In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer welcomes Dr. Rob Wolcott and Kaihan Krippendorff, co-authors of the book Proximity. Rob, an adjunct professor of Innovation at both the Booth School of Business and Kellogg School of Management, and Kaihan, the CEO of Outthinker Networks, delve into the concept of proximity and its transformative potential across industries.
The discussion begins with the origins of the book, inspired by a tech conference and further catalyzed during a 24-hour summit amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They explore how digital advancements enable value creation closer to the moment of demand, impacting various sectors from healthcare to energy. Rob and Kaihan share insights on the future trajectory of industries as they move toward a more proximate model, highlighting examples such as generative AI, 3D printing, and innovative pharmaceutical production.
In this episode:
- Understand how proximity is reshaping industries by enabling value creation closer to the moment of demand.
- Explore practical examples including video streaming, on-demand pharmaceuticals, and 3D-printed drones.
- Learn about the implications of proximity for legacy brands and how they can leverage existing assets while innovating.
- Discover the potential of proximity in future technologies, including virtual reality and space exploration.
- Gain insights into the strategic opportunities proximity presents for businesses to become more responsive and efficient.



