Innovation often gets wrapped up in buzzwords and corporate speak. But strip away the jargon, and you’ll find that it’s really about solving problems that matter. That is something Ben Wolk has seen time and again throughout his career in tech and business strategy. From Tesla’s game-changing approach to electric cars to Nike’s masterclass in brand storytelling, Ben breaks down how real innovation happens when companies focus on fixing what is not working instead of following the trends.
Fixing Real Problems
Here’s the thing about innovation – it’s not about fancy tech or slick presentations. “Any kind of innovation typically comes out of a problem,” Ben says. He points to Tesla as a perfect example. While everyone was arguing about whether electric cars would save the planet, Tesla did something smarter. They built cars people actually wanted to buy. “They created the first coolest electric car, one that was fast, one that looked nice,” Ben says. But here’s where it gets interesting. Instead of keeping their tech under lock and key, Tesla threw open the doors. They shared everything with other car makers. Crazy? Not really. Because even with everyone using their tech, Tesla still came out looking like the leader.
Selling the Right Way
Want to know why some products take off while others crash and burn? Ben breaks it down using Nike’s playbook. In a market flooded with running shoes, Nike figured out something crucial. “How do you differentiate yourself?” Ben asks. Simple – you get the right people wearing your stuff. Think about it. Nike doesn’t just sell shoes. They sell the dream of being faster, jumping higher, playing better. But they don’t just tell you about it – they show you through the athletes who wear their gear. That’s not marketing magic. That’s just smart business. 
When Innovation Actually Works
Ben sees this play out in his own firms. His company deals with cloud tech, IT, and broadcast media. Nothing groundbreaking there. But what’s fascinating is how innovation spreads. “Every time there’s a new innovation, let’s say cloud production, there’s the slow adopters in the beginning and then it gains momentum,” he explains. Look at what happened with social media. Ten years ago, you had a couple of big players. Now? The field’s so crowded you need a scorecard to keep track. Even LinkedIn is trying to get in on short-form video. “I’m starting to see LinkedIn reels,” Ben notes. “That’s pretty crazy.”
Focusing on What Matters
When pushed to make predictions about where business innovation is headed, Ben takes a measured view. While everyone’s talking about AI, he sees it playing out differently than most expect. “I think AI is going to significantly change society,” he says. There will be significant changes in the workforce, what AI can do better than people, “But I definitely don’t think it’s going to change in the way that we fear.” Why not? Because people are still people. We still need connection. We still need purpose. No amount of tech is going to change that. AI might help us crack problems we’re stuck on climate change for example. As Ben puts it, “Global warming is not going to be solved by a person and it’s not going to be solved by electric cars. It’s going to be solved by the right technology coming up with a strategy that works for the majority of society.”
In the end, marketing isn’t about tricks or trends. It’s about solving real problems and telling that story in a way that matters to people. Everything else? That’s just noise. Ben’s been around long enough to know the difference between real innovation and empty hype. His message is simple. Focus on fixing problems that people care about and tell the whole story. Marketing alone won’t help if you’re not solving something that matters to people.
Connect with Ben Wolk on LinkedIn to learn more about his insights on marketing innovation and technology trends in the broadcast industry.
