The Synthesize Pod

"Innovation isn't just a process; it's a culture." In our season finale, hosts Matt Greeley and Margaret Kelsey get to the heart of innovation by revisiting the standout moments from season one of "Just Say Hackathon."  They explored how companies like Amtrak, Rocket Mortgage, and Dell Technologies foster innovation in their organizations.You'll hear stories that go beyond traditional business strategies, offering real-world insights into how organizations blend creativity with structured processes. And ultimately, expect to learn how hackathons are not just tools for innovation, but cultural drivers that help organizations thrive.Jump into the conversation:[00:00] Welcome to the show[01:05] Why innovation is a core cultural element[03:22] Backstories of innovators and their impact on innovation[05:37] Ego’s role in resisting change within organizations[07:50] Innovation vs. human nature’s need for stability[10:05] Amtrak’s use of 3D printing for problem-solving[13:18] Emotional investment in running hackathons (Pritesh at Lookout)[15:35] Structured work enabling unstructured innovation[18:09] Hackathon rituals and team culture-building[20:45] Final takeaways from Season 1Connect with us:Brightidea - www.brightidea.comMore on Hackathons - https://www.brightidea.com/hackathon Matt Greeley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreeley/ Margaret Kelsey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelseyBrightidea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightidea/

"Invest in new technology well before mass adoption—it's the key to staying ahead," - Kfir Godrich.Kfir Godrich is a pioneer in technological innovation and a leader at BlackRock, where he drives groundbreaking advancements in AI and containerization. With a background that spans C4ISR environments, data centers, and transformative roles at companies like HP, Kfir sits down with Margaret Kelsey and Matt Greeley to share his knowledge and experience.In this episode, Kfir shares insights on how forward-thinking investments in technology and strategic mergers and acquisitions can secure a competitive edge. He elaborates on BlackRock's Aladdin platform, client-driven innovation processes, and the critical role of maintaining symbiotic relationships with clients to fuel continuous advancements. In this episode, you’ll learn:Client-Driven Innovation and Symbiotic Relationships: Kfir emphasizes the impact of client needs and feedback in driving technological innovation at BlackRock. Developing their Aladdin software, pivoting from hardware to software innovations, and adopting containerization with Docker were all responses to client demands. This approach ensures that innovations address current needs and anticipate future demands, creating a robust and forward-looking platform.Democratizing AI and Ideation Platforms: Kfir discusses the efforts to democratize AI within the firm and the creation of a continuous ideation platform, BrightIdea. This platform facilitates constant innovation and IP creation, moving from traditional annual hackathons to more fluid and accessible idea generation. This approach enables fast development cycles and keeps the organization agile and responsive to rapid technological advancements, including generative AI.Technological Evolution and the Importance of Structured Thinking: As technological advancement grows, the timelines for adopting and integrating innovations are shrinking. This necessitates a structured approach to ideation and implementation, ensuring efforts are focused and effective. Kfir’s insights on the cyclical nature of technology waves and the importance of understanding market trends provide a strategic lens for innovation professionals to manage ongoing technological shifts.Jump into the conversation: 00:00 Introduction to The Synthesize Pod with hosts Matt and Margaret 01:09 Meet Kfir Godrich02:04 Kfir's Career Path02:47 The Telecom Boom and Market Dynamics05:14 Technological Innovations and Market Savvy07:24 Economics in Technology13:14 BlackRock and the Aladdin Software25:57 Kfir's journey to the US and HP30:41 The Origin of Aladdin's Name32:01 Managing Data and the Green Package35:44 BlackRock's Technological Edge36:56 Innovation at BlackRock40:55 AI and Future Innovations45:10 Ideation Platforms are Powerful57:02 ClosingConnect with us:Kfir Godrich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kfir-godrich-a72a9a1/BlackRock - https://www.blackrock.com/us/individualBrightidea - www.brightidea.comMore on Hackathons - https://www.brightidea.com/hackathon Matt Greeley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreeley/ Margaret Kelsey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelseyBrightidea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightidea/

