The Disruptive Voice
The Disruptive Voice explores the frameworks of Disruptive Innovation across a wide range of industries and circumstances. Guests include academics, researchers, practitioners, and others who have been taught and inspired by Harvard Business School Professor, Clayton Christensen, who was one of the world's top experts on growth and innovation. For more information, email [email protected] BSSE = Building and Sustaining a Successful Enterprise, Professor Christensen's signature course at Harvard Business School.
info_outline
120. Butterfly's Digital Revolution In Ultrasound: A Conversation with Darius Shahida
01/09/2024
120. Butterfly's Digital Revolution In Ultrasound: A Conversation with Darius Shahida
Five years ago, , a member of the HBS Class of 2019, to discuss how , a disruptive startup where he was employed as Chief Growth Officer, was working to revolutionize the ultrasound industry. Now, as the company's Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Business Development Officer, he joins his former BSSE professor, , to reflect on Butterfly Network's entrepreneurial journey over the last half decade. Since Darius was last on the podcast, the company has gone public; has successfully commercialized the world's first semiconductor-based, whole-body, single-probe digital ultrasound device; has introduced its second generation device, Butterfly iQ+, along with new advances on the AI and software side of the business; and Butterfly has significantly expanded its market of users, with a presence in over 100 countries through commercial sales or global health deployments. In this conversation, Darius highlights these developments and also reflects on how the BSSE frameworks have helped to inform the company's emergent strategy over the years. As a hybrid disruptor - both a low end and a new market disruption - Butterfly Network's growth is fascinating to observe. Listen to learn about the company's enabling technology and disruptive business model, the promise of artificial intelligence, the different types of Butterfly customers (and the ramifications of that for strategy, particularly when competing against non-consumption), the company's vision for the future of ultrasound, and more!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/29398313
info_outline
119. Right Kind Of Wrong: A Conversation with Amy Edmondson
12/12/2023
119. Right Kind Of Wrong: A Conversation with Amy Edmondson
In this episode, , sharing insights from her new book, , reminds listeners, "The most successful among us have not failed less often than the rest of us. They’ve failed more often – right kind of wrong failures." Hosted by , the two engage in a fascinating conversation covering a myriad of topics, including the origin of the idea of psychological safety; the different types of failures, and why they matter; parallels between innovation and riding a bike; and the "Sliding Doors" moments in our lives. Amy also reflects on the distinction between environments where one is there to learn versus perform; the emotional challenges of innovation; right kind of wrong in the context of parenting; and the process that she undertook in writing the book, to cite but a few examples. We’re all going to get things wrong in our professional and personal lives, but resilience and learning through intelligent failures is an important part of the journey. Listen to learn more!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/29026978
info_outline
118. Leading Into The Age Of AI Through Fusion Strategy: A Panel Discussion
11/21/2023
118. Leading Into The Age Of AI Through Fusion Strategy: A Panel Discussion
The promise of artificial intelligence is immense and companies that view AI as an enabler of corporate transformation can reap potentially enormous benefits in terms of both value creation and growth. In this panel discussion, hosts his colleague and co-leader in the company’s global AI practice, , along with renowned thought leaders in management and information systems, and co-authors of the forthcoming book, , and , for a wide-reaching discussion on artificial intelligence and its implications for companies. Their conversation spans the genesis and current state of AI in business; its transformative impact across industries; blockers and enablers of adoption; different types of models and use cases; and when to build, buy, or partner, to cite but a few examples. Companies that stand to benefit from the vast opportunities that AI presents in virtually every industry will be those that act boldly and ahead of the curve. Listen to learn more! Further information on Fusion Strategy can be found here: Innosight’s e-book, Leading Into The Age Of AI, can be found here:
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/28733118
info_outline
117. Creating Pathways To Opportunity at Western Governors University: A Conversation with Scott Pulsipher
10/31/2023
117. Creating Pathways To Opportunity at Western Governors University: A Conversation with Scott Pulsipher
Higher education has long been on an unsustainable trajectory, with rising costs - and subsequent debt passed on to students - hindering the ability of many to get ahead. In this episode of The Disruptive Voice, education author and researcher, , hosts fellow Harvard Business School alumnus , President of (WGU). Among many topics, the two discuss how the accredited, non-profit university is disrupting traditional models of higher education through its online, competency-based model. A long-time friend of Clayton Christensen's, Scott shares how Clay’s frameworks have been instrumental to his thinking and also how Clay's work helped to inform WGU's unique model, even before Scott became President. With a strong focus on serving its students, the majority of whom haven’t been well served or served at all by traditional models of learning, along with an alumni base of over 340,000 graduates, Western Governors University is a prime example of Disruptive Innovation as a powerful force for democratizing access and opportunity.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/28467491
