Episode 55: Importance of Innovation in Business with Andrew McConnell

Published: Nov. 6, 2020, 6:58 a.m.

<p>This episode’s guest is Andrew McConnell. Andrew is the Founder and CEO of Rented,Inc., the leading provider of full-service revenue management as a service (RMS) for professional vacation rental managers. With an expansive network and unparalleled industry expertise, Rented sustainably supports local communities in creating a global reach on their own terms by strengthening and supporting local rental management companies through access to world-class talent, technology, and resources. </p> <p>Andrew holds degrees from Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and Cambridge University, and has worked with some of the world's largest public and private entities as a management consultant at McKinsey &amp; Co., and as a Director, Solutions Design at Axiom Global, Inc. In addition to speaking and writing about vacation rentals and the sharing economy, Andrew also contributes more general business insights and advice to publications like Inc.com, Forbes, and Huffington Post.</p> <h1>In this episode we discuss:</h1> <ul> <li>Being business minded as a kid [3:28]</li> <li>Law school [5:16]</li> <li>Working for a consulting firm and how that gave him confidence to start his own business [7:04]</li> <li>How he started his first business [10:08]</li> <li>Transitioning to a new business [15:44]</li> <li>Starting Rented [16:38]</li> <li>Creating an organization that can innovate [18:53]</li> <li>How does innovation help business? [20:33]</li> <li>How to know when you’re going in the right direction with your business [23:40]</li> <li>Books about innovation in business that Andrew recommends [26:22]</li> <li>Andrew explains how to plan a new product and using Amazon memos [28:21]</li> <li>Best ways to connect with Andrew and learn more about their services [31:28]</li> </ul> <h1>Links to sources and tools</h1> <ul> <li>Go to <a href="http://rented.com" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">http://rented.com</a> to learn more about their revenue management services</li> <li>Connect with Andrew McConnell on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandrewmcconnell/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandrewmcconnell/</a></li> <li>Listen to more episodes here: <a href="https://passthesecretsauce.com/category/real-estate/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://passthesecretsauce.com/category/real-estate/</a></li> </ul> <p>Thanks for listening. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/passthesecretsauce" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/passthesecretsauce</a> to get updates on new episodes. If you haven’t already, please follow and leave a review for our podcast, we’ll really appreciate it. And as always, don’t forget to pass the secret sauce.</p> <h1>Support our podcast</h1> <p>If you’re a fan of the show, there are three simple things you can do to support our work: </p> <ol> <li>Subscribe, rate and review: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pass-the-secret-sauce-by-matt-shields/id1506940483" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pass-the-secret-sauce-by-matt-shields/id1506940483</a> the podcast on iTunes or wherever you subscribe.</li> <li>Tell a family member, friend, or colleague about the show. </li> <li>Subscribe to us on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ5eItxsGWyGKC91zd1pzbA" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ5eItxsGWyGKC91zd1pzbA</a> and follow us on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/pass-the-secret-sauce-podcast" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/pass-the-secret-sauce-podcast</a></li> </ol> <hr> <p>This podcast is hosted by <a href="https://wwww.zencast.fm" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">ZenCast.fm</a></p>