Hello, Innovators! Welcome back to another episode of the Killer Innovations podcast.

I am so happy to be back in the studio with you today, and I'm excited to give you an update on the show and myself.

A few months ago, in February, I had to undergo open heart surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

The surgery was totally unexpected when we went to Florida for Christmas. I have a rare genetic cardiac condition, so I'm under Mayo's care. During my annual check-up, the test showed some issues, which turned a three-week visit into a four and half month stay.

Unfortunately, the nine days I spent in the intensive care unit being intubated caused damage to my vocal cords, preventing me from recording new episodes — that is, until today. The damage to the vocal cords is why my voice may sound different.

But the show must go on, and that's where the team that helps me with the show stepped in. While I've been out, Andrew, Kirk, and Ethan have been serving up the most popular shows from our rich 19-year archive.

Since I couldn't record, I turned my attention to my writing, posting multiple times weekly to my blog at philmckinney.com. If you haven't checked it out lately, I encourage you to hop over. You will notice that all of my writing is now merged onto the Ghost platform that hosts the blog, making it easier for everyone to find the archive of my articles going back to 1996.

To get back in front of the microphone, I've been meeting with vocal cord experts, including those specializing in performers and audio professionals. We looked at various options to determine what it would take to get my voice back to its pre-surgery level. The most important was letting the vocal cords rest. In addition, the specialists changed my diet to reduce the acid reflux, which has been scaring the vocal cords. Who knew?

Now for some exciting news. I've been cleared to experiment with recording new shows to see how my vocal cords hold up. Andrew, our associate producer, has been investigating and testing AI tools that can be trained on my past shows, taking the scripts I write and recording the audio for me. This will allow us to deliver original content without over-stressing my vocal cords.

In fact, the introduction you heard today was an actual recording of me from my mobile studio built into my bus parked in Port Angeles, Washington. This main segment you are listening to was recorded using one of the AI tools.

Like my challenge to you, the podcast team needs to innovate, even in how we produce the show. What do you think?

As for my health, I'm doing great. I've lost 35 pounds—though I wouldn't recommend bypass surgery as a weight loss program. My focus now is on my cardiac rehab and rebuilding my strength and stamina. This summer, I'm working from my bus parked in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, walking on the beach to get my steps in, and loving my Starlink broadband!

Regarding the show, our team is working hard to rebuild the queue so we can release new original content on a more regular schedule. If we miss a few weeks, I apologize in advance.

So, what is changing — and staying the same with the show?

When the show was launched in 2005, the goal was to explore creativity, design, and innovation. Over the years, this podcast has grown to include a mix of interviews, solo episodes, and occasional co-hosts. This focus and format will not change, but the technology behind producing this show will continue to evolve.

So, who are our listeners? Well, Killer Innovations attracts a broad spectrum of people. From tech aficionados to aspiring entrepreneurs, from top brass at leading tech and strategy firms to those just embarking on their career journey. My mission is to satisfy your curiosity about what it takes to be successful as an innovator, inventor, and creator and to equip you with the tools and insights needed to navigate the rapidly changing landscape.

What can you expect from future episodes? Not much difference from what we've been doing in the past. We will continue to delve into innovations that are reshaping our lives—but don't stop there. We dig deeper to uncover the stories behind these breakthroughs. 

How did these innovators turn their initial ideas into tangible realities? What obstacles did they face and overcome? And crucially, how can you apply these insights to your own path?

You may hear more of my experience from a 40-year career in inventing and launching innovations.

What topics do you want to hear more about? What topics have you heard enough of? Let us know.

Now, how can you help?

We need supporters to help us cover our costs to produce the show. For 19 years, I've covered the costs out of my pocket with help from Eric and his team at Zoom, who have been a lead sponsor of the podcast for the last eight years.

But our expenses have increased with the team stepping up while I have been out. If you are willing to support the show and the team, please consider becoming a financial supporter.

Visit the blog at philmckinney.com and click on 'Membership' at the top. Rest assured, none of the funding will go to me. It will go to the team and associated out-of-pocket costs. We are looking for $10,000 per month.

Imagine this: you're sipping your morning coffee, earbuds in, listening to our show. You're learning new things, being entertained, and it feels like you're part of a community. That's the power of our podcast.

But did you know it takes more than just a microphone and an interesting topic to keep that podcast coming to your ears week after week? It involves hours of research, editing, and production. Not to mention the cost of hosting and distributing each episode.