info_outline
116. Four Companies Creating a Market for Solar Energy in Nigeria: A Conversation with Efosa Ojomo and Sandy Sanchez
10/10/2023
116. Four Companies Creating a Market for Solar Energy in Nigeria: A Conversation with Efosa Ojomo and Sandy Sanchez
Last June, and were on the podcast to discuss the process of market creation - discovery, distribution, and democratization - and specifically, as it applied to . In this new episode, they return to the recording studio to share with us specific examples of four companies that are getting it right. , co-founded by HBS alumnus , highlights successful employment of an emergent rather than deliberate strategy; illustrates benefits drawn from a clear understanding of customers' Jobs To Be Done; exemplifies the strength of pull (as opposed to push) strategies in emerging markets; and is a company now firmly in the midst of the important distribution phase of the market creation process. There are lessons to be learned from all four of these examples, businesses that to-date have been successful in addressing barriers to market creation in the energy sector in Nigeria. In this conversation, Efosa and Sandy reflect on these learnings. Of further note is that, for listeners wanting to learn more, the duo have also recently published a paper entitled, . As Efosa says, “People don’t want solar. People want progress.” With this in mind, real advancements can be made towards reaching the last stage of the market creation process - democratization, and in this case democratizing access to electricity in Nigeria and beyond.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/28272491
info_outline
115. Build The Life You Want: A Conversation with Arthur Brooks and Karen Dillon
09/19/2023
115. Build The Life You Want: A Conversation with Arthur Brooks and Karen Dillon
teaches a popular course at Harvard Business School called “Leadership and Happiness.” One important underpinning of the course is that science can help us to better understand what will actually make us happier – and Arthur has worked hard to incorporate these concepts into his own life. Recently, he teamed up with to write "." In those pages, they consider a number of thought-provoking questions, including “How can we mobilize our lives toward greater happiness? How do we translate ideas about happiness into action? And how do we take control of our present and our future?” In this episode, Arthur joins host – co-author with Clayton Christensen of “” – to dive into these questions. Throughout this wide-ranging conversation, he considers common misconceptions about happiness, the importance of emotional self-management, and how we can all change our habits to truly become happier. Relatedly, they discuss strategies that can be employed to become more metacognitive, the four pillars of happiness, and the neurochemical cascade of falling in love, to name but a few of the many conversation highlights. Arthur also reflects on the fact that so much of the knowledge that is shared in “Build The Life You Want” is practical and yet relatively unknown. Listen to learn more about both the art and science of becoming happier!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/28072719
info_outline
114. The Role of Senior Executives in Leading New Growth Initiatives: A Conversation with Robyn Bolton
08/29/2023
114. The Role of Senior Executives in Leading New Growth Initiatives: A Conversation with Robyn Bolton
The Business Model Framework draws an important distinction between a company's Priorities (that is, its Value Proposition and Profit Formula) and its Capabilities. Regarding the latter, which are more effective drivers of corporate innovation – Processes or Resources? The answer to this question, of course, depends on an organization's circumstances and strategic goals. Specifically, in circumstances where companies are pursuing growth via sustaining opportunities, a company's Processes are key. However, in circumstances where companies are pursuing potentially disruptive opportunities, their Resources - and particularly senior leadership - are crucial. In this episode, brings these concepts to life through the stories of two companies working to build disruptive growth engines, highlighting the actions of senior executives at each firm, one of which was ultimately successful while the other faltered and failed in these attempts. In conversation with host , Robyn shares insights on several topics related to the role of senior leaders, including the necessity of standing astride the interfaces of mainstream and disruptive growth businesses; the ability to sense when circumstances are changing; the importance of adjusting metrics and incentives to create space for employees to spot disruptive opportunities; and the need (and challenge) to act when business is good rather than during difficult times. As Robyn points out, if you want different results, then you need to do things differently - and this often means tackling the difficult task of setting aside processes that drive sustaining innovation, at least in some parts of the business, and leaning more on a company's resources, including its senior leadership, to play a crucial role in the management of disruptive growth initiatives.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/27873522
info_outline
113. The Capitalist's Dilemma: A Conversation with Derek van Bever
08/08/2023
113. The Capitalist's Dilemma: A Conversation with Derek van Bever
