Thought Leader and Influencer Interview with Alex Goryachev, WSJ Bestselling Author and Speaker
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Thinkers360 thought leader interviews profile prominent members of the Thinkers360 community who embody the power of ideas in their work. In this edition, we speak with Alex Goryachev, WSJ Bestselling Author, and Speaker. Alex brings over 20 years of extensive experience working in the fields of Digital Transformation, Innovation Strategy, Ecosystem Partnerships, Employee Engagement, and Parenting. He pioneered the concept of Ecosystem Co-Innovation, and subsequently created and led a large network of global co-innovation centers all over the world.
Alex is a Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author of Fearless Innovation, a pragmatic and effective guide to help your organization survive, transform and prosper. He is also featured in the live listing of the Thinkers360 Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Ecosystems (October 2021)
Thinkers360: Alex, you are a former music promoter, digital entertainment pioneer, a tech industry veteran, and bestselling author. With such diverse background, why did you choose innovation as something to focus on?
AG: I never did – innovation chose me. I grew up in a country that no longer exists, and since my early childhood quickly realized that innovation is the only way to survive, thrive, and prosper.
My life’s calling is connecting the unconnected. By working with governments, startups, and companies around the world, I realized that most of the organizations that are trying to transform and become more innovative have many of the answers within their ecosystem. They just need help unlocking it.
My job is to help organizations dismantle bureaucracy, re-invent business processes, thus creating an employee culture of co-innovation that results in pragmatic and measurable growth.
Thinkers360: Digital Innovation seems to be a hot topic nowadays. How do you feel about that?
AG: I am afraid that Digital Innovation is rapidly becoming an overused buzzword that is losing all its meaning. Digitization is not a single fit-all solution to organizational challenges, it’s just one of the most critical levers for survival and growth. Innovation is never about technology alone. It’s about people.
It’s essential that companies understand their priorities and focus on their customers and culture. Successful companies that “make it” in digital space stay open and co-innovate with others to take advantage of other opportunities that digitization enables.
Thinkers360: In your Wall Street Journal best-selling book “Fearless Innovation” you state that most of the corporate innovation projects fail. Why is that?
AG: Politics, tribal wars, siloed communication, and lack of glamour. Real innovation is not as exciting as launching a “Silicon Valley outpost” or ribbon-cutting for the “employee innovation hub” with kombucha on tap.
The full spectrum of innovation requires a lot of “back-office” work, which could be perceived by many as “boring,” “noncreative,” or, worse, “not important.” In reality, this back-office work—strategy, planning, operations, finance, product management—is what sets successful innovation apart from overhyped initiatives that lead to failure. Successful innovation requires a good balance of creativity and discipline.
Thinkers360: What’s your main advice for upcoming thought leaders?
AG: Stop counter-productive nonsense like thinking “disruptively” and start thinking pragmatically. Focus on a clear vision, well-articulated strategy, and execute in small measurable milestones. Innovation is all about concrete results, and I would encourage you to focus your attention on reaching clearly defined and agreed-upon metrics that are right for your organization.
Thinkers360: What do you like about the Thinkers360 platform and what’s your main advice for upcoming thought leaders?
AG: Let’s talk about “thought leadership” first. Just like being an innovator, being a thought leader is an honor that is earned. Once earned, it becomes a reputation that must be maintained. Focus on becoming a true expert in your field and be of service to others that are tackling similar problems.
My interest in Thinkers360 is simple. Just like most humans, I rarely learn something when I speak. I do it when I listen. Innovation, which I live and breathe, is all about getting a 360-degree perspective, listening to diverse opinions, and exchanging often controversial ideas. Thinkers360’s content feeds my craving for new perspectives and often challenges the way I view the industry.
Thinkers360: What makes you hopeful about the state of innovation today?
AG: For the first time in history since World War II, we are innovating across the entire spectrum.
A good reference for that is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs – you’ll see physical safety and survival at the foundational level, and self-realization at the very top.
The last two years made all of us fight for our survival, realize the fragile nature of life and the power of now. The state of the world today inspires us to live to our fullest potential and focus on what truly matters. That’s what real innovation is about.
