Training | Methodology

Apply science to the art of innovation

Methodology

At futurethink, we provide a clear framework for embracing foresight and innovation activities, and outline a clear path for getting them done. Our Innovation Framework permeates everything we do, and is the basis for all of our research, tools, and training. 

futurethink Innovation Framework

 

Strategy

 

Set a foundation that defines innovation objectives and mobilizes your efforts. 

The notion of "serendipitous innovation" is dangerously outdated. The secret to success lies in crafting an action-oriented strategy. It means setting a vision for your company to follow, and viewing innovation as an expected result, not a lucky one. Innovation should be handled like any business initiative–with an eye on growth, results, and profit.

Ideas

 

Think differently to develop original ideas that drive business value.                              

In today’s economy, the ability to continually fuel innovation is what separates winning organizations from the rest. Idea generation should be managed, purposeful, and clearly linked to business objectives. Leading innovators succeed by balancing out-of -the-box thinking with sound management principles.

Process

 

Create a streamlined and flexible approach to shepherd innovative ideas to market.

The reality in every organization is that money is limited. To make sure you're spending effectively, you must have a streamlined process for innovation. A good process will help to consistently identify your best projects and enable you to move them forward more effectively.

Climate

 

Build a thriving work environment that drives innovation across your organization. 

We live in a world where the new replaces the old very quickly. Only organizations that keep pace with the shifting marketplace will be able to stay ahead. So how do the best companies adapt? They cultivate a climate in which employees are encouraged to innovate in a continuous and consistent manner. The companies that stay ahead have made innovation part of their DNA.
Strategy solutions Ideas solutions Process solutions Climate solutions

Client Quotes

  • “The futurethink team did an outstanding job in designing and facilitating an innovation event for our senior leaders, many of who regarded this as the best innovation workshop that they had ever been a part of. I would recommend futurethink to any organization that is looking for clear and actionable pathways to Innovation.”
    Wayne Pethrick, Director, Marketing and Consumer Insights, Pitney Bowes Pitney Bowes
  • “futurethink's sessions included excellent examples and energizing exercises that brought innovation to life. They got us to look at our business with new eyes.”
    Joan P. Lawrence-Ross, Chief Learning Officer, AXA
  • “futurethink made the topic of innovation, which means different things to different people, real, meaningful, and actionable.”
    Steven Rubinow, Chief Information Officer, NYSE Euronext NYSE Euronext Logo
  • “If you don't make innovation a strategic part of your business plan and you don't drive that into the culture, I don't think you'll have a strong innovation pipeline.”
    Mark Hausfeld, Innovation Manager, Global Business Services, Procter & Gamble Procter & Gamble
  • “futurethink's research and 'how-to' tools have been essential to building our innovation program.”
    Cindy Morgan, Innovation Manager, New England Federal Credit Union New England Federal Credit Union
  • “futurethink is enabling us to build critical innovation skills and share best practices across our global organization.”
    Jeff Honious, Vice President of Innovation, Reed Elsevier Reed Elsevier
  • “futurethink made my leadership team think in new ways and helped us develop winning business ideas right in the room. My team now embraces innovation rather than fearing it.”
    Mary Fennoglio, Managing Director, Citigroup Corporate Investment Bank Citigroup
  • “Working with futurethink was a very rewarding experience for our team. They brought a great combination of provocative outside ideas, market perspective and a program design that challenged us to think of our own business in more innovative ways.”
    Jim Daly, Vice President of Human Resources, Standard & Poor's Standard & Poor's
  • “We need to look beyond our organization's walls to innovate.”
    Mehmoon Khan, Global Leader, Innovation Process Development, Unilever Unilever
  • “futurethink is always thinking ahead about learning and 'innovate' it before we ask! Their programs have been a huge success with our teams.”
    Director of Learning & Development, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Sonovian Pharmaceuticals
  • “futurethink is the innovation expert. They fine-tune their training to our clients' needs. I'm constantly looking for new opportunities to engage them in our work.”
    Brian Weberg, Director, National Conference of State Legislatures
  • “If you don't innovate, be creative and look to the future and the possibilities of what will evolve over time, you will cease to be relevant.”
    Randy Voss, Senior Manager, Global Strategy & Business Development, Whirlpool Whirlpool
  • “The futurethink workshop not only provided an incredible jolt of energy to our collective innovation efforts and established the common understanding of innovation concepts, but it was also a wonderful team-building event. I don’t think it could have been organized and conducted any better.”
    Michael Ripa, Manager, FRI Infomatics
  • “Any innovative company must develop processes for understanding and responding to consumer needs in a very focused way. Otherwise, they're just inventors, they're not necessarily innovators.”
    Tony Tomazic, Director of Consumer Innovations, Humana Humana
  • “Innovation is deliberate, if done well. There is a science and process to it. futurethink has done their homework to provide a wealth of practical knowledge to their customers.”
    Senior Vice President of Innovation, Wells Fargo Wells Fargo
  • “futurethink's proven methodology, research, and tools help ensure we're always ready to meet the evolving public service challenges of tomorrow.”
    Sandy Stosz, Rear Admiral, United States Coast Guard United States Coast Guard