"In our view, the crux of the problem is that investments in different types of innovation affect economies (and companies) in very different ways – but are evaluated using the same (flawed) metrics. Specifically, financial markets – and companies themselves – use assessment metrics that make innovations that eliminate jobs more attractive than those that create jobs.” This quote comes from the 2014 HBR article that Clayton Christensen and co-authored, entitled . As you’ll hear in this conversation, the article is as relevant today as it was when it was first published nearly a decade ago. In this episode – originally recorded as part of ’s three month series on dedicated to Clay’s life and work - Derek joins Aidan to discuss a number of topics related to the article's main theme, that being the assertion that “the tools we use to guide our investments are blind to the best opportunities for creating new jobs and new markets.” For instance, Derek considers how our behavior, in interacting with metrics, can often lead to unfortunate consequences; the pull of established markets; the different types of innovation (performance-improving, efficiency, and market-creating) and their respective impacts on growth; the scarcity of long-term investors; and the challenges faced by corporate innovators, to cite but a few examples. Also discussed are potential solutions to the capitalist's dilemma, along with the observation that if people understand the dilemma, they are then better equipped to respond to the challenges that it presents.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/27687327
info_outline
112. The Microstress Effect: A Conversation with Rob Cross and Karen Dillon
07/18/2023
112. The Microstress Effect: A Conversation with Rob Cross and Karen Dillon
Clayton Christensen, in a , while drawing on insights from , said, "The way we invest our time and energy and talents (sometimes) causes us to implement a strategy that we wouldn't at all plan to pursue." Now, his co-author on that book, , has partnered with to write , which she views as a sort of companion book to How Will You Measure Your Life. Specifically, while her work with Clay sets forth important frameworks for thinking about the decisions that we make in our lives, including the longer term consequences of our choices, The Microstress Effect helps readers to understand why and how we make those decisions, while also providing concrete tools for living intentionally. There is certainly a hidden but very real toll resulting from the accumulation of small moments of stress in our lives. However, if we recognize these microstresses - those that drain our capacity to manage work and life; those that deplete our emotional reserves; and those that challenge our identities - we can then take deliberate actions to navigate the obstacle course of those stresses, leading to increased resilience and overall happier lives. In this conversation, hosted by , Rob and Karen not only delve into the concept of microstress but also discuss a number of antidotes, including finding purpose, the power of living a multidimensional life, the importance of authentic and diverse connections, and more that can be done to proactively foster resiliency and improve well-being.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/27493500
info_outline
111. Creating a Market for Solar Energy in Nigeria: A Conversation with Efosa Ojomo
06/27/2023
111. Creating a Market for Solar Energy in Nigeria: A Conversation with Efosa Ojomo
Nigeria is home to the largest energy deficit in the world. What can be done to address the striking level of energy poverty in the country? Clayton Christensen used to say that good theory helps us to explain the world but that great theory helps us to transform it. With this in mind, co-author with Clay of , , joins host to consider the application of the frameworks to the energy sector in Nigeria, using them as lenses through which to assess the adoption – or lack thereof – of solar energy in the country. Solutions to many of the current energy sector challenges in Nigeria lie in the process of market creation, which Efosa outlines as discovery, distribution, and democratization. Currently, too many attempt to jump from the discovery phase directly to democratization, wanting to push modular energy solutions out to the population but without first understanding the process by which markets are created or the context in which the solutions may be absorbed. With a better grasp of Nigerians’ Jobs To Be Done (e.g. "How is this energy going to power your life?"), those in the energy sector can establish value-add solutions and business models that will work for the adoption of solar energy, such that people will want to pull the solutions into their lives, creating new energy markets along the way. The distribution phase is crucial to this process, as it is in this phase where infrastructure is built, where trust is established, where discoveries are made profitable, and where democratization becomes possible. In other words, theory can help us to better understand how to get crucial solar energy infrastructure to as many people as possible, building a stable bridge between discovery and democratization. Listen to learn more about the process and potential of market creating innovations and, in this instance, how it's applied to the acceleration of solar energy adoption in Nigeria.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/27283473
info_outline
110. Why AI Hasn't Helped Radiology (Until Now): A Conversation with Cameron Andrews
06/06/2023
110. Why AI Hasn't Helped Radiology (Until Now): A Conversation with Cameron Andrews
