Idea Time Innovation with Dr. Jo North

How Open Innovation Can Transform Your Business

Open innovation is all about expanding your business horizons. Instead of keeping all your ideas and projects in-house, you collaborate with external partners, startups, or customers. This approach speeds up innovation, cuts costs, and could give your business the competitive edge it needs. Tune into my livestream to learn how you can make open innovation work for you.

 

Get to Know Open Innovation

I'll start off by demystifying what open innovation really means. I’ll explain the difference between open and closed innovation models.

 

Real-World Cases

Hear about companies that have thrived by adopting open innovation. Their success stories could be inspiration for your business.

 

Practical Benefits

I'll cover the ROI of implementing open innovation strategies. Learn about faster product development, cost reduction, and increased creativity within your organization.

 

How to Get Started

Thinking about jumping in? I'll provide actionable steps on how you can integrate and facilitate open innovation into your business operations.

Appreciative Inquiry for Innovators and Facilitators

In this episode of the Idea Time show,  I cover what Appreciative Inquiry is and show you how you could use the process of Appreciative Inquiry to create and facilitate highly effective, strengths-focused innovation.

 

Appreciative Inquiry means recognising, exploring and building on the positive, aligning with strengths-based development. It is all about reframing, and, starting from the position of asking, ‘What are we doing well?’, ‘What are the good things?’, ‘What are we great at?’, ‘What are the positives that we have got to offer?’

 

Having a positive focus is optimistic, empowering and motivational, and for these reasons Appreciative Inquiry can be a powerful ingredient for achieving positive change, innovation and growth – for people and organizations.

 

My focus in this episode is how to do this in practice, including a full agenda for an Appreciative Inquiry-based workshop or sprint, with tools, techniques and activities that you can use.

How to Prioritize Ideas Using Top Innovation Frameworks

Having a lot of ideas after a brainstorming session? Unsure which to pick? I've got you covered.

In this show, I'll introduce you to 8 proven innovation frameworks that can help. These tools can be used individually or in group settings. Pick what's best for your scenario.

Innovation Frameworks to Discuss:

• Idea Sorter
• MoSCoW Method
• The KJ Method (Kawakita Jiro Method)
• RICE Scoring Method
• Kano Model
• WSJF (Weighted Shortest Job First)
• Eisenhower Box (or Urgent-Important Matrix)
• Ivy Lee Method

Think I've overlooked one? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll include it!

Looking forward to seeing you there.

#innovation #facilitation #designsprints #designthinking #innovationstrategy

Entrepreneurship in Action

In this podcast episode I’m joined by my very special guest, TV producer and presenter, entrepreneur, 2x award-winning author, and elite carp angler, Ali Hamidi.

Ali is the founder and CEO of One More Cast Ltd, a big dream that has become reality. Ali’s focus has been to create a brand with premium fishing tackle and outdoor products to cater for a wide range of situations. He’s obsessive about customer engagement to drive future product development alongside the business’ extensive experience in the fishing tackle industry, accessories and clothing.

Not only does Ali love producing fishing products, he’s also a passionate content creator with new TV series on ITV and Viasat (International) called the Grand Fishing Adventure and of course an ever growing YouTube channel and Social Media platforms.

Ali was the marketing and media talent that helped grow the Korda brand from a kitchen table business to a multi-million company. He’s also produced and starred in tv shows The Big Fish Off, Thinking Tackle, Monster Carp, Fishing All Stars.

In this episode, we explore Ali’s entrepreneurial business journey to date, and how he builds online relationships and communities of people who support the brand. Ali shares how he has taken a hands-on approach to successfully teaching himself new product design and development. He also tells us how he got into tv, developing relationships at Sky and ITV.

I loved catching up with Ali. He’s such an inspiration, and this episode is packed with down-to-earth tips, insights and advice. Ali and I hope you enjoy it. We’d love to hear what you think.

