Innovation & Design Thinking
Innovation has been a constant theme for us for nearly two decades. We have successfully contributed to and held leadership roles in the design, delivery and launch of new products, services and even operating models across multiple industries and geographies since 1997.
We have been involved at various execution and leadership levels in:
Channel distribution design and refinement projects for Cisco System and Bay Networks in Europe - 1997
Development of early IP LAN offerings in a joint venture between Cable & Wireless and Cisco Systems - 2001
Construction and management of the innovative Capability Exchange marketplace by Cable & Wireless Global in Paris – 2002-3
Project leadership of key service management aspects of Nissan’s comprehensive global rebranding and repositioning program - 2003
New product market launches at Cognex Corporation - 2004-5
Building new marketing functions and execution models at CDC Software in 2005
Developing and launching new enterprise-wide marketing execution mechanisms, delivery models and consulting applications at Kepner-Tregoe - 2005-11
Leadership role with global innovation team developing Berlitz Global Leadership Training – 2011-14
Project leadership consulting for new Learning Management System development – 2013-14
All these and other innovation projects have taught us a huge amount about what works – but also about what didn’t, which is where the lessons really lie. Unlike many other consultancies who will paint a rosy picture of uninterrupted successes, we like telling the unadorned truth about what worked and what didn’t – because it’s through those aspects of projects which failed that we learned the most, and where we can add value for clients by helping them benefit from our experience.
A key lesson from these projects has been that at the design phase of innovation, organizations tend to overly emphasize considerations around Feasbility (‘how will we do this?’) and Viability (‘can we sustain this?’) over Desirability (‘what do users need/want?’).
As proponents of Design Thinking, we work with clients to focus on Desirability first to emphasize what users need, and then apply rigorous decision making and risk management approaches downstream to respect and consider Feasibility and Viability objectives.
Learn more about Design Thinking and the Design Thinker simulation here.
