Training Programme Innovation on SMEs

I NTRODUCTION TO THE D AY Registration/coffee Introduction Module 1: Your Inner Innovator Coffee (15 mins) Module 2: Types of Innovation Module 3: Mapping your innovation route LUNCH Module 3: Mapping your innovation route Module 4: Y OUR A CTION P LAN Coffee (15 mins) Module 4: Y OUR A CTION P LAN Open questions and answers Close 2

mapping your innovation journey/route "Everyone has the key of their innovation engine, it is up to you to turn it" 3 The Innovation Process

Theory versus Practice Innovation theory provides a lot of different theories about: "standardized innovation processes" But innovation PRACTICE shows that …there‘s no one size fits all approach. …innovations cannot be designed separate from reality …successful innovations need creativity and analytical skills …innovation processes should be kept simple 4

The Fours Steps of the Innovation Journey 1. Creativity 2. Strategy 3. Implementation 4. Profitability 5

Step 1: Creativity What is it… What can I do (to improve my creativity)? Knowledge, Observation Imagination Attitude, Drive & Motivation Context and constraints of my environment? People Space Resources (not only money!) Culture 6

7 Exercise Everybody get a piece of paper and write down their definition of innovation Step 1: Creativity What is it…

Possible definitions that we can find in literature… 1."Using old things in new places, ways and combinations“ 2.Creative behaviors possessing an element of newness, novelty, and difference (Herrmann, 1996) 3.Creativity is an act, an idea, or product that changes an existing domain, or that transforms an existing domain into a new one, and creative person is whose thoughts or actions bring these changes. 4.What is there on the wall? 8 Step 1: Creativity What is it…

9 Exercise Everybody does the 16 questions self-test Step 1: Creativity How creative am I?

Step 1: Creativity What can I do (to improve my creativity)? Imagination “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Picasso 1.See the World Through a Child’s Eyes Be forever curious. Always be open to new things 2.Connect & Combine ideas 3.Framing and Reframing Problems 4.Challenge Assumptions Do not believe the first answer… Embrace ambiguity Be able to visualize other worlds 10

11 Exercise Draw a house…… Step 1: Creativity What can I do (to improve my creativity)?

People you work with 12 Step 1: Creativity Context and constraints

Physical Space 13 Successful creativityKeep calm, don't talk,Why are they not creative? Kindergarten High School Office Step 1: Creativity Context and constraints

Resources Money is ok, but not enough 14 Step 1: Creativity Context and constraints

Use all the things you have around you… in a new way! 15 Step 1: Creativity Context and constraints NOTE: This is very closely supervised use of two forklifts to lift factory equipment to a raised mezzanine too high for one forklift to reach...

Weird, or just different? 16 Step 1: Creativity Context and constraints Culture (The background music of any community)

Step 2: Strategy Determining the usefulness of an idea TOOL: Six Thinking Hats: Innovation & Creative Thinking (Edward De Bono) 17 NegativePositiveCreativeNeutralEmotionalControl FOCUS on Flaws Weakness FOCUS on Benefits Strengths FOCUS on Possibilites Opportunity FOCUS on Facts Information Objectivity FOCUS on ‘gut’ feeling Instinct Subjectivity FOCUS on how the hats are progressing and act as a facilitator.

Six Thinking Hats: Determine the usefulness (and a marketing strategy) for this idea… a bike made completely of recycled cardboard and car tires Exercise Step 2: Strategy Determining the usefulness of an idea 18

Step 3: Implementation (1) Putting the new idea into action 1.The benefits of Mapping Plan A (See details at Module 4) 2.Treat Life as an Experiment 3.Failing can often be part of the Innovation Process 19

Define target outcomes – e.g. increased profit, broader customer base Identify small, easily implementable steps to help you achieve these outcomes Assign clear roles and responsibilities. Give guidelines rather than rules Evaluate at each step and adjust as necessary 20 Step 3: Implementation (2) Putting the new idea into action

Step 4: Profitability Maximizing the added value from the implementation of the new idea 1. Define: Sets innovation objectives and mobilizes your efforts. 2. Develop: A stream of original ideas tied to real business objectives. 3. Create: A flexible approach to shepherd innovative ideas to market. 4. Build: Work environment that drives innovation across your organization. 21

Innovations follow the customers and thus the market. Research is a necessary, but not the only requirement for innovation. Successful innovation needs implementation in the market. (Innovation) networks are the catalysts for innovation. Economical value results from successful innovation. 22 Step 4: Profitability Maximizing the added value from the implementation of the new idea