Ryan Ayers

Ryan Ayers has consulted a number of companies within multiple industries including information technology and big data. After earning his MBA in 2010, Ayers also began working with start-up companies and aspiring entrepreneurs, with a keen focus on data collection and analysis.

3 Innovators of the 1800s Who Changed the World

Humans have been incredible innovators since the beginning of our history. Each new invention laid the groundwork for more sophisticated technology, more advanced cultural practices, and more impressive innovations. We often take the things we have for granted, but it’s important to remember that not so very long ago, great minds were working on innovations that would change the world and make our lives easier, safer, and more comfortable.

Ideascale2021-12-14T13:37:46-08:00November 1st, 2017|Categories: Leadership|Tags: innovation skills, innovative people, leadership|

What Job-Hunting Teaches Us about the Value of Innovation

Anyone who has ever been on the hunt for a new corporate job knows that it can be one of the most difficult and frustrating processes in the world. The Internet has given us the tools to apply for thousands of different jobs every day, but it has also presented its own problems: application systems with no easy answers, automation, and stiff competition make the ease of online applications less attractive.

Ideascale2021-12-14T13:33:00-08:00October 23rd, 2017|Categories: Innovation Psychology|Tags: employee recruitment, hiring, HR, innovation skills, innovation value, job hunting, knowledge, knowledge sharing, recruitment|

Do Open-Concept Offices Promote Innovation?

Do open-concept offices live up to their hype when it comes to encouraging innovation and collaboration? Or do they hinder productivity by sacrificing privacy - and in some cases, comfort? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

Ideascale2021-12-14T13:28:39-08:00October 12th, 2017|Categories: Organization & Culture|Tags: Collaboration, collaborative innovation, Communication, Employee Engagement, open office, open-concept office, privacy, productivity, workspace|

Here’s Why Consistency is Your Greatest Asset

Whether you’re an executive, a manager, or part of the team handling day-to-day operations, you’ve probably thought more than once about what you bring to the table within your organization. What do you feel is your greatest asset? Chances are, consistency never tops the list—but perhaps it should.

Ideascale2021-12-14T13:19:49-08:00September 18th, 2017|Categories: Strategies|Tags: actions, burnout, Communication, consistency, leadership, motivation, reliability, talent, trust, vision|

Can Everyone Be Innovative?

Innovation is an integral part of many organizations today, and for good reason: it helps companies stay agile, relevant, and evolving. However, innovation is often difficult to achieve—or is even met with resistance.

Ideascale2021-12-14T13:17:00-08:00September 12th, 2017|Categories: Enabling Factors, Organization & Culture|Tags: Collaboration, Communication, company culture, Creativity, Employee Engagement, goal setting, idea implementation, idea management, Innovation Culture, innovation lab, innovation psychology, innovation skills, innovation team, innovation training, innovative people, Open Innovation, Stakeholders, vision|

5 of America’s Best Innovation Labs

The innovation that goes on within American corporations is truly breathtaking. Of course, many of the best innovation labs require the immense resources of powerful companies, but at their heart, these labs all succeed when two components come together: the right people and the right ideas.

Ideascale2021-12-14T13:12:31-08:00August 17th, 2017|Categories: Trend Alert|Tags: absolut, google, Innovation Culture, innovation lab, innovation labs, innovative companies, microsoft, sephora, symantec|

Do Your Employees Need Passion?

If you’ve ever written a job description that calls for passionate, hard-working candidates, did you ever stop to think about what that means? Sure, having engaged and loyal employees is the ultimate goal of any company, but the word “passion” is loaded.

Ideascale2021-12-14T13:00:50-08:00August 10th, 2017|Categories: Leadership, Organization & Culture|Tags: Collaboration, Communication, company culture, drive, Employee Engagement, employee satisfaction, inspiration, job types, motivation, passion, personality types, retention, workplace|

The 5 Most Innovative Renewable Energy Sources

As our population grows and we use more natural resources than ever, the issue of renewable energy sources becomes ever more pressing. Innovation isn’t only important in the business world, it’s also crucial for ensuring the future of our planet.

Ideascale2021-12-20T16:16:54-08:00July 31st, 2017|Categories: Trend Alert|Tags: alcohol waste, algae, alternative energy, body heat, energy, green energy, green innovation, renewable energy, solar panels, sustainability, sustainable innovation, wave power|

6 Reasons Some People Are Uncomfortable with Innovation

When we talk about innovation, we sometimes forget that not everyone is on board with the new and revolutionary. Some people would rather stick to their same schedule and do the same thing, day after day: a predictable and comforting routine. For champions of innovation, this mindset is difficult to understand. However, you’re likely to meet many people over the course of your career who are simply uncomfortable with innovation, and you will have to learn to work with them. The first step to compromise is understanding, so let’s take a look at some of the reasons people are sometimes uncomfortable with innovation.

