Innovation In The Real World - Beyond Just Words

Mon, 5 Jul 2004

Innovation In The Real World - Beyond Just Words

Workshops Challenge What Kiwi Business Understand About Innovation

Auckland, 5 July - Organisers of Innovation in the Real World Workshops announced today that while innovation is a commonly used phrase in business these days, many organisations don't actually know what it means for them.

As part of the New Zealand Innovation Festival 2004, Creative Coaching, FirstInsite Consulting and The Chambers of Commerce are hosting workshops to look at Innovation in the Real World. These workshops will be held in all the main centres - Auckland (Monday 5 July), Wellington (Tuesday 6 July), Christchurch (Wednesday 7 July) and Dunedin (8 July) next week, and will look at simple, practical ways to create a culture of innovation within Kiwi businesses.

Colleen Bowman, founder of Creative Coaching says New Zealand businesses have more of a necessity to innovate than most due to our location in the global marketplace and our small population.

"Our strength lies in our ability to be creative and translate that into economic growth. The challenge is New Zealand businesses that have the word "innovation" scattered throughout their values, mission statements and marketing material, is to question whether it actually exists, as behaviour, within their organisations," says Bowman.

Bowman says creating the tangibility around the idea of innovation is the key to making it accessible to everyone.

"The smaller organisations that make up such a large majority of the New Zealand business community need to recognise that you don't need an R&D department and huge amounts of money to start thinking about innovation in your business."

ENDS

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