"Perseverance in innovation is about embracing the process, not just the success." - Elizabeth Bright.Elizabeth Bright is a leader in sustainable materials and innovative adhesive technologies at 3M. With a portfolio that spans product development, ethnographic research, and front-end innovation, Elizabeth sits down with hosts Margaret Kelsey and Matt Greeley to share how 3M uses Hackathons to create a competitive edge in innovation.In this episode, Elizabeth explains her work on optimizing adhesives for recycled materials, the science behind products like Cushion Lock, and her role in fostering a culture of innovation at 3M. She speaks openly about product development trials, the emotional rollercoaster of dissertation defenses, and her passion for mentoring the next generation of innovators.In this episode, you’ll learn:Innovative Culture Supports Failure and Risk-Taking: Elizabeth emphasizes that innovation requires a tolerance for failure. The best ideas thrive in environments where experiments can fail, learnings are embraced, and teams are driven to make those ideas succeed.Personal & Professional Growth through Making: Elizabeth shares how her upbringing in her dad's upholstery shop influenced her creator mentality, underlining the importance of making and improving things personally. This hands-on approach helped her problem-solving skills, contributing to her professional journey in innovation and product development at 3M.The Power of Cross-Functional Hackathons: The episode shows the necessity of cross-functional Hackathons in driving innovation at 3M. These collaborative events bring diverse teams together, from marketers to engineers, fostering an environment that generates novel ideas and prototypes that can evolve into robust, commercial products.Jump into the conversation: 00:00 Introduction to The Synthesize Pod with hosts Matt and Margaret and special guest Elizabeth Bright03:31 Liz Bright’s background and academic journey09:11 The importance of choosing the right advisor13:30 Utilization of small-angle X-ray scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance19:00 Launching notthesciencetype.com for blending science with creativity27:22 Liz explains how she navigated her current role36:41 Liz’s creativity portfolio and the benefits of it43:59 What hackathons look like at 3M46:47 The role of frontend and what that looks like53:09 ​​The individual contributor route versus the management route57:47 Creative hackathon concept1:01:02 Make hackathons fun1:05:55 ClosingConnect with us:Elizabeth Bright on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erbright/3M - https://www.3m.com/Brightidea - www.brightidea.comMore on Hackathons - http://www.brightidea.com/hackathon Matt Greeley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreeley/ Margaret Kelsey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelseyBrightidea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightidea/

"Creating a sense of purpose and commitment through events like Hackathons can transform the way we view our work and connections." - Veronika VacekVeronika Vacek and Matt Arnold are leaders in the innovation space for Brightidea. Veronika, with her rich background at a Fortune 500 financial services firm, and Matt, an expert with a diverse career in broadcast, film, UX, and design, share the interplay between humanity and technology in their careers and the importance of communication in innovation.In this episode, Veronkia and Matt share the intricacies of orchestrating a successful hackathon, remote work challenges and the impact of digital transformation, how hackathons provide a unique opportunity for employees to innovate and connect in a meaningful way, and the vital role of senior leadership support in fostering an innovative organizational culture.In this episode, you’ll learn:The Significance of Hackathons: Matt and Veronika discuss the role of hackathons in driving innovation within organizations. They highlight how these events provide a unique opportunity to tap into creative skill sets, foster collaboration, and inject positivity into the workplace.Crafting Effective Hackathons: Veronika shares insights on the planning and execution of successful hackathons. She emphasizes the importance of detailed organization, clear communication, and early involvement of various departments to ensure smooth flow and maximum participation.Balancing Structure and Creativity: Matt discusses the balance between providing structure and fostering creativity during hackathons. He shares the necessity of setting the right level of support to minimize anxiety and fear, while also creating enough space for innovation to thrive. Jump into the conversation: 00:00 Introduction to The Synthesize Pod with hosts Matt and Margaret, and special guests Veronika Vacek and Matt Arnold05:30 Finding creative spaces in a post-covid world12:40 Using hackathons as opportunities for creative skillsets16:45 Differences between hackathons, pitch competitions, and ideathons20:10 Personal career journeys28:50 Importance of early planning, aligning teams, and considering logistics34:30 Essential elements of a successful hackathon40:00 Detailed phases of hackathon events from planning to post-event activities47:10 The need for organizations to adapt rapidly and the cultural fragility around innovation and failureConnect with us:Veronika Vacek on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronika-vacek/Matt Arnold on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmatthewarnold/Brightidea - www.brightidea.comMore on Hackathons - http://www.brightidea.com/hackathon Matt Greeley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreeley/ Margaret Kelsey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelseyBrightidea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightidea/