Ideascale2021-12-20T16:47:26-08:00July 19th, 2017|Categories: Innovation Psychology|Tags: caution, Change Management, Creativity, innovation blockers, innovation psychology, innovative people, risk aversion, risk management, threat|

6 Potential Roadblocks to Innovation

Does it feel like your efforts in innovation lately have been…lackluster? Are you finding that your team just isn’t coming up with the great ideas you know they can produce? If your business is feeling stale and stagnant, you obviously want to know why, so you can make changes. Innovation efforts aren’t always simple and easy—and there are definitely some roadblocks that can come up along the way. Don’t get discouraged if you run into any of these common problems—you just have to be determined to prevent and work through them whenever possible!

Ideascale2021-12-14T12:51:26-08:00June 28th, 2017|Categories: Innovation Psychology|Tags: burnout, Employee Engagement, idea management, Ideation, innovation blockers, motivation, productivity, resource allocation, team building, Teamwork, trust|

Lessons from Apple on Why Aesthetic Innovation is Important

It’s pretty much impossible to argue with Apple’s success. It’s one of the most valuable companies in the world, and has maintained dominance for its reputation as an innovative company that produces top-of-the-line hardware. Because of its products and brand reputation, Apple has gained a cult following that will buy nearly every new product that emerges, year after year. So why, even with the high price tag, are so many consumers willing to shell out for every new gadget that comes along?

Ideascale2021-12-14T08:13:17-08:00June 22nd, 2017|Categories: Enabling Factors|Tags: aesthetic innovation, apple, bitcoin, brand driven innovation, branding, case study, Collaboration, demographics, design, independence, innovative companies, Product Development|

Ways to Exercise Your Creative Muscles

Feeling like you’re stuck in a creative rut? Creativity works a lot like a muscle—you have to exercise it for it to work properly. Once you get stuck in a cycle of routine, it’s easy to feel like you’ve lost your creativity. Maybe you’re not contributing innovative ideas during team meetings anymore, or maybe you just feel like you’re doing the same thing every single day. Whatever is making you feel uncreative, you don’t have to live with it. All it means is that it’s time to exercise your creative muscles more than you have been! Here are some ways you can stay sharp, innovative, and creative.

Ideascale2021-12-14T08:08:12-08:00June 7th, 2017|Categories: Strategies|Tags: Best Practices, company culture, Creativity, Ideation, patterns|

Optimizing Meetings to Maximize Individual Brainstorming Time

Are you overwhelmed by unnecessary meetings? We’ve all been there: one more meeting, and you feel like you’re going to scream. You’ve been trying to make some real progress on your creative project, but the constant meetings have really been cutting into your individual brainstorming time. If you feel like the number of meetings you’ve been attending is cutting into your productivity, you’re not imagining it.

Ideascale2021-12-14T08:05:21-08:00May 30th, 2017|Categories: Organization & Culture, Strategies|Tags: brainstorming, co-creation, Collaboration, Creativity, efficiency, Employee Engagement, meeting, meetings, optimization, planning, productivity, strategy, team building|

Considering International Expansion? Get Ready To Think Outside Your Comfort Zone

Globalization is great for business: it opens up new markets and allows businesses to bring in revenue and talent from all over the world. However, the first steps into international expansion can be fraught with growing pains, forcing companies to waste time and money on efforts that don’t gain any traction in foreign markets. To avoid this, company leaders have to get ready to embrace change and innovation outside their normal comfort zone. Here’s why it’s important to get comfortable with discomfort when you’re considering international expansion.

Ideascale2021-12-14T08:01:10-08:00May 16th, 2017|Categories: Innovation Psychology, Strategies|Tags: business development, comfort zone, decision making, Failure, flexibility, globalization, goal setting, goals, international expansion, lessons learned, market research, scaling, strategic planning|

Are Introverts More Innovative than Extroverts?

The assumption that an introvert is insecure or antisocial can do a major disservice to that person - and to your company. To truly innovate and grow your business, it's important to utilize all of the skills that your employees can contribute in their own way.

Ideascale2021-12-14T07:54:31-08:00April 20th, 2017|Categories: Leadership|Tags: brainstorming, Collaboration, extrovert, flexibility, innovative people, introvert, personality types|