Inside Innovation: Psychological Safety, Strategic Timing, and the Power of Simplicity with Jannicke Birkevold

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"Technology isn't the hard part. Getting people to see the value and change behaviour—that’s the challenge." - Jannicke Birkevold

In this episode, innovation expert Jannicke Birkevold unpacks how emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and digital ID systems are reshaping society and business. Learn what makes innovation succeed in the real world—and why psychological safety and timing are non-negotiables for impact.

Is your organisation built to survive disruption—or drive it?

Key Takeaway Insights and Tools (with Timestamps):

• Innovation Requires Psychological Safety
  Innovation flourishes when people feel safe to fail, question, and iterate. Leadership support is essential to create this space.
  [33:26]
• Disruption Is About Timing, Not Just Tech
  The success of VIPS (Norway's mobile payment system) hinged on simplicity, customer value, and market timing—not just the app itself.
  [19:15]
• Don’t Build Everything—Partner Strategically
  The IDme project succeeded by collaborating with specialized partners for fraud detection and passport verification.
  [30:44]
• Innovators Need Organizational Champions
  Without buy-in from top leadership, most innovation efforts stagnate. Managers must advocate for long-term thinking—even in quarterly-driven cultures.
  [35:51]
• Internal Conflict Can Kill Innovation
  New solutions may threaten existing revenue streams. Reframing innovation as a protective move—before competitors disrupt—helps reduce resistance.
  [39:39]

Bio:

Jannicke Birkevold is an experienced leader and Innovation Expert with over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of technology, business, and customers. She has a passion for new tech. Jannicke has a proven track record in project management and the delivery of new products to market. She was recognised among Norway's Top 50 Women in Tech by Abelia/ODA.

Throughout her career, Jannicke has held several managerial and professional positions within DNB, including head of digital inovation and leading the internal StartUp IDmee. Before joining DNB, she worked on IT and innovation projects in the Norwegian Tax Administration and has experience from the media industy and voluntary organizations. Her extensive experience spans strategy, technology, compliance, and customer-focused initiatives.

Jannicke has broad leadership experience, having led specialists and professionals in technology and product field. She also enjoys delving deeply into subject areas in roles that involve professional responsibility and subject matter expert.
Her commercial mindset is focused on creating value for both customers and the company. Jannicke's personal qualities include a direct style, easy-going nature, a sense of humour, and lots of enthusiasm.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannicke-birkevold-9807843/

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