Workshop Recap: Placing Humans at the Heart of Innovation

In April, Curiosity Matrix Consulting facilitated an enlightening workshop titled "Humans at the Front and Center of Innovation", with participation from students at the University of Oxford and Harvard University. The event featured insights from Emily Phuong Nghiem - with a background at Bloomberg and Meta, who introduced the innovative 3Ps and PESC framework, designed to refine innovation strategies across enterprises of varying sizes.

The framework distinguishes three primary components of innovation: People, Process, and Product, with a special emphasis on "People" through the PESC sub-framework—Purpose, Environment, Stakeholders, and Culture. Each element is crucial in cultivating a human-centric approach to innovation.

Purpose:

The workshop began with a focus on 'Purpose,' highlighting the need to pinpoint and deeply understand the human-centric issues that businesses aim to address. The session showcased how companies like Nestlé Purina and Mars Petcare use their clearly defined purposes to not just innovate but also to expand into new services and markets, enhancing their ecosystem impact significantly.

Environment:

Discussion then turned to the 'Environment' aspect, underscoring the importance of the economic, natural, and technological contexts in which people operate. Insights from Bloomberg's strategy adaptation in emerging markets illustrated the necessity of environmental awareness in crafting effective innovation strategies.

Stakeholders:

The 'Stakeholders' segment differentiated between direct and indirect stakeholders. Using Valve Corporation as a case study, the workshop illustrated how empowering employees to innovate can lead to substantial business growth and adaptability. This part of the discussion also considered the broader impacts of innovation on regulators, communities, and the environment, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive stakeholder strategy to avoid potential negative impacts.

Culture:

The final focus was on 'Culture', where the importance of organizational culture in driving innovation was discussed. Research from Oxford Innovation Insight demonstrated how cultural dynamics within a company directly affect its innovation outcomes. Attendees learned how aligning company culture with innovation strategies is crucial for sustainable success.

The session wrapped up with practical tools and methods for implementing the PESC framework within organizations to boost innovation efficiency. Participants left equipped with strategies to translate theoretical knowledge into actionable, impactful measures.

Session 2: Discussion

At the conclusion of the workshop, a vibrant discussion unfolded, enriched by the diverse experiences and insights shared by the attendees. This dialogue not only deepened the understanding of the topics discussed but also highlighted various practical applications of the framework in different contexts.

This workshop underscored the essential role of human elements in the innovation process, offering a robust framework for businesses looking to enhance their strategic approaches. By effectively integrating human aspects into broader business strategies, companies can ensure the success of their innovative endeavors.

This detailed exploration into human-centric innovation offers businesses a valuable perspective on integrating strategic human elements into their operations, promising enhanced outcomes and a stronger connection to their core purposes.

If you missed our April webinar, don't worry! Following the success of it, our May session will focus on "How to Enable and Scale Innovation for Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness in Your Organization". Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain practical strategies and tools for driving innovation within your organization. Register now and be part of the conversation!

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