Ep 16: Stephen Shapiro on Innovation, Differentiation & Why Most Companies Solve the Wrong Problems

Being “busy” can feel productive — but it’s often the clearest sign you’re working on the wrong things.

In this episode of the Swedish Wealth Institute Podcast, Daniel Wood sits down with innovation expert and author Steven Shapiro to break down why most companies struggle to innovate — even when they have smart people and plenty of ideas.

Steven explains the two biggest reasons innovation fails: teams chase the wrong problems (front-end failure) and they don’t kill weak ideas fast enough (back-end failure). You’ll learn how to find the opportunities that create real value, how to avoid confirmation bias, and why innovation is a system — not a lottery.

The conversation also tackles a big modern trap: believing AI is a differentiator. Steven makes the case that AI is quickly becoming “core” — like WiFi in a hotel — and the winners will be the teams who partner smart, focus on what truly sets them apart, and test ideas early through fast, low-risk experiments.

Inside This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The two biggest reasons companies fail to innovate (front-end vs back-end)
 • Why “busy” often means you’re investing in the wrong work
 • How to spot the opportunities that create the greatest value
 • Why confirmation bias keeps companies funding bad ideas
 • The difference between experimentation and implementation
 • How to run low-cost tests that protect time, money, and focus
 • Why AI is becoming “core” — and what to do about it
 • What a real differentiator is (and what it is not)
 • How storytelling spreads clarity across an organization
 • A practical framework for shifting time from “core” to “differentiation”

🎁 Free Gifts & Resources Mentioned:

Money Mastery New Year’s Summit — Free Ticket
 Featuring Robert Kiyosaki, Les Brown, Nick Vujicic, Marci Shimoff, Jack Canfield, Brian Tracy, Janet Atwood & more
 👉 https://swedishwealthinstitute.com/events

Steven Shapiro — Pivotal Book Gift (Free Ebook + Resources)
 👉 https://thepivotalbookgift.com

Swedish Wealth Institute Community
 Access live Q&A sessions, workshops, and world-class mentors
 👉 Link Here

👤 Guest:

Steven Shapiro
 Innovation Expert | Author of Pivotal | Former Innovation Leader at Accenture

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