In this episode of the Corporate Explorer series by Wazoku, we delve into the concept of customer-first practices and their impact on bridging the maturity gap in corporate innovation. Michael Nichols, coauthor of the Corporate Explorer Field Book and Director of Corporate Ventures for MANN + HUMMEL, shares insights on the challenges of inside-out innovation within corporations, emphasizing the importance of validating business models beyond core business practices. He discusses the common pitfalls of corporates mistaking invention for innovation, the crucial role of customer problem identification, and the necessity of developing a repeatable business model. Nichols also outlines the steps towards achieving business model maturity, highlighting the importance of problem-solving, scalability, and customer need. This episode sheds light on the systemic issues facing corporate innovation and offers guidelines for successfully navigating and leveraging customer-first methodologies to ensure sustainable growth and innovation within large organizations.   00:00 Unpacking the Essence of Customer-First in Corporate Innovation 01:11 Introducing Michael Nichols: A Deep Dive into Corporate Ventures 02:04 The Intricacies of Inside-Out Innovation Explained 03:59 The Challenges of Corporate Innovation and the Funding Dilemma 07:11 Navigating the Innovation Cycle: From Ideation to Market Validation 11:36 Addressing the Corporate Innovation Gap: Strategies and Solutions 25:56 Exploring Business Model Maturity: Key Indicators for Success 35:55 Final Thoughts and Where to Connect    Find Michael here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-guy-nichols/