In “Hidden Scents,” Aidan McCullen explores how individuals with heightened perception—dubbed “Helpful Cassandras”—can guide organizations to recognize early signs of disruption or opportunity. Drawing on insights from visionaries like Andy Grove and researchers like Rita McGrath, this piece emphasizes the importance of valuing diverse perspectives to navigate an uncertain future effectively.
Unlocking Successful Digital Transformation: Insights from David L. Rogers
In this episode, David L. Rogers, author of ‘The Digital Transformation Roadmap’ and ‘The Digital Transformation Playbook,’ joins Aidan to discuss the critical steps and challenges businesses face in their journey towards digital transformation. Rogers emphasises the importance of transforming not just products and business models but the organisation itself.
He outlines five major barriers to success: vision, priorities, experimentation, governance, and capabilities.
Through insightful case studies such as the New York Times and CNN+, Rogers illustrates the pitfalls and successful strategies for driving meaningful innovation.
Additionally, he highlights the need for iterative funding and continuous adaptation in the face of uncertainty. This episode is packed with practical advice and lessons drawn from two decades of research and real-world examples, aimed at helping leaders navigate and thrive in the digital age.
00:00 Introduction to Digital Transformation
00:57 Meet the Author: David L. Rogers
01:47 The Evolution of Digital Transformation
02:36 Challenges and Misconceptions
07:48 Defining Digital Transformation
09:56 Barriers to Success
22:26 Case Study: The New York Times
31:33 Setting Realistic Expectations for Change
32:21 Defining a Clear Vision for Change
34:03 Empathy and Resistance to Change
34:53 Challenges of Corporate Innovation
36:15 Addressing Uncertainty in Innovation
39:27 Paths to Innovation and Growth
41:41 Case Study: The Failure of CNN Plus
49:55 Iterative Funding and the Facebook Example
54:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Find David here:
Substack: http://davidrogersdigital.substack.com
Website: https://davidrogers.digital
The Missing Link Between Strategy and Innovation article David mentioned:
https://hbr.org/2024/03/the-missing-link-between-strategy-and-innovation
The episode we mentioned with Steve Blank:
The Startup Owner’s Manual: The Step-By-Step Guide for Building a Great Company
https://youtu.be/JbPRE2oCjnY?si=S0ULzjFLdnsU-1Ix
Aidan McCullen, David Rogers, digital transformation roadmap, digital transformation playbook, corporate governance, iterative experimentation, Facebook, CNN Plus, startup funding, media industry, New York Times, Steve Blank, Bob Dorf, Rita McGrath, Stefan Tompkin, Peter Thiel, Jason Keillar, Jeff Zucker
In this final of a 4-part episode, Rita McGrath discusses her upcoming book focused on how organisations can design structures that empower decision-making at all levels, embracing a ‘permissionless’ approach to innovation.
In this extensive session with Rita McGrath emphasises the importance of continuous innovation, exploiting new opportunities, and building new competencies to stay competitive.
In part 2 of The Entrepreneurial Mindset, Rita McGrath, discusses the concept of the entrepreneurial mindset and the power of consumption chain analysis for businesses seeking to differentiate and innovate.
Rita illustrates how understanding each step of a customer’s journey, from need identification to product disposal, can unveil numerous opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage.
A conversation with Rita McGrath, author of ‘The Entrepreneurial Mindset,’ exploring principles for thriving in rapidly changing environments. McGrath shares her personal journey from industry to academia, emphasising the importance of understanding practical business applications.
Incremental innovation remains a critical component for organisations. However, when an organisation only rewards incremental endeavours (recognition, remuneration and promotion), why would anybody want to risk their career with transformational effort? Give the customer a 12-blade razor, a chai-latte-flavoured soda or a 6G Origami phone. By all means, be a fast-moving caterpillar-cake copycat, but invest some of the profits from the incremental present into the transformational future. Don’t use the future to fuel your present.
Discovery-Driven Planning with Rita Gunther McGrath The Clayton Christensen Tribute
The work of Clayton Christensen changed my worldview and, ultimately, my life. I have been lining up all his co-authors to celebrate his life and share his theories. We have been interviewing each of these great thinkers over the last few months and into 2023. We will bring you each of those episodes in chronological order of his book releases. It includes Matt Christensen, Clay’s son and CEO of Rose Park Advisors, Rita McGrath, Joseph L. Bower, Michael Raynor, Scott D. Anthony Hal Gregerson, Taddy Hall Bob Moesta, Michael B. Horn Efosa Ojomo and Karen Dillon.
Coming Jan 23, 2023
This week’s #thursdaythought is about letting go of assets before they have run their course. It is inspired by the latest episode of The Innovation Show with the author of “Quit” by Annie Duke. Serendipitously it is also influenced by Rita McGrath, who joined us in person this week in Dublin.