API : The "I" Stands for Innovation

APIs, Digital Transformation, and the API Economy are all a big deal — the new things all companies need to learn about and deal with if they are to keep up with the fast pace of change today. To accomplish this transformation, many people say they want their companies (and the employees) to "be innovators" in thsi new and changing world. But, do we? Really?

The first use of the word "innovator" was a derogatory term describing someone who was altering tried-and-true doctrine in an unsound way. How has time changed the meaning and use of the word? Are we missing something important from the past? What does today’s "innovator" look like? And how does the act of innovation affect established corporate culture and employee morale?

We’ll look at the roots of innovation, why it occurred, and the story of innovating through history to the present day. We’ll identify the value and challenge of an innovative culture and how you can foster — and tame — innovation within your organization. Finally, we’ll see how the latest round of technical advances in APIs can be used to leverage growth and innovative thinking within your team, your company, and your community.

Director of API Architecture, API Academy at CA Technologies

An internationally known author and lecturer, Mike Amundsen travels throughout the world consulting and speaking on a wide range of topics including distributed network architecture, Web application development, and other subjects.

In his role of Director of Architecture for the API Academy, Amundsen heads up the API Architecture and Design Practice in North America. He is responsible for working with companies to provide insight on how best to capitalize on the myriad opportunities APIs present to both consumers and the enterprise.

Amundsen has authored numerous books and papers on programming over the last 15 years. His last book was a collaboration with Leonard Richardson titled "RESTful Web APIs" published in 2013. His 2011 book, “Building Hypermedia APIs with HTML5 and Node”, is an oft-cited reference on building adaptable Web applications. He is currently working to complete a new book - "RESTful Web Clients" due out from O’Reilly in early 2016.