How GenAI can connect you with the ideal people

Here's the deal. Everyone wants to learn from the real good ones, but those wise people are too busy to spend time with each and everyone of us, discussing and explaining the same topics over and over again.

That's why many of the good ones decide to write books and articles, publish podcast series, give lectures and speeches, accept to be interviewed on TV.

Side note: that's also why the "creator" recently became a pretty popular job. Anyone who feels like they've got something smart to say can finally broadcast their truths and thoughts to an incredibly vast audience (assuming all those people have an interest in listening, but that's another story).

Back to us. What is this all about? Here you go, keep reading.

Find the smart guy

One of the smart guys out there (a really, really smart one) is Phil McKinney who spent 9+ years as CTO at HP where (from his own bio) he:

... built teams that have created award-winning products and technologies used by half-billion people worldwide every day.

...which makes him someone I would definitely like to talk to. He is a real authority in the field. An authority that I personally never met.

Luckily, Phil spent a significant amount of time writing and talking about technology, about innovation, creativity, leadership, success, entrepreneurship, ... you name it. He wrote a book that specifically speaks to innovation. And... he is the host of the Killer Innovations podcast.

I started my first podcast [...] in March 2005, making that show the longest-continuously produced podcast ever.

March 2005... that's a long ago.

Anyhow. You can go to the podcast page, listen to hundreds of episodes (or just get it from your favorite podcast platform), read through pretty rich textual summaries of each episode and access a lot of other very exciting resources.

Now. When I write this, the podcast has been live for almost 20 years. Weekly episodes, average length: 30 minutes. You do the math.

Ask the guy

I am passionate of technology and innovation, Phil knows everything about that. I want to pick his brain. Is this unreasonable?

However, I don't necessarily expect that Phil would accept to come and sit in my living room, having a relaxed chat with my good self while sipping a cup of coffee, some tea, red wine or anything else. Not one of these days anyhow.

What other options do I get to pick his brain on something that's bugging my brain right here, right now?

Read, listen, ...study!

I do. I love listening to the episodes during my morning walks. But that does in no way help me get specific, timely, actionable advice from Phil on my latest, delusional, "idea for an innovative product" (or "service"... or whatever one is up to in a specific moment). Getting specific answers and recommendations by just listening to such a vast series of podcast episodes... is gonna take a serious amount of time. Too much for my immediate need anyways.

Other ideas?

How would Phil answer my question?

Excellent point. What if I could get mediated access to my source of knowledge? Is there any way to have an indirect conversation with the guy?

I tried. Here's what I asked our friend ChatGPT:

Background:
Phil McKinney is an innovation expert widely known for his role as a technology executive and as the host of the "Killer Innovations" podcast. He has a background in technology and innovation leadership, having served for 9+ years as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Hewlett-Packard (HP).

Large part of podcast episodes are summarised in this website: https://killerinnovations.com/show-archive/.
Otherwise, I have access to the whole audio podcast via my Spotify subscription. 

What I need:
Based on the content of the podcast, how would you answer the question "What are the most common reasons for failure in tech innovation initiatives?"        

My friend does a relatively good job and here's what I get:

Based on the content available in the archives of Phil McKinney's "Killer Innovations" podcast, several common reasons for failure in tech innovation initiatives can be identified:

1. Leadership in Crisis: Challenges in leading innovation efforts during uncertain times can lead to failures.

2. Blame Culture: A culture that blames individuals for failures rather than viewing them as learning opportunities can inhibit innovation.

3. Groupthink: This phenomenon, where consensus-seeking overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives, can stifle innovation and lead to poor decision-making.

4. Failure Lessons: Analyzing past failures, such as those in AI innovation, can provide valuable insights for future success.

5. Lack of Experimentation: Inadequate experimentation and testing can impede the development of successful innovations.

6. Inadequate Problem-Solving Approaches: Poorly structured problem statements and lack of effective problem-solving strategies can be detrimental.

7. Top Reasons for Failure: An episode specifically titled "Why Innovation Fails – The Top 10 Causes" suggests an exploration of the most common pitfalls in innovation processes.

8. Worst Innovation Failures: Learning from significant innovation failures provides insights into what to avoid in future endeavors.

These themes, derived from McKinney's extensive experience in technology and innovation leadership, reflect common challenges faced by organizations in their innovation initiatives.        

Not bad as a starting point. Let's try and dig a bit deeper.

Based on the same content archive...        

Heads up! This is important... You want to ensure that what you receive is closely related to Phil. So...

Based on the same content archive, sort the list from the "most" to the "least frequent" reason for failure.        

...and here comes the failure :)

Based on the episode titles from Phil McKinney's "Killer Innovations" podcast archive, sorting the reasons for failure in tech innovation initiatives from most to least frequent isn't straightforward. The podcast episodes cover a wide range of topics, but they don't necessarily provide a frequency-based ranking of failure reasons.        

