A new year, a new business?
Commercialisation strategies for the green market
There is an ever growing focus on green business due to increasing consumer demand. Events like the recent Climate Conference in Copenhagen create an even greater world wide awareness.
Large American enterprises like Wal-Mart and DELL have recognised that green business is the future and are joining projects to help consumers identify “green” electronics (source: http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/19627). Scott O’Connell, environmental strategist at Dell recently said: “Customers tell us they want to purchase electronics that have a minimal impact on our planet. This is an effort to help them do that using a common methodology that manufacturers across the industry participate in”.
SME’s (small and medium sized enterprises) have an advantage in this race, being more agile and hence able to change strategy and processes within a shorter time span. This being said, it is not an easy process to re-structure your whole business concept. But since major retailers are re-structuring, why shouldn’t you?
On Friday, February 12th you have the opportunity to participate in a workshop, that can dress you for climbing the ladder towards the green market.
These are some of the questions that will be brought up by the people behind the workshop: consultant company in sustainable business, futurestrategy, the “green” PR agency sieben&siebzig and agency for consumer sociology, OC EO CONSULT.
Throughout the one-day workshop core themes of the process of succesfull commercialisation of green products and services will be presented and discussed.
- Trade innovation
- Concierge Retailing & Pop Up Retailing
- Bottom-up-approach – best practices
- Open Source & Bazaar Marketing
- Public Relations for Green Lifestyle
- The Foundation of Sustainable Communication (PR)
- Guerilla-Marketing
The workshop participants will gain insight in green business and be provided with the proper tools for entering the green market. Learn how to create new business concepts, approach a new target group and develop commercialisation strategies.
Find more information and sign up for the event here.
A one-day workshop: Designing Innovation - Design for Innovation
LEARNTEC is the leading international trade fair and convention for vocational education, learning and information technology. The fair in 2010 is the 18th of its kind and will take place at Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center from the 2. to 4. February 2010.
The workshop facilitators
Pia Betton, Founder and Managing Director of framework identity will conduct a one-day workshop on 4. February together with a team of great thinkers and practitioners from the fields of strategy, innovation and design:
Thomas Fundneider, Founder and Managing Director of tf consulting, a consultancy for Strategy and Innovation.
Thomas focuses on collaborative innovation processes (open innovation, crowd sourcing and creating and executing development/design competitions), radical innovation, design thinking, supporting start-ups and conceptualising and creating innovation hubs and enabling spaces.
Markus F. Peschl is professor for Cognitive Science and Philosophy of Science at the Dept. of Philosophy at the University of Vienna, Austria.
Markus’ focus of research is on the question of knowledge (knowledge creation/innovation, construction, and representation of knowledge) in various contexts e.g: in natural cognitive systems, in science, in organisations and in educational settings. Markus follows a radically interdisciplinary approach integrating concepts from the natural sciences, philosophy of science, from the humanities, as well as from knowledge technology.
Peter Friedrich Stephan is a designer and writer focusing on Design Thinking: He works on various projects within Knowledge Design and Creative Business Design helping organisations develop clear concepts for internal and external communication. Concepts that meet user needs and promote tangible business results. Furthermore Peter is a professor in Theory and Design at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne and a tutor at the Masterprogramm Leadership in digitaler Kommunikation at Berlin University of the Arts.
The workshop…
At the Leading Edge Workshop, “New Methods and Tools for the innovation and knowledge generation”, participants will gain insight in what new tools and approaches are used when working with innovation and generating knowledge.
The workshop will be conducted as an open space workshop, where the different tools will be introduced in short group sessions. The participants will get a hands-on experience with how to use the tools and be able to discuss, in which situations what tool will be appropriate to us.
*About LEARNTEC *
LEARNTEC is a top notch source for information about different approaches to learning, using online and traditional media, which are both effective and free of time constraints.
During the three days more than 170 providers will be showcasing their solutions for vocational education, e-learning and knowledge management. International experts from both practical and theoretical fields will bring together business, science and academia and present the future of learning at Germany’s largest congress, complete with best practice examples.
If you wish to know more go to LEARNTEC’s website
A brand building process
For companies it is crucial that they have a clear brand identity. Like a human voice or personality that authentically connects with their stakeholders. A brand identity that is real, attractive, unique and easily understood and communicated.
For the past three months framework identity has worked with Danish organisation IFU on a brand building process. IFU stands for The Danish Industrialisation Fund for Developing Countries. Together with Danish companies, they invest in commercial projects in developing countries. IFU were looking to become more visible and well-known in Denmark. The main focus of this a process was to develop a strong and unique brand as a basis for IFU to reach their goals.
A brand development process begins with identifying the brand’s (the business’) core values. As a starting point for the strategic work, Pia Betton (framework identity) and business partner Flemming Andersen conducted eighteen interviews with IFU employees including people from the management team and members of the board.
Another very important part step was to analyse the situation in and around IFU. An organisations values are evident in every aspect of the organisations’ business routine even if not communicated directly to the public. Might this be client relations, direct marketing or treatment of its employees and strategic partners.
