Overview
Connect, learn, be inspired!
We hold regular activites that facilitate the sharing of expereince and wisdom acoross the community. Highly topical issues for innovators and leaders in high tech are addressed. Whether you are interested in disruptive tech, leading innovation processes, managing innovation teams, running an innovative organisation, or being an innovator, you will find much to interest and educate you. You’ll become part of a special community of impressive peers.
Our parent company, Active Insight, run a rich programme of workshops and webinars in response to common interests and needs that arise within the community.
Why not purchase hte complete bundle – you’ll gain access to all our activities at significant savings, and our workshops and webinars come attractively discounted. Or you can attend on a pay-as-you-go basis if you prefer.
We look forward to meeting you!
Activities in the Network
Innovator Connections
Meet other innovators from across the Innovation Network in a carefully choreographed and gently facilitated session ensuring you meet six or more peers and have an enjoyable time. Expect serendipity!
Inspiring Innovators
This is a library of interviews with inspiring innovators who share fascinating details about their career path, their technology specialism, and the relevance of the technology to manufacturing today.
They are available as on-demand podcasts to all employees of member organisations. More are added on an ongoing basis.
The Innovators’ Assembly
This is our annual flagship event designed to broaden awareness of the many contexts in which high tech innovators and leaders operate:
Week 1: Global
Week 2: National / Sector
Week 3: Organisational
Week 4: Personal
It is a unique opportunity for a diverse mix of peers to learn, connect and enjoy dialogue together.
In 2022 the Assembly will be a series of four events through October from 9-11am. Each one begins with a TED-style talk, followed by illuminating interchange in small groups with innovators from different organisations.
The technology now available means we can be quite creative, making exciting new types of interactions possible.
Innovator Gyms
There are four of these expertly facilitated practice spaces for innovators to build confidence and capability, while getting to know olleagues from other organisations and seeing theough their cultural lenses. Invaluable!
- two of the gyms teach and practice a powerful cognitive tool to address a shared systemic challenge. This is a well-recognised problem-solving approach used in change management which attendees can then bring back and teach to their colleagues.
- the other two gyms teach and practice how to facilitate others to solve their own innovation challenges – an invaluable capability for developing team members and can also be deplyed when seeking to understand and support customers.
i-Circles
The Innovator Circles (i-Circles) are a confidential space for senior innovators – whether transformation leaders, product developers or leaders of customer-facing teams. An intimate round-table environment enables candid exploration of leadership issues with sensitive facilitation and the support of experienced peers.
The Innovators’ Exchange
We match willing mentors with volunteer mentees across the Innovation Network membership. Wisdom is passed down to the upcoming generation.
Beginning with a robust orientation for each group, it is a powerful developmental opportunity for both montors and mentees.
The mentoring skills of leaders are developed and brought back to their own organisation. Both mentors and mentees gain valuable insights into other cultures, helping them step outside unconscious cultural biases.
Discounted for members
Masterclasses & In-house Workshops
Being successful as a leader of innovation goes beyond being a great technologist. It also requires understanding and managing business systems, processes, structures and people dynamics.
Our open masterclasses are intensive interactive events to address these needs. They are open to all, and run from 9am to 3.30pm on Zoom.
Each can also be tailored to integrate with in-house learning and development programmes, alongside projects and coaching programmes. See the range of topics available here.
Webinars
These are condensed online 1.5 hour knowledge sessions that cover with clarity and insight, the theory and practice of the topic in question.
These differ from the Workshops in that they are short, to the point and convey a great deal in a short space of time. They are often excellent precursors to a practical workshop on the same topic.
They may be attended live, in which case attendees can participate in Q&A at the end. Or purchasers can draw down on demand to watch at their leisure.
Leadership Coaching
Often at the root of obstacles to innovation, are challenges in the human systems around us. Becoming savvy about these and also developing ease and skill in navigating these systems should be close to the heart of any serious innovator.
Executive coaching is proven to be a highly effective means for accelerating the insight and leadership capabilities of executives. These services are available from our facilitator, the Director of Active Insight, plus cohort of highly experienced associates.
Innovation Coaching
One-to-one and team support is available from several members of our deeply experienced speaker faculty. This is available for short or long terms programmes to meet your needs. The expertise on hand includes:
- Marketing and customer needs assessment
- Facilitation of innovation teams to support their development and effectiveness
- Enhancing systems and processes to bringing innovations to fruition
Scenario Labs
These are interactive workshops where participants construct possible futures with colleagues and peers from other member organisations, and consider how their business might respond. This is an exciting new offering from the Network to support mental agility and organisational flexibility – particularly relevant at this time.
The Innovator Accelerator
A bespoke programme to develop the team leaders of today so they can step up with confidence into the shoes of senior innovators who will be retiring in 5-10 years.
This programme will be developed through consultation with participating organisations. It will involve tutor led input and work-based projects. Delegates will work in small groups and also learn from being being exposed to peers from different organisational cultures.