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The Iowa Idea: Stephen McDonnell

“Nothing cures fear faster than action.”

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by Stephen McDonnell from Cork, Ireland. Stephen is a leadership, performance, resilience & team development consultant, facilitator of transformation and cultural change professional who has been helping organizations across a broad range of industries globally. Stephen believes that every person & team has an abundance of unexplored potential. Stephen’s passion and purpose are to support individuals and teams to unleash this potential and help organizations build competitive advantage.

Stephen has a diverse background with varied knowledge achieved through leadership positions with organizations including the Gaelic Players Association (GPA). From a sporting perspective, Stephen has represented the Cork Senior Hurling team from 2010 to 2020 and he captained the team in 2016 & 2017 to Munster championship success.

I’m not sure if Stephen and I are related, but I come from a line McDonnells who left Cork in the 1800s and settled in what is now Clinton, Iowa. This Cork to Clinton connection pre-dates Iowa’s statehood. My relatives settled on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River when Iowa was a territory. So, it was fun to collaborate with McDonnell in Cork for this episode.

We dig into Stephen’s background and experience including captaining Cork’s championship hurling team. Stephen and I go deep into team and group dynamics. Stephen shares some great perspectives related to the conditions and environment that needs to be in place for teams to succeed and thrive. High performing teams just don’t happen – Stephen shares some of the key conditions, essentials and enablers, for successful team.

It was a pleasure having Stephen join me on the podcast. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Stephen

Driving joy, connection, and exceptional performance in the pursuit of what’s possible.

Stephen is a Leadership, Performance, Resilience & Team Development consultant, facilitator of transformation and cultural change professional who has been helping organisations across a broad range of industries globally. Stephen believes that every person & team has an abundance of unexplored potential. Stephen’s passion and purpose are to support individuals & teams to unleash this potential and help organisations build competitive advantage.

Stephen gets a real kick out of working with teams and individuals at all levels,

but especially with senior leaders & teams and critical project teams where the stakes are high, and the pressure is on. The impact of a true team effectiveness and elite leadership at this level can have an immensely positive impact & ripple effect. In addition, Stephen believes that we learn the most when we are enjoying ourselves, and he brings this to his coaching with leaders and teams.

Stephen has a diverse background with varied knowledge achieved through leadership positions with organisations such as Arup Consulting Engineers, One Young World and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA). From a sporting perspective, Stephen has represented the Cork Senior Hurling team from 2010 to 2020 and he captained the team in 2016 & 2017 to Munster championship success.

Stephen’s intimate knowledge of high performance in highly competitive contexts and the steps required to extrapolate the true capability and capacity of an individual, team ororganisation, is unique. Stephen draws from his experience of regularly leading a team as captain in a highly competitive setting and performing in front of crowds of up to 83,000 people. Stephen is also a sought after Adjunct Lecturer in Munster Technological University and an Associate Consultant with the Irish Management Institute where Stephen teaches the art and science of true team effectiveness & effective leadership for winning teams. Stephen has developed and honed his expertise and conceptual models while working with some great leaders,coaches, mentors and performers – all of whom have challenged his performance, growth and learning.

Stephen believes there is potential for growth in every individual and team no matter how successful they are and takes pride in making a positive difference and leaving a tangible impact. Stephen lives in Cork City with his partner, Erika, their family and two

dogs. Stephen loves all things nature and wildlife, spending time in the mountains and swimming in the ocean. Stephen likes to travel to experience new cultures, to connect with new people and enjoy all that life has to offer.

Some Experience & Professional Credentials:

• International Diploma Executive Coaching
• Masters Certificate Professional Leadership
• Certified UpAgear Strategy Execution Consultant
• Certified Unbeatable Mind Consultant
• 6 Team Conditions Advanced Practitioner
• Harvard Team Diagnostic Survey Advanced
• Honours Degree Structural Engineering
• Lead Managing Engineer with Arup
• Peak Performance Certified
• Cork Senior Hurling Team Captain 2016 & 2017
• Emotional Intelligence certified practitioner
• Behavioural & Mindset Profiling practitioner
• Irish University Lecturer
• Associate Faculty Member at the IMI
• Certified in Leadership Versatility

Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/liveunbound/

Credits

Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).

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The Iowa Idea: Andrew Sherburne

“It’s all about trust and relationships.”

