Presented by Dion Chang

(a.k.a Why innovation fails, or succeeds)

“How did you go bankrupt?” Bill asked.
“Two ways,” Mike said. “Gradually and then suddenly.”

The above dialogue is from Ernest Hemmingway’s novel, The Sun Also Rises, written in 1926.

In 2017, the premise remains unchanged. Today many companies are finding themselves on a slowly-burning platform which suddenly ignites into a relentless, devastating furnace. The flames emanate from many sources: if it’s not a technological disruption, then it’s a sluggish global economy or an ever changing consumer base that comes with a complex and challenging omni-channel engagement, which the digital era demands.

Simply quelling the flames and keeping your head above water is achievement in itself – but it’s not enough. Looking at future strategies might seem to be a luxury, but it’s the only way to avoid being on a burning platform: hence the ubiquitous search for innovation.

Innovation is the lifeblood of any company in an era of disruption, and the new currency of customer loyalty. But not many companies get it right. Only a handful do.

Earlier this year, Flux founder Dion Chang, embarked on a tour of the most innovative companies in NYC – across multiple industries. The only thing linking them was that they were at the top of their game: all were innovators and game changers within their own industries.

Flux has distilled these findings and have packaged them into a new presentation which aims to help companies – seeking the holy grail of innovation – to find ways and means of creating an enabling environment within a company to ignite the innovation process.

Our findings will surprise you.

If your business is searching for innovation, then consider this:

• The badge of honour of being a legacy company, has now become a liability. The quest to become “agile”, and therefore innovative, is proving challenging for lumbering corporate behemoths.
• Agile companies require a workforce with hybrid skills. Corporate companies still revere academic credentials, whereas the need has shifted to employing “makers”, people with chameleon-like skills who are able to cross-pollinate ideas.
• Ironically, an innovation hub can sometimes be counter-productive to the innovation process of a company.
• The decision makers within a company – those demanding innovation – are more often than not the obstacle to their well-intended dreams and aspirations.
• Who is this presentation designed for?
  Any company that is looking for innovation to take their business to the next level, or those who are sniffing smoke and understand that their platform could soon be engulfed in flames.
• Leaders and managers who expect their teams to innovate and come up with that silver bullet that will transform the fortunes of the company.
• Anyone who understands that modern business is no longer about “big vs small” but rather “fast vs slow”, and that innovation is the accelerator.

Looking at Trends as a Business Strategy.

If you are interested in booking this presentation for your team or clients please contact Bethea Clayton on connected@fluxtrends.co.za or +27764539405

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Image credit: Gallo Images/ Getty Images/ Catherine MacBride