"Innovation isn't just about having great ideas—it's about creating the right environment for those ideas to thrive." - Karina Kudinova  Karina Kudinova is a leading innovation strategist at Dell Technologies, where she plays a role in shaping and driving creative solutions across international teams. With a background in managing cross-functional projects, Karina shares her expertise in turning innovative concepts into actionable strategies as she sits down with hosts Matt Greeley and Margaret Kelsey. In this episode, Karina shares the methods she uses at Dell to create an atmosphere that encourages diverse thinking and collaboration. She shares her approach to overcoming common barriers in innovation and offers practical advice on how to develop the collective genius of a team to drive results.In this episode, you’ll learn:Creating an Innovation-Driven Culture: Karina emphasizes the importance of creating a workplace culture where creativity and innovation are not just encouraged but systematically supported. She shares strategies on how leaders can create an environment where team members feel empowered to take risks and explore new ideas.Overcoming Barriers to Collaboration: One of the major challenges in innovation is breaking down silos within organizations, especially ones that are international. Karina discusses effective methods for encouraging cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that diverse perspectives are integrated into the innovation process, leading to more robust and successful outcomes.Practical Steps for Turning Ideas into Action: Karina shares advice on moving from ideation to execution. She outlines the critical steps that teams at Dell take to transform innovative concepts into tangible results, highlighting the importance of structure, clear communication, and iterative feedback loops in the innovation process.Jump into the conversation: 00:00 Introduction to The Synthesize Pod with hosts Matt and Margaret and special guest Karina Kudinova01:42 Transition to Dell and Initial Hackathon Experiences05:56 Scaling Hackathons Globally08:46 The Role of Innovation Programs Beyond Hackathons12:32 Managing and Growing the Hackathon Program18:02 Impact of COVID-19 on Hackathons and Innovation at Dell22:20 Details of the Hackathon Process and Participation28:46 The Importance of Patents and Post-Hackathon Outcomes34:41 Managing Global Participation and Local Events42:01 Future of Innovation at Dell and Expanding HackathonsConnect with us:Karina Kudinova on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinakudinova/Brightidea - www.brightidea.comMore on Hackathons - http://www.brightidea.com/hackathon Matt Greeley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreeley/ Margaret Kelsey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelseyBrightidea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightidea/

"How do you spark innovation in a disengaged workforce and navigate through economic turbulence? The answer lies in the unfiltered joy and exhilaration of Hackathons," - Katlin Arps. Katlin Arps is the Vice President of Product for Brightidea, where she is known for her extensive experience in product management across various industries, from healthcare to retail. In this episode, Katlin, along with hosts Matt Greeley and Margaret Kelsey, discusses the logistical and emotional benefits of Hackathons, emphasizing their role in driving innovation and engagement within organizations. They also touch on the critical aspects of planning, nurturing ideas, and ensuring long-term success while discussing the evolving nature of innovation events and the significance of understanding and meeting the needs of diverse participants.In this episode, you’ll learn:Enterprise-Wide Hackathons as a Solution for Growth and Engagement: Employers are struggling with achieving growth and engaging a disengaged workforce. By incorporating competitive and collaborative events like Hackathons, organizations can inject energy and creativity into their teams, providing employees with a sense of ownership and involvement in business strategy.Importance of Preparation and Emotional Investment: Katlin emphasizes the significance of proper preparation time before launching hackathons or similar events, recommending a two to three-week window for project collaboration and idea development. This phase allows participants to nurture their ideas and emotionally commit to them, enhancing the quality of the innovation process. Balancing Human Engagement with Technological Solutions: The combination of a versatile platform and a dedicated services team ensures that clients are supported throughout the process, preventing common pitfalls and building "muscle memory" for future events. Katlin shares that software alone cannot resolve people problems; instead, ongoing human coaching and engagement are key to fostering a passionate and committed workforce.Jump into the conversation: 00:00 Introduction to The Synthesize Pod with hosts Matt and Margaret and special guest Katlin Arps02:31 Engaging remote workers and fostering an innovation mindset through hackathons08:01 The different manifestations of hackathons12:50 The challenges of understanding pain points across different organizations16:42 The needs of different types of participants: solo entrepreneurs, teams, those needing guidance23:11 Katlin’s background, experience in healthcare, retail, and product management41:50 The interplay of cultural and technological changes in hackathon implementation56:21 The parallels between hackathons and elementary school field days59:00 ClosingConnect with us:Brightidea - www.brightidea.comMore on Hackathons - http://www.brightidea.com/hackathon Matt Greeley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreeley/ Margaret Kelsey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelseyKatlin Arps on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katlinmcnallyarps/Brightidea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightidea/

