Kyle Nel is the Executive Vice President of the Uncommon Partners Lab at Singularity University (SU), which applies behavioral science insights to create transformational experiences, products and services. SU acquired Uncommon Partners in 2019, of which Kyle was the CEO and co-founder.
Kyle’s journey to understand human behavior and decision-making led him to create the multi-disciplinary behavioral transformation approach, which uses tools like narrative, applied neuroscience and experimental design to help organizations break out of incrementalism. He co-authored Leading Transformation, a 2018 Harvard Business Review Press title about these tools and concepts.
Kyle also founded and previously served as Executive Director for Lowe’s Innovation Labs (LIL), the disruptive innovation hub for the Fortune 40 home improvement company. He created and led a team responsible for driving the company’s innovation vision and strategy, leading Lowe’s to be recognized by Fast Company as the “Most Innovative Company in AR/VR” and by Fortune as the “Most Innovative Company” in their category.
Under his leadership, Lowe’s Innovation Labs built a proprietary 3D content creation and asset management platform; augmented and virtual reality stores; virtual reality DIY skills clinics; the first autonomous retail service robots; soft robotic exosuits to deliver lift assistance for store employees; and 3D scanning and printing services at retail - and in space, where the first commercially-manufactured object off of the planet was a Lowe’s wrench that was modified for astronauts. He also built a disruptive technology lab and incubator in Bangalore, India.
Kyle sits on the boards of emerging tech companies and is a faculty member focused on corporate innovation at Singularity University. He is also a former member of the XPRIZE Foundation Innovation Board. He was recognized on the 2015 Advertising Age “40 under 40” list, and received the 2016 “People Shaping Retail’s Future” award from the National Retail Federation. He was also a founding member of the Retail Industry Leaders Association (R)Tech Advisory Council.
He previously held positions in market research with Lowe’s and Walmart’s Global Insights Group. He holds an MBA from the AC Nielsen Center for Marketing Research at the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Brigham Young University-Idaho.
After decades of digital disruption, why are there still so few traditional retailers that have been able to adapt in the face of “retail armageddon?” A lot of companies realize they need to change, and throw technology at the wall to see what sticks. The problem with this is that people aren’t changing nearly as fast as technology, so we need to build intuitive tools that can change human behavior.
Join this session to learn how the team from Lowe’s Innovation Labs introduced an innovation approach rooted in narrative and neuroscience that led the Fortune 50 retailer to build augmented and virtual reality stores, in-store autonomous robots, the first store in space, and exoskeletons for store employees.
Length: (From 20 - 60 minutes, up to 2 hours, includes live neuro demo)
All people have core biases, patterns and traits that impact how we think about and act toward the future. From conceiving new ideas, to developing and introducing new products or experiences, there are many approaches to innovation that often overlook our most fundamental limitations: our brains. Ideas that are so new need new ways of defining and measuring success. Attendees will learn about KPIs that can be usefully applied to drive better and faster decision making. Content will focus on how to apply neuroscience to quantify something inherently qualitative, our unstated reactions to new technological experiences, including a live demonstration of how the brain reacts to new stimuli.
For all the time and money invested in innovation, why are there so few success stories? A lot of companies realize they need to change, and throw technology at the wall to see what sticks. The problem is that people aren’t changing nearly as fast as technology, so we need intuitive tools that can change human behavior. Join this session to learn how the team from Lowe's Innovation Labs introduced a behavioral transformation approach that made the Fortune 50 retailer into an innovation leader.
From Oculus Rift to ARKit there is a lot of hype about augmented and virtual reality, but many are still waiting for the breakout application. One promising use case is design and home improvement, where visualization is a longstanding challenge. Attendees will learn case studies from Lowe’s Innovation Labs about the practical impact these technologies have today, and the implications for what comes next.
Length: (From 20 - 60 minutes)
From autonomous helpers to exosuits, robotics are a widely diverse field with far-reaching applications. Attendees will learn from early pioneers deploying robotics about how to separate hype from reality and the implications of bringing a robotic future to life, today.
Length: (From 20 - 60 minutes)
For all the time and money invested in innovation within large organizations, why are there so few success stories? A lot of companies realize they need to change, and throw technology at the wall to see what sticks. The problem is that people aren’t changing nearly as fast as technology, so we need intuitive tools that can change human behavior.Join this session to learn how the team from Lowe’s Innovation Labs introduced a behavioral transformation approach rooted in narrative and neuroscience that led the Fortune 50 retailer to build augmented and virtual reality stores, in-store autonomous robots, the first store in space, and exoskeletons for store employees.
Length: (From 20 - 60 minutes, up to 2 hours, includes live neuro demo)
How can we use machine learning and AI in a meaningful way? Attend this session to get a practical guide to AI, including the practical value that AI technologies are already creating today, and the implications for what comes next.
Length: (From 20 - 60 minutes)
All people have core biases, patterns and traits that impact how we think about and act toward the future. From conceiving new ideas, to developing and introducing new products or experiences, there are many approaches to innovation that often overlook our most fundamental limitations: our brains. Attendees will learn how to apply neuroscience to quantify something inherently qualitative, our unstated reactions to new technological experiences.Length: (From 20 - 60 minutes, includes live neuro demo)
How can we overcome psychological biases that trap us in incremental thinking, and change how we see the world and what we are able to do?
If we view technological change in context of human behavior, then can we create breakthrough innovation and transform our organizations?
As more organizations recognize that it’s not a question of if, but when and to what extent, emerging technologies will shape the future of their business, there is greater urgency for approaches to innovation that overcome the greatest hidden obstacle: our innate tendency toward linear thinking and our natural inclination to deny, or disregard, alternative possibilities.
Intro to Behavioral Transformation is a one-day workshop designed for organizational leaders who are committed to engaging in the exponential future. Attendees will learn about models for behavioral change that have been validated across Lowe’s, a Fortune 50 retailer, and other organizations, and learn how to apply a proven, powerful toolkit to spur meaningful innovation.
Overview: One-day workshop providing an in-depth overview of behavioral transformation methodologies, accompanied by lightweight exercises to facilitate conversation and a deeper understanding of how to activate the different concepts covered throughout the day.
Audience: Appropriate for any organizational leaders interested in diving deeper into behavioral transformation; can be customized to client specifications as needed.
Objectives: