In this episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Edwin Garcia, Partner & General Manager at RedBox Innovation US. Edwin and I explored the profound ways in which creativity and innovation can be supercharged through immersive experiences.
RedBox takes a distinctive approach to fostering creativity with their “inspiration excursions.” These are not just typical travel experiences; they’re carefully curated journeys to locations around the world designed to deeply engage participants with new environments and ideas. Whether it’s the bustling streets of New York or the rich coffee culture of Tokyo, Edwin explains how these excursions transform inspiration into actionable ideas by immersing individuals in sensory-rich experiences.
We also tackled the complexities of innovation, particularly how to measure the outcomes of inspiration services. Edwin discussed how companies innovate for two main reasons: purpose and panic. He emphasized that during challenging times, like the current climate where traditional venues are facing reduced attendance, investing in innovation can be crucial for recovery and long-term success.
Drawing on historical examples, Edwin highlighted how Howard Schultz revitalized Starbucks by returning to its core values, demonstrating the balance between exploring new ideas and honing existing strengths.
Finally, Edwin shared practical strategies for enhancing creativity, including the “perspective change” exercise and empathy mapping. These tools encourage looking at problems from multiple angles and deeply understanding different perspectives, which can lead to more innovative solutions.
Name: Edwin Garcia
Title: Partner & General Manager
Company: RedBox Innovation US
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Edwin Garcia is the General Manage and Partner of RedBox Innovation US, a leading independent innovation agency based in NYC. With over 12 years of experience in innovation, venture building, business models, design strategy, and execution, he is a seasoned professional in his field.
In 2019, Edwin served as Senior Director of Business Development and Strategy at WeWork’s ground-up busing division. He also co-founded Beta Studio, a company committed to bringing ideas to life.
At RedBox, Edwin has been instrumental in developing and refining the company’s execution methodology and framework. He has also served as an innovation consultant at RedBox Innovation Mexico for 8 years.
