The DNA of IDEA CHAMPIONS WORKSHOPS

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the all-too-human tendency to be ruled by limiting assumptions is the most insidious – the often invisible mix of outdated beliefs, false conclusions, and habits of thought that blind us to glorious new possibilities.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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