Unconference 2022

"The Lean Startup has helped thousands of startups to move quickly and reliably to refine, validate, and accelerate the growth of their businesses. Large companies, however, have had less success with Lean Startup. Why is this?

Lean Startup approaches alone are not sufficient for success within large, established corporations. The very methods help to develop a new business can trigger antibodies inside a company. Each of the antibody reactions has its roots in a legitimate concern, but each is also to some extent irrational – based more on fear than reason. If the risks are properly managed, the fears can be overcome, and Lean Startup can be as successful in the corporate context as it is in startups.

​The practices are “Yes . . . AND” practices: they are complements to the core principles of the Lean Startup method itself. They have been tested – and have led to success – in real-world corporate settings. Although no two corporate cultures are exactly the same, many of the challenges are surprisingly common. These practices offer a starting point for the journey, as James Euchner will share in this session."

Jim Euchner is Partner at Outside Insight Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that helps clients accelerate new business innovation. He was previously Vice President of Global Innovation at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, where he led the development of new businesses and helped launch four businesses on three continents. Prior to his work at Goodyear, Jim held positions as Vice President of Growth Strategy and Innovation at Pitney Bowes, Inc. and Vice President, Network Systems Advanced Technology at Bell Atlantic (now Verizon).

In addition to his consulting work, Jim is Visiting Professor at Aston Business School (UK), where he is industry co-chair of the Aston Advanced Services Partnership. He is also Editor in Chief of Research-Technology Management, a peer-reviewed journal for practitioners of innovation, technology, and research management. Jim holds 13 US patents, in areas ranging from neural networks and e-commerce to voting security and document management. He has published and spoken extensively on innovation and technology management.

Jim received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University in mechanical and aerospace engineering and his Master of Science degree from Princeton University, where he was a Guggenheim Fellow. He also holds an MBA from Southern Methodist University.