Workshop: Coping with Extreme Scenarios  

In this workshop, you learn how to get creative fast, how to respond to potentially devastating threats with with innovation, and how to prepare yourselves for disaster. You will also develop ideas to help you overcome the extreme scenario.

This workshop starts with the premise that your business is threatened by an extreme scenario such as a disruptive innovation in your sector (eg Uber, Air BnB and digital photography); a natural disaster that destroys a major part of your operations; and/or legislation which makes your product illegal. We describe how such events might take place and the effect they could have on your business. Then we collaboratively develop innovative ideas that would enable you to overcome the extreme scenario.

You will learn:

• The importance of keeping up to date not only with recognised competitors, but with new technologies that could unexpectedly disrupt your business (as Uber has done to the Taxi business or AirBnB has done to the hotel industry).

• How to analyse your options in such a scenario.

• Most importantly, how to push creativity to another level in order to develop seriously innovative ideas.

 

Note: the purpose of this workshop is not to be pessimistic about the future, but to learn to push innovation to a higher level when necessary.

Structure

The workshop will include one or more extreme scenarios (designed by me in consultation with you), introduction to creative thinking techniques, open discussion and a number of exercises to devise, develop and test ideas. At the end of the workshop, you and your team will have a number of super creative ideas together with an understanding of how to develop ideas quickly and how to cope in extreme business situations.

Workshop Options

Half Day

If time is tight, the half day workshop is ideal. It will give us sufficient time to describe an extreme scenario, learn how to build creative ideas quickly in response to the scenario, and learn how test ideas quickly. However, there will not be sufficient time to develop ideas fully or explore implementation strategies.

One Day

A one day workshop covers the material of the half day workshop and provides time to explore more creative thinking techniques, build ideas more comprehensively and work on basic implementation strategies.

One and a Half Days

A one and a half day workshop provides more time to develop ideas and implementation strategies. In addition, I find that when people return to a creativity workshop after a night's sleep, they are often inspired by new ideas in the morning. A one and a half day workshop allows them to develop and present these ideas.

Next Step: Let's Talk

If you are at all interested in this workshop or want more information, then let's talk. Follow this link to contact me.

What people say about my work

"Your perspectives are very enlightening... In an ocean of not-so-useful info about innovation, you manage to get the perls on a regular basis."
Ericsson

"An energetic & stimulating speech on the future of creative idea generation!!"
Organisers of TEDxULB

"This is one of the best workshops we have ever organised. It is highly intellectual, splendid with extraordinary resources and activism. We really appreciate your remarkable efforts, exemplary cooperation, humble attitude and excellent interaction with our team."
Almajdouie
A Saudi Arabian Conglomerate

"I could not be more pleased with the final result. In spite of the fact that the workshop participants were people who, I think, would never try to participate in an event devoted to creativity - company and university top managers - Jeffrey made them enjoy creative thinking and produce a result that, if implemented, will give origin to many improvements in the Algarve region."
APGICO
Portuguese Association for
Creativity and Innovation

"When I walked in the room and saw the projector, I thought 'oh no, another boring presentation from [top five consultancy firm]!' I was delighted that in fact it was an interactive workshop where we actually applied anticonventional thinking. Very refreshing"
Philip Morris International

"Thank you for sharing your ideas and insights and good energy with all us creative folks round the world."
Washington State Government

"I woke up the next morning just bursting with ideas!"
The European Commission

In addition to the above, I have also worked with the Government of Dubai, the Algarve region of Portugal, the European Commission, Indian Institute of Technology, TE Connectivity, Afton Chemicals, Genentech, Frito-Lay, Sirris, Dexia Bank, Transearch, Southeast Water, Eyes & Ears of Europe; and have spoken at conferences including the World Innovation Convention, eSummit Mumbai, South African Innovation Summit, European Conference on Creativity and Innovation, TEDx and the Brussels Imagination Club (which I co-founded).

 

Next Step: Let's Talk

If you are at all interested in this workshop or want more information, then let's talk. Follow this link to contact me.