Ep. 1.1: Just Say Hackathon

The Synthesize Pod

"At the end of the day, it's not about fearing failure; it's about fearing disruption and embracing innovation."

Welcome to the first episode of The Synthesize Pod, where we introduce you to innovation junkies and hosts Matt Greeley, CEO of Brightidea, and Margaret Kelsey, Advisor to innovative startups. Together, they set up what you can expect this season as we tell you everything you’ll need to know about hackathons. They cover the importance of hackathons as a catalyst for deep work and collaborative innovation and how adopting an innovation mindset is crucial for businesses to stay competitive and thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• How hackathons create unique environments where employees can dedicate uninterrupted time to focus on innovative projects. Hackathons are a gateway to "deep work," allowing participants to focus intensely on solving problems without daily job distractions. This concentrated effort fosters creativity and accelerates the development of innovative solutions.
• Hackathons empower employees, especially those closest to pain points, to develop and pitch innovative ideas. By facilitating collaboration and shared decision-making across various departments, hackathons break down silos and encourage a collective approach to problem-solving. This bottom-up innovation framework enables fresh and practical solutions that might otherwise remain untapped.
• Innovation is a strategic necessity in a rapidly changing world. With everyday managers adopting innovation mindsets and younger generations driving fresh ideas, companies must prioritize innovation to maintain competitive advantage and avoid being outpaced by external innovations. The focus on hackathons as a strategic tool to drive this shift highlights the importance of continuous adaptation and the willingness to embrace new approaches to thrive in an evolving landscape.

Jump into the conversation:

00:00 Introduction to The Synthesize Pod with hosts Matt Greeley and Margaret Kelsey

02:01 The critical role and importance of innovation

06:01 Human drive for innovation

09:01 The role of hackathons in promoting deep focus and intense work

12:31 Collaboration and bottom-up innovation

16:01 Empowering the younger generation

19:01 Broad scope of hackathons

22:31 Innovation, fear of failure, and play

26:01 Historical context and impact of the podcast

28:31 Shifting business mindsets

31:01 Ensuring longevity and profitability for business survival

34:01 Personal reflections in innovation's transformative power

Connect with us:

Brightidea - www.brightidea.com
More on Hackathons - http://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/