Episode 11: Foresight and visioning with Sam Ladner

Today, Pebble Presents Sam Ladner. Emelia and Sam discuss Sam’s professional path that took her from journalism to sociology, the difference between foresight and innovation, and why foresight and visioning work so well in companies and applied settings. They also explore time, timing, and tempo: what they are, why they matter, and how to manage an attention budget as carefully as a financial one.

If you are looking to grow your company sustainably, this episode is for you!

Emelia Rallapalli is the founder of Pebble - a brand strategy and marketing research consultancy. With decades of experience in global brand planning, strategy, and research, Pebble has helped shape businesses of all kinds, from ambitious start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies. 

Dr. Sam Ladner is a sociologist who helps teams innovate, design, and learn. She has worked at Amazon, Microsoft, and Workday, reaching the rank of Senior Principal Researcher, and is the author of two books on methodology (working on her third): Practical Ethnography and Mixed Methods. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, Dr. Ladner’s research focuses on productivity, technology, and work. She received her PhD from York University and is a proud Canadian.

Welcome to Pebble Presents.

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Resources

• EPIC - https://www.epicpeople.org/
• Sam Ladner website: https://www.samladner.com/
• Freedom.to: https://freedom.to/
• Pomodoro Technique: https://www.pomodorotechnique.com/
• Readwise: https://readwise.io/

Show Notes 

0:28 - Emelia introduces today’s special guest and topic

2:55 - Sam shares the journey that led to her current profession

11:27 - Sam recalls family influences behind her career path

15:53 - Sam investigates some of the biggest misconceptions about sociologists’ work

19:03 - Sam describes what sociological practices look like within a commercial setting

22:06 - Sam discusses her work in foresight and how she applies the practice today

28:36 - Sam breaks down how to bring visioning work into the corporate world 

37:56 - Sam defines and discusses temporality and how it helps to unlock new thinking in business 

44:48 - Sam describes types of crises on the horizon and how businesses can (and should) start planning for them now

54:48 - Sam shares advice to help executives navigate long-term thinking

56:26 - Sam divulges how she manages her attention budget

59:19 - Emelia and Sam discuss executive functioning, dysfunction, and reflection

1:05:23  - Sam participates in a lightning round with Emelia

1:14:34 - Emelia wraps up the episode

Episode Credits

Executive Produced & Hosted by Emelia Rallapalli

Produced by Stephanie Watanabe 

Editing and Post Produced by Erin Zimmerman

Artwork and Design by Liisa Turan-Walters