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Marianna Tarvainen
Human insight & innovation strategy / Senior Anthropologist @IIAB
Marianna Tarvainen is a Senior Anthropologist and Innovation Consultant currently working at IS IT A BIRD, a company specializing in human insight and innovation strategy.1 With a background in anthropology, she has built a career that combines her expertise in human behavior with innovative business practices.
Professional Background
Marianna's professional journey has been diverse and international. She started her career in marketing before transitioning to a more anthropology-focused role.4 Her experience includes:
- Working as a Senior Anthropologist at IS IT A BIRD, where she focuses on human insight and innovation strategy.1
- Previously living and working in London for two years, which she described as "wonderful, inspiring - and challenging".2
- Involvement in corporate venture building, suggesting she has experience in helping companies develop new business initiatives.3
Education and Expertise
Marianna received her education from the University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet)1, which likely provided the foundation for her anthropological expertise. Her work combines:
- Anthropological methods and insights
- Innovation consulting
- Leadership skills
- Venture building experience
Current Focus
As an Organizational Anthropologist, Marianna applies her anthropological background to business contexts. Her work likely involves:
- Conducting ethnographic research to understand human behavior in organizational settings
- Providing insights for innovation strategies
- Assisting in the development of new ventures
- Potentially exploring applications in areas such as agtech (agricultural technology)3
Marianna's unique combination of anthropology and business innovation makes her a valuable asset in helping companies understand human behavior and develop innovative solutions based on those insights.
Highlights
Companies are sleeping on the benefits of adjacent innovation to future-proof their business models.
McKinsey reports that only 20% of growth is attributed to adjacent business opportunities.
➡ For companies experiencing rapid growth in their core businesses, diversifying into new areas can strategically position their portfolios to align with future trends. ➡ Conversely, companies with slow-growing core businesses can leverage adjacent ventures to counterbalance sluggish growth in other areas.
Embracing adjacent innovation can be a game-changer for businesses looking to stay ahead in rapidly evolving markets.
#businessmodelinnovation #innovation #venturing
🚨 Food Producers: Time to Step Up or Step Out! 🚨
In an era where sustainability and health paradigms are reshaping consumer expectations, food producers are under unprecedented pressure to rethink their products. With health charities like the British Heart Foundation advocating for cigarette-style warning labels on everyday food items, the call for transparency and healthier options is louder than ever. Imagine a world where your favorite snack comes with a stark health warning – are we ready for such radical measures?
These proposed changes, including taxes on salty products and bans on junk food sponsorship in sports, signal a significant shift in societal values towards prioritizing health and wellbeing over profit. The BHF estimates that such bold actions could save up to 11,000 lives annually by 2035.
As an anthropologist, I see this as more than just policy change; it's a social evolution. Consumers are demanding healthier, more transparent options, and they're willing to hold companies accountable. This is a critical moment for food producers to innovate and align with these new values or risk being left behind.
Are we prepared to embrace these changes and what does it mean for the future of our food culture? 🍏🌍
#Sustainability #HealthRevolution #FoodIndustry #PublicHealth #Innovation
