Why does corporate innovation fail so often — even with talented teams and strong ideas? In this episode of The Innovation Show with Aidan McCullen, intrapreneur and innovation veteran Chuck House returns to explain why innovation dies when projects, programs, and strategy aren't clearly connected — and why executives often misjudge innovation timelines because they're optimizing established businesses.

Chuck breaks down the 4 intrapreneur traits (curiosity, perspective, resilience, and comfort with data) and the overlooked career skill that makes or breaks intrapreneurs: managing down AND managing up. Learn how to build team trust, navigate organizational politics, make "invisible work" visible, and persuade decision-makers to keep the right bets alive.

He also challenges traditional project review approaches (IRR, cost/schedule targets, early sales projections) and introduces his practical alignment tool: the Return Map — a living, cross-functional view that integrates investment, revenue, and profit over time, assigns accountability across functions, and forces iterative re-forecasting as reality changes (slips, market windows, manufacturing costs, and sales forecasts).

In this episode

• Why innovation feels like "snakes and ladders" inside large organisations

• Steve Jobs as a blueprint: iPod → iTunes → iPhone as a strategic cycle

• Managing up: credibility, trust, and navigating corporate politics

• Why HQ metrics can kill risky projects too early

• Brunnergrams vs strategy: what engineering tracking misses

• How Return Maps improve alignment, accountability, and forecasting

• Teaser: a future conversation with Kodak digital camera inventor Steve Sasson

Sponsor: Kyndryl

This week's guest is David Rogers, Columbia Business School professor and author of Digital Transformation Playbook.

We discuss digital transformation strategy, AI in business, disruptive innovation, platform business models, network effects, and leadership in the age of AI.

If you're navigating digital transformation or AI strategy, this episode is essential listening.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

00:35 Meet the Digital Transformation Expert

01:38 Impact of the Digital Transformation Playbook

05:40 Evolution of Digital Transformation

07:24 The Role of AI in Digital Transformation

09:21 Frameworks and Theories of Disruption

09:38 The Story of Encyclopedia Britannica

16:59 Understanding Business Disruption

24:44 Disruptive Business Model Map

33:12 Understanding Network Effects

34:41 Same Side vs. Cross Side Network Effects

38:01 The Challenge of Competition in Platform Businesses

42:21 The Importance of Platform Business Models

46:13 Four Types of Platform Businesses

49:19 Platform Business Model Map

54:28 Value Train Analysis

01:02:22 The Evolution of Digital Transformation

Find David:

https://davidrogers.digital/about/

In this episode, we explore the strategic brilliance of Taylor Swift with Kevin Evers, author of There's Nothing Like This. From genre-shifting reinventions to billion-dollar tours, Taylor's evolution isn't just musical—it's a masterclass in brand, resilience, and audience engagement.

🎯 We cover:

The pivot from country to global pop dominance

How Taylor handled public backlash & the Kanye/Kardashian controversy

Her savvy response to the streaming revolution

Ownership battles over her masters and how it reshaped the industry

Building the Eras Tour as a pinnacle of fan-first strategy

What businesses can learn from Taylor's "anti-fragile" mindset

Whether you're a fan, a founder, or fascinated by the music business, this is a powerful look at how strategy meets stardom.

🔗 Learn more about Kevin's book: nothinglikethisbook.com

🎧 Subscribe and leave a review to support the show!

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

In this episode, Aidan McCullen welcomes Kevin Evers, editor at Harvard Business Review Press and author of There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift. Together, they explore how Taylor Swift built not just a music career—but a global business empire.

From fearless reinvention and blue ocean strategy to her mastery of fan engagement and brand evolution, Taylor Swift's rise is a masterclass in innovation, leadership, and vision. Learn how her career mirrors the strategic moves of top businesses, and what leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators can take away from her story.

Tune in for:

The psychology and strategy behind Swift's career decisions

How she shaped fan culture and digital engagement

Lessons in brand authenticity, creative growth, and leadership

What businesses can learn from Swift's reinvention and market disruption

Whether you're a Swiftie, strategist, or business leader, this episode offers sharp insights into how to turn art into lasting impact.

Find Kevin: https://www.nothinglikethisbook.com

📘 Guest: Joel Schwartzberg, author of Get to the Point & The Language of Leadership

In this episode, we cut through the noise and get straight to the point—literally. Communication expert and author Joel Schwartzberg returns to discuss the art and science of clarity in communication. Whether you're a leader, innovator, speaker, or simply want to stop rambling and start resonating, this episode is packed with practical, game-changing advice.

