EP1606 Part 1 of 5 | Technology Is Not The Solution. It's A Tool (Patreon Discussion Group) | Map It Forward

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Map It Forward Podcast Advertising. Interested in advertising on this podcast. Email [email protected] to learn more.Episode DescriptionThis is episode 1 of a 5-part series from a Patreon Discussion Group hosted by Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar. In this series of The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, we're discussing the role technology and data could play in solving some of the biggest challenges facing the coffee industry.This conversation was never intended to become a podcast. It originally took place as part of one of Map It Forward's monthly Patreon Discussion Groups, where coffee professionals from across the value chain gather to explore important industry topics. The conversation was so insightful that everyone involved agreed it should be shared publicly.In this episode, Lee Safar is joined by Oscar Montoya (Data Scientist and Coffee Farm Owner), Luci Reid (Agroecologist), Matthew Thornton (Founder of Arkena Coffee Marketplace), Samo Smrke (Coffee Scientist), and Liam O'Connell (Business Analyst).The discussion begins with a framework presented by Oscar Montoya that places people and processes ahead of technology. Together, the group explores why so many technology projects fail despite good intentions, why adoption remains one of the biggest challenges in coffee innovation, and whether the industry is spending enough time identifying the problems that actually need solving.The conversation also examines the difference between technology adoption in equipment manufacturing versus adoption at origin, the role of data as an asset, and why farmer-centred design may be critical to creating meaningful change in coffee.This episode lays the foundation for the rest of the series by asking a simple but important question: Are we focusing on technology, or are we focusing on solving problems?To join our monthly discussion groups on Patreon, head to https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward and signup to our "Roasted Coffee Tier" for $20 per month.If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. In the next episode, we explore how global geopolitics is impacting food supply chains.***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/Contact: [email protected]