Tag Archives: Collaboration

The Professional Facilitator as Innovation Catalyst

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Introduction

“Innovate or die,” heralds the Digital Age. The wise leader, mindful of the limits of the latter, embraces the practice of collaborative innovation as a way for their organization to pursue the former.

Organizations, too, have professional facilitators on staff and on call. Working as an adjunct to the human resources function, they have remained largely absent from the dialogue around the practice. Innovation happens elsewhere.

In this article, innovation architect Doug Collins explores what it means to facilitate an innovation challenge by using a blend of in-person and virtual forums. How might the professional facilitator, in serving as a catalyst for the practice, more fully apply the gifts they bring to the table in order to help the organization live?

Figure 1: the two forms that define the collaborative innovation space

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Better Living through Collaborative Innovation

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Introduction

Organizations big and small have begun to explore the practice of collaborative innovation as a way to increase engagement and to foment a culture of innovation.

Let’s say you work for such an organization. What’s the quid pro quo when you find yourself part of the crowd from which wisdom is sought?

In this article innovation architect Doug Collins wrestles with questions that you may want to ask the practice sponsors and yourself.

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PowerPoint Makes Us Stupid: Never Mind the Slides, Here’s the World Café

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Introduction

People who work in the nuclear power industry track their lifetime exposure to radiation as a function of the maximum allowed by law. If only a benign regulatory agency would set limits for exposure to PowerPoint presentations. Lamentably, many would learn that they have exceeded the lethal dose.

In this article innovation architect Doug Collins explores a better way: one that marries the best that the virtual form of collaborative innovation can offer with the long-standing, effective approach of hosting an in person World Café. Continue reading »

Trimming the Web Portal Kudzu

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Introduction

Organizations introduce web portals to help people share information and ideas. Time passes. Sites proliferate like kudzu strangling a pin oak. Their numbers keep people from finding the information they need and from engaging in the conversations that matter. Collaboration slows.

What is the web gardener to do?

In this article innovation architect Doug Collins explores how the practice of collaborative innovation can help organizations trim their proliferating portals. Continue reading »

Making Collaborative Innovation Stick

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Introduction

People who practice collaborative innovation commit to transforming their communities and organizations in authentic ways. Through the practice, people realize their potential for leadership by posing the critical questions that matter and by convening peers to pursue the ideas that follow.

And, let’s be honest: the practice takes a lot of work.

In this article, innovation architect Doug Collins reflects on ways in which people can approach the practice to increase the odds that it persists and proliferates. Continue reading »