"Innovation is not just about technology; it can involve changes in services, design, and foresight." - Giovanna MartosellaGiovanna Martosella is a Senior Program Manager on the innovation team at Amtrak. She sits down with hosts Matt Greeley and Margaret Kelsey to share her experiences with technology and innovation across different countries and organizations.Giovanna shares Amtrak's future plans for creating a culture of innovation, including a formalized process for idea submission and review. She discusses the challenges of organizing hackathons in a large corporation and the strategies employed to overcome them. Giovanna also outlines the structure of Amtrak’s digital technology group and its collaboration with the innovation team, highlighting the diverse skill sets that contribute to the company's innovation initiatives.In this episode, you’ll learn:Building an Innovation Culture in Large Organizations: Giovanna emphasizes the importance of cultural change within large organizations like Amtrak. By hosting quarterly hackathons and pitch events that encourage creativity and cross-functional collaboration, Amtrak is creating a culture of innovation. This approach not only democratizes innovation but also ensures that the generated ideas are grounded in real-world operational challenges. Challenges and Strategies in Organizing Hackathons: Giovanna explains the necessity of understanding the organization's culture and being patient with the time it takes to see cultural change. This structured yet inclusive approach ensures that hackathons are not just about coding but are broad focus events aimed at finding creative solutions to business problems.The Role and Impact of Digital Technology and Sustainability Efforts: Amtrak’s digital technology group plays a critical role in enhancing both employee and customer experiences through various projects related to the app, website, and operational systems. These initiatives prove how innovation at Amtrak goes beyond mere technology to include service design and foresight, aiming for a holistic improvement in operations and customer satisfaction.Jump into the conversation: 00:00:00 Introduction to The Synthesize Pod with hosts Matt and Margaret, and special guest Giovanna Martosella00:07:08 Amtrak's Innovation Team and Role00:12:27 Innovation Programs at Amtrak.00:14:49 Hackathons at Amtrak00:17:26 Challenges and Evolution of Hackathons00:17:36 Role of Digital Technology Team in Hackathons00:18:34 Operational Challenges and PI Planning 00:21:22 Involving Frontline Employees00:26:49 Importance of Diversity of Thought in Innovation00:32:02 Future Goals for Amtrak's Innovation Program00:47:14 Advice for New Innovation Teams for their first hackathons00:51:24 Cultural Change and Persistence in Innovation00:59:24 Rail Trips and Recommendations01:03:23 ClosingConnect with us:Giovanna Martosella on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmartosella/Brightidea - www.brightidea.comMore on Hackathons - http://www.brightidea.com/hackathon Matt Greeley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreeley/ Margaret Kelsey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelseyBrightidea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightidea/

"Understanding the goals of an initiative before diving into the process is crucial for true innovation,"-  Ben Wasson.Ben Wasson and Everett Hagan serve as innovation leaders at SS&C Advent, a global company in the wealth and asset management market. They sit down with hosts Matt Greeley and Margaret Kelsey to discuss the role of clearly defining objectives to align innovation strategies, as well as the value of leadership engagement in promoting and sustaining collaborative initiatives.In this episode, Ben and Everett discuss the importance of understanding goals, the power of outreach efforts, and the challenges of innovating without traditional support. They also touch on using Hackathons as a catalyst for innovation and the importance of leadership involvement in these events.In this episode, you’ll learn:Understanding Goals Before Process: Ben Wasson emphasizes the crucial role of understanding the goals of an initiative before determining the process. This approach ensures that innovation efforts are aligned with organizational objectives, thereby increasing the likelihood of success and maximizing resource allocation.The Challenges and Necessity of Proving Value: The discussion around the challenges faced when launching innovation initiatives, touches on a common hurdle within organizations. Highlighting the importance of demonstrating tangible value can help innovation leaders plan better rollouts and anticipate obstacles.The Balance Between Sprinting and Marathoning in Innovation: The analogy of a Hackathon being a sprint and an innovation program being a marathon proves the importance of pacing and perseverance in driving long-term innovation. Understanding this helps organizations set realistic expectations and build sustainable innovation practices that can deliver consistent results over time.Jump into the conversation: 00:00 Introduction to The Synthesize Pod with hosts Matt and Margaret, and special guests Ben Wasson and Everett Hagan04:32 How Ben and Everett got into the financial space12:03 How innovation started to solidify for SS&C Advent16:45 Creating something that would live beyond us19:52 Making innovation not feel like a to-do task24:33 How SS&C Advent is operating across different levels31:24 Developing an innovative mindset35:52 When SS&C Advent started using Hackathons40:38 How often global Hackathons are taking place44:00 Permissionless innovation54:15 Culture changes at SS&C Advent59:26 What Ben and Everett would tell their younger selves about HackathonsConnect with us:Brightidea - www.brightidea.comMore on Hackathons - http://www.brightidea.com/hackathon Matt Greeley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreeley/ Margaret Kelsey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelseyEverett Hagan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/everetthagan/Ben Wasson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwasson/ Brightidea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightidea/

