put in greater effort to create new pipelines of applicants. Thulasi Kethini, CTO of Shiftgig, believes that there are highly qualified women ready to take on leadership in the tech space but most tech companies don’t take the time to go to the places where these women can be found.On this week’s edition of Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, Patrick and Shelli talk to Thulasi about how companies can create pipelines that encourage diversity as well as w...2020-12-1738 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseProduct Driven Leadership with Michael SenftleberArrive Logistics is one of the fastest-growing freight brokerages. Logistics, perhaps more so than many other industries, is seeing a big shift toward technology beyond traditional IT. Michael Senftleber, CTO at Arrive Logistics, is one of the people leading this charge.Unlike many professionals in the logistics industry, Michael came from a product background. On this week’s edition of Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, Michael discussed why product driven leadership is so beneficial to hiring. Listen to the episode for Michael’s thoughts on diversity of background and its impact on problem solving.(01:24) - Arrive Logi...2020-12-0333 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseDrawing Top Talent in with a Global Mentality with Dick BurkeOver the course of the last 48 months, the H-1B visa program has been greatly diminished, largely by executive order. This program allows foreign students who study in the United States a path to a green card. Dick Burke is the CEO of Envoy Global, a tech leader specializing in immigration services. He is our guest this week on Innovation and the Digital Enterprise.Dick believes that America needs to change its perception on immigration if we are going to continue attracting top talent. To avoid employment issues such as Japan is facing due to an aging...2020-11-1934 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseCollaborative Design & Software First Organizations with Scott PrughChanging the culture of an organization is not something that happens overnight. Collaborative design and cross-functional teams can take years to get right. So how do you make the changes necessary to get everyone on the same page? According to Scott Prugh, Chief Architect and SVP of Software Engineering at CSG, using mistakes and miscommunications as a learning tool is key.Today on Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, Scott discusses how to create software-first companies, why incident reports are important for growth, and heritage versus legacy companies. Scott also shares Shook’s Model of Cultural Change to il...2020-10-1542 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseInnovation in Slow Moving Industries with Andrew WattsThe law is as old as civilization. But the legal industry has been very slow to adapt to digitalization. Relativity, a SaaS eDiscovery platform, is looking to change that. Andrew Watts is the CIO of Relativity and joined Patrick and Shelli this week for a discussion on the digitization of law documents and tools.Andrew talked about how the industry is adapting, why it’s so important for lawyers and firms to get on the cloud, and what Relativity is doing to be employee focused in an age where everyone is working remote. Tune in for his in...2020-09-2447 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseFinding Flow in Software Development with Mik KerstenBurnout can cripple any organization and for many technology firms, it’s the standard by which business is conducted. Dr. Mik Kersten believes that the key to happy software engineers (and the executives that manage them) is to create flow using a framework.Mik joins Patrick and Shelli for a discussion on flow diagnostics, how teams respond to being measured, and why it’s important to understand people’s energies. Listen for his thoughts on flow framework and pick up his book Project to Product: How to Survive and Thrive in the Age of Digital Disruption with the Fl...2020-09-1037 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseMaking an In-person Customer Experience Digital with Nag VaidyanathanNag Vaidyanathan is the EVP and CTO for OneMain Financial. Nag’s organization is over a century old, but when the pandemic hit, the company had to accelerate the pace of its digital offerings. One challenge that Nag has been seeing good results with is creating a user experience that mirrors in-person branch services.This week on Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, Patrick and Shelli talk to Nag about the rapid pace of digitization at OneMain Financial as well as Nag’s experience working in business settings across the globe. Nag shares some of the cultural lessons he’s...2020-08-2731 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseCreating a Mission-Driven Culture with Thomas SouthWhen it comes to attracting talent, Thomas South believes it’s not necessarily about being specialized or competing based on benefits packages alone. Rather, he believes that creating a mission-driven culture is key to recruiting employees that will thrive in your organization.As EVP of Northern Trust, Thomas oversees teams of wealth managers with extensive knowledge of the financial industry. While technology is integral to the company’s path forward, Thomas has found that human touch is needed to complement an expanding suite of digital tools.He joined Patrick and Shelli to discuss why mission-driven valu...2020-08-1337 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseHow Chicago Became a Hub for Entrepreneurs with Scott KitunScott Kitun is a rock star in the Chicago startup and investment world. His company, Technori, is Chicago’s largest media platform for entrepreneurs and has seen billions invested in its first decade. He is our guest this week on Innovation and the Digital Enterprise and joins Shelli and Patrick to