158: Why Now? How Good Timing Makes Great Products

06/11/24 • 31 min

What if the secret ingredient to startup success isn't just what or how, but when? This week on the Innovation Storytellers Show, we're joined by Paul Orlando, a seasoned entrepreneur and the brain behind four international startup accelerators. Paul is not only a professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California but also the author of the thought-provoking book "Why Now: How Good Timing Makes Great Products."

In our discussion, Paul dives into the often-neglected aspect of timing in business ventures. With a background that spans continents and industries, he shares unique insights on how timing influences the success or failure of products and innovations. From technological shifts and regulatory changes to societal crises, understanding the timing landscape is crucial for any business leader.

Paul doesn't just stop at theory; he offers practical frameworks and methodologies developed from years of leading innovation labs and accelerators. These tools help entrepreneurs analyze their market position, assess potential risks, and decide if the moment is ripe for their ventures—or if patience might prove more prudent.

Highlighting a compelling case study of YouTube's launch and acquisition by Google, Paul illustrates the strategic mastery of timing. But perhaps even more intriguingly, he revisits the timeless strategy of being the "picks and shovels" provider in a gold rush, drawing lessons from historical figures like Levi Strauss, whose adaptability turned a practical product into a global fashion staple.

Whether you're at the helm of a startup, involved in product development, or leading a corporate innovation lab, this episode is a treasure trove of strategies to ensure your initiatives hit the market at just the right time.

Tune in to uncover how you can harness the power of timing to drive your projects to success. What timing drivers have you identified in your industry, and how have they shaped your business decisions? Join the conversation and share your experiences with us!

Previous Episode

157: Creating an Innovation Pipeline at Colonial Pipeline

What does innovation look like in the oil and gas industry, particularly in the midstream sector? In this episode of Innovation Storytellers Show, Susan Lindner introduces Dr. Mariah Judd, the Director of Innovation at Colonial Pipeline Company, to explore this intriguing question.

Dr. Judd delves into the vital role Colonial Pipeline plays as a key national infrastructure, supplying fuel to millions of Americans. She emphasizes the company's commitment to future energy needs through innovation. With a rich background stemming from her Ph.D. at Purdue University and experience in alternative energy and energy transition, Dr. Judd brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation.

She discusses the concept of 'midstream' in the oil industry, highlighting Colonial's efforts to enhance efficiency, optimization, and safety. From innovative leak detection and prevention technologies to ambitious projects in carbon capture and reduced emissions, Colonial Pipeline is paving the way for a sustainable energy future.

Dr. Judd also shares insights on fostering a culture of innovation within large organizations. By adopting a human-centric approach, Colonial encourages employees to embrace an innovative mindset, supporting continuous improvement and breakthrough thinking. This agile, open-minded strategy aligns innovation efforts with the company's strategic goals, enabling purposeful progress without rigid preconceptions.

Join us as we explore the complexities and opportunities of midstream innovation and discover how Colonial Pipeline is positioning itself at the forefront of energy transformation.

Next Episode

159: How Millennial Innovators are Changing the Game

This week, I'm thrilled to be joined by Maarten van Kroonenburg from the Netherlands. Maarten is the visionary behind BW Ventures, and if you’re not familiar with it yet, you will be soon. As CEO, he's on a mission to revolutionize small businesses by crafting resilient and scalable models.

Drawing from his entrepreneurial journey, Maarten leads with a unique blend of strategic insight and practical wisdom. At BW Ventures, he champions structured, customer-centric approaches to innovation, empowering companies to navigate future challenges with confidence. Under Maarten’s leadership, innovation meets pragmatism, driving success through informed decisions and enduring strategies.

In this episode, Maarten shares his thoughts on the evolving landscape of innovation. He discusses the generational differences in how we approach business models and the importance of maintaining a balance between value creation and sound business practices. Maarten emphasizes the game-changing potential of AI, comparing its impact to that of the smartphone, which revolutionized our daily lives by putting powerful technology in our pockets.

We also delve into the nitty-gritty of ideation. Maarten believes that spending too much time in the ideation phase can cloud your judgment. Instead, he advocates for quickly jotting down initial ideas and focusing on understanding the core problems and needs they address. This approach, he argues, turns the decision-making process into an emotional connection with customers, where the real magic happens.

Whether you're a seasoned innovator or just starting out, Maarten's insights offer valuable lessons on how to navigate the complexities of today’s business world. Join us as we explore how Millennial innovators like Maarten are changing the game, and why AI might just be the defining innovation of our generation.