 

To connect with Ali Hamidi:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

 

 

#entrepreneurship #innovation #newproductdevelopment #npd #businessgrowth #contentcreation

Design Thinking 101

Harness the power of Design Thinking! A dynamic approach to problem-solving that promotes human-centricity, encourages creativity, and celebrates practicality.

 

Join me as we explore:

🎯 The art of understanding user's needs

❓ The science of defining precise problems

🧠 The fun in brainstorming innovative solutions

📐 The creativity involved in designing a prototype

✔️ The thrill of testing it, and

🚀 The satisfaction of implementing the solution

 

🎯 The ultimate goal? To devise user-friendly solutions that are both feasible and commercially viable, driving innovation and fostering a unique competitive advantage.

 

In this episode of my Idea Time Show, we’ll delve into 'Design Thinking 101.' Together, we will uncover:

• How to apply Design Thinking to your day-to-day challenges
• A detailed rundown and visual representation of the six pivotal phases of the Design Thinking process
• A ready-to-use Design Thinking workshop agenda, complete with activities to get active engagement from your team

 

Creative Strategy with Brian Tam

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Idea Time podcast. In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Brian Tam, a renowned creative strategist based in Lisbon. Brian is dedicated to helping small to medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs globally innovate and grow.

 

Here’s a rundown of what you can expect from this episode:

 

1. Global Experience and Perspectives on Innovation: Brian has a wealth of experience working in various parts of the world, from the US to Shanghai, and now Lisbon. His unique perspectives on innovation, moulded by his rich global experiences, bring a refreshing take on the subject.

 

1. The Importance of Reflection and Thoughtful Thinking: Brian shares his insights into the pivotal role of reflection in personal growth and business innovation. Discover how taking the time to think critically can propel your innovative endeavors forward.

 

1. Adapting and Thriving in a Changing World: We delve into how businesses can navigate the continually evolving global landscape, especially in the context of ongoing technological advancements.

 

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Its Potential Implications: We discuss the impact of AI on our daily lives and its possible future roles. Brian provides useful tips on leveraging AI for enhancing creativity, brainstorming, and driving efficiency.

 

1. The Power of Workshops and Collaboration: Brian and I explore the significance of collaborative efforts in workshops. Learn about various techniques that can supercharge collaboration and result in successful business strategies.

 

1. Brian’s Passion for Business and Strategy: Get to know more about Brian’s love for all things business and strategy and how this passion is shaping his approach to helping businesses innovate and grow.

 

This episode is packed full of insights, tips, and inspiring conversations. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or simply someone interested in the world of innovation and strategy, there's something here for you. We'd love to hear your thoughts, so don't hesitate to get in touch with us after the episode. Enjoy!

 

Contact Brian on Instagram at @letsmakegreat

 

 

 

Links:

• www.letsmakegreat.com 
•  www.proto-start.com 
• Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Awrignawl-Creativity-Inspirations-Originality-Transformation/dp/109692837X

 

Brian’s Biography:

 

Brian loves entrepreneurship! Since founding Let’s Make Great! in 2013, he has worked with hundreds of founders and innovators to systematically develop new products, services, and brand. Using a combination of empathetic coaching and startup consulting, Brian guides clients to both examine blind spots and attack new opportunities, leading to accelerated growth. From discovery to diagnosis, and experimentation to execution, he guides clients in a step-by-step process, to methodically achieve breakthrough results together. In addition to keynote speeches at conferences like TEDx and PechaKucha, Brian has written over 500 articles on creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, in 2017 he led the creation of PROTO, a successfully crowd-funded storytelling game to inspire innovators. Born in New York and proudly raised in New Jersey, Brian spent the past 14 years in Shanghai, China to drive the dynamic changes emerging there. Also an avid cyclist, he has cycled around Taiwan and is currently enjoying his next big adventure in Europe.

 

#creativestrategy #entrepreneurship #innovation #businessgrowth #businessstrategy

Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Boardroom, with Patrick Dunne

I’m joined by my special guest, Patrick Dunne, for an in-depth exploration of innovation and entrepreneurship in the boardroom.

