Caltech Executive Education

Google, once the undisputed leader in “Googling” (aka search), now finds itself playing catch-up in the race to integrate AI into search, according to a recent Bloomberg article. Google's reluctance to fully embrace AI-driven search sooner mirrors the classic cases of Kodak, Blockbuster, Nokia, and BlackBerry.?These companies all had dominant market positions but failed to disrupt themselves. They waited too long, resisted necessary change, and underestimated new players.?Google now faces a similar moment of reckoning as AI reshapes the search landscape. ? So What? Google’s delayed AI adoption can be attributed to several issues, including 1) Fear of disrupting its revenue model – Google’s ad-based search business thrives on link-based results, which AI-generated answers could undercut by reducing clicks on ads. 2) Lack of competitive pressure—until ChatGPT – for years, Google had no serious challenger in search. OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s AI-powered Bing forced Google into a reactive position rather than leading the charge. 3) Bureaucratic slowdowns – despite having top AI talent, Google's internal structure has led to slow decision-making, missed opportunities, and delayed execution compared to leaner AI-first competitors. ? Now What??This (again) is a great “watch out” for B2B companies setting their strategies: avoiding risk can be just as dangerous as taking it. - Don’t let legacy success blind you, cannibalize yourself – Google’s dominance in search made it slow to embrace AI. Are you able to challenge your own models before competitors do? - Empower execution, not just research – waiting too long to embrace AI, automation, or new tech can mean losing ground to more agile players. Are you prioritizing speed, decision-making, and deployment? - Test, iterate, & adapt quickly – AI is moving at an unprecedented pace. Have you adopted an experimentation mindset, continuously testing and adjusting your strategies? Photo source: Google #Caltech #Strategy #Insights

Join us this Friday for Curious & Cuirky! In our March session, our Caltech CTME education experts (Mary Abbazia, Tom Spitale, Bryan Mattimore, Tim Boyd, Ginny Ertl, Alan Dunn) present emerging ideas on compelling business topics in lightning talks of 5-10 minutes each. Then in an open discussion, they expand on their topics, inviting questions from attendees. We'll be talking about: ? The Power to Predict: How AI is Changing B2B Sales and Customer Strategy ? Mental Resilience: The Art of Unbreakable Leadership ? After the COVID Pandemic: What Has Changed... for Good? ? The Wisdom of Shutting Up: Bryan's new book! Always interesting, always "cuirky" and curious. You'll walk away with a unique perspective on how to manage business challenges and stimulate your creativity. You don't want to miss it! Friday, March 21 at 8:00 AM (PST) Register here: https://lnkd.in/gfUtfvKw #Innovation #AI #BusinessStrategy #B2BSales #CustomerStrategy #Resilience #Leadership #Listening?

??Happy Pi Day! Can you crush this mathematical cold case from our fam NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory? Let us know how you do and maybe we’ll share another slice. https://lnkd.in/g_7hJDrt

Curious & Cuirky Friday, February 21?at 8:00 am PST! (Zoom) Join us for an intriguing livestream event Friday, February 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM PST where we discuss a wide range of compelling topics in the business world! In this 30-45 minute session, our education experts Ginny Ertl, Tim Boyd, Alan Dunn, Bryan Mattimore, Tom Spitale, and Mary Abbazia present compelling topics in lightning talks of 5-10 minutes each. Then we delve deeper and invite questions and comments from participants. It's a fun, unique and interactive webcast! We'll be talking about: ? What can Starbucks teach us about reinvigorating mature brands with AI and Customer Insights?? ? How "Crowdsparking" Can Work for Your Brand ? The 2025 Future of Jobs Report? ? Training Yourself for Change Register here!? https://lnkd.in/gSEcAw7H #Crowdsparking?#Innovation?#Technical?#BusinessStrategy?#AI?#Marketing?#Brand?#CustomerEngagement?#CareerStrategies?#Workforcetransformation?#Change?#Training #Collaboration #Mindset #StrategicGrowth #BusinessLeadership #InnovationStrategy #BusinessTransformation #LeadershipDevelopment #Education?#BrandMarketing?#BrandStrategy

Curious & Cuirky Friday, February 21?at 8:00 am PST! (Zoom) Join us for an intriguing livestream event Friday, February 21, 2024 at 8:00 AM (PST) where we discuss a wide range of compelling topics in the business world! In this 30-45 minute session, our education experts—Ginny Ertl, Tim Boyd, Alan Dunn, Bryan Mattimore, Tom Spitale, and Mary Abbazia—present compelling topics in lightning talks of 5-10 minutes each. Then we delve deeper and invite questions and comments from participants. It's a fun, unique and interactive webcast! We'll be talking about: ? How "Crowdsparking" Can Work for Your Brand ? The 2025 Future of Jobs Report? ? Training Yourself for Change Register here!? https://lnkd.in/gSEcAw7H #Crowdsparking?#Innovation?#Technical?#BusinessStrategy?#AI?#Marketing?#Brand?#CustomerEngagement?#CareerStrategies?#Workforcetransformation?#Change?#Training #Collaboration #Mindset #StrategicGrowth #BusinessLeadership #InnovationStrategy #BusinessTransformation #LeadershipDevelopment #Education #ArtificialIntelligence