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by Andrew Sherburne. Andrew is co-founder and Executive Director of FilmScene, Iowa City’s nonprofit cinema and a producer/director at Northland Films. His most recent film, Saving Brinton, was named one of “the Best Movies of 2018” (Washington Post). Andrew’s filmography includes Gold Fever (2013), which earned the 2013 International Federation for Human Rights Film Award, Forgotten Miracle (2010) and Pond Hockey (2008). His films have played at over 80 festivals in 43 countries. He is currently at work on two features, Hockeyland, a coming of age doc in Minnesota’s north country, and The Workshop, a portrait of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.

We dig into Andrew’s journey as a film maker and community arts leader. We explore his connection to Minnesota and hockey as a rich area for human stories. Andrew shares the focus of Hockeyland and his observational verité style of filmmaking. Andrew shares how Saving Brinton came to be and how the framing of the story changed after meeting Mike Zahs. We talk about the importance of collaboration and community arts and the success of the Strengthen, Grow, Evolve campaign and why Iowa City is the “Greatest Small City for the Arts.”  I appreciated Andrew’s perspective regarding and ongoing dedication to improving the arts community, saying “It’s a process and commitment to always improving what we’re doing here.”

As a fan of film, hockey, community, collaboration, Minneapolis, and Iowa City, it was a treat sitting down with Andrew. It was a pleasure having Andrew join me on the podcast. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Andrew

Andrew Sherburne is co-founder and Executive Director of FilmScene, Iowa City’s nonprofit cinema and a producer/director at Northland Films. His most recent film Saving Brinton, premiered at AFI Docs, aired nationwide on PBS through America Reframed and was named one of “the Best Movies of 2018” (Washington Post). His filmography includes Gold Fever (2013), which was awarded the 2013 International Federation for Human Rights Film Award, Forgotten Miracle (2010) and Pond Hockey (2008) and his films have played at over 80 festivals in 43 countries. Andrew is a member of the Documentary Producers Alliance, has served as an adjunct lecturer on film at the University of Iowa and Grinnell College, and was named to both DOC NYC and Corridor Business Journal’s “40 under 40” lists in 2018. He is currently at work on two features, Hockeyland, a coming-of-age doc in Minnesota’s north country, and The Workshop, a patient portrait of the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop.

Links

www.icfilmscene.org

www.northlandfilms.com

Credits

Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).

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The Iowa Idea: Ben McDougal

“You don’t need this book.”

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by Ben McDougal. Ben is a tech founder, multimedia marketer, entrepreneurial ecosystem builder and inspired author in the connected era. He evolves ideas into reality and accelerates others through the art of connection.

We dig into Ben’s journey as an entrepreneur and network connector, starting with his early foray into web design and SEO, to his work as an intrepreneur, to his process authoring You Don’t Need This Book: Entrepreneurship in the Connected Era. With the publishing of his book and his entrepreneurial spirit, Ben created his own publishing company. We explore his role in the 1 Million Cups initiative, community building project, from the Kaufman foundation, and the importance of moving “at the speed of trust.” I appreciated Ben’s focus on accelerating others through community and the “art of connection.” He describes the power of having his hero, Seth Godin, contribute to Ben’s book.

It was a pleasure having Ben on the podcast and describe where he gets his innovative energy. I hope you enjoy the episode. Please check the link in the description for $5.00 off if you buy Ben’s book – it’s like he’s buying you a cup of coffee. Use “IOWA” to save $5 on signed softcovers ordered direct.

About Ben

Ben McDougal is a tech founder, multimedia marketer, entrepreneurial ecosystem builder and inspired author in the connected era. He evolves ideas into reality and accelerates others through the art of connection.

Links

LINK: https://BenMcDougal.com

MEDIA: https://bit.ly/YDNTB-media

YDNTB: https://bit.ly/YouDontNeedThisBook

YDNTB BONUS: Use “IOWA” to save $5 on signed softcovers ordered direct.

Credits

Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).

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The Iowa Idea: Nate Kaeding

“The importance of design.”

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by Nate Kaeding. Nate is the Director of Business Development for Build to Suit, Inc. a construction management and real estate development firm based in Bettendorf and Coralville, Iowa. Nate is an active venture capital investor in several Corridor businesses and real estate developments including: Involta, Higher Learning Technologies, Pullman Bar & Diner, St. Burch Tavern, Big Grove Brewery, Tailgate Clothing and others.