We explore:

• Why having a clear point is the cornerstone of influence

• How to sharpen your message with Joel's "I believe" and "XY" tests

• The power of pausing, volume, and emotional contagion in speech

• How to handle interruptions with grace and still deliver your message

• Real-life analysis of effective speeches (including a powerful moment from Demi Moore)

• The role of AI in crafting and questioning your communication

• Sticking the landing: how to end your message with lasting impact

💡 If you've ever struggled to communicate a big idea or felt your message wasn't landing—this episode is your ultimate toolkit.

🔗 Show Notes & Resources:

• Joel's website: joelschwartzberg.net

• Book: Get to the Point (Updated 10-Year Anniversary Edition)

• Sponsored by: Kyndryl.com

Innovation Show https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

In this timeless episode of The Innovation Show, Aidan McCullen sits down with Scott Galloway, Clinical Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern, for a prescient conversation that remains highly relevant today.

Recorded nearly a decade ago, this episode dives deep into:

• The rise of the algorithm-driven economy

• How tech giants like Amazon and Facebook dominate using data and intelligence

• The decline of traditional media and the shift to subscription-based models

• The retail apocalypse and how Amazon continues to reshape consumer behavior

• The emerging power of voice technology and screenless interaction

Scott also offers strategic insights into the future of media, marketing, and retail, with takeaways that still resonate in today's digital landscape.

This episode is brought to you with thanks to our sponsor, Kyndryl, helping global enterprises harness the power of AI and digital infrastructure for competitive advantage.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction

• 01:15 Algorithm-Driven Economy

• 08:46 Subscription Models

• 12:48 Traditional Media Challenges

• 24:40 Retail Apocalypse & Amazon

• 29:02 Rise of Voice Technology

• 33:01 Conclusion and Sponsor Message

Learn more at: https://www.kyndryl.com

Subscribe to The Innovation Show for weekly insights into innovation, transformation, and leadership.

🔮 Navigating the Accelerated S-Curve with Paul Nunes | Big Bang Disruption & Shark Fin Strategy

Welcome to episode 2 of our exclusive Harvard Business School series! 🎓 Join host Aidan McCullen as he interviews Paul Nunes, renowned as the King of the S-Curve, in a masterclass on navigating today's fast-evolving business cycles.

📈 Discover how exponential technology change is collapsing traditional life cycles and creating "Shark Fin" business models—where sudden success can be catastrophic and strategic timing is everything. Paul explains how companies like Netflix, Apple, Peloton, and Intel navigated (or missed) these cycles and what it means for your business.

🔥 Learn about Big Bang Disruption, the death of early adopters, managing multiple S-curves, the rise of orchestrator firms, and how strategy must evolve for verticalized industries, fleeting advantage, and supply chain complexity.

⏰ Timestamps for Key Topics:

00:00 - Introduction and Welcome

00:26 - The Evolution of S-Curves

01:43 - What is the Shark Fin Strategy?

03:52 - Managing Multiple S-Curves

05:29 - Rapid Market Change & Business Lifecycle

07:42 - Case Studies: American Giant & Peloton

10:30 - The New Supply Chain Realities

18:01 - Is Vertical Integration Still Viable?

24:13 - Strategy in the Age of Compression

24:34 - Industry Diversification & Component Thinking

25:17 - Nvidia, Intel, and Strategic Orchestration

27:02 - Innovation vs. Manufacturing Models

33:15 - Capital Investment, Risk & Timing

39:06 - Why the Chief Strategy Officer Role is More Crucial Than Ever

47:55 - Final Reflections & Thank Yous

💡 Whether you're a strategist, innovator, entrepreneur, or business leader, this episode is a must-watch to future-proof your thinking and strategy.

📚 Based on Paul's seminal works: Jumping the S-Curve, Big Bang Disruption, and Pivot to the Future

🔗 Watch, learn, and subscribe for more expert-led strategy content!

#SCurve #BigBangDisruption #PaulNunes #SharkFinStrategy #BusinessStrategy #Innovation #ChiefStrategyOfficer #AidanMcCullen #HBS #Nvidia #Intel #Netflix #Apple #Peloton #ExponentialChange #FutureOfBusiness