talk about the current state of Chicago’s investment landscape.Listen as Scott shares his thoughts on team building, why money and equity aren’t necessarily good motivators, and why you shouldn’t hire your friends. He also makes the case that founders and athletes like Michael...2020-07-3038 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseAchieving Predictable Success for Your Company with Les McKeownFor a new company, success can seem so difficult to attain. But there is a pattern to success that can help you navigate the growing pains of a fledgling business. Les McKeown is the bestselling author of Predictable Success: Getting Your Organization on the Growth Track - and Keeping It There, and has started more than 40 businesses in his own right.Les joined Patrick and Shelli to discuss the lifecycle of success. He outlines the stages of growth, the stages of decline, and offers advice on what companies should do every step of the way. Listen for...2020-07-1639 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseBringing a Startup Mindset to the Education Industry with Jason DoleThe education industry has long been ruled by gatekeepers which have prevented any meaningful innovation in the digital space. Jason Dole, CTO of World Book, wants to change this.Jason has spent his career working in the startup space and it’s that spirit of innovation that he believes will help drive meaningful change at such an established brand. He joined Patrick for a discussion that touched upon points such as putting people on teams based on mindset and influencing people in key positions to help with company buy-in. Listen to Jason’s advice.*Please note...2020-07-0240 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseHow Machine Learning Improves Supply Chains with Vivek VaidWhen it comes to the logistics of delivering goods across the globe, there are hundreds of touchpoints. FourKites is a supply chain management platform enhanced by machine learning that aims to make this process easier. Vivek Vaid is FourKites’ Chief Technology Officer and our guest today on Innovation and the Digital Enterprise.Vivek talked to Patrick and Shelli about how when it comes to technology versus product development, his approach is to do the work that is in service to customers. He also discussed why organizations need to make decisions that take into account the point of vi...2020-06-1141 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseUnleashing the Power of Mobile Marketing with Brian GarofolaLet’s say it’s almost lunchtime and suddenly you receive a text from your favorite local restaurant with a coupon. You read the text and think, “That does sound pretty good.” You head there for lunch, show your coupon, and get your discount. In a nutshell, this is what Vibes, a platform that helps marketers drive experiences and meaningful customer connections, is all about.Today, Pat and Shelli spoke to Vibes’ CTO Brian Garofola about the underutilized power of mobile when it comes to driving customer experience. Brian discusses why text marketing and mobile wallet can bridge the...2020-05-2842 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseHow Trust Builds Passion with Ann MadeaAnn Madea has spent her career managing and motivating her teams as a CIO of global firms. She has also dedicated herself to the advancement of women and girls in the fields of STEM. She joined us on Innovation and the Digital Enterprise to discuss how she builds trust to ensure all members of her team feel comfortable speaking up and how to successfully stay the course when managing large-scale projects.As a high-profile woman in business, especially in the tech sector, Patrick and Shelli also talked with Ann about the people that inspired her to chase...2020-05-1446 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseMaking Risk a Revenue Driver with Matt KunkelRisk management has never been viewed as sexy. It’s a necessary component of every organization, but not necessarily something that CEOs are excited to work on. Matt Kunkel of LogicGate has a novel approach however: make risk a revenue driver.Matt joined Patrick on Innovation and the Digital Enterprise to talk shop about risk and how privacy issues have made it more interesting and necessary than ever. Matt also discusses why it’s important to have clear company values and how to get everyone from the CEO to the employee on board. Finally, Matt explains why he n...2020-04-3036 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseHow Digital Intimacy Can Increase Sales and Satisfaction with Matt CoughlinOver the last few decades, as things have increasingly gone digital, we’ve lost the human interaction behind satisfying sales experiences. Matt Coughlin of XSELL Technologies is passionate about the science of sales. After working with Disney and other big brands, he realized that customers were hungry for digital intimacy.This week on Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, Matt is talking to Pat about how brands can bridge the divide between offering an array of products and personalization. He discusses how machine learning can help with that dilemma and also talks about his philosophy of “Open for Busi...2020-04-1645 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseWhy Discretionary Effort is a Sign of a Healthy Organization with Ryan JefferyAccording to Ryan Jeffery, Founder and Co-CEO of Ignite, the difference between a leader and a manager is that a leader doesn’t need a title. When people switch jobs due to dissatisfaction, most of the time it’s not about the work itself but conflict with the manager. But when you create a culture that is inclusive and inherently motivational, you hit that magic spot of work satisfaction.Ryan joined Pat and Shelli to talk about the concept of discretionary effort and action and what they say about an organization. He also took some time to disc...2020-03-2638 