In this episode, Barry Eustance speaks with Nick Himowicz, an independent innovation coach, about how real innovation starts with choosing the right customers and understanding market needs.
They explore what it takes to build an Invincible Company – one that balances short-term pressures with long-term thinking.
Drawing on takeaways from the Reinvention Summit and case studies like Simpals, Nick shares practical advice for leaders, founders and teams looking to create sustainable, customer-focused business models.
This is a must-listen for anyone working in business strategy, innovation, product development or entrepreneurship who wants to build lasting impact.
What You’ll Learn
• Why the customers you choose define your business
• How innovation isn’t about R&D – it’s about relevance
• What makes long-term thinking a competitive advantage
• The risks of chasing ideas without real market feedback
• How to pivot early, not late
• Why local insight and community impact matter more than ever
• The role of leadership in balancing today’s demands with tomorrow’s needs
Key Quotes
“Leadership is about stewardship for the future.”
“We need to think about long-term impact.”
“It’s better to kill your idea in 90 minutes.”
Useful Links
Barry’s Profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-eustance/
The Sixsess Consultancy’s Training Courses
The Sixsess Consultancy’s Website
https://sixsess.org/
The Reinvention Summit YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@TheReinventionSummit
Nick’s Profile
linkedin.com/in/nickhimo
Nick’s Website
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Innovation Coaching
02:09 – Key Takeaways from the Reinvention Summit
08:48 – Understanding the Invincible Company
13:03 – The Role of Innovation in Business
17:58 – Customer-Centric Business Models
22:38 – The Importance of Feedback and Adaptation
27:31 – Case Study: Simpals and Market Needs
Searchable Keywords:
innovation, coaching, business strategy, customer focus, long-term thinking, Invincible Company, entrepreneurship, feedback, market needs, sustainability, Just Great People podcast, Peter Compo, Alex Osterwalder, Strategyzer