 

Patrick Dunne is an experienced Chair with extensive experience of working with boards in Europe, Asia and North America. Currently Chair of board consultancy Boardelta, the charities The EY Foundation and ESSA- Education Sub Saharan Africa as well as Chair of the oversight board for the Chartered Management Consultant and trustee of the Chartered Management Institute.

He’s the author of the award-winning “Boards” and three other successful books on the subject and was a member of the Higgs Review.

He also has extensive experience of developing social enterprises.

In this episode, we delve into the common attributes shared by successful, innovative boards and outline strategies for nurturing these qualities.

 

Highlights from the Discussion

1. Decoding Innovation: More than just inventing new products or processes, innovation embodies the creation of successful solutions that make a genuine impact. This often requires challenging conventional thinking and the willingness to pave new paths.
2. Problem Identification and Evidence-Based Strategies: Innovative solutions are often born out of clearly identified and thoroughly understood problems. These solutions should be anchored in robust evidence and rigorous research, thus blending bright ideas with thorough testing and validation.
3. Complacency and Over-Innovation in Boards: While complacency can curb innovation, an excess of innovation without realizing the value from existing products or services also carries risks. The optimal approach is to understand and exploit the lifecycle of your product or service, planning for the next growth phase before hitting a plateau.
4. Encouraging Innovation through Diversity: Innovation can be fostered by integrating diverse viewpoints. The use of horizon boards or shadow boards, which include younger or non-board members, can introduce fresh insights and challenges. Understanding changing trends and diverse consumer behaviors is essential.
5. Cultivating a Culture of Innovation: The goal is to nurture a culture that invites challenges, appreciates various skillsets, and values everyone's contribution. Hiring driven individuals, fostering a challenging and creative environment, and recognizing the importance of delivery-focused individuals can all contribute to a vibrant innovative culture.
6. Self-Awareness in Board Members and Leaders: Leaders must be self-aware to make effective decisions, coordinate activities, and manage conflicts. Seeking feedback, reflecting on performance, observing, and learning from others, and having a good mentor or coach can significantly assist in this development. Practical tools like 360-degree feedback can be valuable when used correctly. Also, understanding the impact you have on others can be a powerful tool for self-awareness. Open conversations and genuine humility can help enhance this understanding.
7. Traits for Aspiring Board Members and Leaders: To foster an innovative environment, leaders must be open-minded, promote curiosity, encourage diversity, stay updated about relevant trends, and view failures as learning opportunities. A blend of humility and confidence can also be particularly powerful.
8. Building Confidence and Combining it with Humility: Confidence building can be achieved through self-awareness and a willingness to ask for feedback. Self-awareness should apply to both strengths and weaknesses. Over-interpreting or misinterpreting people's responses can sometimes hamper confidence. A focus on the outcome, rather than individual interactions, can help.
9. Effectiveness and Pressure Management: There is a relationship between how effective people are and the pressure they're under. Delegating tasks appropriately and focusing on things that make a material difference can help maintain the right balance between effectiveness and pressure.

 

Our hope is that this episode offers valuable insights into promoting innovation within your organization. Being innovative isn't just about constant disruption; it's about fostering an environment where everyone feels enabled to contribute and create. It's about transforming the spark of an idea into a successful, valuable solution.

 

Patrick Dunne’s Biography

Experienced Chair with extensive experience of working with boards in Europe, Asia and North America. Currently Chair of board consultancy Boardelta and the charities The EY Foundation and ESSA- Education Sub Saharan Africa.

Executive experience with Air Products and FTSE 100 investor 3i Group plc where he was Communications Director, a member of its Operating committee and Chair of its Operational Risk forum. He is also a former member of the advisory Board of Bridges Social entrepreneurs fund and has started up 3 successful social enterprises in the UK and in Africa.

