Change Maker Accelerator
Intrapreneurs
“By engaging multiple management levels and functions (R&D, operations, product development, marketing, sustainability) we break down barriers, creating a healthier climate for innovation and a broader commitment to change”
“We help organizations filter, improve and launch projects to reduce their footprint, looking for workable solutions that will save money or generate revenue”
“Our process connects intrapreneurs with senior-level sponsors and guides them from concept to implementation”
Examine innovation history
We conduct a series of interviews to better understand the opportunities and challenges in advancing innovation in your organization.
What innovations have been a success?
Who has created them and who were their financial sponsors?
What do successful sponsors have in common?
What do successful innovators have in common?
What have been the barriers to innovation?
“Organizations often struggle with innovation because engineers and their financial backers are uncomfortable with the uncertainty that is inevitable when innovating”
Prepare sponsors
We recruit high-potential sponsors from senior management and run workshops to provide guidance.
How can the sponsor lead behind the scenes? How can they manage other gatekeepers?
How can sponsors handle the organization’s instinct to require clear projections and minimal risk?
When does the team need more freedom and when do they need more guidance or discipline?
What other partners, experience or skills does the team need?
How can the sponsor get out of the way of progress?
“We find that sponsors can accidentally lead the innovation team astray, as team members instinctively defer to them and their authority. ”
Run an idea fair
We recruit and gather innovators, giving them an opportunty to show their ideas and explore ways to mobilize support. We form teams.
We can do this virtually or in person.
Where is there signficant waste that be reduced or monetized?
How can we prepare for volatility in the price or availability of energy?
How can we position ourselves for growth once the economic or political environment changes?
What ideas could lead to meaningful IP?
“You may be surprised how many employees, across function and level, want to do something to soften the environmental impact of their organization. We provide an outlet for their passion, converting spark into action.”
Accelerate innovators
We run a multi-week online accelerator to guide innovation teams.
Who needs to be on their team?
How can their plans be improved?
What cost-effective actions can they take to test their idea?
Which sponsors would be the best fit for them?
“Intrapreneurs need permission to dream and explore. They often see a different future, one that could be bright for the organization, but they perceive that taking action is too risky”
Improve pitches
We conduct a series of workshops in which innovators make pitches and receive feedback from our facilitators as well as their colleagues.
Is their solution viable?
Have they done their homework?
Is their delivery succinct and compelling?
Will their visuals meet the audience’s expectations?
How would senior leaders react?
What needs to improve? Who can they look to for inspiration?
“We have found that in some organizations, pitches are initially pretty weak, to our surprise, but their ideas may be strong. We work the kinks out so good ideas can win out.”
Help organization choose
We facilitate a meeting in which the best ideas are shown, new sponsors have an opportunity to attach, and some projects receive a green light. We have a systematic method for independently gathering and aggregating the perceptions of potential sponsors.
Which ideas are likely to have the greatest environmental benefit?
Which ideas are likely to have the greatest direct economic benefit?
Which ideas fit the organization’s culture and history?
Which might be most powerful for bolstering customer perceptions, investor confidence or talent recruitment?
Which ideas are most likely to scale or succeed?
“Our goal is to help you direct resources to the best ideas while reducing the chance that one of your leaders will ultimately veto the project. We do this by involving a wide range of stakeholders in a transparent group process that is designed to be fair and thoughtful. ”
Coach for success
We continue to run a series of online events to keep the ideas alive and follow up on the innovation teams. In some cases, we will designate different coaches for different teams.
What have you learned and accomplished?
Do you need additional sponsors?
Do you need new team members?
What are your struggles and successes?
How else can we help?
“We’re committed to following through, to make sure that there is ultimate value to the organization as well as sponsors, innovators and the environment”
