Innovation Through Design Thinking

Get the tools to sustain, rekindle or inject innovation into your organisation.

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Course Dates

STARTS ON

13 February 2023

Course Duration

DURATION

6 weeks, online
4-5 hours/week

Course Fee

PROGRAMME FEE

£1,850 £1,702

Course Information Flexible payment available
Course Fee

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Activate Business Breakthroughs with Design Thinking

If you’re a business professional, you have a problem to solve. We all do. No matter the nature of your firm’s challenge, applying the key principles of design thinking will help you build your own innovation action plan, to work out what you need from innovation and to use your own ideas as a force for transformation. Throughout its six-week curriculum, Innovation Through Design Thinking delivers insights from Prof. Julian Birkinshaw, an international expert on innovation, as well as inspiration from the world’s most design-forward brands – Apple, Unilever, Spotify, P&G. The goal is for you to acquire practical tools and techniques to help you solve your own innovation challenge.

“Embracing innovation and mastering new digital technologies is no longer seen as a competitive advantage for businesses, but a vital component for sustainability and existence.”

Professor Julian Birkinshaw,
Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship; Academic Director of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Deputy Dean (Executive Education)

Right for you

This programme is designed for senior executives tasked with igniting innovation in their organisation, or anyone seeking to use innovation to overcome their challenges. Attendees include:

C-Suite and General Management Executives

Ideal for business leaders who want to build awareness by learning key principles of innovation, understand the broader business context of internal challenges, and drive change through innovation. Representative roles include:

  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Chief Technology Officer
  • Chief Information Officer
  • Chief Marketing Officer
  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Director
  • President
  • Managing Director
  • Executive Director

Mid-level Functional Managers

Ideal for professionals who want to nurture a culture of innovation within their team or function; learn techniques for prototyping, designing, and running experiments; and understand design thinking to deploy innovative solutions for their organisations. Representative roles include:

  • Manager
  • Senior Manager
  • Head of Product
  • Head of Finance
  • Head of Marketing
  • Head of Technology
  • Head of Operations
  • Senior Product Manager
  • Product Strategy Manager

Consultants

Ideal for professional consultants who want to generate ideas for new products and services or new business models; learn proven methodologies for building innovation; and offer disruptive solutions for their clients. Representative roles include:

  • Strategy Consultant
  • Consultant
  • Principal Consultant
  • Senior Consultant
  • Technology Consultant

Entrepreneurs, Owners and Founders

Ideal for those responsible for the success of a startup or business line who want to apply design thinking techniques to identify customer needs; improve their business by generating ideas for new products, services, and business models; and learn from innovators how to remain relevant and competitive in the face of disruption. Representative roles include:

  • Founder
  • Co-Founder
  • Owner
  • Chairman
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Key takeways

The six modules of this dynamic online programme will provide you with creative solutions for your specific business or innovation challenge. By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

  • Identify the principles of design thinking and why innovation is important to you and your company right now.
  • Define and frame your own innovation challenge and apply design thinking frameworks to solve it.
  • Explore possible futures and hone your innate creativity with design thinking techniques.
  • Move your innovation concept forward by building the right plan to gain support from stakeholders.
  • Use experimentation and prototyping to turn your ideas into reality.
  • Simultaneously exploit a whole new market while protecting your current one.
  • Learn to take the pulse of your customers — potential, new, and loyal – to understand and influence their behaviours.
  • Acquire the mindset and skills to build a corporate culture of innovation.

What you learn

Experience six practical modules steering you through each stage of your innovation journey.

Module 1:

Building awareness: why innovation is important to you right now

Become conversant in the why, what and how of innovation. Learn the basic principals of innovation, explore why it's essential in today's business world and discover how to make it happen in your organisation.

Module 2:

Identifying Customer Needs

Identify what makes design thinking different from other methodologies; learn the key ideas in design thinking to understand your customers’ true underlying needs; and try out design thinking techniques and tools to make it real.

Module 3:

Making it personal: defining your own innovation challenge

Frame your innovation opportunities or challenges in a way that reveals answers, not just obstacles; understand your challenge’s broader business context; diagnose your internal situation; and define your challenge.

Module 4:

Generating ideas: exploring possible futures

Connect ideas to your challenge; consider multiple perspectives; stir your creativity with techniques that will serve you for a lifetime; generate ideas for new products and services; and develop ideas for new business models.

Module 5:

Prototyping and developing ideas: how to take your concept forward

Explore prototyping your concept in an easy and low-risk way; understand techniques for selecting the most promising ideas and developing them further; and discover how to design and run an experiment.

Module 6:

From concept to action: making your idea stick

Consider tactics necessary to gain support from those inside and outside your business; master tactics essential for the corporate intrapreneur; learn how to help others develop their own innovation ideas; and build a corporate culture of innovation.

Module 1:

Building awareness: why innovation is important to you right now

Become conversant in the why, what and how of innovation. Learn the basic principals of innovation, explore why it's essential in today's business world and discover how to make it happen in your organisation.

Module 4:

Generating ideas: exploring possible futures

Connect ideas to your challenge; consider multiple perspectives; stir your creativity with techniques that will serve you for a lifetime; generate ideas for new products and services; and develop ideas for new business models.

