Ep. 1.11: Stand-Out Innovators from Season 1

The Synthesize Pod

"Innovation isn't just a process; it's a culture."

In our season finale, hosts Matt Greeley and Margaret Kelsey get to the heart of innovation by revisiting the standout moments from season one of "Just Say Hackathon." They explored how companies like Amtrak, Rocket Mortgage, and Dell Technologies foster innovation in their organizations.

You'll hear stories that go beyond traditional business strategies, offering real-world insights into how organizations blend creativity with structured processes. And ultimately, expect to learn how hackathons are not just tools for innovation, but cultural drivers that help organizations thrive.

Jump into the conversation:

[00:00] Welcome to the show

[01:05] Why innovation is a core cultural element

[03:22] Backstories of innovators and their impact on innovation

[05:37] Ego’s role in resisting change within organizations

[07:50] Innovation vs. human nature’s need for stability

[10:05] Amtrak’s use of 3D printing for problem-solving

[13:18] Emotional investment in running hackathons (Pritesh at Lookout)

[15:35] Structured work enabling unstructured innovation

[18:09] Hackathon rituals and team culture-building

[20:45] Final takeaways from Season 1

Connect with us:

Brightidea - www.brightidea.com
More on Hackathons - https://www.brightidea.com/hackathon

Matt Greeley on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgreeley/

Margaret Kelsey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelsey

Brightidea on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brightidea/