Ways to Drive Dramatic Sustainable Growth

In this second part of Get Vertical, host Mike McCalley speaks with innovation expert, Dan Adams, about the importance of building capabilities for sustainable growth in companies. McCalley discusses key metrics for innovation, including market facing innovation, and emphasizes the importance of building capabilities for profitable, sustainable growth. Adams explains that while there is pressure on executives to focus solely on results, it is important to also prioritize building capabilities through initiatives such as market facing innovation. He also shares a methodology called Minesweeper that helps teams identify and investigate high impact, low certainty assumptions in their innovation projects. Dan Adams advises his younger self to be more proactive in making things happen personally rather than waiting for promotions.

Dan Adams received his degree in Chemical Engineering as well as his MBA in finance from the University of Akron. He has had a rich career working in strategic planning and business development. Now, Adams is the Founder and President of The AIM Institute working to provide B2B suppliers with tools and skills to improve their new product development.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

safer HVAC chemicals
Stronger Training Pipelines and Smarter Social Media Can Help Solve HVAC’s Talent Shortage
June 9, 2026

The skilled trades are at a crossroads. By some industry estimates, for every five experienced technicians retiring, only two new ones are entering the field—highlighting a growing HVAC talent gap. At the same time, buildings are becoming more complex, more connected, and more dependent on high-performance mechanical systems. The stakes are real: without a…

Read More
design
Where Design Meets Durability: Why Commercial Surfaces Must Support Safety, Cleanability, and Long-Term Value
June 8, 2026

When a commercial space fails, it often fails quietly: a lobby floor that becomes slippery when wet, a hotel bathroom that is difficult to clean, a healthcare surface that cannot withstand constant disinfection, or an office finish that looks great until afternoon glare makes the room uncomfortable. These are not purely aesthetic problems; they are…

Read More
creative career
Crafted Journey How To: Building a Creative Career Across Scripts, Stages, and Sound
June 8, 2026

Creative careers rarely move in a straight line, especially for writers working across stage, screen, audio, books, and independent film. Sustaining that kind of life often means finding opportunities wherever they appear, building a strong network, staying open to different formats, and saying yes to collaborations that can lead somewhere unexpected. The stakes are…

Read More
EMR
EMR Strategy, Consulting, and Career Pivots with MedSys Co-Founder Mark Embry
June 8, 2026

Electronic medical records (EMRs) have moved from a back-office upgrade to a frontline determinant of care quality, clinician burnout, and hospital economics. With U.S. hospitals often spending tens to hundreds of millions—sometimes exceeding $100 million—on EMR implementations, the stakes have never been higher for getting both the technology and the human adoption right. As…

Read More