WORKSHOP: DEVELOPING AN INNOVATION CULTURE
One of the first questions people ask about innovation is “how do I create a culture of innovation”. The real question is “how can I get creativity to co-exist with and ‘execution’ culture”. This workshop will give you answers to that question and show the essential behaviors and organization structure you need for innovation.
WORKSHOP CONTENT
1. INTRODUCTION
Innovation is vital in order to compete in the Marketplace. It is the only strategy by which an organization can differentiate itself in the long term. Innovation is driven by a customer’s desire for more Convenience. “Conventional Thinking” and “Fear of Failure” inhibit Innovation.
2. INNOVATIVE BEHAVIORS
You learn the behaviors of an Innovation Culture; Exploration, Collaboration and Experimentation. The Innovation roles are explained. Participants identify where they will make their own best personal contribution to Innovation, whether by generating ideas, finding solutions, making solutions practical or implementing solutions.
Exercise; You will determine how you will make the best contribution to Innovation.
3. THE CREATIVITY CHALLENGE
Participants learn how to work with customers to identify opportunities. Defining the problem, exploring alternative solutions and identifying roadblocks are the path to the best conceptual solution. A culture of creativity allows creative problem solving or ‘ideation’. Alternative methods of ideation are explained.
Exercise; You carry out an exercise in creative problem solving or ‘ideation’
4. ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE
A ‘loose’ and open network is necessary for finding radical solutions. A closed or ‘cluster’ network is needed for delivering solutions. A different kind of Organizational Structure is needed so creativity and execution can live together. Agility and ability to change the plan during execution are essential attributes.
Exercise; Organizational Assessment.
5. EXECUTING THE STRATEGY
For every 3,000 ideas only one makes it. You learn the importance of ‘Managing Risk’ and evaluating the ‘Behavior Change’ required in using a new product or service. You learn the importance of changing culture from ‘loose’ to ‘tight’ in order to execute with speed.
Exercise; Risk Assessment and Risk Mitigation.
6. THE PATH FORWARD
The Roadmap for developing Innovation in an organization is explained. The importance of the ‘Short Term Win’ are shown. These are first steps on the road to an Innovative Organization.
Peter Merrill is a Keynote Speaker on Innovation and has keynoted at conferences in cities such as Dubai, Mumbai and Shanghai. He has spoken in Prague, London and Helsinki.
He began his career in R&D working on projects such as desalination and acrylics for carbon fiber. Later as Chief Executive of one of the leading Design Brands in Europe he led Innovation in one of the most demanding markets.
He is an Engineer, an Artist and a Writer and has led Innovation in the fields of both Graphic Art and Engineering. He is one of North America’s foremost authorities on Management Systems which he has implemented in such innovative companies as IBM, A.I.G., and R.I.M.
He chairs the Canadian National Committee to ISO/TC279 the Technical Committee on Innovation Management and also chairs the ASQ Innovation Think Tank.
He is author of the books “Innovation Generation”, “Innovation Never Stops”, “The Executive Guide to Innovation” and “Do It Right the Second Time”. He writes the Innovation Column for Quality Progress.
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