"Innovation isn't just a buzzword; it's a continual process that thrives in an environment of trust, inclusivity, and unstructured time," - Jordan LaFramboise.Jordan LaFramboise is the Director of Innovation Programs at RKT Holdings. He sits down with hosts Matt Greeley and Margaret Kelsey to share his insights into creating a culture that supports and enhances productivity through creative engagement.In this episode, Jordan explains the key aspects of continuous improvement, discussing barriers such as time constraints and context switching and offering strategies to overcome them. He also explores the impacts of hackathons on employee engagement and innovation, emphasizing the importance of leadership support and the integration of unstructured time into the workflow.In this episode, you’ll learn:The Importance of an Inclusive and Engaging Innovation Culture: Jordan LaFramboise stresses the need to integrate a planned innovation process into the workflow, ensuring engagement from both the business side and external partners. Hackathons and similar programs have been effective in promoting inclusivity by involving diverse teams across different departments.Balancing Structured and Unstructured Time for Innovation: Jordan highlights the success of programs like "Bullet Time," which provide technology team members with dedicated periods for innovation. This balance has led to tangible results, such as the development of generative AI and other machine learning models significantly contributing to the company’s revenue.Leadership Support and Emotional Safety in Fostering Innovation: Jordan shares personal anecdotes showing the value of leadership empathy and vulnerability as key drivers in fostering a safe space for creativity. This embeds a culture of trust and resilience and helps individuals feel safe to take risks, potentially fail, and ultimately drive innovation.Jump into the conversation: 00:00 Introduction to The Synthesize Pod with hosts Matt and Margaret, and special guest Jordan LaFramboise01:25 How Jordan got into the innovation space05:31 Integrating innovation into the workflow07:51 Jordan’s example of a great leader experience12:46 Tracking value and visibility in a culture of innovation16:21 Hackathons and employee engagement post-COVID20:01 Developing a culture of emotional safety and leadership support25:01 Traditional versus innovation-driven engagement35:01 Hollistic engagement and human connections45:16 The emotional challenges in innovation50:01 Success stories and the impact of hackathons54:31 ClosingConnect with us:Brightidea - www.brightidea.comMore on Hackathons - http://www.brightidea.com/hackathon Matt Greeley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreeley/ Margaret Kelsey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelseyJordan LaFramboise on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-laframboiseBrightidea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightidea/