Radiology touches around 80% of all hospital and health system visits, impacting nearly every specialty in medicine. However, the incumbent radiology IT system infrastructure places the promise and power of AI out of reach for practitioners. Though radiology has historically been on the cutting edge of technological advancements in medicine, e.g. in terms of digitization, radiology is now stuck in a technological gridlock, a situation in which each modular component of the tech stack works well enough but where the system as a whole is failing to sufficiently support physicians, who are experiencing high levels of burnout, and their patients. Working to enhance both the quantity and quality of work that radiologists can deliver, is driving the shift away from modular gridlock to an interdependent system, employing AI to amplify the value of radiology to downstream care. In this episode, , Founder & CEO of Sirona Medical, joins to discuss the cloud-native unified workflow software they're working to build, along with its applications. The two consider the history of radiology; the challenges and opportunities of both the present day and on the healthcare horizon; how Sirona Medical is reimagining the system’s underlying architecture; and more. Cameron believes that Modularity Theory is going to be the most important business framework in healthcare over the next decade. Listen to learn more about why and how he and his team at Sirona Medical are committed to elevating the field of radiology!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/27054363
info_outline
109. The Application Of Jobs To Be Done At LinkedIn: A Conversation with Craig Mackintosh
05/16/2023
109. The Application Of Jobs To Be Done At LinkedIn: A Conversation with Craig Mackintosh
In this episode, , Head of User Experience Research at , reflects on how the Jobs To Be Done framework has been used at the company to provide strategic focus. He joins , co-author with Clayton Christensen on and author of , to discuss how the team at LinkedIn has drawn on Jobs Theory to unlock innovation through a better understanding of the functional, social, and emotional Jobs had by its members and customers. In using the Jobs To Be Done framework, LinkedIn has been able to take steps towards the implementation of a common language across its many teams, has made more intentional choices around which Jobs they’re solving for and why, and has found increased success in both articulating LinkedIn’s value to its customers and in capturing opportunities for growth and innovation. Listen to learn more about the pilot studies that were undertaken; some of the Jobs that were uncovered in asking, “Why do people post on LinkedIn?”; how the team got buy-in from employees and incorporated Jobs into the company’s culture; and the challenges and opportunities that presented themselves along the way.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/26846064
info_outline
108. The Portfolio Life: A Conversation with Christina Wallace
04/25/2023
108. The Portfolio Life: A Conversation with Christina Wallace
wrote , in part, to explain the zig zagging path of her own life, a trajectory that has been markedly different than the more linear and predefined paths often followed by those in earlier generations. The accelerating pace of change, along with one societal disruption after the next, has resulted in ever more uncertainty about what the future holds and translates into the need for an emergent strategy for one’s life. The beauty of the model presented in The Portfolio Life is that it provides readers with a practical guide on how to be more intentional and strategic about the actions we take, particularly during times of transition, and it allows us to rebalance allocations when our needs inevitably change. In this conversation, hosted by , Christina reflects on parallels between The Portfolio Life and ; the importance of having an identity separate from your job title; our oftentimes flawed metrics of success; why she thinks of herself as , and the value that can be found at the intersection of those overlapping circles; the promise of diagonal thinking; and more. Listen to learn about how practitioners of The Portfolio Life model gain optionality, flexibility, and diversification in their lives, resulting in greater stability in the face of the many unknowns and changing circumstances that we all will face in navigating the waters – both personal and professional – of our lives.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/26642397
info_outline
107. Beautiful Trauma: A Conversation with Rebecca Fogg
04/04/2023
107. Beautiful Trauma: A Conversation with Rebecca Fogg
After a shocking accident left with a partially amputated hand, she found herself faced with the sudden and daunting challenge of recovering, both physically and psychologically, from the trauma. Though her background at the time was not in medicine, she hired – in the language of the Jobs To Be Done framework – the pursuit of scientific knowledge to help heal and to make progress in her life. That search for knowledge, intertwined with her personal experiences on the journey to recovery, inspired Becca to write . Over the last decade, Becca has worked at the intersection of business innovation and healthcare delivery. In this conversation, hosted by , she shares the story of Beautiful Trauma and also delves into what can be learned from the ordeal, in terms of insights for healthcare innovators. The two discuss health as being the product of many drivers, therefore necessitating the implementation of collaborative initiatives across sectors, along with system engagement at both the level of communities and the individual. Becca provides a number of great examples of successful cross-sector integration initiatives, in both the United States and England, and also considers takeaways from these programs for the broader healthcare ecosystem. Drawing on her lived experience of trauma, this insightful conversation includes Becca’s reflections on opportunities for innovation in healthcare; the challenges of navigating the healthcare system when we have the least capacity to do so; our sometimes misguided perceptions of resilience; different coping mechanisms; the importance of formal and informal support systems; and so much more!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/26430801
info_outline
