In this episode of Innovators of Things, host Jillian Kaplan interviews Alistair Fulton, a seasoned innovator with a rich history in IoT, telecommunications, and product development. Alistair shares his journey from non-technical beginnings to leading innovation at major companies like Microsoft, Hitachi, and Semtech. Known for his work in developing Azure IoT and advancing LoRa technology, Alistair offers profound insights into empowering ecosystems, building tools for innovators, and bridging the gap between technology and business outcomes.
Key themes of the episode include the importance of creating tools that empower others to innovate, the role of ecosystems in driving adoption, and the challenges of bringing connected technologies to market. With his unique perspective as a “Sherpa” helping others climb the mountain of innovation, Alistair emphasizes that solving real-world problems requires aligning the profit motive with doing the right thing.
Key Takeaways:
• Ecosystem Empowerment: True innovation happens when tools are accessible, easy to use, and supported by strong ecosystems.
• Lessons from IoT Development: While IoT has no shortage of technology, its real challenge lies in creating scalable, user-friendly, and cost-effective solutions.
• Sherpa Mentality: Supporting visionaries to reach their goals can have a far greater impact than focusing solely on individual achievements.
• Aligning Profit with Purpose: When businesses have the data to make smarter decisions, they can maximize efficiency while minimizing environmental harm.
Memorable Quotes:
• “If you can empower an ecosystem with tools, together you’ll achieve much more than going it alone.”
• “IOT doesn’t have a technology problem; it has a go-to-market problem.”
• “Real innovation is about listening, understanding customer pain points, and delivering solutions that create value.”
Featured Projects:
• The development of Azure IoT, a toolkit that simplified IoT for enterprises.
• Advancing LoRa Technology, enabling affordable and efficient connectivity for devices worldwide.
• Blues, a company dedicated to making connectivity effortless for innovators.
This conversation is packed with lessons for anyone interested in innovation, technology ecosystems, or IoT solutions.