The Path to Becoming a True Innovator: Insights from Barbara Salopek | Ep. 144

A true innovator seeks to understand the market deeply from a customer's perspective. They are unafraid of failure, recognizing that it is often a stepping stone towards innovation. Innovation is not a solitary endeavor. Collaboration and effective communication are vital, as innovative ideas often emerge from diverse perspectives.  

 

Above all, a true innovator puts customers first. When you put the customer at the centre of your technical solutions, you will create a great product that solves problems, creates value, and makes a lasting impact on the world. 

 

In this episode, we are joined by Barbara Salopek, the Founder and CEO of VINCO Innovation Consulting, a company dedicated to helping companies become true innovators. Born and raised in Zagreb, Barbara brings a wealth of experience in innovation and commercialization, having served as a team leader, business developer, and board member for various startups.  

 

Barbara has led numerous high-value projects, with the top five she was involved in boasting a combined value of approximately 3 million €. As a licensed technology transfer professional, she excels in project management and specializes in business development, mainly designing strategies that integrate innovation into business plans.  

 

In the conversation, Barbara shares her fascinating entrepreneurship journey, offering insights into her experiences and the valuable lessons she's learned. Her remarkable achievements in innovation and business development and extensive experience in leading significant projects make her a valuable resource for entrepreneurs aspiring to be true innovators. 

 

Tune in! 

 

Key Highlights From The Show 

[03:00] Introduction to the show 

[03:15] Lesson’s Barbara has learned from the podcast   

[05:00] What it means to be a “True Innovator.”  

[06:47] Innovation and why need both incremental and disruptive innovation 

[08:32] Where to start innovating and adding value to your product 

[09:30] How to know if you have innovation and have added value 

[11:18] Getting out of the technical solutions and putting yourself in the customer's shoes 

[12:59] Putting the customers at the center and providing value to them 

[14:04] Barbara's passion and why she is an entrepreneur 

[15:10] Lessons Barbara learned and how she founded her company, VINCO  

[19:24] What the bottleneck index revealed to Barbara on delegation and letting go  

[23:15] Barbara's biggest issue and block with a delegation  

[25:06] Setting your expectations and clearly communicating them to your employees 

[26:30] Barbara's dream and where she wants to take her business  

[28:57] The biggest lesson Barbara has learned from her entrepreneurship experience 

[30:58] Skills Barbara feels she is lacking in growing her business  

[32:08] Barbara’s one practical recommendation for entrepreneurs  

[33:51] How to reach out and connect with Barbara 

[34:40] Ending the show 

 

Notable Quotes 

·        We need both incremental and disruptive innovation; incremental helps us to be more effective, and disruptive brings us new technology and markets. 

·        When you put the customer at the center of your technical solutions, you create a great product. 

·        In order to be creative, you have to have a deep knowledge of something.  

·        It’s important to know the people before you let go and let them capitalize on things.  

·        Business can be a complex endeavor; you need to build it and sell it at the same time. 

 

Connect With Barbara Salopek 

Website: https://vinco.no/project/barbara-salopek/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-salopek/ 

 

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