"Continuous innovation isn't a one-time event; it needs to be woven into the very fabric of your team,"-  Pritesh Kasliwal.Pritesh Kasliwal serves as the Director of Innovation and Patents at Lookout, a leading cloud security company, and feels that innovation can’t be a checkbox on a to-do list. He sits down with hosts Matt Greeley and Margaret Kelsey to discuss his impressive career path, which spans roles at Red Hat, IBM, General Electric, and a legal firm. He offers a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on fostering innovation within organizations.In this episode, Pritesh delves into the intricacies of cultivating an innovative mindset, the importance of mental space for creativity, and the value of personal relationships in driving innovation. He also touches upon the challenges of balancing short-term goals with long-term innovation and how hackathons can serve as a platform for exploring groundbreaking ideas.In this episode, you’ll learn:Continuous Innovation Culture: Pritesh Kasliwal stresses the importance of embedding innovation and creativity into a team's everyday operations rather than relying solely on sporadic events like hackathons. This approach fosters a perpetual environment of innovation, promoting long-term growth and adaptability within the organization.Cross-Departmental Engagement in Innovation: Encouraging cross-departmental collaboration drives holistic problem-solving and brings fresh, varied insights to the table, strengthening the organization's overall innovation capacity.The Dual Impact of Hackathons: Understanding hackathons' broader impact underscores their importance not just for short-term achievements but also for sustaining long-term innovation culture and team dynamism.Jump into the conversation: 00:00 Introduction to The Synthesize Pod with hosts Matt and Margaret, and special guest Pritesh Kasliwal06:01 Difference between working with larger and smaller teams 12:46 Similarities between R&D engineering and doing patent work19:57 Hackathon set-up23:01 Passion behind Hackathons25:59 Hackathon being open to participants from various sectors27:49 How Lookout is embracing AI32:35 Utilizing AI to your advantage35:50 Impact of Hackathons on organizations39:13 Definition of a successful hackathon40:51 ROI from Hackathons43:47 Business process behind hackathons45:58 The future of hackathons48:03 Maintaining a consistent mental space for innovation and creativity50:09 Advice for those who want to run hackathons53:24 On fostering an innovative and creative mindset within the organizationConnect with us:Brightidea - www.brightidea.comMore on Hackathons - http://www.brightidea.com/hackathon Matt Greeley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreeley/ Margaret Kelsey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelseyPritesh Kasliwal on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pritesh-kasliwal Brightidea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightidea/

"At the end of the day, it's not about fearing failure; it's about fearing disruption and embracing innovation."Welcome to the first episode of The Synthesize Pod, where we introduce you to innovation junkies and hosts Matt Greeley, CEO of Brightidea, and Margaret Kelsey, Advisor to innovative startups. Together, they set up what you can expect this season as we tell you everything you’ll need to know about hackathons. They cover the importance of hackathons as a catalyst for deep work and collaborative innovation and how adopting an innovation mindset is crucial for businesses to stay competitive and thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. In this episode, you’ll learn about: How hackathons create unique environments where employees can dedicate uninterrupted time to focus on innovative projects. Hackathons are a gateway to "deep work," allowing participants to focus intensely on solving problems without daily job distractions. This concentrated effort fosters creativity and accelerates the development of innovative solutions.Hackathons empower employees, especially those closest to pain points, to develop and pitch innovative ideas. By facilitating collaboration and shared decision-making across various departments, hackathons break down silos and encourage a collective approach to problem-solving. This bottom-up innovation framework enables fresh and practical solutions that might otherwise remain untapped.Innovation is a strategic necessity in a rapidly changing world. With everyday managers adopting innovation mindsets and younger generations driving fresh ideas, companies must prioritize innovation to maintain competitive advantage and avoid being outpaced by external innovations. The focus on hackathons as a strategic tool to drive this shift highlights the importance of continuous adaptation and the willingness to embrace new approaches to thrive in an evolving landscape.Jump into the conversation:00:00 Introduction to The Synthesize Pod with hosts Matt Greeley and Margaret Kelsey02:01 The critical role and importance of innovation06:01 Human drive for innovation09:01 The role of hackathons in promoting deep focus and intense work12:31 Collaboration and bottom-up innovation16:01 Empowering the younger generation 19:01 Broad scope of hackathons22:31 Innovation, fear of failure, and play26:01 Historical context and impact of the podcast28:31 Shifting business mindsets31:01 Ensuring longevity and profitability for business survival34:01 Personal reflections in innovation's transformative powerConnect with us:Brightidea - www.brightidea.comMore on Hackathons - http://www.brightidea.com/hackathon Matt Greeley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreeley/ Margaret Kelsey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelseyBrightidea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightidea/ 

Your weekly hit of insights and actionable strategies for innovation-minded professionals... that just want to get shit done.Managing the backlog of ideas and challenges within the company can be daunting. Figuring out which issues to address first can be paralyzing.Brought to you by Brightidea and our premiere community for innovators, this is the Synthesize Pod.A podcast committed to helping visionaries like you drive change and innovation through practical, real-world examples.