Most industries are now highly competitive, with better informed customers expecting “more, faster, cheaper and better” all at the same time. Few companies can compete purely on price alone and so most now have to differentiate to survive and to dfferentiate you must innovate ! In the current competitive business environment, innovation can be a catalyst for growth. With rapid advancements in technology, customer partnering and supply chains over the past decade, the old-world concepts of competitive advantage which focused on a company’s distinctive capabilities are outmoded. Industries and businesses must constantly transform their products and services together with their economic model, organisational structure, systems and core processes in order to survive and prosper. What is an ‘innovation culture’, how does one generate it in business, how does it differ from creativity and how does the board and management actually inject innovation into their business strategy? The most successful companies innovate as a whole. This is true Business Development – through innovation. Innovation is not the sole preserve of the R&D or marketing departments. It is everyone’s responsibility.

• Understand what Innovation is and how to instil and manage it effectively
• Discover the difference between Innovation and Creativity
• Learn about the barriers to innovation and what helps make a Creative Culture
• Find out how to incorporate innovation strategically into your business
• Understand the Integrated Innovation Framework and the 6Ps of Innovation
• Be able to conduct the Innovation Maturity Audit and set Innovation KPIs
• Find out how to measure and improve your Return on Innovation Investment (RoII)
• Learn how to accelerate your business using incubator tools and techniques
• Discover how and where technology can accelerate innovation
• Be able to set a clear direction on how Innovation can be used within the business

Upon graduating from the University of Wales, Simon attended the renowned Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and then spent five years in the British Army in various operational roles around the world. After leaving the Army he spent three years in the UK National Health Service (NHS), being directly involved in project management of the merger of hospital trusts. Following this, he oversaw customer services for Psion UK Plc., at that time the world’s biggest palmtop computer manufacturer, where he established the customer services, technical support, and helpdesk operations.

Simon is a qualified Business Coach and holds a Professional Certificate in Coaching. He is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. He has detailed knowledge of the incident management and problem management aspects of the ITIL framework and is a PRINCE 2 accredited professional project management practitioner.

Apart from his consulting work, Simon is an Associate of the External Faculty at Henley Business School (now part of the University of Reading), which is among the top 50 business schools in the world. At Henley, he has been extensively involved with the development of programmes designed specifically for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs such as the UK Government subsidised Business Accelerator and Barclays Bank Eagle Accelerator high impact training programmes.

In 2007 Simon created the concept of Integrated Innovation Management, a holistic means of assessing, planning and implementing improvements in innovation management in organisations. This concept is now a widely referenced process within business schools, both for the private and public sectors. His Integrated Innovation Framework model has been quoted in the Institute of Directors (IoD) Handbook as a standard model and adopted by many businesses looking to create an innovation culture.

Simon is a published author, having authored and contributed to many books on Project Management and Innovation. His latest book, “Fast Track to Success – Project Management” was shortlisted for the Management Book of the Year by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) in the past and has been translated into 7 languages to date.

I was lucky enough to undertake a project management workshop with Simon as the training consultant. His professionalism and expertise made the subject easy to understand and the practical application demonstrated during the workshop enabled easy transfer to the 'real' workplace.
- Georgina Watts, Owner, Active 8 USA Inc.

Simon is an excellent business consultant and a first class presenter. He works with you to effect organisational change, where he brings insight, energy and commitment to all he does.
- Andy Bruce, Chief Executive Officer, Softools UK.

Simon has been an invaluable business partner for Curo. His key skills lie in the development and delivery of excellent skill development workshops and working with teams to embed change. Simon is energetic and upbeat and inspiring at the front of a workshop.
- Jonathan Mowll, Founder and Chairman of Curo.

We have been trying to find someone of calibre to help us grapple with some of the key business issues we face - in Simon we found that person. In an extremely well structured way he is an excellent facilitator - asking the challenging questions and offering insightful suggestions. His professional but relaxed style ensures the right forum is created to enable delivery of great results. I would highly recommend him.
- Simon Blackburn, Director, Growth Engineering Ltd.

Simon is a great tutor with a wealth of knowledge and skill in the business world. He has a clear and concise method of teaching and would be an asset to have in any business, be it as a partner or a mentor.
- Vimal Patel, Founder and Commercial Director at Farm Digital.

Simon is a published author in the areas of project management and innovation management and as such he combines theory with practice to produce best practice, real world tools and techniques for clients. If you want your business to become more innovative and create an innovative culture then Simon is your man
- Keith Baxter, Managing Director, De-RISK Ltd

Without Simon's patience, determination and expertise I would have found it difficult to fully explore the opportunities available to my business.
- Caroline Esterson, CEO, Genius Learning Ltd.

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