An Introduction to Innovation

Innovation has never been more important to organisations and the most successful companies do not trust innovation to luck. They adopt a structured, strategic approach. This programme delivers best practice knowledge combined with practical tools and applied problem solving so that delegates can understand and apply the critical success factors for driving innovation.

You will develop clear insights into innovation and how to implement it successfully. You will learn how to create and support an innovative climate and how to sustain innovation activities that add business value. You will develop your own action plan on how to improve your personal innovation effectiveness.

Delegates will be able to provide their organisation with an assessment of its current performance against the criteria for successful innovation, together with suggestions on how to improve. They will also be equipped to share best practice learning with colleagues.

Managers or team leaders, irrespective of function, who are looking to strengthen their leadership skills in innovation because they are currently involved, or expect to be involved, in the innovation process within their organisation.

• The business case for innovation.
• Creativity and innovation – understanding the difference and the critical link between them.
• The innovation mindset:
• • Debunking the myths about innovation.
  • The attitudes needed to drive innovation.
• Examples of innovative organisations.
• Understanding the importance of both ‘top down’ and ‘bottom up’ approaches to be successful.
• Examples of innovative products over the years – and why they are considered so.
• The four hallmarks of successful, innovative companies:
• • Enabling conditions.
  • Creativity.
  • Culture.
  • Measurement.
• Using the me2 ‘General Factor of Creativity’ profiling tool to see how your own profile can help your organisation succeed.
• The seven factors for sustaining success.
• Action planning - how to keep momentum going after this programme.

• A practical and interactive approach that uses current, best practice insights as stimuli to reinforce learning in a fun environment.
• Includes some individual and breakout work as well as plenary sessions.
• Delegates should prepare an example of innovation in their organisation of which they are proud and of another company they admire for its innovation (5 minute presentation).