Techtrend Group LLC

12/08/2025

At Techtrend, we've spent nearly three decades helping organizations create innovations that matter. Sometimes the most important innovations aren't about market disruption—they're about saving lives.

Zach Paschall is building one of those innovations.

As a Navy SEAL Chief, an RPG exploded a foot from his head in Afghanistan. The blast was never documented. For six years, his body and mind deteriorated while doctors dismissed his symptoms—one even accused him of faking it.

The VA eventually confirmed a significant traumatic brain injury.

His buddy Ryan faced the same invisible battle. The system failed him too. Ryan took his own life in 2017. The autopsy revealed brain damage caused not by enemy fire, but by years of training with their own weapons.

The gap between threat and protection was clear. The innovation to close it didn't exist.

Now Zach is building it:

→ Blast overpressure reducing materials
→ AI-driven concealment systems
→ Nanotechnology armor—double the strength, half the weight
→ Quick-release systems that actually work underwater

This is operator-led innovation at its best—every product born from problems actually faced in the field.

Our founder Phil McKinney serves on The Adullam Company's Advisory Board, and Techtrend is proud to contribute our expertise to help Zach achieve his mission: bringing warriors home whole.

✅Phil wrote the full story for The Innovators Network.
👉 https://open.substack.com/pub/theinnovatorsnetwork/p/bringing-them-home-they-said-his?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

A Navy SEAL's fight against the invisible wounds killing America's elite warriors.

03/18/2025

It all started in a hotel bathroom in Phoenix with a basic microphone and a promise to my mentor.

"There's no way you can pay me back. You have to pay it forward."

Those three words launched what would become the longest continuously produced podcast in history.

Twenty seasons later, I'm sharing the never-before-told story of how Killer Innovations began, the unexpected mention from Adam Curry that changed everything, and the five fundamental truths about innovation that emerged from this journey.

From humble beginnings to podcast history - listen to the full story in our special Season 20 launch episode.

What innovation challenges are you facing right now? I'd love to hear from you.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to build something that lasts? Not just a fleeting success, but a platform that grows, evolves, and continues to impact people decades later? The answer isn't high-end production equipment or a flawless business plan. It starts with a simple idea: pay it forward....

05/03/2024

Creative block is akin to writer's block—those times when you feel stuck when faced with a blank canvas, page, or screen. You find yourself unable to generate new ideas.

It's frustrating when your creativity seems to vanish when you need it most.

Here are the five steps to overcome creative block and tap into your creativity.

🍿👉 https://youtu.be/iVP2YNTuP90

Creative block is akin to writer's block—those times when you feel stuck when faced with a blank canvas, page, or screen - and you are unable to generate ide...

04/06/2024

Ready to turn rejection of your idea into feedback?

Feedback isn't just noise—it's the secret ingredient to refining your idea and achieving breakthrough success.

Learn how to solicit, analyze, and act on feedback effectively, transforming rejection into the realization of your most ambitious dreams.

👉 https://youtu.be/ujq23XzB2LA

Ready to turn setbacks into comebacks? Feedback isn't just noise—it's the secret ingredient to refining your idea and achieving breakthrough success. Learn h...

04/01/2024

Have you ever thought about what it takes to not just keep up with the pace of change but to actually lead the charge?

It's about embracing the role of an innovation consultant.

Five benefits of retaining an innovation consultant:

✅ Sustained Innovation: Continuous access to the consultant's expertise ensures that innovation becomes an integral part of your business strategy, not just a one-time effort.

✅ Adaptability to Market Changes: Markets evolve rapidly, and having an innovation consultant on retainer means your business can quickly adapt to these changes.

✅ Ongoing Support for Implementation: A retained innovation consultant provides ongoing support, helping to overcome any operational or strategic challenges that arise during the implementation.

✅ Cultural Transformation: An innovation consultant can continuously work with your team to reinforce an innovation culture.

✅ Strategic Competitive Advantage: With regular input from an innovation consultant, your business can develop and maintain a strategic competitive advantage.

How do you find one?

Seek out those who are not just thinkers but doers—those who have navigated the treacherous waters of change and emerged victorious.

Most importantly, choose someone who resonates with your organization’s values and vision, for the journey of innovation is not just about reaching a destination; it’s about transforming who you become along the way.

