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August 18, 2025 48 mins

Rob Wolcott visited the Messy Times studios to talk about the great book he co-authored recently, called Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life.

What if you could have whatever you want, produced and provided immediately and affordably no matter how customized—with minimal environmental impact? Products, services, and experiences on demand. Just-in-time anything, anywhere, anytime. This radical change is underway, as digital technologies push the production and provision of value ever closer to the moment of demand.

Robert C. Wolcott is cofounder and chair of The World Innovation Network (TWIN Global). He is adjunct professor of innovation at the Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, and adjunct professor of executive education at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. His books include Grow from Within: Mastering Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation (with Michael J. Lippitz, 2009). Wolcott is an active venture investor in more than thirty companies, many of which are leading the Proximity revolution.

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