What if you could help ensure this podcast's continuation while gaining exclusive perks? You can do just that for just $50 per year — about $1 per episode. Your financial support can make a significant difference in maintaining the quality and consistency of our content.

Think of it as buying us a cup of coffee once a week as a thank-you for the content we provide. And in return, we'll continue to deliver the engaging and insightful episodes you look forward to every week.

We need 2,400 financial sponsors to cover our show expenses. Are you ready to be one of them? Will you help us keep the conversation going?

Remember, supporting us isn't just about helping cover costs. It's about investing in something you value and want to see thrive. It's about being part of a community that values knowledge, engagement, and entertainment.

So, are you ready to step up and become a financial supporter of our podcast? Visit philmckinney.com and click 'Membership.' Because every good story deserves to be told... and heard.

That's it for today's episode. Thanks for your continued support. Remember, stay curious, stay innovative, and keep pushing the boundaries.

Continuing our Best of Killer Innovation series, we look at David Su’s innovative solution to the problem of disposable and short-lived battery life and his tips for success that helped him start Atmosic.

 Being connected has become an essential part of our daily lives. Wireless has made huge strides over the past two decades.  IoT is connecting our world in ways we would have never imagined.  With the growing demand for constant connectivity, one area that needs fine-tuning is battery life.  All these devices we use throughout the day require battery power. Today’s guest saw this as an opportunity.  David Su is CEO of Atmosic.  His company is innovating battery life.  Creating technologies to reduce battery usage, Atmosic develops solutions that keep things powered up.  

Stanford to Startup

Much of David’s career has been in the wireless space.  With a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford, David joined Atheros Communication in 1999 as its fifth employee.  David continued with Atheros as it grew and went public. He stayed on when Qualcomm acquired Atheros. After some years, David felt his time at Qualcomm had run its course.  He ventured into new areas.  With four former work colleagues, he started a new company.  

Atmosic’s Vision

In the wireless world, battery power can be a boon and a bane.  Reliance on wireless means dependence on batteries for power. When batteries lose charge, things can come to a standstill.  Limited battery life also means a lot of batteries get thrown out – to the tune of three billion per year.  Two and a half years ago, David and fellow co-founders started Atmosic with this in mind.  David, Masoud Zargari, David Nakahira, Srinivas Pattamatta, and Manolis Terrovitis brainstormed.  They sought advice from experts in the field. Their vision began to coalesce – to keep connected devices powered with little to no battery usage.  

With the vision in place, Dave and his team went to work innovating battery life.  They started with battery-powered Bluetooth devices.

Solving Core Battery Problems

The advantages Autmosic’s technologies will offer:

·        Lowest power usage without compromising quality.

·        Turns device off when not in use with system level check that transmits only when needed.

·        RF energy harvesting, enabling the battery to last forever.

Long-term vision:

·        “Battery-free utopia” – ecosystem in enterprise applications.

Lessons Learned

What has David learned along the journey toward innovating battery life?  David has some tips for people whether they’re starting a company or pursuing innovation.  

·        Interoperate – work with what is already known and improve it.

·        Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you and be willing to listen.

·        Make sure what you are doing is what you truly believe in and are passionate about.

·        Ground what you are doing in reality.  

By innovating battery life, Atmosic is focusing on a problem that affects us all.  Powering down to power up will keep us connected sustainably.

To track what Atmosic is doing, visit www.atmosic.com/   For the latest updates, check them out on Twitter and LinkedIn.  

Continuing our Best of Killer Innovation series, we examine how one creator, Rama Sreenivasan of Blitzz, looked outside the box and created solutions to the hindrances he faced on his innovative journey.

When you're in the middle of an important project and equipment fails, you want it fixed fast.  In this week's show, I talk with Blitzz Co-founder Rama Sreenivasan. His company is solving the inefficiencies of tech support.  Blitzz's customer support innovation integrates AI, AR, and live video to solve problems faster.

Winding Journeys Connected

Rama's path has taken some unexpected twists, from a chemical engineer working on medical devices to starting a SaaS company.  But at the heart of it, he is a problem solver.  The source of his inspiration: his dad, who he likes to call "MacGyver."

Rama founded Blitzz together with co-founder Keyur Patel two years ago.  They most recently participated in CableLabs Filterator.  This accelerator program helps startups develop a product-market fit for the cable industry.