Which I expected. Getting Generative AI to answer questions leveraging Phil's knowledge (and perspective) would be possible, but that would require a different approach.

You would need to integrate a dataset that includes transcripts or summaries of all the podcast episodes (or blog posts, or the textbook) into the model's training data.

Indeed, ChatGPT doesn't currently have the capability to access or process external databases or specific series of content in real-time without setting up a more complex architecture. Standard ChatGPT relies on the knowledge it was trained on, which includes a wide range of internet text up until its last update, can search things on the web, can be fed with specific attachments. But it doesn't have the ability to dynamically parse specific external content such as a podcast series. Especially when those sources are access-protected.

What would be nice instead?

In reality this is not exactly how things went. Not completely.

Since I was aware, well in advance, of the challenges and limitations that this scenario would imply, I found my way overcome those hiccups.

But I am a lifelong learner and a learning professional, so I had to bring this concept to life. I couldn't help but simulate what a chat with Phil McKinney in my living room could look like.

With the help of GenAI, I simulated a learning situation around the topics of technology and innovation: a conversation between a young promising student and a seasoned expert.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's listen to Harry, a Computer Science student, as he interviews Phil, a renowned expert in technology and innovation.

Note:

• in this last part of the article the contents are produced by ChatGPT as the final outcome of a lengthy back and forth conversation with myself.
• I spent particular time and attention driving the conversation in a way that it wouldn't look like just a list of titles and explanations. It took three rounds of interview re-routing and re-writing before we got to this final version.
• None of my prompts imposed constraints on the sources to be consulted, so the content cannot be attributed to Phil McKinney or any other expert in particular. The rest of this article is standard ChatGPT stuff only.

When Harry met Phil.

Harry: Hello, I'm Harry, a Computer Science student. Today, I'm excited to discuss innovation with Phil, a well-recognized expert in technology and innovation. Phil, in your experience, why do innovation initiatives often fail to achieve market success?

Phil: Glad to be here, Harry. The reasons for innovation failures are varied. A common pitfall is neglecting the customer's needs. Innovators sometimes become too focused on their technology or ideas without validating whether these align with real customer problems.

Harry: Can you give examples where this lack of customer focus led to failure?

Phil: Certainly. Look at Google Glass. Despite its innovative technology, it faced significant privacy concerns and lacked practical applications for everyday users. Similarly, Juicero's high-tech juicing machine was expensive and eventually deemed unnecessary, as its juice packets could be squeezed by hand. Both examples highlight how failing to align with customer needs can lead to failure.

Harry: Is customer focus usually the main reason for failure in innovation projects?

Phil: It's critical, but not always the primary reason. Other common causes include poor execution of ideas and lack of funding or support. The root cause can vary depending on several factors like the project's specifics and market conditions.

Harry: Can you elaborate on what you mean by poor execution?

Phil: Of course. Poor execution refers to the inability to effectively turn a concept into a successful product or service. This often involves challenges like underestimating resources, failing to adapt to unforeseen obstacles, and inadequate project planning.

Harry: Are these skills taught in educational settings?

Phil: They can be, to some extent. Educational programs, especially in business and project management, often cover strategic planning and resource management. However, applying these skills effectively typically requires real-world experience, which can be gained through internships or hands-on projects.

Harry: For a student interested in this field, what would you recommend they study?

Phil: I'd suggest a combination of Business Administration or Entrepreneurship with a focus on innovation and technology management. Adding courses in Project Management and Agile Methodologies would be beneficial. It's also important to gain practical experience through internships or involvement in startup ecosystems.

Harry: What about starting with a technical background?

Phil: A technical background in Engineering or Computer Science is highly valuable, especially for tech-driven innovation projects. The best approach depends on the individual's interests and the nature of the innovation they aim to pursue. Balancing technical studies with courses in business and innovation is often the most effective strategy.

Harry: Beyond the aspects we've discussed, is there anything else crucial for successful innovation?

Phil: Yes, company culture plays a vital role. A culture that supports innovation and change, along with leadership that encourages and rewards innovative thinking, is key. This environment helps nurture and develop successful innovation initiatives.

Harry: In your view, is a good innovator naturally a good leader?

Phil: Being a good innovator and a good leader requires different skill sets. While there's some overlap, such as creativity and vision, leadership also requires skills in motivating and guiding others. With the right development, a good innovator can become an effective leader, and vice versa.

Harry: Could collaboration between an innovator and a leader be a solution?

Phil: Absolutely. Collaboration between an innovator with great ideas and a leader with the skills to execute those ideas can be extremely effective. Platforms like networking events and innovation hubs facilitate such collaborations, bringing together individuals with complementary skills.

Harry: Thanks, Phil, for sharing your insights. It's been enlightening.

Phil: You're welcome, Harry. Innovation is a complex journey, but with the right approach, its challenges can be overcome. Best of luck in your studies and future ventures in innovation!

Was this half interesting? Do you use Generative AI for learning? How do you get value from that for yourself, for your new hires, for your kids?