Debra Koerner and
Eric Stephenson
EXPERTISE: Wellness
SESSION: Tactical Ideas to
Immediately Implement Wellness
at Your Property
KOERNER'S INSIGHTS:
1. I define innovation as: The ability to predict the unmet needs in the future and
come up with solutions. That, of course, is not enough. One must also be willing to
take risks to create something before the demand exists.
2. In my view, the greatest innovation in today’s time is: The instant access to
information from my smartphone. It doesn’t matter where I am, I can instantly find
answers to just about any question.
3. Of all the world’s innovators, I most admire: Amazon. They are not afraid to try
new things and also not afraid to fail.
4. In the area I’ll be speaking about at this year’s ISPA Conference, the most
disruptive idea I’ve seen so far is: Streaming fitness classes. Guests can now join
a class and access fitness at the push of a button.
5. In the health and wellness space, the most inventive product I’ve come
across is: Magneceutical Health. The owner, Allen Braswell, has been seeking to
bring magnetic therapy to people to improve heart rate variability while reducing pain
and stress since 2005.
STEPHENSON'S INSIGHTS:
6. If I could invent one thing, I would invent a: Political environment where we could
actually discuss religion and politics with compassion, tolerance and understanding.
7. The one piece of advice I’d give to help foster a culture of innovation is: To
create a “psychologically safe” environment, which was noted in the Google Aristotle
project. I would add it also needs to be an “emotionally safe” environment that is free
from judgment and unproductive criticism.
8. The app I am hooked on is: Facebook.
9. If I could only keep one book to read, I’d pick: Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu.
10. The single most important takeaway attendees can gain from attending my
session at ISPA Conference is: Optimizing “vagal tone” and improving one’s heart
rate variability (HRV). I am predicting the next big trend in wellness will be targeting
the vagus nerve (rest and digest) with technology.
Susan Steward
EXPERTISE: Leadership and
Management
SESSION: Managing the
Power of Millennials
1. I define innovation as: The implementation of a new product, service, or idea of
value.
2. In my view, the greatest innovation in today’s time is: The internet.
3. Of all the world’s innovators, I most admire: In this century, Steve Jobs.
4. In the area I’ll be speaking about at this year’s ISPA Conference, the most
disruptive idea I’ve seen so far is: Managers who do not adapt to the work style
and reward structure needed to successfully manage and retain a millennial
workforce.
5. If I could invent one thing, I would invent a: Software program that predicts a
potential employee’s success in a particular position at an employer.
6. The one piece of advice I’d give to help foster a culture of innovation is:
Recruit, develop, and recognize creative people.
7. The app I am hooked on is: Flipboard.
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 36)
September 2016
■
PULSE
35