Born and raised in the Iowa City area and attended the University of Iowa. As a student-athlete and graduated with a BA in History and a Secondary Education Social Studies teaching certificate from the College of Education.  As a collegiate athlete Nate was a football team captain, earned both academic and athletic First Team All-American honors, is the all-time leading scorer in Iowa Football history and is a member of both the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame.

Nate was the 65^th overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft.  He went on to play nine seasons for the San Diego Chargers and was twice selected to the Pro Bowl.  Upon retirement from the NFL in 2013, Nate moved back to Iowa City and completed MBA from the University of Iowa Tippie School of Business.

We dig into Nate’s journey as a kicker, being the first scholarship offer under Kirk Ferentz at Iowa; his interests in history, education, and business, collaboration, and design. We talk about Zen and Art of Archery and the lessons Nate has applied to kicking and business.  We explore the power of experiences that bring together the intersections of brand, history, and experiential design. I appreciated Nate’s willingness to share his insights and lessons with Tailgate Clothing, as well as his belief in the importance of design, collaboration, and community in business. I was especially excited to hear more about Burch the Bear. Long before Herky, Iowa’s first football mascot was a live bear. Burch the Bear has inspired brewing a local supper club.

It was a pleasure having Nate on the podcast. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Nate

Nate Kaeding is the Director of Business Development for Build to Suit, Inc. a construction management and real estate development firm based in Bettendorf and Coralville, Iowa. Prior to his role with Build to Suit, Inc., Nate served as the Director of Retail Development for the Iowa City Downtown District where he managed economic development and various marketing, branding and place-making initiatives for the district.  Nate is also an active venture capital investor in several Corridor businesses and real estate developments including: Involta, Higher Learning Technologies, Pullman Bar & Diner, St. Burch Tavern, Big Grove Brewery, Tailgate Clothing, 245 Kingston and numerous others.  He serves on the Board of Directors for MidWestOne Bank, the Johnson County Community Foundation and the Iowa Sports Foundation.

Born and raised in the Iowa City/Coralville area, Nate was a three-sport athlete at Iowa City West High School and was named the Iowa High School Athlete of the Year in 2000 by the Des Moines Register after winning state championships in football, basketball and soccer.  He went on to attend the University of Iowa as a student-athlete and graduated with a BA in History and a Secondary Education Social Studies teaching certificate from the College of Education.  As a collegiate athlete Nate was a football team captain, earned both academic and athletic First Team All-American honors, is the all-time leading scorer in Iowa Football history and is a member of both the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame.

Nate was the 65^th overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft.  He went on to play nine seasons for the San Diego Chargers and was twice selected to the Pro Bowl.  Upon retirement from the NFL in 2013, Nate moved back to Iowa City and completed his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Iowa Tippie School of Business.

Links

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-kaeding/

St. Burch – https://www.saintburchtavern.com/

Pullman – http://pullmandiner.com/

Burch the Bear – http://bit.ly/BurchTheBear

Zen and Art of Archery (Herrigel) – https://amz.run/4Uei

Credits

Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).

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The Iowa Idea: Varun

“It happens all the time.”

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by researcher, entrepreneur and author Varun Murugesan. Varun is cofounder and Head of Research at Apple & Banana where he believes that everyone can do fruitful research. Varun has spent his career immersed in psychology, technology and design at organizations like Facebook, Unitedhealth Group and Best Buy, along with rising startups across the country. When he’s not sharing perspectives, collaborations and applications of fruitful research, he can be seen teaching his dog how to roll over, going for runs and playing Last of Us.

Varun and I dig into his journey into UX research and finding a more meaningful career. We discuss the founding Apple and Banana, what it’s like to build a company with your brothers, who are identical triplets. We mix it up on ways to improve collaboration, embrace leaderless teams.

Check out the special link that Varun and the Apple and Banana team created for our listeners, as he shares his journey and the things he learned as a UX researcher.

It was a pleasure having Varun on the podcast. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Varun

Varun is cofounder and Head of Research at Apple & Banana where he believes that everyone can do fruitful research. He’s spent his career immersed in psychology, technology and design at F100s like Facebook, Unitedhealth Group and Best Buy along with rising startups across the country. When he’s not sharing perspectives, collaborations and applications of fruitful research, he can be seen teaching his dog how to roll over, going for runs and playing Last of Us.

