Pearson Strategy Group

Helping businesses look before they leap. - TM

Steve Pearson

Aug 10

Playing Robot Games: What’s Ahead?

Did you catch the grand finale of the TV show “BattleBots”? I wouldn’t have missed those whirling, fire-spewing, armored fights to the death! These latest technology-infused games are a far cry from my 1970s era Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots® and the contrast got me thinking about where robots and entertainment are headed next. Let’s take a quick peek at the history of robotic entertainment to see whether it has fueled any innovation. Can we predict the future marketplace? (Hint: I think the key might be the level of human interaction.)

Jul 26

5 Ways Big Companies Stay Ahead of You

What do big companies have in their R&D toolbox that smaller companies often overlook? Competitive intelligence – what some might call snooping on the competition. Competitive intelligence research is a powerful strategy for any size company, so it pays to know more about your options. In the latest issue of Texas CEO Magazine, Steve Pearson, founder of The Pearson Strategy Group, reveals five strategies that can be used by companies of any size. He also explains how acting without research can open the door to poorly executed innovation, expensive strategy missteps, unrecovered R&D costs, risk or legal entanglements.

Jul 06

Millions in Mistakes: Stubborn Radio-TV Stand-off Cost CEOs, Delayed “Gilligan’s Island”

This week I saw an interesting television show “Farnsworth vs. Sarnoff” about the invention of the modern version of television, one that’s all electrical. It was a David versus Goliath story that made me want to cheer for the underdog…in my mind at least. Like many, I had heard about Robert Kearns who invented and patented the delay system for windshield wipers, but ended up in court fighting for money owed to him. However, this was the first time I heard that television also had a contentious start. The show talked about Philo Farnsworth as the inventor of modern television. He had conceived the critical portions of television when he was only 14, built the first functional TV system at 21 (1927) and had 165 patents to his name when he died. [1] All incredible accomplishments to be sure.

May 22

4 or More Places GM is Steering Innovation Horsepower

Corvettes are legendary for state-of-the art speed technology, but some of GM’s non-speed related equipment can get drivers like you and me into trouble faster than you can say “street legal.” Check out this video (taken from a Corvette’s built-in camera) showing a group of Houston Vette owners recording their exploits. I’m sure the local police appreciated their help with documentation for the arrests. The idea of built-in cameras and other gadgets got me to wondering about GM’s innovation focus these days. How much relates to the incredible combustion engine technology used in Indy cars to produce up to 700 horsepower at 12,000 rpm?

May 05

Futurist, Expert in Generational Foresight Available for PSG Clients

The Pearson Strategy Group is pleased to announce that futurist and trend scout Anne Boysen is now available as a partner and resource for PSG clients. With more than 10 year’s experience as a professional futurist, Boysen’s work includes consulting for Fortune 500 companies in market forecasting, brand strategy and product development. The next generation is the focus of much of her research and analysis, opening new doors for PSG clients as they evaluate future strategies.

Apr 26

Stop the Music! I Just Realized Innovation isn’t Always the Best Business Move

Some markets, and the industries that serve them, deliberately avoid innovation, at least in the equipment used. While this is not bad or detrimental, I never really thought about it as being pervasive in any particular industry. Wow! As someone who helps inventors, entrepreneurs and companies be more innovative, this notion that someone would prefer not to be innovative seemed foreign, the horror!

Mar 21

Austin entrepreneur shares stories of success and innovation

Passion and process are two keys to the challenges that confront new business owners, Austin entrepreneur Steve Pearson explained recently. The founder of The Pearson Strategy Group was interviewed about his journey creating a business that helps others by Leaders Inspire Leaders podcast host Koy McDermott.

Mar 12

SXSW Exclusive: Top 10 Inventive Companies in Musical Technology

With the SXSW Music Festival descending on Austin, my hometown, I wondered about technology innovation in the music industry. We often hear about innovative music genres but what about the equipment musicians use to make those awesome sound tracks? And who is banking on inventions as music evolves? A deep dive into Patent Analytics shows that it’s Yamaha by a hefty margin, with more than twice as much patent activity as the closest assignee, Sony.

Feb 23

Sales vs. Marketing: The Small Business Dilemma

Why does marketing continue to take a backseat to sales? Perhaps my vision is skewed because the bulk of our clients are technology or manufacturing-based? The C-Suite of these companies is mainly, sometimes exclusively, technologists, engineers and scientists. Perhaps, similar to my naive understanding as a rookie engineer, they too believe that having a Chief Marketing Officer at the table is at odds with their goals? Here in Austin, my friends Jan Triplett and Francoise Luca will be debating Sales or Marketing: What comes first? on February 26.

Feb 04

The Top Technology Failures of 2014?

I believe that many technologies succeed, but perhaps not in the time or manner preferred. Whether the criteria are financial, market, social or psychological, timing seems to be the linchpin to everything. Two terrific examples come from the article The Top Technology Failures of 2014. In short order, this article pronounces failure for Google Glass, Brazil’s EEG Exoskeleton, Bitcoin and a handful of other ambitious efforts that are by no means kaput.