#12: MBA in Corporate Innovation and Startup Disruption with LISNR Founder Rodney Williams

Rodney Williams is the Founder and CEO of LISNR, one of the most disruptive companies in the IoT space and the world of mobile connectivity. You can find Rodney on Twitter (@rodneybwilliams) on twitter and his company at LISNR.com. LISNR was launched in 2012 around the core premise that sound can do more. More specifically, using sound to connect more people and devices in ways that had never existed before. LISNR has grown into the world’s most advanced ultrasonic technology. Their team has created an ultrasonic or inaudible technology; a communication protocol that sends data over audio. They use ultrasonic audio called Smart Tones™ to transmit information. They’ve accomplished functionality that engineers and innovators said was impossible. LISNR is seriously one of the most disruptive companies in the IoT (or internet of things) space. They’ve raised nearly $15M in capital and have won awards such as a Gold Lion @ Cannes for Most Innovative Mobile Technology and CNBC’s Disruptor 50. And he’s done all of this headquartered out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Yes, he’s a fellow midwestern entrepreneur, so we were like kindred spirits from the first second of this interview. Rodney is an innovative strategic thinker who is obsessed with the ways technology will improve our everyday life. He has 4 degrees but most notably two masters, one of which is an M.B.A. from Howard University. And he’s got a cool story, because he spent 4 years at Procter & Gamble as a brand manager and is most noted for being the first marketer there to co-write digital patents. In this interview, you’ll learn: — How Rodney broke free from cubicle nation and started his own company — Some creative and unique approaches to problem solving — And some very insightful perspectives on marketing Plus so, so much more. In my conversation with Rodney, he shares his greatest lessons in marketing, hustle, and building technology that has the potential to disrupt massive industries. You’ll hear about what one tech entrepreneur learned throughout his business education, starting with his childhood startup, his 4 degrees (including two masters), and real-life experience at working at one of the world’s largest companies. Rodney is a fun guy to talk to, which makes him just as fun to listen to. So, please enjoy this interview with Rodney Williams… -- Download show notes and transcripts at www.powderkeg.co This episode of Powder Keg is brought to you by DeveloperTown. If you’re a business leader trying to turn a great idea into a product with traction, this is for you. DeveloperTown works with clients ranging from entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 companies who want to build and launch an app or digital product. They’re able to take the process they use with early stage companies to help big companies move like a startup. So if you have an idea for a web or mobile app, or need help identifying the great ideas within your company, go to developertown.com/powderkeg. Thanks again to everyone who has shared an episode of Powderkeg, subscribed to us on iTunes, or left us a review. It’s the only way we’re going to spread this message and reach new people and we could do it without you. We’re coming out with new episodes every Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe on iTunes or at powederkeg.co/itunes