Session: Big Ideas Conferences: Feeding Our Constant Cravings for Innovation & Collaboration Presented By: Donna Kastner Date and Time: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 3:00pm pcma.org/educon

1. Big Idea Conferences:
Feeding Constant Cravings for
Innovation & Collaboration
by Donna Kastner
Velvet ChainsawConsulting

2. “As the world is
more connected digitally,
it only seems to accentuate
the need for personal
interaction,
so conferences are
enjoying a real surge.”
Mike Federle, COO, Forbes Media

3. Constant Cravings for
Innovation/Big Ideas

4. Conferences have
tremendous potential
to ignite big ideas…
Unfortunately,
many fizzle & fall short
of expectations
Agree
Disagree
So So/Not Sure

5. Big Idea Conferences:
Learning Objectives
• Identify critical drivers for innovation
and key attributes for innovation stewards
• Explore best ways to leverage digital
channels as collaboration accelerators
• Design powerful “Go Forth” closers, filled with
next-step action paths to help participants
filter and refine ideas

6. Innovation & Big Ideas Discovery
Yes
Somewhat
Not sure
Critical need for your
conference audience?

7. IBM Global CEO Study
• 1,700+ CEOs,
64 countries,
18 industries
•Top 3 Priorities:
• Empowering
employees
• Engaging customers
• Amplifying innovation

8. Flavor du
Jour?

9. InnovatorsThink Different(ly)
5 Discovery Skills that distinguish
innovative executives from others:
1. Associating
2. Questioning
3. Observing
4. Networking
5. Experimenting
Help attendees understand innovation
methodology (WHY you’re doing what you’re doing)

10. Who AreYou Designing For?
3-5 Participant Segments
6-9 Participant Segments
10+ Participant Categories

11. Framing Innovation in Proper Context
 Two Mindsets
Promotion Focus
(cares more about advancing)
Prevention Focus
(cares more about safety)
The Secret to Effective
Motivation

12. Promotion Focus
Prevention Focus
 Innovation Sweet Spot
Primary segments? Secondary segments?
Is one focus more dominant?
Overlap? Potential to coalesce?
Create villages within a larger event?
Approach
Pleasure
Avoid
Pain

13. Innovation: CriticalThreads (Drivers)
•HelpAudience Grasp Innovation
Methodology
•Frame Innovation in Proper Context
•Big Idea Chat Igniters

14. Big Idea Chat Igniters
•Interactive Presentations (10-min sparks)
•Storytelling (Industry Practitioners)
•VisualCues (Graphic Facilitators)
•Idea Mapping
(Brainstorming – StickyWalls)
•Hands-OnTesting/Coaching Labs
•Roundtable Discussions
•AgendaWhitespace & Pod/Cluster Seating

15. Idea Chat Igniters: Graphic Facilitators

16. Idea Chat Igniters: Sticky Walls

17. Idea Chat Igniters:
Roundtable Discussions

18. Idea Chat
Igniter:
Continue the
Conversation
Café
(Something to
add to your
Learning Lounge?)

19. Idea Chat Stewards
•Staff,Volunteers,
Partners, etc.
•Solid command of topic(s)
(not necessarily SMEs)
•Friendly, helpful, approachable
•Hip-pocket list of chat igniters
•Ambiverts (or well-coached extroverts/introverts)
•Visible and engaged

20. Setting the Climate
for Big Idea Chats

21. Creating an Environment
for Big Idea Chats

22. Leverage Digital to Accelerate
Chats & Connections
 Offers
 Requests

23. Leverage digital (mobile app) to
spark more/better idea chats?
 Idea tote board?
 Offers & Requests
 Workshop RSVPs
(see who else is attending)

24. Big Idea Conferences: Wrap Up
• Help Audience Grasp Innovation Methodology
• Frame Innovation in Proper Context
• Big Idea Chat Igniters
• Conference Innovation Stewards
• Create EnvironmentWhere Idea Chats Flourish
• Leverage Digital to Accelerate Collaboration
• And finally…

25. Peak End Rule

26. The Big Finish: Next steps…
• What one idea intrigued you most?
What next steps will you take?
• Did you meet someone you’d like to keep
in touch with? Assemble a big idea think tank?
• Follow-up session? One-on-one or group?
Donna Kastner ▪Velvet Chainsaw Consulting
dkastner@velvetchainsaw.com
(234) 380-5055

27. Image Credits
• Thomas Hawk
• William Hook
• John Althouse Cohen
• Kevin Dooley
• Michelle Boos-Stone
• StuartWilliams
• Tourisme Montreal
• C2-MTL
• E-180
• Harvard Business Review