June 2025 | VOL. 18 | ISSUE 10
The Innovation Newsletter
A Quarterly Newsletter from the Producers of the Innovation Workshop & Tour: A Quarterly Series
Creating an Environment for Product Teams to Thrive
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ARTICLES & INSIGHTS
Supporting Transformative Innovation
INNOVATION WORKSHOP & TOUR: A QUARTERLY SERIES
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INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT
Bipedal Robots
Train your employees - Make sure they understand your processes
They eliminate the need for digital sales channels
The stores reduce the need for knowledgeable associates
The stores serve as both customer-facing opportunities and local distribution hubs
Retail stores allow the company to test new pet products before national rollout
According to the insights above, why is maintaining good real estate relationships important to PetSmart's overall success?
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September 15 - 17 | Atlanta, GA
Pro tips for leveraging data and identifying product development opportunities
By Neil Goodrich
Chief Innovation Officer
Envista Forensics
AI, Computation and the Human Touch (Thinking, Sensing, and Making)
By Onur Yüce Gün
Director of Computational Design
New Balance
Why AI Agents Are the Future: A Healthcare Lens on a White-Collar Revolution
Correct Answer: The stores serve as both customer-facing opportunities and local distribution hubs
Structuring Strategic Partnerships as the Core of Your Growth Blueprint
PetSmart uses its physical stores not only for direct customer interaction but also as local distribution centers, improving last-mile delivery efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Understanding AI beyond the hype — interpreting outputs and using results
Autonomous AI agents can support an overburdened healthcare system
OUR UPCOMING EVENTS
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At the recent Innovation Workshop & Tour: A Quarterly Series, at Arizona State University, David Redfield, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at PetSmart, led a discussion on the importance of partnerships as customer needs change and evolve. According to David, harnessing partnerships has allowed his company to more quickly address challenges and unlock innovative solutions for both customers and employees. This has increased opportunities for leadership to recruit and retain customers and associates, and address shifting consumer behaviors through an omnichannel retail experience, while delivering operational excellence.
NEXT EVENT
Georgia Tech: Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC)
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ARTICLES & INSIGHTS
AI, New Product Development and Digital Assistants for Healthcare
1
Structuring Strategic
Partnerships as the Core of
Your Growth Blueprint
Innovation spotlight
2
3
Test Your Knowledge!
INNOVATION QUIZ
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See What's Coming Up!
UPCOMING EVENTS
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september 15-17, 2025 | ATLANTA, GA
INNOVATION WORKSHOP & TOUR
at GEORGIA TECH Advanced Technology Development Center
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NOVEMBER 5, 2025 | southwest locale
Powering Organic Growth through Product Innovation
INNOVATION WORKSHOP & TOUR
at Nokia Innovation Center
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By Dr. Glenn Loomis, M.D., M.S., FAAFP
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Query Health
Offer Multiple Customer Channels
Key questions: How much product needs to be on shelf vs. storage? Disruptions can come in many forms (e.g. during COVID). There are port challenges, tariffs, and geopolitical tensions. Where is the product made and how will the flow of the product be maintained? Diversification is key for reducing risk.
Supply Chain Management
Real estate relationships are critical. Stores act as local distribution centers, improving last-mile delivery, and they establish a presence within the community, bringing the business closer to customers. It's important to cultivate relationships with brokers, developers, and landlords. Location is everything.
Real Estate Relationships Can Underpin Success
PetSmart has leaned into efficiency as a key differentiator. They have reduced supply chain costs significantly in the last three years while gaining greater efficiency and safety.
Efficiency is a Key Differentiator
Key Strategies When Leveraging Partnerships:
Customers now use multiple channels – physical and digital. One area of innovation is stores becoming a distribution center by shipping locally and streamlining delivery. This also reduces the carbon footprint (less miles). The end goal is to help customers efficiently find what they need.
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DECEMBER 9, 2025 | DALLAS, TX
juNE 24 - 26 | LOS ANGELES, CA
A FROST & SULLIVAN EXECUTIVE MINDXCHANGE
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE 2025:
Succeeding in a New Age of Digitally Powered Customer Interaction
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Annual Growth Innovation Leadership Council Meeting and Luncheon on 9/15
Annual Growth Innovation Leadership Council Meeting and Luncheon on 9/15
Supporting Transformative Innovation