He has also helped Chairs across a wide range of sectors to transform the effectiveness of their boards through Boardelta and is the author of the award winning “Boards” and three other successful books on the subject.

Patrick was member of the Higgs Review and has helped to establish many successful courses on board skills over the last twenty years including for the BVCA, Invest Europe and the Financial Times as well as for numerous commercial and social sector organisations. 

He has a passion for education and was a member of the General Council of the University of Warwick from 2006 to 2015. He is a Visiting Professor at Cranfield School of Management an Associate Fellow at Warwick Business School and a former Trustee of the Chartered Management Institute and Chair of the Oversight Board for the Chartered Management Consultant accreditation.  

Patrick also has extensive experience of developing social enterprises, most notably with Leap Confronting Conflict where he is Patron and was Chair, from 2006 to 2015, with ESSA- Education Sub-Saharan Africa which he founded in 2016, the EY Foundation and with Warwick in Africa which he founded in 2006. Warwick in Africa has now benefitted over 750,000 young Africans with transformed Maths and English teaching.  

Mastering Growth Mindset and Lean Innovation

In this week’s show, I'll explore the powerful synergy between growth mindset and lean innovation.

 

I’ll share how to create a culture that fosters creativity, resilience, and efficiency, empowering your business to innovate effectively and stay ahead of the curve.

 

Here’s what I’ll cover:

 

Growth Mindset 🌱

• The science behind growth mindset
• Key characteristics of a growth mindset culture
• Strategies to develop and nurture growth mindset within individuals and teams
• How to assess and improve your organization's growth mindset culture

Lean Innovation 🎯

• Introduction to lean innovation
• The agile approach to success: customer-centricity, rapid experimentation, and iterative development
• Building minimum viable products (MVPs) and learning from feedback

Integrating Growth Mindset and Lean Innovation 🔗

• The connection: how growth mindset and lean innovation complement each other
• Case studies: successful companies leveraging growth mindset and lean innovation
• How to identify opportunities within your business

Measuring Innovation – Analytics for Growth, New Products and Services

In this episode, guest Amanda Webb of Spiderworking guides us on using Google Analytics and social media data for innovation and growth.

 

She discusses the transition from Universal Analytics to Google Analytics 4, emphasizing its role in providing crucial insights into website visitors and their behavior.

 

Amanda illustrates how to use these tools to test market reception of a new product idea, guide content creation, and drive engagement. She also shares how businesses can use these analytics to understand and engage with new audiences.

 

A valuable listen for business owners and marketers, this episode demonstrates how to leverage free, easily accessible data to boost digital marketing ROI.

 

Access Amanda’s  brilliant, free guide to Google Analytics for Idea Time podcast listeners

Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn

 

More about Amanda Webb

Amanda from Spiderworking works with businesses to improve their digital marketing ROI. When you don’t know if your marketing is bringing sales, or don’t know how to get more sales, she’s the person you turn to. Her content on the Spiderworking blog has won her awards nationally and internationally and she just loves to talk marketing. She has written for international websites including Social Bakers, Social Media Examiner and AgoraPulse. When she’s not working she loves watching Dr. Who, playing with her cats and watching films.

Confident Live! - video and presentations with special guest, Ian Anderson Gray

I’m excited to introduce special guest, Ian Anderson Gray, to my show this week.

Ian helps us to gain confidence in front of the camera, improve communication skills and feel even better about live video and presenting in online meetings.

Ian is the founder of the Confident Live Marketing Academy and is the host of the Confident Live Marketing Podcast. He helps entrepreneurs to level up their impact, authority and profits by using live video confidently. He's also the founder of Seriously Social - a blog focused on live video and social media tools.

He’s an international speaker, trainer, teacher, and consultant. He has a passion for making the techno-babble of live video and social media marketing easy to understand. As well as being a geek, husband, and dad to two kids, Ian is a professional singer and lives near Manchester in the UK.

As always, please share your questions, comments, and ideas whether you’re watching live or on replay. Ian and I will respond to every single one.