Discovering What’s Next
New Date: April 7, 2010, 1pm ET
Due to unforseen circumstanes this webinar has been rescheduled
Harry West, CEO, Continuum
We are going through a time of great change: the integration of the physical and the virtual; rapid erosion of technical advantage; fast followers pulling out into the passing lane; the emergence of real markets in emerging markets; and above all intense global competition. Companies are looking for new approaches to innovation as a way to stay ahead.
There are four elements to how designers think that can help organizations discover what’s next:
Acknowledge that we do not now know the answer and to be open to completely new ideas that are not even in the framework of our current thinking. Search for solutions—not inwardly as experts, but through the lens of consumers and customers and constituents; we conduct our research as if we are anthropologists visiting an unknown tribe. Explore options by tapping a broad range of people with different skills, disciplines, and mindsets. Include people who understand well the constraints we have to work within, and also people who do not see any constraints at all, and listen carefully to what they say even when it is obviously wrong. Prototype and evaluate a range of ideas to learn, iterate and refine until it is right. Great ideas with small flaws fail; details matter.
In this session we will review some simple techniques that can help an organization get to what’s next.
Harry West, CEO, Continuum
Harry West guides the strategic direction and global growth of Continuum. His experience as an innovation practitioner in engaging with clients, understanding global consumers, and providing strategic innovation and design advice helps him to stay connected with real needs in our rapidly changing world.
Harry has worked with a wide variety of brands in a broad range of industries, including American Express, Andersen Windows, AstraZeneca, Fidelity, LL Bean, Master Lock, Motorola, Procter & Gamble, and Sprint. For P&G he led teams that helped to create Swiffer® and ThermaCare®, and the new designs for Pampers diapers. Under his leadership, his teams have received IDEA, ID, and Red Dot awards, and numerous design and utility patents.
Harry is 15-year veteran of Continuum and was named chief executive officer of the firm in 2009. Before being appointed CEO, he led the strategy and innovation team. Prior to joining Continuum, Harry was associate professor of mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
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