Innovation Heroes

Granny’s Brand No More: Kenmore CEO Revitalizes 100-Year-Old Company

You may think of Kenmore as your grandmother's brand. It’s true – the name first appeared on sewing machines in 1913. But the brand has been revitalized by their current CEO Sri Solur. In just 18 months, he’s doubled licensing revenue and scaled to thousands of new locations and online. This week, he talks about how he's brought innovation to this 100-year old company by using software development principles and agile business methods, from his background in wearable technology and robotics.

Kenmore previously sold everyday appliances, such as fridges, washing machines, and vacuums, exclusively at Sears department stores, but went through a tipping point when Sears declared bankruptcy. Just 18 months ago, it was nearly impossible to find Kenmore products on shelves. Now they’re in more than 5200 locations, including Target.

Solur shares the techniques he brought from the technical world to Kenmore, including leaning in on quality and speed of operations. He also talks about his advice to other legacy companies for appealing to younger generations, including through energy security and decarbonization initiatives.

Innovation Heroes is an SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/.

Cyber Warriors: From the Dark Web to the Frontlines

They’re protecting the US energy grid, monitoring the dark web, and even getting shot at in Ukraine. Threat intelligence agencies are taking down bad actors daily in the world of cybersecurity. This week, Ed talks to Joe Marshall, Senior Security Strategist at Cisco Talos Intelligence Group, one of the largest of its kind in the world.

History-making cybersecurity events are happening in Ukraine and Marshall has been on the ground there twice, maintaining critical infrastructure. He discusses the potential for threats against critical US infrastructure, the evolution of cybersecurity, and emerging trends to be aware of. 

 

This episode is brought to you by Cisco. Anticipate, act, and simplify with the Cisco Secure Firewall. To learn more, call your SHI Account Executive or go to shiciscosecurity.com

 

===

 

Innovation Heroes is an SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on Youtube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/ 

GenAI in the Enterprise: Myths, Mistakes and Methods for Success

The buzz around Generative AI is growing louder. But what's the reality behind the hype?

It can be difficult to know when and how to start – and what the consequences might be. In this episode, we are bringing you real-world advice for AI implementation. Ed is joined by John Byron Hanby IV, Founder & CEO of Iternal Technologies, and Allen Clingerman, Chief Technology Strategist at Dell, to discuss practical methodologies for launching GenAI in the business. We'll cover the benefits of doing it right, as well as common misconceptions and mistakes. 

This episode is brought to you by Dell Generative AI Solutions.

Generate higher quality results and faster time-to-value with a powerful, full-stack solution from Dell Technologies and NVIDIA.

Visit Dell.com/AI to get started.

Unsung Heroes: Celebrating the Public Sector CIO

Public sector IT heroes support more than 3000 county governments across the USA. Without them, we wouldn’t have daily necessities like public utilities, roadways, law enforcement, or secure elections. But these small and mighty teams are up against budget restrictions, unfunded government mandates, cyber-attacks, talent shortages... the list goes on.

 

On today’s episode, Ed talks with Micah Hassinger, Director of IT in Passaic County, NJ, about how he is leading efforts to modernize the county's IT systems and infrastructure, while making the most fiscally responsible decisions. There are no taxpayer dollars set aside for failure, says Hassinger. And he says it’s difficult to attract top talent in government roles, with a lot of the skills never used in public sector IT.

How does this unsung hero make it all work? Listen to find out.

 

Innovation Heroes is a SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on Youtube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/

The GenAI Security Dilemma: Friend or Foe?

With the proliferation of generative AI, new forms of threats have been unleashed, presenting novel challenges for cybersecurity experts. However, amidst this uncertainty, there is a glimmer of hope. Can AI itself be the key to fortifying our defences and shaping the future of cybersecurity strategies? 

On today's episode, host Ed McNamara meets with Michael Wilcox, Vice President of the Office of the CISO at Stratascale. Wilcox sheds light on the fascinating convergence of AI and cybersecurity, uncovering the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this rapidly evolving domain. Together, they explore how intelligent systems can be safeguarded, identify the menacing threats posed by generative AI, and investigate whether AI itself can be instrumental in shaping robust cybersecurity strategies.

