We strongly believe that creativity is neither a stroke of luck, nor a capability bestowed only upon a chosen few. Rather, it's a skill that can be learnt. Training in creativity is therefore a vital part of equipping an organisation to become truly innovative.

 

Attendance at a training course does not of itself equip an individual to be fully confident and proficient in using the tools and techniques learnt: in addition, he or she must put the skills to useful practice, ideally within the normal context of the ‘dayjob’.

 

An important aspect of designing a truly effective training programme is therefore to ensure that this happens. Furthermore, different people have different training needs, and so we offer a full range of training events, as shown below, from the one hour after dinner talk, to an intensive five day train-the-trainer programme. In addition, we offer:

 

 ■ Our Master Class programme, which devotes quality time to in-depth training in techniques such as systems thinking and systems dynamics, specialist creativity tools, and scenario planning.

 

 ■ Our Idea Generation programme, in which we facilitate an event in which you and your collegues generate stunning new ideas in an area important to you.

 

A sample from our range of training events

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'After dinner' (40-60 minutes)

A lighthearted,but nonetheless informative, overview of what innovation and creativity truly are, and how they confer the prize of capturing ultimate competitive advantage.

 

Board briefing (about 60 minutes)

A presentation specially designed for board level managers, emphasising the strategic importance of innovation and creativity, and the role of senior management in making it happen.

 

How to have great ideas (60 - 90 minutes)

An introduction to innovation and creativity, suitable for conferences and offsite meetings.

 

Innovation in practice (half a day)

This course is designed to give delegates a good understanding of innovation and creativity, so that they know the language and the principles. A half-day is not enough time to allow delegates to do many exercises, so the skill level reached is that of ‘awareness’ rather than ‘practitioner’.

 

You too can generate stunning ideas! (1 or 2 days)

This extends the halfday course to a level at which delegates can have sufficient practice in applying the tools and techniques to build the confidence that, yes, I can do it! A two day event, with an overnight stay, is particularly extremely effective.

 

Making innovation happen (1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days)

The focus of this course is not on how to generate ideas, but on what happens next, covering topics such as how to evaluate ideas wisely, how to reward and recognise innovation, how senior managers can encourage an innovative environment,  how best to balance the inevitable tension between the line and ‘special projects’, and how to build a vibrant and sustainable culture of creativity and innovation.

 

Train-the-trainer (5 days)

A comprehensive programme in which we transfer our knowledge to you!

 

Our approach to training

 

Our approach to training is based on these principles:

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 ■  Intelligent people appreciate frameworks, rather than arbitrary rules of thumb.

 ■  Learning is more efficient when based on experience, rather than just on listening, looking and reading.

 ■  Training programmes must be flexible, and trainers must respond to the needs of each individual.

 ■  The training must work at both the intellectual level, so delegates understand the content, as well as at the emotional level, so that delegates actually enjoy it.

 ■  Delegates can learn much from each other, and so active participation is vital.

 ■  Training in the abstract can be both intellectually satisfying and enjoyable...but of little real, longlasting value. To be truly effective, the training must be integrated into the day-job.

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Schools

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Dennis is also very keen on teaching young people about 'deliberate creativity' and 'wise evaluation' - indeed, after much lobbying, 'deliberate creativity' features in the EdExcel syllabus for GCSE Business Studies, as, for example, described here. So do contact Dennis to explore how he might contribute to your school's programme - for example, as a guest speaker. And please download a copy of our Creativity Activity Pack!