106. Reimagining Financial Advice For The Modern World: A Conversation with Anders Jones
03/14/2023
106. Reimagining Financial Advice For The Modern World: A Conversation with Anders Jones
Currently, over 75% of American households don’t have access to high quality, affordable, and unbiased financial advice. co-founded in order to make these financial planning services available to a large population of people who don't qualify to receive them under existing incumbent business models. In other words, Facet is a prime example of a new market disruption, with the company largely competing against the non-consumption of financial advice. Taking this approach, however, wasn’t how the Facet story began when it initially entered the market, which exemplifies the emergent strategy utilized by the company that allowed for Facet’s pivot to its current strategy. In this conversation, hosted by , Anders reflects on how he’s using the frameworks to build and scale his enterprise, including the enabling technology that, paired with Facet’s business model, allows the company to profitably serve customers who are uninteresting to incumbents in the space. The two also discuss where Anders intends to take Facet in the future, redefining financial planning and advice and working to more fully integrate wealth management into their customers’ daily lives. Listen to learn more about how Facet is creating a new market and also changing the discussion around what it means to work with a financial advisor - a great example of Clay's theories in action!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/26219196
info_outline
105. Here Be Dragons: A Conversation with Aidan McCullen
02/21/2023
105. Here Be Dragons: A Conversation with Aidan McCullen
In his book, , writes about how, centuries ago, sailors would set out to sea with maps labelled with the Latin words hic sun dracones - here be dragons - which meant that they didn't know much - if anything - about the uncharted waters and unexplored lands that awaited them. In today's volatile and uncertain world, there are parallels to be drawn between the odysseys of past and present. There are also strategies that can be employed, both by corporations and by individuals, to thrive amidst challenging circumstances, and they center on the intentional development of a mindset of permanent reinvention. Aidan himself exemplifies this mindset, having built capabilities as a professional rugby player, a digital media specialist, an innovation and change consultant, a professor at Trinity College Dublin, and host of podcast, where he's in the midst of a three month series dedicated to the life, work, and theories of Clayton Christensen. In this Disruptive Voice episode, he joins to discuss the experience of putting the series together, including not only re-reading all of Clay's books but also having in-depth conversations with his co-authors; the necessity of building capabilities before we need them; lessons we can learn from immortal jellyfish; insights gleaned from making the time to read eclectically; finding assets in ashes; and, above all, the importance of facing the dragons in our lives and of always becoming - the concept of permanent reinvention.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/25971276
info_outline
104. The Innovator's Dilemma: A Conversation with Matt Christensen
01/31/2023
104. The Innovator's Dilemma: A Conversation with Matt Christensen
In the introduction of , first published in 1997, Clayton Christensen wrote that the book "is about well-managed companies that have their competitive antennae up, listen astutely to their customers, invest aggressively in new technologies, and yet still lose market dominance." Years later, the dilemma is as relevant and as challenging as ever. In this episode of The Disruptive Voice, host and guest take a fascinating and deep dive into the book - and they do so as the first in a series of episodes on that are dedicated to the life, work, and theories of Clayton Christensen. Specifically, host of The Innovation Show, , has kindly supported the re-release of his inspiring conversation with Clay's son, CEO & Managing Partner at , . Drawing on insights from Disruption Theory, along with a number of other theories developed by Clay and his collaborators over the years, listen to learn more about how, in Aidan's words, executives can simultaneously do what's right for the near-term health of their established businesses while also focusing adequate resources on the innovations that could ultimately lead to their downfalls - The Innovator’s Dilemma!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/25780404
info_outline
103. Unlocking Opportunities Through The Application of Jobs Theory: A Conversation with Alasdair Trotter
01/10/2023
103. Unlocking Opportunities Through The Application of Jobs Theory: A Conversation with Alasdair Trotter
Jobs Theory, when correctly applied, has the potential to be a huge unlock for organizations that have yet to realize the full value from their agile transformations. In order to benefit from the full potential of the Jobs To Be Done framework, a systems lens is required in its application. In this episode, ’s joins host to discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise when trying to build more customer-centric and agile organizations. The conversation covers many of the ways in which Jobs Theory can be used to strengthen different aspects of the enterprise operating model, from strategy development to modern product and portfolio management. The discussion also includes a variety of insights about how Jobs Theory can bring more focus to enterprise strategy, overcome solution bias when developing and managing products, and improve the prioritization of strategy goals, as well as specific features. In short, listen to this insightful conversation to learn more about Jobs Theory as a powerful tool for addressing many of the challenges faced by modern product organizations!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/25552371