What's been your experience as an innovation consultant - or hiring one?

👉 https://techtrend.com/build-the-future-with-an-innovation-consultant/

Imagine a key that could unlock endless possibilities for your business, transforming challenges into opportunities and ideas into realities. Partnering with an innovation consultant is your first step toward this new horizon. Embark on a voyage where navigating the uncharted becomes your competitiv...

03/17/2024

The future is for the bold, the curious, the relentless seekers of growth.

Those who engage with the future, undaunted by the unknown, are the architects of tomorrow.

But it can be scary when you can't predict future trends, especially with tech.

In a world where technology advances at breakneck speed, daring to innovate and adapt is not an option—it's a necessity.

Full story 👉 https://techtrend.com/tech-trends-predicting-the-unpredictable/

♻️share with who you think needs to hear this ...

In a world where technology advances at breakneck speed, daring to innovate and adapt is not an option—it's a necessity. Those who engage with the future, undaunted by the unknown, are the architects of tomorrow. The future is for the bold, the curious, the relentless seekers of

03/16/2024

One of the most underrated skills everyone can and should improve is critical thinking.

Imagine mastering a skill so powerful that it not only transforms how you think and make decisions but also elevates your entire life—professionally and personally. This isn't about learning a trendy new tool or a fleeting skill set; it’s about unlocking a fundamental capability that’s already within you.

By learning to improve your critical thinking skills, you learn how to approach problems with clarity, make better decisions, and navigate life's complexities with confidence and ease.

Full post👉 https://youtu.be/JOFrjc6u47U

Imagine mastering a skill so powerful that it not only transforms how you think and make decisions but also elevates your entire life—professionally and pers...

03/02/2024

What are the qualities of top innovation mentors?

This isn't about roping in some seasoned pro to give you a few pointers or hoping a pep talk will magically spark your creativity.

Having a mentor is like teaming up with a buddy who's been around the innovation block. They've got loads of wisdom from their own battles and victories, and they're all in when it comes to guiding you to up your game.

An innovation mentor hooks you up with solid advice, cheers you through the hurdles, and helps you think differently.

It’s more than just a pay-for-play deal; it's about connecting, growing, and getting ahead as a team.

So, how do you find the right mentor?

Watch 👉 https://youtu.be/xZDPN35YIXw

What are the qualities of top innovation mentors? A strong innovation mentor can accelerate career growth akin to a decade's worth in just a few years. Disco...

02/21/2024

My view this morning as I prepare my “CEO Remarks” for my Board meeting tomorrow … I hear the weather is nice outside. 🌞

02/12/2024

⚠ Warning: Fake Innovation Consultants!

A concerning trend in the innovation consulting world is the rise of 'experts' with little to no real-world experience. Education has its place, but can it truly replace hands-on knowledge?

Consider this: would you trust an untested surgeon with a scalpel for your loved one's operation? I thought not. Similarly, in the trenches of innovation, theoretical knowledge just doesn't cut it.

Remember, the world of innovation is complex and unforgiving — experience is your best guide through this labyrinth.

When choosing an innovation consultant, seek the battle-scarred veterans who’ve traversed the innovation battleground. Their insights, born from real-life challenges, are invaluable.

Don't gamble your innovation success. Bet on experience — it's the ace up your sleeve.

My rant 👉 https://youtu.be/OoD1hqKObJY?si=apaKhmdmM_2OTeDE

Success in innovation is contingent upon the guidance of someone who has not merely witnessed the journey but has walked it, step by step, innovation by inno...

12/09/2023

So, what exactly is an innovation agency? Simply put, it's a consulting firm that specializes in creative problem-solving. Innovation agencies have teams of seasoned professionals who are well-versed in brainstorming, ideation, prototyping, testing, and launching new products, services, and processes.

https://techtrend.com/unlocking-creativity-how-an-innovation-agency-can-ignite-your-companys-potential/

06/18/2023

Industry terms can be extremely helpful in conveying complex information quickly and easily.

Over the years, we have collected terms that apply to the field of innovation.

Here is a starter list of 27 of the innovation terms.

Are you looking to make your conversations about innovation more effective and efficient? Then understanding the industry terms used in this field is essential. Having a shared language between stakeholders can help create a common understanding and allow for better communication. Here we have compi...