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseHow Optimism and Grit Go Hand in Hand with Kristi ZuhlkeMany believe that to succeed in business, you must be a pessimist and always anticipate the worst. But according to Kristi Zuhlke, the CEO of Knowledgehound, grit and being optimistic are not mutually exclusive concepts.Kristi joins Shelli and Pat and gives a window into the life of a serial entrepreneur. She explains why entrepreneurs are passionate about solving problems, how she stays confident in her ability to solve problems, why optimism is underrated in business, and how she thoughtfully adds new members to her team. *Please note this interview was recorded in late 2019 prior t...2020-03-1948 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseBuilding, Then Reinventing, Your Personal Brand with Alison VorsatzAfter being the only woman in the room for years at her corporate job, a string of tragedies made Alison Vorsatz reconsider her purpose. This led her on a transformational journey to Africa and ended with her finding a job at Fairygodboss where she gets to realize her dream of empowering women.Alison joins Pat and Shelli to talk about her journey and shares insights on what it means to work on your personal brand and how that brand can open career connections. [00:25] - This week: Alison Vorsatz[01:14] - Helping women reach the success they deserve[05:59...2020-03-1245 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseRituals to Cultivate a Fearless Culture with Gene KimThe seeds of innovation cannot germinate in a culture in which people feel they need to ask permission. The ability to fail — and share that failure — is one of the most important tenets of any company that has a chance to improve according to today’s guest, Gene Kim.Gene has been studying high-performing technology companies since 1999 and has authored several books on the topic. On this week’s episode of Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, Gene discusses the five central prerequisites of company innovation as well as the role that ritual can play in de-stigmatizing failure.2020-02-2643 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseThinking Beyond the Immediate in Business with David HoagIn a corporate environment, a leader’s main task is to keep their team running efficiently and productively. However, in the startup world, a leader needs to jump in and help out at every level. It was this kind of environment and mindset that best informed the leadership style of our guest today, David Hoag.David is the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for OCC, the world’s largest equity derivatives clearing organization. His time working at a startup taught him lessons that he’s carried over to his teams throughout the years. David talks to Pat...2020-01-2944 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseBalancing Innovation and the Bottom Line with Reza RooholaminiThe problem of trying to work on the next big thing in software without bankrupting the company on research and development can be a tricky balancing act. To successfully manage such operations, leaders need to think tactically.Reza Rooholamini is the Vice President of Enterprise Architecture and Technology at CCC Information Services Inc. One way that CCC has managed this issue is by creating an innovation lab that is like its own startup within a company. On this week’s episode of Innovation and the Digital Enterprise, Reza discusses the pragmatic approach that CCC takes toward innovation.2020-01-0839 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseBringing Innovation from the Private Sector to Government with Sean T. O'KellyPrivate sector companies spend a lot of time innovating to create the best possible user experience for potential customers. Government agencies by contrast, tend to work with outdated, analog tools. Why aren’t government agencies following suit?Sean T. O’Kelly spent more than twenty years in the tech private sector. When he was appointed CIO for Financial and Professional Regulation at the State of Illinois, he jumped at the opportunity to help create a more positive user experience for everyday citizens. Sean talks to Patrick and Shelli about innovation as a public good and why he beli...2019-12-0434 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseHow Optimizing Technology Can Help Businesses Scale with Karen FedyszynGone are the days when a company’s IT teams just babysat servers. Today, individual services and outside vendors dominate the industry. With this fast pace of recent technological leaps brings new opportunities to harness technology that can help businesses find creative ways to scale.Karen Fedyszyn, an award-winning Information Technology Executive, sat down with Pat and Shelli for a wide-ranging conversation about her experiences managing teams for brands such as Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, Ace Hardware, and HSBC. Karen shares why she believes shadow IT should be treated as an innovation pipeline, the challenges of movi...2019-11-1344 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseConflict, Failures and Transparency as Business Assets with Sean BrownFailure isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, Sean Brown, CEO of YCharts, wants to hire failures – they are, after all, risk-takers that aren’t afraid to try something new. On this week’s episode, Sean joins Pat for a wide-ranging conversation about the lessons Sean has learned in his 25+ years starting, selling, buying, and running various companies.Sean talks to us about why he believes the KISS (keep it simple, stupid) philosophy works so well in business and shares his four-part playbook for developing successful companies. Listen in to find out how to best get to know...2019-10-0948 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseOpen Communication and Frameworks for High Performing Teams with Eric FosterOpen communication and