
14 Jul July 14, 2025 – Fix the Systems Doug Hall and OFFLINE Howard Lewis
Doug Hall – Inventor, Author, Speaker, Trainer & Bourbon Maker
94% of the problem’s the system, 6% is the worker. It’s not the
worker that’s the problem. It’s the system. Fix the work systems.

Doug Hall
Doug Hall is a pioneering inventor, innovation researcher, and bestselling author dedicated to empowering people with the skills and confidence to create and act on breakthrough ideas. With a career spanning over 40 years, Doug has helped companies like Disney, Nike, Procter & Gamble, AT&T, and American Express transform their approach to innovation. His expertise blends the Art of Innovation—honed through hands-on experience with over 2,000 companies—with the Science of Innovation, applying the systems thinking mindset of Dr. W. Edwards Deming to accelerate employee engagement and drive disruptive breakthroughs. In recognition of his groundbreaking work, Doug has been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Maine and the University of Prince Edward Island. Doug’s latest research explores the Psychology of Innovation, uncovering ways to help adults overcome fear, capability gaps, and self-doubt when generating ideas. He is also focused on engaging frontline employees and managers in everyday innovation, addressing the staggering 50% loss in value that disruptive innovations often suffer during development and commercialization. His latest book, PROACTIVE Problem Solving, co-developed with Maggie Nichols and the Eureka! Ranch team, provides a proven system for helping employees and managers eliminate inefficiencies and generate smarter ways of working. In addition, Doug’s passion for innovation extends to Brain Brew Distillery, where he and Joe Girgash created award-winning bourbon and whiskey brands, including Dexter Bourbon—recognized among the world’s top 12 bourbons. Beyond his writing and research, Doug has captivated audiences as the author of eight books on innovation and courage, including Jump Start Your Business Brain, named one of the 100 Best Business Books of All Time. He has starred in two network television series (ABC’s American Inventor and W Network’s Backyard Inventor), hosted a nationally syndicated radio show (Brain Brew Radio), and performed his one-man play, North Pole Tenderfoot, chronicling his adventure recreating Admiral Peary’s last dash to the North Pole. In his free time, Doug enjoys open-fire cooking, 1800s whiskey cocktails, sailing, and playing the bagpipes. He and his wife of 49 years split their time between Cincinnati, Ohio; Springbrook, Prince Edward Island; and Aruba.
Howard Lewis – Founder of OFFLINE and Author of
Rediscover and nurture your youth, because the things
you’re learning there are just all about the first steps in life.

Howard Lewis
Howard Lewis, cultured, creative and curious, brings a multifarious box of tricks to the table. Over many years, he sent investment reports for private circulation that touched upon issues such as infrastructure, demographics and the vagaries of markets. He broadened his horizons by reflecting too upon aspects of the art market and life in general but, more importantly, started sending articles to friends, clients and associates on subjects that they were interested in or which he felt they should be aware of. The response to this was overwhelmingly positive and led to the genesis of OFFLINE. The fundamental premise behind it was that in a wired world people needed more than ever to engage in physical interaction with one another. The articles were mere props but they reinforced the fact that the simple acts of talking, laughing, eating, thinking. OFFLINE is designed to be the antithesis of everything online but also recognises that veering off road and then back on it is both valuable and necessary. It aims to challenge and provoke, question and answer, stimulate and amuse, nurture and nourish in a delightful and congenial setting. As to slightly more prosaic matters, Howard is passionate about art, books, football, travel, wit and wonder and is extremely partial to custard doughnuts (with sprinkly sugar for the purists among you). He is a member of MCC, Savile Club, London Library and a long term season ticket holder at Arsenal FC, true purveyors of the beautiful game.