This article originally appeared in Thinkers360 on January 9, 2022
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What Alex Can Do For You
Developed and led AI and Innovation strategy for multiple Fortune 100 companies, driving double-digit revenue growth.
Over 20 years of hands-on experience driving transformative business and technology solutions for global brands like Dell, Amgen, IBM, Pfizer, and Cisco.
Recognized by Forbes as “One of the World’s Top Experts on Innovation” and named a “Top AI Keynote Speaker to Watch.”
Frequent contributor to Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Fast Company, sharing actionable insights on AI strategy, the future of work, and innovation.
What sets Alex apart from other top AI speakers and innovation experts?
With AI and innovation elevated to buzzwords, there are plenty of speakers in this space. While many offer insightful keynotes, few can bring the depth of understanding, hands-on experience, and diverse viewpoints that Alex can. Alex doesn’t just talk about AI and innovation. He’s led it at Dell, Pfizer, and Cisco. He’s sat across from C-Suite execs to build global innovation plans. And he’s resonated with audiences at Google, AWS, Disney, Coca Cola, and dozens of other companies with keynotes tailored to their unique AI opportunities. A frequent contributor to Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, and Fast Company, Alex has been identified as a Top AI Voice on LinkedIn. He is also the author of a Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Fearless Innovation. Alex’s style is personable, approachable, and human. It’s never caught up in techspeak, or jargon so he resonates with any audience. Learn more about what sets Alex apart. Get in touch.
How does Alex customize keynotes and workshops?
No two organizations’ AI or innovation opportunities, or challenges, are the same. So canned keynotes or one-size-fits-all workshops just won’t do. Instead, Alex uses AI and data to tailor his engagements with available pre-event surveys. Analyzing responses, Alex customizes his content to address key needs and pain points, ensuring his message is meaningful. Speaking with leadership and other event stakeholders, Alex further customizes the content to ensure resonance and relevance, engaging audiences. Add it all up and you have keynotes and workshops that feel like they’ve been created for you—because they were. Learn more about Alex’s methodology. Get in touch.
What events and audiences are right for Alex?
With so much experience leading large-scale innovation initiatives, Alex is able to reach and resonate with any audience, no matter their knowledge level, industry, culture, or department. Captivating audiences from a live stage, or a virtual event, Alex is a fixture at C-Suite summits, innovation conferences, policy talks, offsites, and employee all hands meetings, plus governmental and academia events. An audience looking for fresh perspectives, real solutions, and custom content will find Alex’s keynotes engaging and actionable with ideas they can start applying right away. Curious about Alex’s recommendations for your event? Get in touch.
What companies and organizations have worked with Alex?
Alex’s roster of past clients, keynote engagements, and employers reads like a Wikipedia entry of the world’s most innovative, respected organizations. Disney, Coca Cola, ISO, AWS, Google, LEGO, CAT, IBM, Cisco, Dell, and dozens of other organizations have benefited from Alex’s keynotes, workshops, and strategic advisory services. As the former Managing Director of Innovation Strategy at Cisco, leader of global Innovation Centers and Smart City programs in 7 countries, and creator of innovation tracks for 3 Olympics, Alex’s real-world experience magnifies his impact upon any organization he partners with. Additionally, Alex has worked hands-on with governments, industry groups,startups and scaleups, plus large academic institutions, like the University of Delaware and The University of California, impacting 300,000+ students and thousands of faculty.
What topics does Alex Goryachev cover in keynotes and workshops?
While every keynote or workshop is customized to an event or audience, Alex is often requested by clients to bring a fresh perspective and real-world expertise on topics, including: AI’s impact on work and education Innovation in the age of AI Building buy-in and reducing hesitancy towards AI Policy and ethics related to AI C-Suite and leadership insights on AI Employee engagement in innovation The impact of AI on society Use cases, solutions, and strategies for AI and innovation Innovation culture and proven frameworks Reskilling and workforce preparedness Education and academia policy Government AI policy and legislation For additional topic ideas and recommendations for your event, get in touch.
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