It's early yet, but after four "conversations" from innovators, there's a clear trend emerging. Two of the innovators, Ivy Ross and Tim Westergren, talked about their focus on customers and team members and moved the conversation from the people to the idea. The other two speakers talked about very interesting inventions and discoveries. Their presentations were OK, but I felt they were too focused on the technology and not about innovation per se.

Clearly, the two gentlemen who spoke on technologies were talking about new, interesting stuff that will be rapidly adapted in the market. One spoke about neurotechnology and demonstrated the capability for paralyzed people to manipulate a computer screen or objects. Clearly, these are innovations that will solve problems and help people.

But the stories didn't resonate the way the stories did from Tim and Ivy. Ivy talked about how to build and motivate her team, rather than the ideas they generated. Tim talked about his desire to help musicians reach a broader audience. Both of these guys focused on the people, then the idea - and I think that's what ultimately builds the community and attracts like-minded individuals. In my firm we define innovation as people putting ideas into valuable action. Note that each of these factors - people, ideas, value and action are very important, but ultimately the people - the internal teams and the eventual prospects and customers - are the most important.

What I liked about Tim's presentation is that he talked about what problem he was trying to solve, rather than what technology he had created. Tim's goal was to expose new musicians to people who would not get to hear them. He worked with the musicians and the consumers and then created the technology. Clearly the technology is important, but the community is what mattered, as he now has over 3 millions subscribers with virtually no marketing. The focus on the people made it different.