the dna of idea champions workshops
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Here's a very simple way to understand the essence of WHAT Idea Champions does, and HOW, in order to help it's clients raise the bar for innovation.TRANSCRIPT
THE DNA OF IDEA CHAMPIONS’ WORKSHOPS
THE DNA OF IDEA CHAMPIONS WORKSHOPS
www.ideachampions.com
IDEA CHAMPIONS’ workshops are highly
engaging, insight-invoking experiences
that provide participants with a unique
opportunity to make rapid progress on
pressing business challenges at
the same time they are learning
valuable tools and techniques
they can apply on the job to
raise the bar for innovation. The DNA of
each session is composed of eight
integrated elements. What follows is a
brief summary of these eight elements.
1. INNOVATION READINESS
A lively mix of context setting, ice-breakers, and presentations that
move people from a resistant “innovation is not my job” mindset to a receptive, “I am a proactive agent of innovation” mindset.
2. PROBLEM REFRAMING
G.K. Chesterton once said, “It’s not that they can’t see the solution, they can’t see the problem.”
And so it is with many business people. Tasked with tough challenges and huge time constraints, they too often rush into solution finding without framing the best possible problem statements – a phenomenon that guarantees nothing but wheel-spinning and frustration.
Which is why, whenever possible, Idea Champions’ sessions include a groundbreaking module on the art and science of framing the right questions.
3. ASSUMPTION BUSTING
Of all the obstacles to innovation, the all-too-human tendency to be ruled by limiting assumptions is the most insidious – the often invisible mix of outdated beliefs, false conclusions, and habits of thought that blind us to glorious new possibilities.
That’s why all Idea Champions sessions include a deep dive into the phenomenon – at least one action learning challenge, debrief, and mindshift technique that allows participants to identify and transform their assumptions into powerful questions to resolve with others.
4. CREATIVE THINKING
All Idea Champions sessions include the
teaching and practice of creating thinking
tools and techniques that enable participants
go beyond left-brain dominance and tap
into a higher realm ofinnate brilliance.
These tools and techniques are easy-to-learn,
highly effective, and can be immediately applied on the job.
5. IDEATION
One of the deliverables of our sessions are powerful, new business growth ideas – both incremental and breakthrough. Participants not only get out of the box and ideate, they develop and refine their ideas.
6. ACTION LEARNING
All Idea Champions sessions are a mix of thinking and doing. Taking our cue from decades of adult learning research and 25 years of in-the-trenches experience with a wide variety of industries, we are firm believers in the value of hands-on, action learning. Our goal? To spark the kind of insights, illuminations, and ahas that translate into sustainable behavior change that makes a difference.
7. CONVERGENCE
It’s one thing to “get out of the box” – it’s quite another to do something practical with the insights and ideas
that emerge from that experience. Which is why all our sessions end
with “convergence” – the process of jump starting raw
possibility into bottom line
results.
• Idea assessment• Sub group formation• Action Planning• Declarations of intent
8. GREAT TAKEAWAYS
Each person who participates
in an Idea Champions session receives a set of visually
compelling materials to
reinforce and extend the
principles, tools, and techniques
we teach. Some of these materials are
used, real-time, in our sessions, some are used
in the weeks that follow.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
"Idea Champions offers pragmatic tools and insights that enable innovation. Their approach is engaging, encouraging and creates an impetus for participants
to apply the learning immediately."
– Michael Serino, Senior Director, Merck
"Idea Champions has been a partner with the Chubb Business School for four years and has helped us drive the skillset and mindset of innovation throughout
the organization. This partnership has resulted in an approach that focuses not only on the skill of creative thinking,
but on the application of that learning. Several ideas from Chubb Business School have been pitched to our
Venture Fund Team and received funding for development and implementation. Definitely solid ROI!"
– Mary Ann Heenehan, Corporate Groups Development Manager
"As I reflect on your Ingenious Leadership session, I continue to find that the takeaways from that single day
have proved to be much more valuable to me than some of the more extensive consulting inputsI have received from large brand name consultants my company interacts with. The practical emphasis
you made on the human side of innovation hits the mark.”
– Harry Kiskaddon, Vice President, Alcoa
"Idea Champions' highly engaging approach, combining creative energy and business practicality,
is a real winner. Their process and practical tools helps people experience innovation in the moment,
and more importantly, enables them to apply the learning back home with their own teams."
– Mike Canning, CEO Duke Corporate Ed
"Idea Champions continues to be a terrific partner as we proceed on our innovation journey.
They are highly knowledgeable about developing an innovative culture, know what to do and,
more importantly, know what not to do. They are also wonderful facilitators of group training
— both entertaining and educational. I recommend Idea Champions to any company looking to build their innovation capabilities!”
- Darcy Smith, VP Subsidiary HR, Highmark
© ideachampions, 2014www.ideachampions.com
845.679.1066
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