[ENCORE] The Secret to Inspiring Great Ideas | Jorge Mata & Neil Gaydon

C-Suite Radio

Building a positive, thriving culture is a top priority for C-Suite leaders, but many may not immediately consider the cultural challenges that occur outside the office walls. Each organization has a culture unique to its geographical location. No matter where or when business is conducted, building a culture that strongly supports our team to innovate and inspire is essential. Our first guest, Jorge Mata, Chairman and CEO of Clippingbook, has served in leadership roles all across the globe. His advice to C-Suite executives and entrepreneurs is to look to competitors as examples of how you’d like your organization to function. Observing and understanding the unique cultures and business models of similar organizations can help gain loyal customers and set the foundation for a strong internal structure. Those who embark upon the journey of entrepreneurship enter a world full of unknowns. It’s impossible to foresee exactly what the future holds and how successful this new venture will be. The C-Suite can, however, use the wisdom gleaned from our past experiences and the world around us to paint a better picture of the future and the opportunities it holds. Our second guest, Neil Gaydon, President and CEO of SMART Technologies, stresses the importance of building a culture that supports new ideas. When employees feel engaged, respected and part of the team, they are empowered to ask questions that lead to innovation. A question as simple as “Why can’t we have something better than a dry-erase board?” can spark an idea like SMART Technologies’ Smart kapp, a technological alternative to the traditional board in a meeting room or classroom. A business thrives when each and every employee has a passionate interest in the product and service the company delivers to customers. When a culture is thriving, teams have the power to create a lasting impact on the world around us.