Links

https://www.appleandbanana.org/podcast/the-iowa-idea

Credits

Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).

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The Iowa Idea: Scott Smith

“How to Future”

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by futurist and author Scott Smith. How to Future: Leading and Sense-making in an Age of Hyperchange, co-authored with Madeline Ashby, was published in September 2020. I was introduced to Scott’s work by friend and podcast guest Nick Scappaticci.

Scott is a founder and managing partner of Changeist, a futures research and consulting partnership. He has consulted to a range of global institution and has engagements with some of the largest and most respected global financial, retail, telecoms, technology and media brands, such as the BBC, The New York Times, and Comcast. Scott has designed and delivered futures projects, talks and workshops in over a dozen countries and facilitated projects and workshops in multiple languages.

Scott helped create and lead the Strategic Foresight program for Dubai Future Academy, and lectures in the Innovation & Future Thinking program at IED Barcelona, a course he designed. He was also recently named to the Executive Board of the Center for Futures Studies at the University of Dubai.

Scott and I dig into how thinking about the future is a process that makes “sense of new territory” and that considering the future is not about predicting – “it’s much more about the present and eliciting concepts and assumptions about what’s going on.”  Scott describes why “getting operating assumptions out on the table” is important when approaching the future and why the future is hard for many leaders to address. We explore why working on the future is not a linear process. I appreciated Scott’s perspective hoping the client isn’t seeing daily project progress, as much as they’re seeing increasing resolution. Scott also emphasizes why humility is incredibly important ingredient as we collaborate about the future.

It was a pleasure having Scott on the podcast. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Scott

Scott Smith is founder and managing partner of Changeist, a futures research and consulting partnership established in 2007 in the United States, now based in the Netherlands.

Having worked for more than 15 years in futures, Scott has consulted to a range of global institutions, including SWIFT, UNICEF, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, The Royal Society, Nesta, and the Dubai Future Foundation. He has also led engagements with some of the largest and most respected global financial, retail, telecoms, technology and media brands, such as the BBC, The New York Times, ASOS, AXA, VF, and Comcast. He has designed and delivered futures projects, talks and workshops in over a dozen countries and facilitated projects and workshops in multiple languages.

Scott helped create and lead the Strategic Foresight program for Dubai Future Academy, and lectures in the Innovation & Future Thinking program at IED Barcelona, a course he designed. He was also recently named to the Executive Board of the Center for Futures Studies at the University of Dubai.

He has more than 25 years’ experience in forecasting, and has lived in three countries over that time. He currently makes his home in The Hague, where his spare time is currently devoted to developing several fiction and documentary projects. He is also author of How to Future: Leading and Sense-making in an Age of Hyperchange, published by Kogan Page Inspire in September 2020.

Links

Changeist — changeist.com
How to Future Book Site — howtofuture.com

The Design Squiggle – https://thedesignsquiggle.com/

Related Episodes

If you enjoyed this episode, you might like these other episodes that dig into innovation, future, design, and sensemaking.

https://www.theiowaidea.com/2020/05/15/3-nick-scappaticci/

https://www.theiowaidea.com/2021/03/17/73-dan-klyn/

https://www.theiowaidea.com/2020/09/03/36-mike-maddock/

https://www.theiowaidea.com/2020/09/21/39-michele-williams/

https://www.theiowaidea.com/2021/04/07/78-abby-covert/

Credits

Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).

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The Iowa Idea: Rachel Williams

“There are people who work really hard at it.”

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by Rachel Williams. Rachel is a native of Eastern North Carolina. She holds a Ph.D. in Art Education and an M.F.A. in Studio Art from Florida State University. She is an Associate Professor of Gender Women’s and Sexuality Studies and Studio Art at the University of Iowa where she has worked since 1999. Her writing appears in Southern Cultures, Meridians, the Journal of Arts Management Law and Society, The Journal of Poetry Therapy, Feminist Studies, and Visual Arts Research. She is also the author of Teaching the Arts Behind Bars. Rachel has had two books published this year; Elegy for Mary Turner, and Run Home If You Don’t Want to Be Killed: The Detroit Uprising of 1943. 

