 | Managing
for Innovation Objective:
This highly interactive program introduces a set of
skills to managers and executives for increasing the innovation potential
of their organizations. In addition to techniques in idea generation,
idea development and collaborative problem solving, participants also
learn how to model key behaviors and provide coaching to their reports,
as ways of fostering a more innovative culture. Also, participants are
introduced to a model for conducting routine meetings that promotes
greater efficiency and effectiveness in handling day-to-day issues,
leaving more time and energy for innovative initiatives.
Key Outcomes:
- New skills for
encouraging creative thinking and innovative problem solving among
employees.
- More efficient,
productive and exciting meetings, with more contributions from participants.
- Enhanced collaborative
problem solving skills applied to bottom-line organizational challenges.
- The emergence
of high performing teams throughout the organization.
- Leadership skills
which allow for breakthrough thinking when opportunity knocks, rather
than being limited to minor, incremental changes.
Topics Covered:
- Group
Dynamics - How certain types of behavior
can enhance or create barriers to innovative task accomplishment.
Use of videotape, visual feedback and skilled coaching greatly enhances
this learning.
- The Role
of Problem Owner - The critical role of "problem owner"
and how to give the team clear, consistent direction and feedback.
This role is often - though not always - held by the manager or project
team leader. How well it is executed is a key for achieving good teamwork
and innovative results.
- Open-minded
Evaluation and Development
- A five-step process for building feasibility into a flawed, yet
intriguing new idea. A leader's ability to model this process and
coach others in it are critical skills for fostering a more innovative
environment.
- Problem
Solving Process
- A sequence of activities for exploring and developing ideas that
allows logic and analysis to co-exist with more speculative and approximate
thinking, key ingredients for creativity. This combination of linear
and lateral thinking results in solutions that are unique and original,
yet feasible enough for implementation.
- Guidelines
for Constructive Interaction
- Managing the diversity of thought, opinions, and perspectives in
a way that ensures full participation and engagement. This encourages
commitment by all parties to implementation of the solution, while
minimizing non-constructive confrontation both during and beyond the
meeting.
Additional Areas Covered:
- Planning for Process
- Most managers run many meetings, but rarely think about
how these should be conducted, or match meeting type to the content.
Planning for process will enable them to preside over more efficient
and productive meetings.
- The Multiple
Item Agenda Meeting - a specific model for increasing the efficiency
and effectiveness of regular meetings featuring a list of agenda items
to be covered.
- Articulating
the Task - Clearly identifying a tangible goal to be accomplished.
- Idea generating
techniques for bringing innovation to problem solving:
- "Wishing and Wondering" about new ideas and concepts.
- Using "side trips" to generate new ideas from
other worlds.
- Connection-Making Listening - how to listen for ideas
and make creative connections.
- Promoting innovation
in everyday situations; e.g., one-on-one informal meetings, staff
meetings, impromptu brainstorming, performance evaluations, coaching
sessions.
Who Should Attend:
Executives, managers, team leaders and HR personnel
who wish to increase their organization's potential for innovation,
and the likelihood of finding creative solutions to problems and opportunities.
The problem solving process emphasizes a team approach, with strategies
to maximize the effectiveness of the problem solving team. Existing
management teams are encouraged to attend this course as a group, or
groups of managers from differing functions throughout the organization.
Length: Typically
2 or 3 days. Each program is custom-designed to meet client needs.
Class Size:
6-12 participants.
The
Innovative Edge, Inc.
Ph: 508-497-9096
Fx: 508-435-8170
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