The University of Notre Dame's Notre Dame Futures Group recently concluded its immersive and comprehensive "Foundations of Innovation" program, running from September 25 to September 29, 2023. This dynamic program aimed to provide participants with the essential tools and knowledge to excel in the ever-evolving world of business innovation.
A Week of Innovation Learning
Throughout the week, participants were engaged in an array of sessions, designed to cover various aspects of innovation, ranging from problem framing to ideation and execution.
The program's curriculum was divided into daily themes, each focusing on different facets of innovation. The entire week was led by Visiting Scholar and Innovation Coach Barbara Rand, along with several guest speakers with diverse backgrounds in innovation and entrepreneurship.
The first day introduced participants to the Innovation Methodology. They learned to frame problem statements, explore their thinking preferences, and develop tailored engagement strategies, strengthening their relational skills and observation abilities. Senior Researcher and Executive Coach Sandra Collins led a session on stakeholder analysis, in which participants learned to identify, analyze, and engage with stakeholders in different challenges, gaining insight into their motivations and concerns. The day concluded with Coach and Facilitator Janna Sobel conducting an interactive workshop, enhancing participants' communication and collaboration abilities through improvisation and observation.
Day 2 focused on Strategic Foresight, with Professor Sam Miller providing insights into vigilance and ambidexterity. Marketing Professor Tim Bohling led a session on customer insights and capturing the voice of the customer.
Day 3 challenged ingrained orthodoxies, with methods like Speed Dating, Lens Smashing Ideation, Ideation Sprints, and Idea Synthesis. Participants explored creative solutions and learned to craft compelling narratives while exploring migration paths and value proposition development.
Thursday featured many guest speakers, including Professor Daryl Peterson, who discussed expanding innovation beyond products or services, emphasizing opportunity briefs and an opportunity prioritization matrix. Matt Alverson from IA Collaborative introduced the Seven Elements of Design Innovation™, merging human-centered design with business strategy. Director of Student Startups, John Henry, and Director of Innovation Lab, Matt Leevy, led a fireside chat that delved into the nuances of innovation across various landscapes, comparing physical vs. digital products and corporate vs. start-up culture.
The final day began with Associate Teaching Professor of Neuroscience Nancy Michael exploring the neuroscience of identity and team building. Valuable insights were gained to build cohesive, high-performing teams that thrived on diversity and inclusion. The day concluded with John Henry and venture capital investor, Tim Connors, who focused on unlocking growth and scaling solutions to new heights after achieving product-market fit.
Project Presentations and Reflection
A highlight of the program was the Project Roadmap Presentations, where each participant had the opportunity to present their unique project idea. This served as a platform for innovation, collaboration, and feedback, allowing participants to gain insights from their peers and industry experts. It was a week filled with insights, collaboration, and inspiration, empowering individuals to tackle modern business challenges with creativity and strategic thinking.