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Problem-First Innovation That Delivers Real Results

Problem-first innovation begins with questions, not tools. In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Michael Parlotto, Vice President of Emerging Technologies at InComm Payments, shares how innovation centers can move beyond AI hype to produce measurable outcomes. His team’s framework blends problem framing, design thinking, and futures analysis to keep launches relevant after day one. Michael also explains why voice-led AI, data diversity, and resilient networks are critical to creating solutions that perform in the real world—connecting innovation to results executives can trust.

 

Problem-First Thinking Outperforms AI-First Roadmaps

Many organizations start with technology and end up solving the wrong problem. Michael’s approach reverses the sequence. His team at InComm’s Go Studio begins by finding the “question marks” in a challenge—places where customer friction, revenue loss, or unclear workflows reveal the real opportunity. Once the true problem is clear, they move to design thinking and quick prototyping to test assumptions early. The result is faster learning, less rework, and stronger alignment between product, engineering, and leadership.

 

Key Takeaways

  • Lead with clarity, not code—define the problem before exploring solutions.
     • Prototype quickly with users to uncover friction and guide iteration.
     • Use diverse data to strengthen AI models and prevent bias.
     • Watch future signals to protect launches after release.
     • Design for resilience so solutions stay usable when connectivity drops.

 

“We use a framework called problem framing, and whether or not you know the problem, you can get to what the root problem is, and then you can prioritize that list of problems to get to the ones that are really the big bets.” – Michael Parlotto

 

Building Innovation That Lasts

Michael’s framework doesn’t stop at launch. His team applies a futures practice that tracks signals across technology, regulation, and customer behavior. This helps organizations act early—before competitors or external shifts undermine success. Voice-led interfaces, embedded finance APIs, and edge processing all illustrate how diverse, adaptive design can future-proof digital experiences.

You can explore how Bigleaf supports that same reliability through Bigleaf Cloud Connect, which ensures high performance across hybrid environments and complex network paths.

 

Episode Highlights

  • Finding the “question marks” that expose customer friction
  • Turning ideation into measurable progress through design thinking
  • Using voice AI to improve user input and context
  • Training models with diverse data instead of just more data
  • Delivering AI on resilient, secure networks that work anywhere

 

Innovation That Connects Ideas to Impact

AI and innovation succeed only when they serve people and perform reliably. Michael Parlotto’s insights show how disciplined problem framing and diverse collaboration lead to solutions that endure. For leaders navigating pressure to adopt AI, his guidance offers a clear path: focus first on the problem, align teams on measurable outcomes, and build with the resilience to adapt as technology evolves.

 

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