The results of the observations and interviews led to key conclusions concerning IFU’s future image and communication.
Two main findings that make IFU stand out:
1. IFU is the only Danish development organisation with a commercial focus. Other big players are financed by the state and do not necessarily yield a profit. Otherwise IFU’s “competitors” are banks or investment funds/private equity funds with a purely commercial focus.
2. With offices in China, South Africa, India and Kenya plus a big international network of local advisors IFU offers expert knowledge on the financial and commercial situation in many countries around the globe. This makes IFU the perfect investor or partner for many Danish companies.
After presenting the results of the process so far framework identity facilitated two workshops with the management team and the employees where we refined the new brand. As the next step in the process, IFU will invite two of Denmark’s best design offices to join a competition to visualise the new brand. Framework identity is responsible for developing the design briefing and takes on the consultant role during the implementation process in the first half of 2010.
Innovation and education in Roskilde
For months now we have worked on an innovation process with with Roskilde, a Danish municipality, together with our partners Per Løkken and Build Identity. The aim of this process is to develop a strategy that guides Roskilde in the direction of becoming Europe’s leading, educational city in the year 2030.
As an important part of the process, we wanted “the silent voice” (the users) that are often overruled or ignored by “the known voice” (the professionals) to be heard. In this case, we defined the “silent voice” as being students from Roskilde’s different educational institutions. In many cases, the future work force and citizens of Roskilde. The userdriven innovation process is divided into three stages:
Stage one, Involvement
We invite the students (the users) to become co-developers and share thoughts, wishes and dreams and contribute ideas on the project.
Stage two, Idea- and concept development
The material we are left with form the basis for stage two where the people that normally work with strategy development in the municipality (“the known voice”) take part in transforming all the thoughts and inputs into concrete ideas and concepts. Again, students are invited into this process
Stage three, realisation
Development and realization of innovative concepts for the municipality.
The grand opening
Last Tuesday (November 24) was the highlight of stage one. A one day innovation work shop were we had invited seventy students from various schools and universities to participate in six different work shops. Furthermore employees from the municipality (the educational institutions, politicians etc.) were working together in a seventh workshop. The workshops were designed as an experience for many senses where the participants through play and creativity explored future lifestyles within 6 areas of everyday life and education.
For you Danish speaking readers you can follow this link to watch a small video. A feature by a regional tv station that stopped by on the innovation day.
Innovation in Greece?
From mid July, my family and I will be situated mainly on Kythera, Greece for a period of 6 months. Since Kythera is located only 40 minutes by plane from Athens regular trips to see clients and partners while away is not a problem.
Everybody knows Greece as a great place for vacation. Simple pleasures like sunny weather, picturesque villages, delicious food at reasonable prices and a seemingly endless coastline attract visitors worldwide. But what does Greece have to offer when it comes to business?
It is no secret that the economy isn’t doing so well and The European Commission even predicts a greek recession this year. So what can be done to change things?
Together with the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) the Kokkalis Foundation has pointed out three main factors responsible for Greece’s innovation underperformance: 1) venture capital creation, 2) legal framework and business start up requirements, 3) the relationships between the university and industry. In order to support and guide investors who show interest to the greek market Invest in Greece was founded in 2008. It is the official Investment Promotion Agency of Greece that promotes and facilitates private investment and support and it does so free of charge. They have initiated networks, services and events in order to attract investors over the next years. It seems like Greece is getting around to create the framework for innovation but do they have the potential to develop an actual innovation culture? I’m excited to get a closer view on the greek market and see for myself where the potential lies.
Innovation process for the City of Roskilde, known for it’s rock festival and the famous university, RUC
In collaboration with Løkken Consult, we will kick off the innovation process with a co-creation workshop for 100 citizens, public servants, politicians etc. The concept for the workshop is a trip to Roskilde in year 2030. Participants can get off at different stops along the route, each stop representing an area of innovation. Themes will be education, a sustainable city, transport, childcare etc. At the different venues, participants will co-create future scenarios for the city, expressing their personal dreams and desires for their future lifestyle. The dream scenarios will built the framework for the innovation process.
The workshop will take place in fall ‘09, followed by the innovation process in the first half of ’10.
The impact of a positive mindset
Positive Psychology is a term you hear more and more often in connection with employee performance and optimizing work environment. The term refers to how can improve your motivation and performance through your changing your attitude in certain situations. The fact that management behavior have a big impact on the work environment in teams and organizations, has encouraged several companies to introduce their managers to positive psycology.
Together with our network partner Strandgaard & Co we facilitated a workshop for a group of managers from Lundbeck on how to use positive psychology to change unfavorable habits in their teams and support creative and positive thinking. Through theory and practical exercises, we supplied them with knowledge and tools for becoming more aware and alert in their management roles: How to identify and develop personal strategies for flow and energy in daily work situations and to positively affect their surroundings.
We’ve all experienced to feel stressed and drained of energy after a workday. We tend to blame it on the boss, the difficult clients or the daily traffic jam. However, little changes can have big effects. Meeting your colleagues with a positive attitude and optimism instead of stress and short answers creates a very different energy at your work place. We all make these choises many times a day, when we interact with other people. Some situations may be more challenging to change into something positive than others. But in the end it is our own choise, if today’s budget meeting is going to be a dread or a unique possibility to talk about opportunities and (positive) change.
Here is a good little exercise for you: For one day, try to be aware of and focus on things that make you happy, organize your space and devote some time to activities you enjoy. Alone or with collegues. What fosters “A good work day” for you? We think we could all need a new perspective these days
Innovative summer plans
Sunbathing at one of the many lakes in and around Berlin or gaining new knowledge and meeting innovative people for refreshing input and inspiration? If you feel more attracted to the second option, we suggest you join us at the summer camp at Berlin University of the Arts*
Many organisations are challenged by the rapid changes of today’s market and the increasingly high expactations of their stakeholders. To continiously generate and implement new ideas and market opportunities gives you a head start to your competitiors. Most managers are aware of this fact but are challenged in their everyday lifes because of structural and cultural boundaries.
For the Berlin University of the Arts Pia Betton and Prof. Peter Friedrich Stephan facilitate a three day seminar where Radical Innovation – design of concepts, processes and systems, ethnographic field work and cognitive design are on the agenda. Through talks, workshops and coaching you will gain new insight in how to embrace change. You will be introduced to methods and tools that can help you overcome organisational obstacles and actively and efficiently work with innovation in your organisation.
*Read more about the seminar here or contact Berlin University of the Arts for more information!
Designing a sustainable society
3rd International Future Center Summit
In May we are participating in a summit in Stockholm, together with our network partners from Strandgaard & Co and The International Center for Innovation.
The participants will be an inspiring, international group of practitioners and thinkers – people from existing and up-coming so called future and innovation centers. Future Centers are open innovation environments where concepts are developed to support organisations in becoming more systematic in their process of user involvement.
At the summit professionals with shared interests and visions will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience and participate in workshops on social entrepreneurship, intercultural collaboration and society design. The summit is highly relevant for us and our work with both the International Center for Innovation, Future Strategy and 180° Academy where user-driven innovation plays a big role. We hope to extend our network and gain new knowledge that we can integrate in our work with our network partners.
More information about the summit can be found here
Summit Leaders
Prof. Leif Edvinsson – UNIC & University of Lund & The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Per Östling – Dalenum Development
Henrik Danckwardt – IC Community
This week the magazine New Business brought an article about future strategy
See the article about the new initiative future strategy that support companies to develop green business concepts and which framework identity is part of.
Three main obstructions for innovation
Organisations spend a lot of time and energy talking about innovation. Often they focus all of their energy on developing strategies and action plans for innovation or developing new ways to beat the competition.
Rarely are the discussions at the top level in organisations about the obvious obstructions to innovation. In the following, I will identify the three biggest and most frequent obstructions and give advice on how to overcome them.
1. Limiting assumptions
“Nobody knows our customers better than our account managers.”
“No analysis can give us more knowledge about our market that we already have.”
Innovation begins with asking questions. Often we forget to ask questions because we are experts within our area and have built up a clear picture of the situation we are in. Our questions are often driven by our assumptions – they keep us from asking the right questions.
The first steps towards a realistic picture of the market is to build your research upon objective, concrete knowledge about the market.
2. Old-fashioned structures
“Innovation is something they work with in the marketing department.”
“It is the responsibility of Sales and Marketing department to know about client needs – my focus as a product developer is to develop products.”
Due to rising complexity in the value chain, many industries have lost the ability to work cross-functionally and to see new possibilities within the planned strategies. The motivation to try out new things and to get out of the comfort zone where you might fail is being ruined by result-orientated bonus systems and pre-defined goals.
I believe that a focus on cross-functional idea development in organisations and positive attention around the employees who dare to ask challenging questions will improve the ability to innovate and motivate innovative thinking in organisations.
3. A narrow definition of innovation
“We increase our focus on innovation by increasing the budgets of R&D.”
Reducing innovation to being only innovation in product development means missing out on many other important innovation possibilities in the value chain. Innovation can be made within areas like HR, suppliers, partners, logistics, communication, etc. By establishing innovation as a positive value in the entire organisation, you will strengthen the company’s future ability to innovate at many levels.
Sustainable energy @ the Danish embassy in Berlin
DONG Energy did great PR for the climate conference in Copenhagen ultimo 2009 yesterday at the Danish Embassy in Berlin yesterday, where they had organised an event about sustainable energy.
The Vice President of DONG Energy Knud Pedersen, who you will find at the photo below together with founder of framework identity Pia Betton, introduced one of DONG’s goals: To change today’s production from 85 % black energy and 15 % green energy to a future production of 85% green energy and 15 % black energy.
In Germany some companies profile themselves on the fact, that they only use green energy, ex. the supermarket chain Kaiser’s. Green is wanted!
For us it was also a great reunion with one of our former students from the Master Practitioner Programme at 180° Academy Charles Nielsen, who is a key developer at DONG Energy’s Innovation Center.