Rachel shares her journey becoming an artist, teacher, author and why she’s a self-described fangirl of history.  We discuss her work and influences. We explore her experience working with and teaching art to incarcerated women since 1994. Rachel shares the powerful and disturbing story of Mary Turner, who was lynched while eight-months pregnant. Rachel’s latest books highlight the ugliness of white supremacy and white violence, and how we continue to struggle with these issues today. Please note, if you buy Elegy for Mary Turner, the profits go to The National Center for Civil and Human Rights Museum in Atlanta, Georgia.

It was an honor having Rachel join me on the show. I’d like to thank her for her time and perspective. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Rachel

Rachel Williams, a native of Eastern North Carolina. She holds a Ph.D. in Art Education and an M.F.A. in Studio Art from Florida State University. She is an Associate Professor of Gender Women’s and Sexuality Studies and Studio Art at the University of Iowa where she has worked since 1999. Her writing appears in Southern Cultures, Meridians, the Journal of Arts Management Law and Society, The Journal of Poetry Therapy, Feminist Studies, and Visual Arts Research. She is also the author of Teaching the Arts Behind Bars (Northeastern U. Press, 2003) Elegy for Mary Turner (Verso Press, 2021) and Run Home If You Don’t Want to Be Killed: The Detroit Uprising of 1943 (UNC Press/Duke Center for Documentary Studies, 2021).

Links

https://uncpress.org/book/9781469663272/run-home-if-you-dont-want-to-be-killed/

https://www.versobooks.com/authors/2510-rachel-marie-crane-williams

https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/

Credits

Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).

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The Iowa Idea: Abby Covert

“Maybe we don’t know.”

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by Abby Covert. Abby is an information architect, writer, community organizer, and all-around awesome human. Abby served as President of IA Institute, co-chair of IA Summit, and Executive Producer of IDEA. She is a founding faculty member of SVA’s Products of Design program, Design Operations Summit and Advancing Research Conference. She invented World IA Day, bringing IA education to thousands in local communities annually. Abby wrote “How to Make Sense of Any Mess” a book teaching IA to everybody.

I first met Abby in 2018 at The IA Summit in Chicago, when she was the curator of the poster session, and I was lucky enough to be one of the presenters. Ever since she published “How to Make Sense of Any Mess,” I’ve always been impressed by Abby’s intelligence, caring, and commitment to community.

Abby shares her journey about becoming an IA, starting with the early influence of her grandfather, her teaching at Parsons, and creating and curating some phenomenal IA conferences, including creating Word IA Day. We also explore Abby’s process and approach for her next book focused on diagrammatic technique.

We mix it up on the importance of admitting we don’t know and how we can make sense of information messes and dig deep into how we might confront the mind monsters that emerge from the fertile grounds of human and information messes. I appreciate Abby’s perspective on time and how to better manage time and task. For those keeping track, this is the third episode to reference Richard Saul Wurman.

It was an honor having Abby join me on the show. When you’re done with this episode, please check out Abby’s World IA Day talk, which is linked in the show description.  I’d like to thank Abby for her time, perspective, and contributions to the IA community. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Abby

Abby Covert is an information architect, writer and community organizer. Abby served as President of IA Institute, co-chair of IA Summit, and Executive Producer of IDEA. She is a founding faculty member of SVA’s Products of Design program, Design Operations Summit and Advancing Research Conference. She invented World IA Day, bringing IA education to thousands in local communities annually. Abby wrote “How to Make Sense of Any Mess” a book teaching IA to everybody.

Links

www.etsy.com/shop/abbytheia

www.abbycovert.com

www.abbycovert.com/make-sense

Abby’s talk from WIAD21: https://abbycovert.com/speaking/make-more-sense/

Credits

Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).

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The Iowa Idea: Jim Sherlock

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by Jim Sherlock. Jim is Director of Information Security & Technology Implementation at Pearson. Jim’s teams are responsible for protecting more than 250 million sensitive records that are processed and maintained by Pearson’s global Assessment platforms. Jim is one of the inventors on the US patent on automated testing error assessment systems. Jim continues to push the bounds of Ed Tech and is exploring virtual reality.

Jim grew up in Williamsburg, Iowa and earned his Bachelor of Arts and Masters degrees at The University of Iowa. At Iowa Jim, played trombone in marching band and jazz ensembles, hosted a jazz show on KRUI.

