256: How R&D Leaders Source Trends to Power Innovation

What does it really take to turn a great idea into something that works in the real world?

In this episode, I sit down with Kofi Gyasi, Founder and CEO of NotedSource, and Joia Spooner-Fleming, an innovation consultant with deep experience at companies like P&G and SharkNinja, to unpack what lies behind successful innovation.

We explore why research and validation are often the difference between ideas that scale and those that quietly disappear. From rooftop laundry lessons in Mexico City to product design decisions shaped by culture and human behavior, this conversation brings innovation back to something many teams overlook: understanding the people you are building for.

We also get into the mechanics of how innovation actually happens inside large organizations today. Kofi shares how NotedSource is helping companies connect with external experts and accelerate decision-making using AI. At the same time, Joia reflects on the reality of working at speed in environments where every decision carries commercial risk. Together, they highlight a tension many leaders will recognize: the need to move fast while still making informed, evidence-based choices.

What stood out for me was the shift in mindset that both guests emphasized. Open innovation is not about tools alone. It starts with a willingness to look beyond your own organization, challenge assumptions, and invite new perspectives into the process. Whether you are building new products, entering new markets, or simply trying to avoid costly mistakes, the ability to combine human insight with emerging technologies is becoming a defining advantage.

So, as innovation becomes faster, more complex, and increasingly driven by AI, are we asking the right questions and listening closely enough to the answers?