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The Value Creators Podcast Episode #49. Erik Schön On Self Management Amidst Change

October 18, 2024 /0 Comments/in /by

Has the pace and volume of change increased in the modern age? Is dealing with change more of a problem for businesses today than in the past? What is the recommended way to manage change?

Erik Schön is a student of ancient philosophy, and he reminds us that the challenges raised by change are ancient, not modern. And the ancients had good ways to deal with them. In this episode of the Value Creators podcast, Erik Schön discusses the genesis of his book, The Art Of Change, the latest of a trilogy of works that include The Art of Strategy and The Art of Leadership. Erik distills highly relevant ancient wisdom, particularly from texts like The I Ching and Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching. He builds a modern business application from these classic ideas based on his extensive experience in leadership and strategy.

The Value Creators Episode #48. New Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs with Brian Hollins

October 1, 2024 /0 Comments/in /by

Brian Hollins is founder and managing partner at Collide Capital and Founder and CEO of Takeoff Institute, as well as Founding Board Member at BLCKVC. He’s devoted his career to addressing and solving the challenges entrepreneurs face in accessing capital when they’re not plugged in to elite VC networks and funding sources. Brian shares insights from his venture, Collide Capital, which provides investment, coaching, and support to entrepreneurs lacking access to traditional networks.

The conversation highlights the importance of community, mentoring and education in empowering these entrepreneurs. Brian also discusses his involvement with the Takeoff Institute, which aims to develop future leaders. The episode underscores the critical role for entrepreneurship in value creation. Entrepreneurs develop better products and services and contribute to meaningful experiences for customers. Institutional support, such as venture capital, is essential. 

Yet, only some have access to these resources, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not be plugged into the institutional environment of university incubators and venture capital pools.

The Value Creators Podcast Episode #47. End-user Innovation From The Middle of The Supply Chain

September 17, 2024 /0 Comments/in /by

John Willenborg’s business, Owl Vans, specializes in adventure vans designed for outdoor enthusiasts who seek to connect with nature. These vans provide essential comforts and accessories while encouraging maximum high-value outdoor time. The market for adventure vans has expanded rapidly, with Owl Vans leading in aftermarket accessories. John highlights the importance of scalability and being a generalist to succeed in entrepreneurship.

John’s approach emphasizes the importance of strategic marketing, careful expansion, strong partner relationships, and diligent financial management in building and scaling a successful business.

The Value Creators Podcast Episode #46. Digital Enablement: Customer-Led Business, Subjective Value, and Empathy with David Kramer

August 28, 2024 /0 Comments/in /by

Digital enablement and AI are revolutionizing how companies operate and reshaping the economy. 

At the core of this transformation remains a fundamental principle: the customer is the boss. In this new era, empathy becomes crucial as businesses strive to meet subjective values and deliver hyper-personalized experiences. Consumers demand instant access, precise responses, seamless order fulfillment, and transparency, while resisting intrusive tracking and data monetization.

David Kramer, Founder & Chief Product Officer at Cooperative Computing, joins Hunter Hastings to highlight how AI can enhance creativity while balancing automation and human touch. In this discussion, Kramer shares insights on the digital enablement movement, emphasizing that AI should complement human creativity rather than replace it.

He underscores the need for maintaining a brand’s unique voice amidst the risk of generic content. As AI advances, businesses must adapt, using it to innovate while preserving the essential human element that resonates deeply with audiences. This approach aligns with the shift towards hyper-personalization, where understanding and delivering what each individual wants becomes the new standard, as exemplified by companies like Nike, which serves diverse customer needs with tailored, transparent experiences.

The Value Creators Podcast Episode #45 – Embrace the Hyper-Entrepreneurial Era: Creating Innovations to Serve Customers’ Needs (Working On Purpose Podcast Repost)

August 14, 2024 /0 Comments/in /by

This episode is a repost from The Working On Purpose Podcast

Capitalism comes in for criticism, despite the fact that this economic system has resulted in substantially increasing global per capita income over the centuries, spurring economic growth and progress. 

Critics often criticize a kind of Aberrant Capitalism, one that is dominated in their minds by corporations, whose behavior is not always meritorious. 

But from the earliest times, it was Customer Capitalism, not corporate capitalism, that was the driver of individual prosperity and thriving. Companies such as Wedgwood & Bentley of Wedgwood China fame (founded 1759) set the original precedents by prioritizing customer needs and innovation, laying the foundation for contemporary business practices. The advent of these corporations facilitated large-scale entrepreneurship, promoting innovation and efficient responses to customer demands.

Entropy has set into the capitalist system since the founding days, and there is some corporate behavior that needs reform. Dr. Alise Cortez is attentive to these concerns. We discussed the prospects for a revival of customer capitalism