A Process for Groups to Generate New Ideas
Where do great ideas come from? Why do some organizations have better ideas than others? Why do some companies seem to always have a lot of big ideas and others don’t have one?
All of these questions have the same answer: People.
An innovation funnel provides a structure for people to learn, work, develop and present new ideas, independent of the subject matter.
LEARN
Learn How Design Thinking Can Create Change
Design thinking has become the leading process for creativity amongst business leaders, nonprofits and academia. According to the Design Value Index, companies that are design-lead out perform others by 211%. McKinsey & Company confirmed the same improvements in their own Design Index.
A learning event helps everyone in the group to understand the concept of design thinking, and how it can help them generate a new idea. Most events are an overview of what’s included in the innovation process (funnel), examples of current issues that need new ideas, advance workshop registration and networking with like-minded people.
WORK
Experience a Workshop to Build Confidence
Most people have the basic knowledge and skills to participate in a design thinking workshop: they just need someone to facilitate a process, answer their unique questions and provide answers that makes sense to them.
The workshop is designed to help like-minded people find each other by sharing unique problem statements. Like-minded people team up to generate potential solutions, share what they have created and identify opportunities for them to move forward.
DEVELOP
Verbalize the Problem, Plan How to Solve It
Teams that continue in the innovation funnel receive a coach, an expert in Design Thinking, that can help them develop a Problem Statement, addressing who they are helping, do what, in order to achieve a specific goal.
During Development, groups work on executing the project plan, develop ideas, prototypes and testing to identify potential impact.
PRESENT
Tell the Story Behind the Idea
When the project plan has been completed, teams work together to share their story. Teams follow a story sharing template to document their work, and include artifacts in their presentation slides to provide proof of their work and what they learned.
Certificates can be designed to recognize effort and achievement within the group, and help build a culture that inspires creativity and innovation.
What Clients Say
Kevin’s Design Thinking process WORKS. I cannot stress enough how crucial Kevin and his team were in the beginning days for my company. They were there for us every step of the way, and always kept us accountable.
We have partnered with The Idea Guy on projects because he’s THE expert. Kevin’s expertise helped us create an innovation funnel for the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency that helps all types of people generate new ideas.
Kevin did a fantastic design thinking workshop; passionate, articulate and patient. The students thoroughly enjoyed the session and left with prototypes on hand and pumped up for design thinking and entrepreneurship.
Is an Innovation Funnel Right for You?
LETS TALK ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS