Leading Innovation

Former Head of Leadership Development, Google

Course overview:

In 2018, the top differentiator of teams and professionals who succeed is the ability to turn ideas into value for customers faster than the competition. We are entering the idea economy. This one-day intensive arms project leaders, sponsors and emerging professional talent with the tools to create a culture of innovation, develop great customer centric ideas, win team buy-in and engage stakeholders on a journey to implement projects without compromising or watering down the vision. Hiam Sakakini is former Head of Leadership Development for Google APAC and Cofounder of ThinkChangeGrow. She has 14+ years experience leading innovative projects and transforming teams in a range of large and small organisations

Course outcomes:

Apply the principles of customer-centric, design thinking to create better ideas.
Influence a culture of innovation that starts with trust, encouraging creativity and experimentation that enables risk taking, failing fast and having courageous conversations - even if you’re not in charge.
Learn tangible processes and tools to lead or participate in collaborative ideation, co-designing for and with customers so the best outcome is reached - without compromise and with unanimous buy in.
Develop the ability to engage stakeholders (engineers, designers, compliance, marketing and customers) and implement innovative ideas without compromising or watering down the vision.
Develop the skills to lead or advocate for a fast moving ‘startup’ style team that tests and iterates quickly, capitalises on opportunities whilst maintaining the quality and rigour expected of high performing companies

This workshop is suitable for:

Project managers and project sponsors looking for to improve their ability to get things done in a large organisation.
Entrepreneurs and product leaders looking to improve the process of innovation in their company.
Professionals looking to innovate more successfully within their team, influence peers and managers, get things done and get promoted.

About the expert

Hiam Sakakini is a Change Management specialist who has focused her career learning what great companies, teams and successful leaders do differently. Hiam has spent 14 years working with Fortune 500 companies in various roles including 10 years with Google in Ireland, Australia and Asia Pacific. At Google, Hiam lived and breathed the unique experience of how technology changes industries and how to navigate that change successfully through your people. She developed a range of strategic initiatives and most recently led the leadership training of thousands of Google Managers across 14 countries in Asia Pacific.

Mentorship curriculum

Module 1: External trends

Market drivers of change and how they affect your industry
Workforce model shifts and how they affect your culture
The idea economy and skills necessary to survive and thrive
Exercise: Map your industry 2000 - 2025

Module 2: The mindset of innovation

What innovation looks like in the workplace context. Examples from Google.
Preconditions for innovation to work
What do innovative teams and leaders do differently daily to consistently perform in constantly changing times
Exercise: Map your skills and confidence levels

Module 3: Tools and practice

The different tools for innovation and contexts for use
Listening to the customer and other stakeholders
Differentiation between data and insights
Applying the process of ideation and prototyping
Exercise: Solve a real challenge using the 5 steps of design thinking

Module 4: Practical application across an organisation

Spreading innovative practices and skills across an organisation Developing your ‘Why’ narrative
Simple hacks to make innovation go viral
Exercise: Planning an innovation sprint in the workplace

Mentorship logistics

This workshop is one day and is limited to twelve participants, enabling Hiam to focus on your objectives, answer questions and give personal feedback. Hiam delivers the course in person, weaving in real-life examples from her experience working at Google and a range of other companies. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions particular to their business objective by email in the week leading up to the workshop and Hiam will personalize the content and exercises to address everyone’s goals. At the end of the course you will walk away with tangible skills that you will be able to implement immediately. This workshop is held in an awesome boardroom, in the CBD and runs from 9am– 5pm with short breaks. Lunch and morning tea is provided.