Conveying the fundamentals of innovation and digital transformation.

Innovation and transformative thinking are key drivers for business growth and efficiency improvements. The need to take a systematic approach to transformation (digital or otherwise) has become the new business imperative as we continue to respond to the unprecedented challenges thrown at us over the last couple of years.

This interactive workshop, which also forms part of the Digital Surge Programme, is relaxed, engaging, and inspiring, and is designed for SMEs who want (or need) to think differently as they look to transform their business.

It will include proven, approachable, yet simple techniques that can be taken away and used to address business, operational and economic challenges faced by SMEs from all sectors.

Workshop Agenda

Tues 21st June

0930: Arrival, registration, Tea, coffee & scones

1000 - 1145, Part 1 :

• Why is now the right time for business transformation?
• Why do we find it difficult to change?
• What exactly IS innovation?
• The critical role of ambition in innovation and transformation.
• How can we look at business challenges differently?

1145 - 1200, Tea & Coffee

1200 - 1330, Part 2 {Optional]:

• What makes a transformational leader?
• Creating a culture that welcomes change
• How can we stop jumping to conclusions?
• Introducing ways to generate novel but useful ideas.
• Q&A

1330 - 1400, Light Lunch!

Tues 28th June

0930 - 1300

• The benefits of taking a structured approach to change
• The Transformation Journey
• Dealing with risks and other barriers to transformation
• Using the bigger brain, looking at diverse thinking and collaboration
• Tea & Coffee
• Introducing the transformative technologies available on The Digital Surge Programme:

1. Smart technologies/environments and the Internet of Things
2. Process automation via robotics/cobotics
3. Big data & analytics
4. Immersive technologies (AR/VR/MR/Haptics)
5. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
6. Blockchain.

• Q&A

1330 - 1400, Light Lunch!

By participating in this workshop, you will:

• Learn how to apply innovative thinking to creation or improvement of any service, product, or business model.
• Learn techniques to inform and clarify your transformation ambitions
• Ensure these ambitions are aligned to and support your broader organisational aspirations
• Learn how organisations across different sectors have harnessed these transformative technologies to drive tangible business benefits
• Attendees will have the option to apply to the free Digital Surge Programme which builds on this workshops through one-to-one mentoring, creation of an Innovation Roadmap, advanced technology masterclasses and the development of a Digital Acceleration Plan.

Delivered by:

Charlie Tuxworth, Celsio. Charlie is an experienced business leader with expertise in Innovation, Transformation, and Enterprise Software. In 2013, Charlie took on the innovation brief in a UK Financial Services plc, where he designed and implemented an enterprise digital transformation programme to drive internal and external innovation.

As a member of the National Standards Authority of Ireland, Charlie co-wrote the introduction to ISO56002 on behalf of UNIDO/ISO and is a member of the global taskforce creating ISO56001 - which will become the de-facto certifiable standard for Innovation Management. Charlie is the founder of Innovate Island, an all-Ireland not-for-profit collaborative network of innovation practitioners, students, and advocates.

Having recently defined the first comprehensive Innovation Skills competency matrix; Charlie and the Celsio team deliver innovation programmes into the public & private sectors using their Innovation Management System software platform, and regularly run innovation workshops on behalf of universities and UK government programmes.

Attendees will have the option to apply to the Digital Surge Programme which builds on the foundation provided by these workshops through one-to-one mentoring, creation of an Innovation Roadmap, advanced technology masterclasses and the development of a Digital Acceleration Plan.

This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme. It is also part funded by the 11 councils in Northern Ireland.