Innovation.  Its easily one of the most used buzzwords floating through corporate hallways and coffee houses alike yet most would agree it is fundamentally misunderstood.  Vast numbers of books, articles, conferences describe key ideation processes, prototyping techniques and organizational structures ranging from venture funds and corporate innovation labs to start-up teams and enterprise crowdsourcing communities.  But even with all of ... Read More »

Confession.  I’m in love with Google + Hangouts.  Yes, I’ve been completely bitten by the video chat bug.  Skype and Facetime have been around for quite a while…what took me so long to discover the joys of digitally-enabled face-to-face interaction? If you haven’t tried a Hangout yet, let me share 3 killer reasons why you shouldn’t wait any longer… 1 ... Read More »

It’s that time of year…March Madness is upon us.  For most, it’s the season for NCAA championship ball accompanied by frothy green pints of Irish ale.  But for the techno-geeks, creative chics and other innovator-enthusiasts, the early part of March heralds a 5-day pilgrimage to Austin, TX for the annual South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi) or ‘Southby’ experience as it’s ... Read More »

For one week each October, Chicago Ideas Week (CIW) brings together some of the world’s most prolific speakers to share their entrepreneurial perspectives and inspire the innovations of tomorrow at more than 130 talks, lab sessions and tours across the city of Chicago. Through the melding of artists, engineers, technologists, inventors, scientists, musicians, economists, intrapreneurs and other passionate explorers, CIW aims ... Read More »