info_outline
102. Customers Think In Trade-Offs: A Conversation with Pontus Siren and Shahriar Parvarandeh
12/20/2022
102. Customers Think In Trade-Offs: A Conversation with Pontus Siren and Shahriar Parvarandeh
In of The Disruptive Voice, discussed the Jobs methodology and how it relates to customer centricity. Companies exist to address customer problems, i.e. their Jobs To Be Done – and the first critical step for any innovator is to identify a good problem to solve. In this episode, Pontus’ colleague, , joins him to not only delve deeper into the importance of having a customer-centric approach but also to highlight that as Jobs arise in the lives of customers, they are compelled to make trade-off decisions. While the Jobs methodology enables companies to more deeply understand the progress that customers are trying to make, trade-off analysis enables them to systematically develop customer Jobs-centric solutions. Of further note is that, for companies, trade-offs are the linchpin of strategy, and they must constantly innovate to develop new and distinctive trade-off equations. Mastering this discipline is indispensable because, in the long run, companies succeed by continuously developing differentiated solutions with compelling trade-offs. Drawing on a number of real world examples to bring these ideas to life, this conversation sheds new light on how, through changing from a mindset of customer centricity to one of customers’ Jobs centricity, companies can innovate in more predictable and systematic ways.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/25378143
info_outline
101. Learning To Build: A Conversation with Bob Moesta
11/29/2022
101. Learning To Build: A Conversation with Bob Moesta
This is a true story of one man, his four children, four mentors, and five skills. It began when ’s now-grown children moved out of the family home. Bob and his wife decided to clean things out a bit and during that process, in their attic, Bob came across eight hundred and forty-seven notebooks containing information on everything that he had worked on throughout his career! As he started to read through the notebooks it became clear that he had a great deal of information to share, wisdom gained over the years from his experiences working alongside his four mentors. Out of that attic discovery was born Bob's new book, "". The book is dedicated to his mentors as follows: "To my mentors: Drs. Clayton Christensen, Genichi Taguchi, W. Edwards Deming, and Willie Hobbs Moore, who shared their knowledge with me so that I could pay it forward." In this episode, Bob joins host to discuss the five fundamental skills of innovators and entrepreneurs, gleaned from his decades working as an innovative builder, teacher, and entrepreneur. He also reflects on his friendship with Clay and the importance of mentors; the power of mindset change; projects that he's currently working on; and why people should "hire" his new book. Above all, Bob is focused on paying it forward and helping others to make progress in their lives. Listen to learn more!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/25154067
info_outline
The Disruptive Voice's 100th Episode - Anomalies Wanted
11/08/2022
The Disruptive Voice's 100th Episode - Anomalies Wanted
Many listeners will know that Clay had a homemade “Anomalies Wanted” sign in his office at Harvard Business School – it was the backbone of his approach to research and theory building, as he worked to strengthen and refine his frameworks over the years. Many past guests on this podcast, when asked about what made Clay such a powerful thinker and teacher, responded saying that he was humble, that he was open to learning from everyone, and that he was always on the lookout for anomalies. Specifically, Clay viewed anomalies not as threats to the viability or applicability of his work but – quite the opposite – as presenting opportunities to learn and to improve the frameworks. In this episode, you'll hear from a number of people who were near and dear to Clay, all of whom share their reflections and insights on the theme of "Anomalies Wanted." Thank you to the following individuals for their participation in this 100th episode project: , , , , , , , , , and . Thank you also to for getting this podcast off the ground back in 2016; to for his work behind the scenes, overseeing the recording sessions; to our many wonderful guests and hosts; to our listeners, for tuning in and for sharing The Disruptive Voice with others; and, of course, to Clay, who continues to inspire us. We look forward to the next 100 episodes and to the discovery of those anomalies that we'll undoubtedly uncover along the way. If you have anomalies to share with us, ! Anomalies Wanted.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/24938127
info_outline
99. Rebuilding Arts Audiences Through Customer-Centric Engagement: A Conversation with Ruth Hartt
10/18/2022
99. Rebuilding Arts Audiences Through Customer-Centric Engagement: A Conversation with Ruth Hartt
When you receive a brochure in the mail from your local symphony or visit a website for your regional orchestra, what do you typically see? You’re very likely going to read flowery language about the beauty of the art and the skill of the artists, accompanied by photos of the conductor and the musicians on the stage. You probably won’t see the audience or how the experience might impact them. The arts sector, however, is in the midst of an audience crisis – and the time has come for arts organizations to stop ignoring their customers. In this episode, The Christensen Institute’s , who spent 17 years as an opera singer, joins host to discuss how the Jobs To Be Done framework can be used as an effective tool by arts organizations, helping them to better engage with and grow their audiences. While many in the arts world have been operating under the comfortable assumption that they’ve nailed customer motivation, believing that “Help me to experience art performed at its highest level” is the primary motivator for ticket purchases, this approach fails to truly understand customers’ struggling moments and the reasons why they may hire an orchestral performance or an evening out at the opera. Armed with techniques and insights drawn from Jobs Theory, arts organizations can successfully shift from simply trying to push tickets to and their communities through the arts-focused experiences that they provide. Listen to learn more about the opportunities for audience engagement and growth that await those arts administrators and marketers who recognize that the world revolves not around the performances they stage but rather and the progress they’re seeking to make in their lives.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/24718272
info_outline
98. How Covid Crashed The System – And Where To Go From Here: A Conversation with Dr. David Nash
09/27/2022
98. How Covid Crashed The System – And Where To Go From Here: A Conversation with Dr. David Nash
Founding Dean at , , recently co-authored a book entitled "", in which he and draw parallels between flying a plane and delivering healthcare services. Leaning into the analogy, they liken the American healthcare system to an airplane crash – and they’re the post-crash investigators searching for the black box. The first half of the book describes to readers what was found in the black box of our healthcare system, while the second half presents the authors’ report about how we might fix this mess and get the plane back in the air. In this episode, David joins ’s to discuss insights about the fault lines in American healthcare; how the pandemic shone a spotlight on the challenges that were already present long before March of 2020; and steps that we can take – including a more aggressive approach to tackling drivers of health, realigning incentives, and rethinking medical education – to address the multiple system failures in our current healthcare system. Listen to hear more about this opportunity to build a better, safer, and more equitable healthcare system in the United States.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/24494994
info_outline
97. Fueling The Energy Transition: A Conversation With Frank Mycroft
09/06/2022
97. Fueling The Energy Transition: A Conversation With Frank Mycroft
One of the items you’ll find on Co-Founder & CEO ’s desk is a placemat, highlighting the frameworks that are covered in the course, which Frank took at Harvard Business School in 2012. Since its founding in 2015, Booster has built an energy-agnostic, modular, mobile network in which the company knows the energy demands of its customers, has the ability to procure the right energy products at the right time, and can leverage technology to ascertain the sustainability scores of these energy products – and all without needing to build complicated brick-and-mortar infrastructure that can make it impossible to get to the scale that alternative energy types and fuels need to be successful. In this episode, Frank joins ' to discuss the story of Booster, from the struggling moments that were the seeds of its founding and innovative approach to energy delivery; to the transition to fleets; to today’s smart energy and data management initiatives; to Frank’s thoughts on Booster’s future upmarket moves and growth. Given that Frank has drawn on insights gleaned from the BSSE frameworks throughout his time building and scaling the business, Booster represents a great example of theory in action, in this case, as applied to the acceleration of adoption of greenhouse emissions-reducing products, such as renewable diesels, biofuels, electricity for EVs, and hydrogen. Listen to learn more about how Booster is helping its customers to navigate the mixed energy future!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/24277035
info_outline
96. Seeing Around Corners: A Conversation with Rita McGrath
08/16/2022
96. Seeing Around Corners: A Conversation with Rita McGrath
Clayton Christensen and , one of the top management thinkers in the world, spent over two decades as both colleagues and friends. To this day, the concept of Discovery-Driven Planning, first widely introduced in a , is taught in the Building and Sustaining a Successful Enterprise course at Harvard Business School. In this insightful conversation, Rita joins host to discuss a number of topics highly relevant to management and strategy, including her work on inflection points and spotting the future before it arrives; the importance of testing fundamental assumptions (and why we so often fail to do so); barriers to innovation and growth; and , the company that Rita founded to help organizations build lasting innovation capability as the basis for long-term shared prosperity. Listen to learn more!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/24063234
info_outline
95. The Myths of Customer-Centricity: A Conversation with Scott Anthony, Claudia Pardo, and Pontus Siren
07/26/2022
95. The Myths of Customer-Centricity: A Conversation with Scott Anthony, Claudia Pardo, and Pontus Siren
Earlier this summer, members of the team attended in Dublin, Ireland, where they joined industry leaders and spoke on the topic of Dispelling The Myths of Customer-Centricity. In this episode, is joined by his colleagues, and , to further delve into these myths. Through the lenses of the Jobs To Be Done framework, and drawing on a number of real-world examples, they consider how the application of Jobs Theory fundamentally changes how one thinks about innovation, strategy, and how best to set an organization on a path to success. Creating a customer-centric organization grounded in the idea of a Job To Be Done, however, remains a remarkably elusive target, despite many knowing that it’s important and that it provides clear benefits. In other words, being customer-centric may seem like a relatively simple and straightforward idea – but customer-centricity is often difficult to implement in practice. Tune in for a fascinating discussion about the myths of customer-centricity, including why its practical application is so challenging and, crucially, actionable steps that organizations can take and tools that they can use to truly become more customer-centric, thereby increasing the odds of successfully building and sustaining a successful enterprise.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/23858235
