The Innovation Lab, or “iLab” process has been created, developed and tested globally by the team at Cole Scott Group over many years. iLab developed as a way to identify, analyze and recommend effective implementation of future trends that fit each unique business. Three reasons why the iLab works when other innovation programs fail:
- Relevance. iLab leverages ideas generated from the Executive Strategy Workshop. That guarantees topics are relevant to managing directors and aligned with “who we are” as an organization. Most corporate innovation programs solicit bottom-up ideas–and while some may provide excellent opportunities, if they are not aligned to leader strategy, then they are not implemented. Over time, this results in a lack of employee enthusiasm (“Nobody is listening to my ideas…”) and leader frustration (“I already have too much to do, don’t give me one more thing to implement…”) By making sure topics fit the corporate needs, we accelerate the process of turning ideas into action and bring the future to the present (rather than developing a linear path to get-from-here-to-there).
- Internal Insights. iLab taps talent from the company’s own employees to obtain first hand input, analysis and recommendations. Typically, an agreed application process identifies a cross-sector representation of employees who have a keen interest in innovation, efficiency, and idea generation. Benefits for participants include:
* Direct access to executive leadership* Collaboration with and exposure to other employees outside of current role* Personality / interaction evaluation, feedback and coaching* Effective executive summary, presentation, research and analysis skill guidance
* Exposure to futuristic topics beyond day-to-day role -
Actionable Outcomes. Predictably turning next generation mega-trends into relevant, actionable steps is critical. Abstract goals or encouragement to “get involved” cannot change employee habits or inspire leaders to provide resource support. Our team has worked with hundreds of thousands of customers across the globe to refine the iLab process. We take next generation topics like smart meters, big data, and customer habit change—then guide employees through the iLab process to organically create a succinct opportunity and execution path for executives. If implementation steps are relevant, simple, and therefore actionable, they can and will be executed.
Cole Scott Group knows how to implement change. The iLab is a way for any company to systematically identify, evaluate and execute strategic initiatives.