Intro:Innovation is the lifeblood of business growth – yet research shows 70% to 90% of innovation initiatives fail hbr.org. How can your organization beat these odds? In this episode, I unveil the Big Bang Innovation Framework, a proven 6-step innovation process designed to take you from a spark of an idea to scalable success. Whether you’re a corporate innovation leader navigating internal hurdles or an entrepreneur hustling to disrupt the market, this framework provides a structured roadmap to consistently turn ideas into impact.   I’ll break down why innovation efforts often fall flat and show how you can ignite creativity, expand possibilities, and accelerate growth using a science-backed approach. Get ready for an in-depth, actionable guide to supercharge your innovation strategy! What You’ll Learn: Why innovation fails (and how to fix it): The common pitfalls – from chasing the wrong problems to lack of strategy – that cause innovation efforts to falter, and how a strong framework solves these issues. The Big Bang Innovation Framework (3 Phases, 6 Steps): A step-by-step walkthrough of the framework’s three phases – Ignite, Expand, Accelerate – and the six essential stages that will transform how you manage innovation, from ideation to execution. Practical techniques & best practices: How to apply design thinking, open innovation, prototyping, and innovation metrics at each stage to ensure your ideas are validated and impactful. Real-world application: How corporate leaders can align teams and innovation projects with strategic goals, and how entrepreneurs can use this framework to test and scale new business ideas faster without wasted resources. Tips to sustain innovation culture: Learn how to maintain momentum after launch with continuous improvement, and build an agile innovation culture that keeps your company ahead of the curve. If you find this episode valuable, please 👍 give it a like to support the podcast and 🔔 subscribe for more insights on innovation and strategy. Have questions or your own innovation experiences to share? Comment below – I’d love to hear how you’re driving innovation in your organization. And if you’re ready to put the Big Bang Innovation Framework into action, check out the link here  for additional resources and contact information. Let’s spark some breakthroughs! 🚀

Do you want to build a thriving innovation ecosystem for your company or organization? If you’re looking to create an environment where ideas, people, and opportunities come together to drive real results, this episode is for you. Here’s what we’ll cover: What an innovation ecosystem is. Why a thriving innovation ecosystem is critical for collaboration, growth, and staying competitive. Key components of a successful ecosystem We’ll look at shared purpose, diverse participants, and the communication that ties it all together. Steps to build and sustain your ecosystem - from setting a clear vision and mapping stakeholders to promoting open innovation and encouraging collaboration.   This session is practical, to the point, and full of useful tips. It also features current, real examples. Whether you’re a leader, innovator, or part of a team working on partnerships or development, you’ll walk away with ideas you can put into action. I'd love to read your questions and thoughts in the comments. I'll reply personally to them all.   For the article that accompanies this webinar, go to: https://bigbangpartnership.co.uk/how-to-build-a-thriving-innovation-ecosystem/  For my book, Leading Sustainable Innovation, order here and use the discount code KOGANPAGE20 : https://www.koganpage.com/responsible-business/leading-sustainable-innovation-9781398616684  

Sometimes a promising idea or discovery is so exciting that it's tempting to rush ahead, risking missing key steps along the way. Other times, it's challenging to figure out how to progress the innovation at speed and scale, causing it to get stuck. In this episode, I explain how Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)—originally created by NASA in the 1970s and now used internationally—provide a valuable framework for identifying and communicating the maturity level of your sustainable innovation. TRLs can help you build a roadmap to ensure your innovation makes the impact you want it to make. Don't let the term 'Technology Readiness Levels' put you off if you're not in tech. TRLs are used for all kinds of sustainable innovations, including new products and services, materials, engineering, medical solutions, and more. I cover what TRLs are, where they came from and why, how to use them, and most importantly, how to progress your sustainable innovation from an idea to an applied solution that makes a real impact. For my article on this topic, please go to What are TRLs? Technology Readiness Levels Explained. 

Company values are more than words on a wall or a website. They're the heartbeat of an organization, guiding decisions and behaviors. Yet, bringing them to life is where many companies struggle. In this show, I share practical ways to help your team infuse your company’s values into your everyday work.   I’ll share:                                                                                                                    How to facilitate workshops with your team to identify behaviours for every role that embody your values Why and how to make your values the foundation of your business decisions, hiring practices and recognition programs Keeping your values front-of-mind with storytelling and visual communication How to check-in and monitor your progress  

Join me in this dynamic session on creative thinking techniques to elevate your strategy and innovation sprints, workshops and meetings.   Whether you're looking to tackle complex problems or pave the way for fresh, more ambitious ideas, this session will equip you with practical techniques to think creatively and act innovatively.   We’ll cover: Foundations of Creative Thinking: Understand the core principles that underpin creative thought and how it can transform your approach to strategy and innovation. Techniques and Tools: Explore a range of tried-and-tested techniques to stimulate creative thinking and apply these tools in your work. Real-World Applications: See how organizations have successfully applied creative thinking techniques to solve problems and innovate.  This show is ideal for business professionals, team leaders, managers, and anyone looking to: Enhance strategic thinking with creative approaches. Drive innovation within teams or organizations. Solve complex problems with out-of-the-box solutions.   #creativethinking #psychologyofcreativity #innovation #strategy    