info_outline
94. The What, The How, And The Jobs To Be Done Served By The Modern Classrooms Project – A Conversation with Kareem Farah
07/05/2022
94. The What, The How, And The Jobs To Be Done Served By The Modern Classrooms Project – A Conversation with Kareem Farah
After college, became a high school math teacher, teaching in the traditional way that most of us experienced as students, with the instructor standing in front of the classroom and lecturing on the information that students were supposed to learn. Much to his frustration and dismay, however, he soon discovered that there were some things that were shockingly wrong about traditional teaching and learning, namely that the instructional model was largely broken and kids in his classroom were not being well-served by it. As such, Kareem, along with fellow teacher, , co-founded – addressing their personal Job To Be Done of “Help me to replace this broken instructional model so that I can better serve my students.” In this episode, and through the lenses of the Jobs To Be Done framework, Kareem joins ’s to discuss the unique instructional delivery professional development model that they’re building at Modern Classrooms Project, including features such as the model being opt-in only and both curriculum and grade level-agnostic, and also how it results in more student-centered classrooms, along with better outcomes for both teachers and students. The Modern Classrooms Project is a great example where the founders’ own struggling moments were indeed the seeds for innovation in the K-12 classrooms where teachers have adopted the Modern Classrooms instructional model. Listen to learn more!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/23627600
info_outline
93. Bringing The Venture Studio Model to Southeast Asia: A Conversation with Nick Ongkowijaya
06/14/2022
93. Bringing The Venture Studio Model to Southeast Asia: A Conversation with Nick Ongkowijaya
Southeast Asia is a vibrant, fast-growing, and diverse region of the world, home to vast opportunities, particularly for those supporting market-creating innovations. In this episode, - an HBS and BSSE alumnus who also worked as an Associate at - joins host to share the story of the new venture studio that he's building in Southeast Asia, called . Nick discusses the local context, including the drivers of non-consumption of entrepreneurial opportunities in the region; how he's building his venture studio to bring more would-be entrepreneurs into the startup ecosystem; the many BSSE frameworks that he regularly draws upon, both in building Gradient and in thinking about the venture studio's pipeline of companies; and the potential of market-creating innovations in Southeast Asia, particularly as they relate to solutions for the informal economy. Through the founding of Gradient - and drawing on the work being done there to foster entrepreneurship and innovation - Nick presents listeners with a number of great examples of theory in action out there in the world!
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/23420780
info_outline
92. To Transform Lives, Transform Business Models: A Conversation with Ann Somers Hogg and Ann Christensen
05/24/2022
92. To Transform Lives, Transform Business Models: A Conversation with Ann Somers Hogg and Ann Christensen
In this episode, ’s joins host to, through the lens of the business model framework, discuss the significance of drivers of health to the future of the health care industry. In her newly-released paper, , Ann Somers provides a compass to guide leaders as they develop transition plans to succeed in a value-based future. The paper – and this conversation – addresses questions surrounding why our health care industry is where it is when it comes to tackling drivers of health; why business model transformation in the health care space is particularly challenging; what organizations employing innovative business models are doing to improve people’s health and overall quality of life; and what health care leaders can learn from these examples. Truly, a sharper focus on foundational business model structures in the health care space can transform lives! Tune in to this thought-provoking conversation to learn more.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/23203244
info_outline
91. Playing The Long Game: A Conversation With Dorie Clark
05/03/2022
91. Playing The Long Game: A Conversation With Dorie Clark
In her book, , both reflects on the importance of having a longer-term strategy for our personal and professional lives, and provides readers with practical steps that can be taken to optimize for the future. In this episode, she joins hosts and to discuss the book and, in doing so, draws a number of parallels between her work and . Together, they discuss a range of topics, including the value of long-term thinking, and why it’s often so challenging; discovering one’s purpose; managing uncertainty; finding balance between personal and professional goals; different types of networking; reorienting to see the bigger picture, and more! Truly, the power of making small, strategic changes today can be enormous in terms of impact on future success – it’s all about playing the long game.
/episode/index/show/thedisruptivevoice/id/22982384