James Sugrue, Founder of AFK presented a Masterclass on Innovation for Cowards – How to Ride on the Coattails of Technology

1. INNOVATION FOR COWARDS
How to ride on the coattails of technology.

3. In all my years of working in technology, I
recall no other time with such a great
scale and rapidity to change…… And
there is great opportunity to get ahead of
the game. Directors shouldn’t leave
innovation to chance […] It needs to be
supported by proper processes and
organisational structures to truly work.
“
“
David Thodey AO, FAICD
Chairman, CSIRO

4. Great new ideas that are
turned into hard cash
“
“

5. The Innovation Radar
Kellogg School of Management

6. Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Gesture Control
Cryptocurrency
Gamification *

7. How do we ride the
disruptive waves at AFK?
Find emerging technologies on the ‘slopes of
enlightenment’ on the hype cycle
Build prototypes for these
technologies but deliberately push
boundaries
Ensure we gain as much learnings as
possible - becoming 'experts' of the
emerging technology

8. Gesture Control

10. Touch Technology Market Forecast
2016 (f) 2018(f)
0
10
20
30
40
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
2020(f)
RevenueBillions
The touch-module market forecast calls for rapid advances through at least 2020. Source: Touch Display Research, Inc., 2014.

11. Haus of Balloons
Internal AFK project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPOJqlQJ94M

12. Virtual Reality

14. Myths & Legends VR
Internal VR experience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b86r8bebsv4

15. Cryptocurrency

19. Gamification

21. $5.7B
E U R O P E
$24.7B
A S I A
$6.9B
N O R T H
A M E R I C A
$2.4B
L A T I N
A M E R I C A
$0.8B
R E S T O F
T H E W O R L D

22. OVER $40B
G L O B A L

23. GABE LEYDON
CEO, Machine Zone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXBqzpExvrk

24. •
•

25. RAINBOW REEF
AFK INTERNAL PROJECT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEt4yJCHv2Q

26. Augmented Reality

28. Don’t know how to do something?
Don’t try to.01.
Does your company courier its own packages? Generate its own electricity?
Thought not.
You may find you need a partner for innovation, just as you partner with many other
firms in other areas.

29. There is no right size for
innovation.02.
When most people think of innovation they think of startups. App makers, or fintech.
We forget that big companies such as Procter and Gamble, 3M, and IBM have
managed to stay on top for decades. And they’ve done that by innovating.

30. Break norms and be first
movers on tech03.
Procter & Gamble's tech leadership helped propel their
product disposable diapers into the US market using a
learning based preemption to help invest in low priced
European fiber, which helped keep costs down and
allowed for selling the diapers profitably at a cheaper
price.

31. Embrace change no matter how
uncomfortable - look for short term gaps04.
Uber saw a gap in food service and leveraged existing strengths to close it with
streamlined delivery options. Its short term Uber Eats program gave it an edge
every other company overlooked.

32. Change the culture to incorporate
an innovative mindset05.
Lots of examples here but my favourite is "Empower champions to push back
against bouncers".
Big businesses have large employee bases with clear reporting lines.
Brett Bishop, a Managing Design Strategist for Capital One, explained how he beat
the system.
"We went to people who were too busy to pay attention. We got our quick wins
while no one was paying attention, then had the proof point to do more".

33. Never Fail to fail06.
"Google is known for YouTube, not Google Video Player. The thing is
people remember your hits more then your misses. It's ok to fail as long
as you learn from your mistakes and correct them fast. Knowing that it's
ok to fail can free you up to take risks. And the tech industry is so
dynamic that the moment you stop taking risks is the moment you get
left behind".
Susan Wojcicki, CEO YouTube

34. Don't worry be
Crappy.07.
Guy Kawasaki
Better to ship 75% of the right solution to the
market then waiting till you have 90%
complete and miss the opportunity.

35. Polarise People08.
Most companies want to appeal to all
demographics, but this guarantees mediocracy.
Make segments of people happy.
Piss people off, great things polarise people.

36. Dip a Toe09.
Afraid of wasting money? Don’t spend much.
Just dip a toe in the water.
Then you’ll feel a lot more confident if you do need to make a big investment
decision, further down the line. That’s what R&D is for.

37. Hit your Passions10.
It’s often harder to get innovative projects moving, because you don’t have the
processes in place to make them happen.
So try innovating in a part of your business that’s a particular passion area.
That way, it’s much more likely to see the light of day... magic may happen… plus
you’ll enjoy it!

38. DIGITAL • MEDIA • EXPLORATION