Innovation Heroes is a production of SHI. Find out how we can help your business Solve what’s next with our stress-free, scalable solutions that you – and your people – will love. Visit shi.com/solvewhatsnext to learn more.

How to Defeat the Data Capacity Crisis

The thing humanity consumes the most is water. The second is data, and that’s growing at an alarming rate, says Tom Frazier, CEO of Redivider. On today’s episode, Ed talks with Frazier about how Redivider is shifting how data centers are built and operated as data needs continue to explode. 

Traditionally, it can take up to three years and a quarter of a billion dollars to build mega data centers. Redivider is creating data centers using prefabricated modular parts that can go live in 30 days. On the show, Frazier talks about opportunity zones, such as using the heat generated to create community greenhouses. To combat noise pollution, immersion cooling technology can be built into the facility. Centers can also run on hydrogen, a green energy source, he says. Additionally, Frazier talks about the lack of construction workforce, how data centers impact water usage, and other concerns for the future of sustainable data storage.

Innovation Heroes is an SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on Youtube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/

Why You Need a Chief of AI: Intel’s Stacey Shulman

We delve into the world of General Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) with returning guest, Stacey Shulman, a tech industry veteran and vice president at Intel. We explore the powerful transformations GenAI is bringing to healthcare and retail sectors, highlighting some truly inspiring use cases that showcase the potential of this groundbreaking technology.

But this episode isn't just about the "what" of GenAI, we also navigate the "how". Stacey offers invaluable insights into the practical considerations business leaders need to take into account to successfully implement AI within their organizations. From her experiences at Intel and collaborations with industry influencers like will.i.am, she provides actionable advice for harnessing the power of AI.

The PR Firm That Disrupted Itself with AI

What if instead of being disrupted, you became the disruptor?

In the first episode of Season 5, we hear from Greg Matusky, the President and Founder of GregoryFCA. Matusky discusses his journey of embracing Generative AI in his PR firm, transforming their operations and culture. He shares how the advent of ChatGPT has revolutionized his firm's processes, and his vision of progressing from an age of information to an age of wisdom and intelligence. Tune in to learn about Matusky's insights on AI's role in public relations and how he's fostering a culture of innovation within his team.

Featuring: Greg Matusky, President and Founder of GregoryFCA

Innovation Heroes is an SHI podcast. New episodes are now available on Youtube and all major podcast platforms. Visit https://blog.shi.com/podcasts/

Solving What’s Next: Innovation Heroes Season 5 Trailer

SHI's Innovation Heroes is back with our most ambitious season ever. We'll unravel 12 inspiring stories from the disruptive front lines, diving into topics such as the revolutionary potential (and risks) of Generative AI and groundbreaking advancements in sustainable IT, all while shining a light on the unsung technology heroes.

We're also delivering a whole new way to experience the conversation. For the first time, we're introducing an all-new video podcast format, enabling you to watch us on YouTube, while still offering audio episodes for your morning jog or commute. Starting June 29, join us as we navigate this intricate world of technology, helping you "Solve What's Next" one major trend at a time.

Best of Innovation Heroes: The Hype is Real

When you work in the technology industry, the “next big thing” is always just around the corner. But how do we spot when something is truly transformational, or if it’s just an over-hyped gimmick? It's a question we often ponder on this show, where we meet individuals at the cutting edge of emerging technologies like blockchain, Web 3 and NFTs. On today’s bonus episode, we’re revisiting the best conversations we've had with start up founders, visionaries and all-around paradigm shifters. And we'll explore why they think the big new technology they represent is truly ground-breaking– and not just a bunch of buzz.

This episode featured conversations with: 

• Costa Kladianos, Vice President, Innovation and Technology at Canlan Sports: https://shiinnovationheroes.podbean.com/e/wtf-are-nfts/
• Barr von Oehsen, Associate Vice President of the Office of Advanced Research Computing at Rutgers University: https://shiinnovationheroes.podbean.com/e/the-real-superheroes-behind-a-supercomputer/
• Medha Parlikar, CTO and Co-Founder at CasperLabs: https://shiinnovationheroes.podbean.com/e/blockchain-101-everything-the-enterprise-needs-to-know/
• Mark Miller, co-founder and CEO of Labelcoin: https://shiinnovationheroes.podbean.com/e/turning-up-the-volume-on-a-new-blockchain-use-case/