How was your 2024? For many B2B companies, AI gained momentum, transforming how they operate and plan—enabling greater agility and innovation. Companies like Coca-Cola leveraged AI to scale creativity and personalize campaigns at unprecedented speeds. In contrast, industry giants like Intel and Nike struggled, exposing the risks of outdated strategies and missed opportunities. Meanwhile, ON Running Shoes highlighted the power of focus, leveraging a niche audience to expand into mainstream success. These trends underscore the importance of prioritizing technology, being customer-centric, and having a forward-thinking mindset to stay competitive. So What??Failing to embrace change is a fast track to irrelevance. Nike’s over-reliance on direct-to-consumer strategies alienated key partners, opening the door for ON (shoes) to thrive. Intel’s lack of cohesive innovation left room for competitors like AMD and Nvidia to dominate. In contrast, companies that effectively integrate AI, like Coca-Cola, demonstrate how technology can amplify creativity, accelerate growth, and foster meaningful customer connections. Now What? Whether you are the "David or Goliath"?in your market, are you harnessing the power of AI to refine customer insights, segment your customers, and create data-driven solutions—even within a niche market? Can you start small with AI-driven strategic experiments while staying customer-focused? If so, we hope you are wildly successful in 2025! Photo Source: AI

You're invited to Curious & Cuirky's Live Webcast & First Annual "What the Heck was This Thing Invented for?" Pop Quiz! This Friday, December 20 at 8:00 PST (Zoom Webcast) Yes, a quiz. But a fun one! Time Magazine's 2024 Annual Best Inventions feature some quirky, innovative and interesting finds that will stretch your mind and pique your curiosity. Our Executive Education thought leaders will be presenting this topic, and others, including business strategies, ideas and solutions. Tim Boyd, Mary Abbazia, Bryan Mattimore and other Caltech Education speakers will lead us in a fascinating live webcast Friday at 8:00 am (PST). Grab your cup of coffee and join us! Register here!? https://lnkd.in/gexjGZCG #BusinessStrategy #Inventions #collaboration #Mindset #Innovation #StrategicGrowth #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #ReflectOrbital #Energy #Sunlight #InnovationStrategy #BusinessTransformation #LeadershipDevelopment #Education

What if the daylight could extend for an indefinite amount of time? Join us Friday, December 20 for Curious & Cuirky's Live Webcast as Tim Boyd, Mary Abbazia, Bryan Mattimore with fellow Caltech Executive Education thought leaders discuss this question and other business strategies, innovations, and ideas. You'll walk away with a unique perspective of how to manage business challenges and stimulate your creativity. You won't want to miss it! Join us Friday, December 20 at 8:00 am PST! (Zoom Webcast) Register here: https://lnkd.in/gexjGZCG #BusinessStrategy #Inventions #collaboration #Mindset #Innovation #StrategicGrowth #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #ReflectOrbital #Energy #Sunlight #InnovationStrategy #BusinessTransformation #LeadershipDevelopment #Education

Intel’s stumble from greatness can be traced to several strategic marketing missteps. Once the semiconductor leader, Intel has been slow to adapt to the meteoric rise of AI-driven computing – as evidenced by their stock now at $23 (down from $53 just 5 years ago).?Meanwhile, AMD has outpaced Intel’s innovation cycle, & Nvidia has catapulted itself as the dominant force in the AI chip & hardware ecosystem. To make matters worse, Intel’s messaging around AI & next-gen computing has been inconsistent, weakening its reputation as a thought leader. So What? Intel’s challenges offer a clear warning for B2B brands: if you don’t evolve, you get left behind!?What makes this tough to watch is that Intel once thrived on being a model of forward-looking — I remember (as an employee) in their heyday when they were proactive ... making bold, innovative moves that led the industry. It’s a sobering reminder for companies (regardless of their size) to be nimble – and to maintain a more entrepreneurial mindset.?This includes staying ahead of market trends and investing in innovation & pilots - while staying close to customers and their changing needs.?All things that startups do - but mature companies often stop doing. Now What? What is your company’s current mindset??Is there an entrepreneurial spirit and approach to new trends??Have you had a planning meeting lately where people from different perspectives passionately debate the next trends and prioritize future initiatives??Are at least three pilots being conducted in-market to test new concepts and prototypes??Are you communicating your new claims to customers with language that is unique, important & believable??These are best practices to consider as you kick off 2025. Photo Source: Intel Corporation

How does your business stay relevant in these changing markets? Join us Friday, December 20 for the webcast "Curious & Cuirky", as Caltech's Executive Education thought leaders discuss this question and other business strategies, innovations, and ideas. You'll walk away with a unique perspective of how to manage business challenges and stimulate your creativity. You won't want to miss it! Join us Friday, December 20?at 8:00 am PST! (Zoom Webcast) Register here: https://lnkd.in/gexjGZCG #BusinessStrategy #Inventions #collaboration #Mindset #Innovation #StrategicGrowth #BusinessLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #ReflectOrbital #Energy #Sunlight #InnovationStrategy #BusinessTransformation #LeadershipDevelopment #Education