high performing teams don’t just appear out of nowhere. In order to have a team that gels, you need to put in the work to create a space in which all team members know the vision of your company, have clear expectations, and know how to course-correct when things go awry.Eric Foster, a CIO with experience spanning multiple technology firms sat down to speak with Pat and Shelli on his three-part framework for creating high performing teams. Eric also explains why it is so important that you spend time thinking about the cu...2019-09-2535 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseBuilding Better, More Diverse Workplaces for Mothers with Allison RobinsonIt seems like every entrepreneur’s background story starts with the same idea: scratching their own itch. For today’s guest, Allison Robinson, the problem wasn’t how to use some new technology or improve an existing product. It was how to return to the workforce as a mother. Finding herself looking for the resources she needed and coming up empty, Allison founded the Mom Project to help one of the most underserved parts of the population: mothers. Pat and Shelli talk to Allison about her work expanding opportunities for mothers, the rise of the gig economy, and how...2019-08-1427 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseFrom HR to Hip-Hop: Unlocking Insights Through Analytics with Zack JohnsonWhat’s it like to sell your company and something you’ve poured your heart into for over 7 years? On the latest episode of the Innovation and the Digital Enterprise podcast, Shelli and Pat are joined by Zack Johnson, VP of Business Development at Visier. Prior to Visier, Zack started and ran Syndio, an analytics provider based in Chicago, for over 7 years. Zack takes us through his incredible background, from founder to lecturer to advisor to pop & hip-hop artists, and breaks down how analytics are being used in a wide variety of industries.[00:25] - Introduction to Zack Johnson[01:10] - Th...2019-07-1735 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseTwo Decades in Chicago's Finance & Fintech Ecosystem with Randy RiveraIn this episode of the Innovation and the Digital Enterprise podcast, Randy Rivera stops by to chat with Pat & Shelli. Randy is a long time financial executive, entrepreneur and innovator in the emerging Fintech ecosystem. Randy gives his insights into the Chicago ecosystem, first as an executive then as an entrepreneur with quointec, the company he founded in 2018. [00:33] - Who is Randy Rivera?[06:50] - The Chicago business ecosystem[13:05] - What makes a founder?[17:52] - The first five[20:05] - Developing and growing a company[27:48] - The growing fintech space[33:41] - Today’s Entrepreneurs[38:59] - What it takes to make it...2019-06-1253 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseCombining Cutting Edge Technology & Civic Innovation with Adam HecktmanHosts Shelli Nelson and Patrick Emmons are joined today by Adam Hecktman, long time civic technology executive at Microsoft. Adam shares how the role of technology in communities has evolved throughout the years. We discuss the social impact of technology, efficient government and the challenge of keeping talent in Chicago. [03:00] - 27 years and 10,000 great days at Microsoft[03:50] - The challenge of keeping talent in Chicago[05:35] - Chicago driving the transportation logistics industry forward[08:30] - Hiring for skills not diplomas[09:45] - Mentoring upcoming entrepreneurs in the social impact space[11:50] - Experiences with demands for efficient government [13:30] - Chicago mayoral ca...2019-05-2243 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseTrust, Teams and Giving Back with Christian Anschuetz, UL's Chief Digital OfficerIn this second installment of “Innovation and the Digital Enterprise” Shelli Nelson and Patrick Emmons welcome Christian Anschuetz to talk about his role as UL’s Chief Digital Officer, having courage in the face of uncertainty and the criticality of trust in all relationships. As CDO at UL, Christian is responsible for embedding innovative technology and digital trends in operations to accelerate growth and enhance clients’ ability to predict and address regulatory and safety considerations in their value chains. He is passionate about the value trust brings to modern supply chains and the role data plays in delivering that trus...2019-04-0647 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseRoman Dumiak: Collaboration & How it Evolves with TechnologyOn DragonSpears first installment of “Innovation and the Digital Enterprise” Shelli Nelson and Patrick Emmons welcome Roman Dumiak to talk about how technology affects collaborative efforts in anything from programming to E-sports to smart speakers. Roman Dumiak, who currently works at a small private equity firm giving technical advice on potential clients, previously worked at Allstate Insurance for over 40 years, wearing many hats including software developer, infrastructure handler in database/network, chief architect, and held the position of Director of Technology Innovation for 6 years.Episode Highlights:[00:51] Introduction to Roman Dumiak[04:20] Scrum vs. Extreme Programming[06:06] Empat...2019-02-2754 min
Innovation and the Digital EnterpriseIntroducing the Innovation and the Digital Enterprise PodcastWelcome to the Innovation and the Digital Enterprise podcast, hosted by Patrick Emmons and Shelli Nelson.Join us as we interview successful visionaries and leaders, giving you an insight into how they drive and support innovation within their organizations.Each episode we'll focus on a different aspect of leveraging the digital revolution like…building a culture of innovationovercoming a fear of failurefinding time to focus on innovative product ideasteaching and recruiting innovatorsSo join us as we learn the secrets that successful entrepreneurs and leaders use to spark innovation amongst their teams an...2019-02-0701 min