A System That Assesses Without the Hassle

When instruments stop working, it's time to bring in a helpful live assistant. Blitz's customer support innovation allows a better perspective of and feel for the problem. Through live video chat, companies can avoid spending on onsite technician visits. Customer support is not only heightened but it is also trained to see around the inconspicuous.  Innovation in repair operations contributes to cuts in labor fees and time processing.  What prompted Rama to create Blitzz's innovative approach?  During his PH. D and Post-Doctoral work, frustration with equipment breakdown mid-experiment was the impetus.  The long wait to get repairs done seemed a waste. Rama felt there had to be a better way.

AR Perception

In any given company, customer support could always be better. That's why the addition of AR technology adds to the customer experience. Questions can be answered faster and more efficiently. One no longer has to worry about the hassle of scheduling an in-person visit. AR perception captures it all. This innovation allows one on one human interaction on a more convenient level.

AI Intelligence

Equipment can malfunction and run the risk of being unreliable. AI customer support can redirect the customer to questions and answers that may be a better fit. This AI customer support innovation becomes its teacher. The AI brings the ability to learn from the information it processes.

Lessons Learned

Rama highly recommends entrepreneurs go through an accelerator.  He learned critical elements of the startup process through that experience.  He also credits passion for driving the startup process. Connecting with mentors can help fan the flames of that passion.

If you'd like to track the latest with Blitzz, visit the website: https://blitzz.co/ or check out Blitzz on LinkedIn and Twitter.

 We'd love your feedback on what you'd like to hear on Killer Innovations. Get in touch and let me know.

Creating a Disruptive Ideation Workshop

You can learn, practice, and perfect the skill of innovation. To keep the innovation funnel flowing, generating quality ideas is essential. So, how do you boost innovation in a team lacking confidence? One practical approach is organizing a disruptive ideation workshop. Let's explore how to create a successful one.

Condensed Boot Camp

I run an intensive four-day Innovation Boot Camp course a few times yearly. Students often request a condensed one-day version for their teams. In response, I developed the Disruptive Ideation Workshop, which focused on a disruptive approach to generate more and better ideas using the FIRE method. The workshop aims to teach the skill, apply it, and create a pipeline of ideas for the organization. Recently, we tested the workshop with 25 senior leaders with no innovation background. The results surpassed expectations, leading us to name it the "Disruptive Ideation Workshop."

Overview of the Disruptive Ideation Workshop

Disruptive ideation means causing innovation through unconventional approaches. The workshop has two main objectives:

1.      Teach a disruptive approach to ideation, significantly increasing the quantity and quality of generated ideas.

2.      Apply the learned skills to the organization's real-world problem, resulting in a ranked set of disruptive ideas.

The course comprises two sections: Foundation and Skills and Application/Practice.

Foundation Section:

1.      Debunk myths and mysteries surrounding innovation.

2.      Develop essential innovation skills, such as overcoming self-doubt, fostering imagination, and seeing with fresh eyes.

3.      Address innovation anti-bodies, such as ego, risk aversion, and resistance to change.

4.      Introduce the FIRE framework:

a.      Focus: Define the problem statement clearly for relevant idea generation.

b.      Ideation: Use powerful questions to generate a multitude of high-quality ideas.

c.      Ranking: Group and identify top ideas from the pool.

d.      Execution: Refine and expand on selected ideas.

We emphasize the Ideation component.

Skills and Application/Practice Section:

Students apply the elements of the FIRE framework to an accurate problem statement.

Skills taught include:

1.      FOCUS: Clearly defining the problem as a well-defined statement is crucial.

2.      IDEATION: Use questions to generate more and better ideas, building upon individual contributions.

3.      RANKING: Group and select top ideas from the pool.

4.      EXECUTION: Expand on chosen ideas with depth and thought.

We emphasize "Adapt and Adopt," allowing students to apply the learned skills effectively within their organizations.

Lessons from the Disruptive Ideation Workshop

Insights from conducting the workshop include:

1.      The one-day format allows focused time away from daily responsibilities.

2.      Crafting a solid problem statement is critical, so allocate sufficient time.

3.      Limit workshop size to a manageable number of students, ideally no more than 20.

4.      Establish the following steps to sustain momentum post-workshop.

5.      Foster a community among participants to maintain a vibrant learning atmosphere.