This podcast, "How to Facilitate a Scenario Planning Workshop", will guide you through using scenario planning to help you to develop and strengthen your sustainable innovation strategy.   Key takeaways: Understanding sustainable innovation: Balance environmental, societal, and economic impacts for long-term success 🌱. Scenario planning insights: How to prepare for various futures, mitigating risks and spotting opportunities 🔍. From theory to practice: Real-world applications that show the impact of effective scenario planning. 🚀 Tools and processes: Effective strategies and tools for developing actionable plans based on critical scenarios 💡.   Who should listen? Leaders, strategists, and anyone interested in sustainable innovation and strategic foresight.   I hope you can join me live or on replay to explore how scenario planning helps to innovate towards a more sustainable future. 🌱  

🚀  Build a Successful Innovation Team 🚀   🎥  🎙️ In this week’s Idea Time show, I explore how to build an innovation-driven team.   Highlights are: Innovation as a Core Value: Essential for product development, adding technical, process, and functional value. Innovation Time Off (ITO): Learn from Google, 3M and others . Balance innovation and productivity. Set the Innovation Stage: Effective communication and real-life examples to spark creativity. Lean Start-up Approach: Validating ideas early with a Build-Measure-Learn cycle. Diverse Team Composition: Diversity fuels creativity. Importance of a guiding team leader. Skills for Innovation Teams: Creative, critical thinking, empathy, curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Sustaining Innovation Culture: Top management’s role in fostering an ongoing innovative environment.

Stakeholder mapping is a strategic process used in innovation, project management and business planning. It involves identifying and analyzing individuals, groups, or organizations that can impact or be impacted by a project or business activity. The goal is to understand these stakeholders' interests, influence, and the nature of their involvement. By mapping stakeholders, innovators can better navigate complex environments, minimize risks, and leverage support for successful outcomes. In this mini-show, I share helpful ideas on how to facilitate stakeholder mapping, an essential tool for innovators, design thinks and project leaders. We cover some practical techniques for identifying, mapping, and prioritizing stakeholders, how to develop tailored communication strategies and why keeping your stakeholder map updated is vital.  

In this content-packed live show, I dive into Horizon Scanning & Foresight for Innovators. No crystal balls, prophecies or predicting the future, though! Horizon scanning is about detecting weak signals of potential change before they make it big. It keeps you prepared, and gives you and your innovation strategy a competitive edge. In this show, I share: What horizon scanning is, and why it’s important The differences between foresight, forecasts and prediction What ‘weak signals’ are, and how to spot them Emerging trends Tips and approaches for horizon scanning in a fast-moving, information-dense world How to do horizon scanning with your team Data for horizon scanning A horizon scanning toolkit, including:Seven Questions interview technique The Delphi technique Futures Wheel Text Mining – using AI to scan through large sets of text data, spotting trends in news, social media, or academic publications. Cross-impact analysis Scenario planning Importance / certainty matrix Transformation maps It really is a value-packed whopper of a show – ideal for you if you’re planning your innovation and business growth strategy. I also share how you can access my free horizon scanning toolkit. As always, I'd love your comments and questions on my social channels!

This episode is a really good one if you're interested in leading sustainable innovation in your business. I go in-depth on how to facilitate a successful Business Sustainability Workshop for your team. I give you a start-to-finish guide on how and what to prepare, a workshop agenda with specific activities and tips to turn your ideas into action after your event.   What I cover: Workshop Preparation: Why having a solid plan for your workshop or sprint is crucial and what materials and information you should prepare in advance. Circular Economy Principles: How to incorporate these into your business model and why it matters. Resource Flow Analysis: Pinpoint waste and inefficiencies in your processes and develop a plan to tackle them. Stakeholder Perspectives: Understand sustainability concerns from various stakeholders' perspectives, enhancing your corporate social responsibility efforts. Building a Roadmap: Building your sustainability plan.   As always, please do share your ideas and questions in the comments on my social channels, it will be great to hear from you!  

In this episode, I dive into the world of sustainable business model innovation and discuss why it’s essential in the contemporary business environment.   Key topics I cover are: The rising demand for sustainability from customers and the global trend towards sustainable value propositions. Examples of businesses committing to Net Zero targets. The role of sustainability in attracting and retaining talent, and the link between environmental ethics and job satisfaction. The creation of new opportunities through sustainable business model innovation, such as supply chain innovations. The definition of a sustainable business model and the purpose of innovating one. Steps to build a sustainable business model: deconstructing products and services, walking through business processes, focusing on people, and using data for continuous improvement.

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.

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.

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

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

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  

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:   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.   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.   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.   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.   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.   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

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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 offe

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

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.