This workshop will look at how innovation can be utilised in business to develop new products, services and processes and also how this can be applied to the Supply Chain.

• Understanding innovation and how it can enable business growth, for example competitive edge, streamlining, cost savings, new customers and exploring the advantages
• The importance of market research to understand what exists and the gaps and potential opportunities
• The difference between new to the firm and new to the market and the impact
• Common barriers to innovation
• An introduction to tools and techniques to support the following:
  • Process innovation/mapping
  • Product/Service innovation
  • Collaboration/supply chain
  • Sources of information and advice
  • Action planning

This workshop will be delivered by Lou Palfreyman Consulting. Lou has more than 30 years of experience working with some of the UK's best-loved brands, organisations and ambitious SME's as a marketer, innovator and social psychologist.

Testimonials:

• “It's been an inspiring, and eye opening experience working with Lou and her team. She takes nothing at face value and really helped us to think differently to open up new opportunities. Her approach is so energising. She's helped us to look at problems as opportunities and embrace uncertainty with a sense of agility. Being an SME, we have to work fast and lean on little, or no budget, and Lou's approach helps us do just that. More to the point, we're now totally sustainable - we apply the approach to almost everything we do!” Richard Dando, Head of Marketing, PebblePad
• “Working with Lou has really helped us to learn the art and science of innovation. Her easy to use tools and techniques are now deployed across the group and we're seeing some really positive results. The sessions are fun and interactive so everyone wants to come to them. We've used the approach not only to create new ideas for our clients, but to innovate within our business too - from new product ideas and income streams to creating a brand new customer experience. As an SME, it's really helped us level the playing field.” Kirsty Sullivan, Head of Creative Partnerships, Communicorp UK.

We hope that you will take this opportunity to join us at what is sure to be an interesting event.

This workshop is part of the Innovate Northamptonshire project which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and aims to promote research and innovation within small and medium sized enterprises across Northamptonshire.

To be eligible to attend this workshop companies must:
- Be registered or trade from a Northamptonshire address
- Be an SME (less than 250 employees and less than £42 mil turnover).