1st R&D-Product Development Innovation Summit

ANNOUNCEMENT

Since the early 1990s, a great deal has been invented and codified on the subject of innovation. The body of knowledge has grown five-fold from what existed in the 1980s. Now there are tools, techniques, and even software to assist with the many facets of innovation and invention. Certain tools are aimed at identifying breakthroughs, other tools are aimed at extending existing innovations. Some tools are aimed at innovations in management, and others are aimed at innovations in technology.

Many companies are not aware of some of the 75 innovation-assisters that are available today. Fewer companies have mastered the application of these innovation-assisters in conjunction with their R&D and product development processes. Too many companies simply rename their R&D processes to be Innovation Processes and hope for improved innovation. Best Practices in the early 21st century involve innovation processes that contain appropriately chosen innovation tools and techniques that are used at certain key points during R&D and product development processes.

The ability of top management to direct innovation in their companies is the focus of GGI's Product Development Innovation Summit, open to the public.  The Innovation Summit will be held January 17-19, 2006 in metro Boston.  The Innovation Summit is an intensive three-day seminar and workshop that will cover the subjects that are known to challenge top managers that seek consistent innovation.

Day One:  Frameworks & Tool Sets For Innovation - Tue January 17 --  addresses the distinction between "innovation" itself and the "innovation process", examines the importance of strategic thinking, and discusses actions at the strategic level that are essential to the creation of a corporate climate for innovation. Over 50 distinct tools now exist to support corporate innovation efforts at several levels in the organization. This tool chest will be inventoried so senior managers know the range of techniques available to them. We will demonstrate one of the tools in a group exercise to do some innovating to close the day.

Day Two:  Key Innovation & Intellectual Property Tools - Wed January 18 -- focuses on the three innovation methods that have stood the test of time. Edward DeBono's "Lateral Thinking" and "Six Hats", Eric von Hippel's "Lead User Analysis" and Genrich Altshuller's "TRIZ" will be examined in some detail. A second major exercise will be conducted to reinforce application of one or more of the tools. We will then turn our attention to the subjects of intellectual property, and its relationship to innovation and invention. Current industry practices have, at best, a loose relationship between the innovators and the moguls of intellectual property. The strategic importance of IP will rise dramatically in the next fifteen years and only a few companies are currently positioned to capitalize on the escalation.

Day Three:  Directing Innovation Implementation - Thur January 19 -- looks at some of the software applications and tools that have become available in recent years.  Software offerings range from those that facilitate innovation methods and techniques, to patent searching and analysis, to tools that manage IP inventories.  Then we will look at measures and metrics of innovation.  Next, we will examine the reward, recognition, and incentive programs that foster innovative cultures and motivate employees to invent.  Finally, we examine how to drive and manage innovation through the supplier base and/or in an outsourced or offshore environment.

This Summit is geared to top-level professionals who manage entire organizations and departments and are responsible for introducing, directing, promoting, and nurturing inventive corporate cultures and/or the invention of new products and ideas for the company.  Participation by teams of managers from the same company in the seminar will greatly enhance the ability to implement the learning upon return to the company.

Reserve your place today - space is limited.  Visit us on line to Register for GGI's Innovation Summit.  Bring three or more members of your corporate team and enjoy further discounts and the power of a connected team ready to return to the company and bring innovation into the forefront.

The seminars will be led by Bradford L. Goldense, a renowned expert on both R&D metrics and rapid product development, accompanied by Don Stewart and Dick Power.  For more information about our people, review our GGI Staff.

For more detailed information about the Innovation Summit, including detail content of learning modules, seminar schedule, pricing and hotel accommodations, go to the Product Development Innovation Summit web site.

For more information about Goldense Group, Inc. (GGI), a twenty-year-old internationally recognized company in the areas of product development and measurement, go to the GGI Home Page, or give us a call at 781-444-5400.

We look forward to seeing you in January

Companies That Have Participated In Prior GGI Summits