Which Innovation "Event" Should You Attend? Some advantages and disadvantages to consider . . .

You’ve probably been invited to an innovation "event" and even though all the graphics and promises looked great, you still decided not to respond. These events go by many names: roundtable, summit, seminar, forum, conference, lab, fair, studio and workshop, to name a few. You know you need to improve your ability to innovate, but are these types of events really the right answer for you right now?

Advantages to Consider

Selecting the right innovation event depends on your definition of innovation, the innovation goals you want to achieve and the barriers you need to tear down. Many events can provide the opportunity to learn something new and trigger thoughts and perspectives you didn’t have before. Meeting others with similar innovation needs can also be beneficial for sharing challenging situations and hearing how others have addressed them. Some events also provide the opportunity to interact with the presenters who can answer some of your specific questions in more of a one-on-one format. Innovation events can also provide the opportunity to establish a business relationship with the presenters and their company in case they provide any products or services from which you could benefit. 

When properly located, many events provide an opportunity to unplug and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation in addition to the advantages listed above. If you need to travel to another city to attend an innovation event, be sure to check out what that city has to offer during the time you’ll be there. There could be many family-related opportunities to complement your trip. 

In summary, some advantages to consider when considering all your innovation event options include:

·        Opportunity to learn

·        Generate new ideas and perspectives

·        Network with others

·        Resolve problems

·        Establish business relationships

·        Relax and have some fun

·        Reconnect with your family

Potential Disadvantages

In order to make sure your personal and professional goals are met attending an innovation event, be sure to do your homework and be realistic about how you’re going to achieve the results you’re looking for. Immersing yourself in an audience of 5,000 at an Innovation Conference probably won’t provide you with the one-on-one experience you’re looking for. Make an attempt to validate all the promises being made in the marketing literature and compare them to what you want to accomplish.

Many innovation events provide the presenters an opportunity to share their own knowledge and predictions, but fall short when the time comes for them to assist any further with your innovation journey. Oftentimes, participants are disappointed when their innovation event is over, asking themselves “What do I do now?” 

Such events can provide some real insight and perspective, but you’ve got to be ready to leverage that input into solving your particular objectives and goals. No one is going to do this for you. You’ve got to do it yourself. Try to remember all the times you returned to work after attending some type of event, only to go on with your daily activities as if nothing happened. This is a waste of time and money for you, but not for the presenters, of course. You need to walk out of your innovation event knowing the top three things you’re going to accomplish the next business day to help achieve your innovation goals and remove those barriers standing in the way.

In order to receive real value from an innovation event, it has to provide you with some way to map the presentation materials to your particular situation. It should also provide the opportunity for you to voice your opinions and questions in a safe, confidential, and non-threatening environment. 

Many participants forget that innovation can be viewed from two perspectives. One perspective is internal, as in continuous improvement of processes, people and technologies. Another perspective is external, as in producing another innovative product or service for public consumption. Try to find an event that covers both perspectives. 

You need to improve and sustain your ability to innovate, so be sure the event can help. There may be some confidentiality concerns when asking questions about innovating from an internal perspective. Other participants can interpret your questions as a weakness rather than an attempt to collaborate. 

Listening to days of driving forces of change, regulatory and economic factors, and social trends won’t help you innovate your internal processes or create that next great product or service you’re looking for.

In summary, some disadvantages to be aware of when selecting the right innovation event for you include:

·        Real value sometimes isn’t delivered

·        Confidentiality issues may be exposed

·        Difficulty identifying next steps to pursue

·        Applying presentation materials to your particular situation

·        Failure to consider internal and external innovation

·        Presenters only focus on delivering content and not results

·        Not achieving your innovation goals

Innovation is a key to ongoing survival, business growth and profitability. Selecting the right innovation event for you is about understanding your objectives, assessing the opportunity and creating a viable implementation plan or roadmap. Done correctly, innovation can supercharge your future.

About Inovayshin

Companies of all sizes and industries have challenges when it comes to innovation. In response, we’ve created an innovation services firm that applies proven Innovation Alignment and other methods to help those companies improve and sustain their ability to innovate. Our solutions include the one-day Innovation Alignment Studio, Innovation Strategy & Roadmap, Innovation Roadmap Implementation, and Ongoing Innovation Solutions. To learn more, visit us at inovayshin.com. Entrepreneurs and business executives, be sure to check out our “Be Inspired” page for ideas that could trigger your next product or service innovation.