Jim shares his journey from education, to cybersecurity, to Ed Tech and we explore the through-line that holds it all together. We explore early World Wide Web tech and the move from server farms to cloud computing, with a deep dive on Amazon’s customer-centric approach to innovation. We also dig into the “last mile” issues faced by schools and districts, when it comes to internet-enabled technology, as well as the potential of tech to enhance future learning environments.

It was an honor having Jim join me on the show. I’d like to thank him for his time and perspective. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Jim

While never a straight path, and certainly not a progression that ones’ high school guidance counselor would have mapped out, Jim’s passion for education and technology over the past 20 years has taken him from the brick streets of small-town Iowa, to the classroom, to the war room, and to the board room. Most recently, Jim has been involved in research related to virtual reality in education as well as the potential to leverage virtual reality as an instrument for assessment.

Jim grew up in Williamsburg, Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Communication Studies (BA 98) and a Masters in Social Studies Education (MA 2000). After a three-year stint supporting the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) in network forensics and encryption, Jim made his way back to Iowa and joined Pearson to build out engineering teams in the areas of application monitoring, capacity planning, application performance tuning, and performance testing as the adoption of computer-based testing gained momentum across the United States. In his current role as Director of Information Security & Technology Implementation at Pearson, Jim’s teams are responsible for protecting more than 250 million sensitive records that are processed and maintained by Pearson’s global Assessment platforms.

While at the University of Iowa, Jim played trombone in the Hawkeye Marching Band, Johnson County Landmark Jazz band, and was a DJ for six years at the University of Iowa’s award-winning radio station (89.7 KRUI).  During his free time, Jim teaches weightlifting and indoor cycling group fitness classes at two gyms in the Iowa City area.

Credits

Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).

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The Iowa Idea: Saul Kaplan

“You can’t analyze your way to transformation!”

Welcome to The Iowa Idea Podcast. In this episode, I’m joined by Saul Kaplan. Saul is an innovation junkie, the founder and Chief Catalyst of the Business Innovation Factory (also known as BIF) and author of The Business Model Innovation Factory: How to Stay Relevant when the World Is Changing.

Saul started BIF in 2005 with a mission to enable business model innovation. BIF makes transformational change safer and easier to manage for institutional leaders by helping them explore, test, and commercialize next practices and new business models.

Saul shares his journey from pharmacy to management consulting, to economic development, to innovation. I really appreciated how Saul synthesizes what he learned as a scientist, business leader, and accidental bureaucrat to leverage human centered design to address complex problems.

We mix it up on the difference between market-making and share-taking business perspectives; and why understanding the people in the ecosystem, rapid prototyping, and checking our egos at the door, are essential as we address truly wicked problems.  Saul shares the importance of human centered collaboration and his approach to innovation. I appreciated his insight: “the truth is systems problems require systems solutions.” Another key idea Saul shares is Roger Martin’s innovator definition – “an innovator is someone with a clear and strong point of view, and they know they’re missing something” and they hunt for what’s missing.

It was an honor having Saul join me on the show. I’d like to thank him for his time and perspective. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Saul

Saul Kaplan is the founder and Chief Catalyst of the Business Innovation Factory and author of The Business Model Innovation Factory: How to Stay Relevant when the World Is Changing.

Kaplan started BIF in 2005 with a mission to enable business model innovation. BIF makes transformational change safer and easier to manage for institutional leaders by helping them explore, test, and commercialize next practices and new business models.

Prior to BIF Kaplan served as the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation and as the Executive Counselor to the Governor on Economic and Community Development.

Prior to his state leadership role, Kaplan served as a Senior Strategy Partner in Accenture’s Health & Life-Science practice and worked broadly throughout the pharmaceutical, medical products, and biotechnology industry. Kaplan also spent eight years working for the Pharmaceutical Division of Eli Lilly and Company. As a Marketing Plans Manager, Kaplan assisted in developing the launch strategy and successful introduction of Prozac into the U.S. market.

Kaplan holds an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute focusing on the strategic management of technology and a BS in Pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island.

Links

BIF Bio  https://www.businessinnovationfactory.com/people/saul-kaplan/

BIF Link: https://www.businessinnovationfactory.com/

LunaYou link: https://www.lunayou.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/skap5

Medium posts: https://saulkaplan.medium.com/

Credits

Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).