Module 2:

Identifying Customer Needs

Identify what makes design thinking different from other methodologies; learn the key ideas in design thinking to understand your customers’ true underlying needs; and try out design thinking techniques and tools to make it real.

Module 5:

Prototyping and developing ideas: how to take your concept forward

Explore prototyping your concept in an easy and low-risk way; understand techniques for selecting the most promising ideas and developing them further; and discover how to design and run an experiment.

Module 3:

Making it personal: defining your own innovation challenge

Frame your innovation opportunities or challenges in a way that reveals answers, not just obstacles; understand your challenge’s broader business context; diagnose your internal situation; and define your challenge.

Module 6:

From concept to action: making your idea stick

Consider tactics necessary to gain support from those inside and outside your business; master tactics essential for the corporate intrapreneur; learn how to help others develop their own innovation ideas; and build a corporate culture of innovation.

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Real-life examples

Throughout the programme, case studies of global brands help you identify innovation methodology, providing real-world examples of innovation moving from ideation into implementation. Here are a few of the industries and brands we’ll explore:

Financial services

  • Citibank
  • Barclays
  • ING

Healthcare

  • Roche
  • Pfizerworks

Retail/consumer goods

  • Haier
  • Costa Coffee
  • Unilever
  • Dyson
  • Virgin
  • Nestlé

IT and Technology

  • IBM
  • Netflix
  • Adobe
  • WeChat
  • Amazon
  • Uber

Consulting

  • Stratforma
  • Co-cubed

Note: All products and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

Image of a person learning on a laptop

How you learn

  • Four key principles of innovation
  • Hone your innate creativity with techniques to release your own bravery and insight
  • Build the right plan and get support from key people at your firm
  • Use business experimentation to turn your ideas into long-term reality
  • Apply solutions that you have arrived at using the latest research from our world class faculty and regular feedback from learning coaches
  • Be able to work closely with other senior leaders to transform your company
  • Utilise a whole new market and protect your current one at the same time
  • Take the pulse of new customer groups and digital behaviours
  • Allow sustainable innovation to become an integral part of your business

Expert in the field

Faculty Member Julian Birkinshaw

Julian Birkinshaw

Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship; Academic Director of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Deputy Dean (Executive Education)

Professor Julian Birkinshaw was ranked 46th in the 2017 Thinkers 50 list of the top global management thinkers. His main area of expertise is in the strategy and organisation of large corporations, and specifically such issues as innovation, corporate entrepreneurship, strategic agility and headquarters-subsidiary relationships. More info
Faculty Member Julian Birkinshaw

Julian Birkinshaw

Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship; Academic Director of the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Deputy Dean (Executive Education)

Professor Julian Birkinshaw was ranked 46th in the 2017 Thinkers 50 list of the top global management thinkers. His main area of expertise is in the strategy and organisation of large corporations, and specifically such issues as innovation, corporate entrepreneurship, strategic agility and headquarters-subsidiary relationships. He is a Fellow of: the British Academy, the Academy of Social Sciences and the Academy of International Business. He has been awarded Honorary Doctorate degrees by the Stockholm School of Economics (2009) and Copenhagen Business School (2018). Professor Birkinshaw is the author of 15 books, including Fast/Forward, Becoming a Better Boss, Reinventing Management and Giant Steps in Management, and more than 90 articles in journals such as Strategic Management Journal, Academy of Management Journal, Harvard Business Review and Sloan Management Review. Professor Birkinshaw speaks at business conferences in the UK, Europe, North America and Australia. He is regularly quoted in international media outlets, including CNN, the BBC, The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Businessweek and The Times.

Certificate

Example image of certificate that will be awarded after successful completion of this program

Certificate

Upon successful completion of the programme, you'll earn a digital certificate of completion from London Business School.

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All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of London Business School.

Your path to alumni benefits

Curate your one-of-a-kind learning experience with LBS’s Certificate in Management and build the skills you need to enhance your leadership journey. Innovation Through Design Thinking is one of the programmes that counts towards the criteria to gain the Certificate in Management by London Business School.

How will you benefit?

Access to a global network

  • Join LBS’s elite, international network of over 17,000 Executive Education alumni from over 30 countries and learn from extraordinary thought leaders from diverse industries in business

Personalised mentorship

  • Benefit from four one-to-one coaching sessions at your convenience throughout your learning journey to assess where you are in your career – and where you want to go

Tailored learning journey

  • Choose from over 35 online and in-person programmes to customise your learning journey with an executive coach for an experience that is truly yours

Note: All benefits subject to change.

FAQs

  • How do I know if this programme is right for me?

    After reviewing the information on the programme landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the programme brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions about whether this programme is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org,and a dedicated programme advisor will follow up with you very shortly.


    Are there any prerequisites for this programme?

    Some programmes do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the programme landing page, as well as in the programme brochure. If you are uncertain about programme prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for assistance.


    Note that, unless otherwise stated on the programme web page, all programmes are taught in English, and proficiency in English is required.


    What is the typical class profile?

    More than 50 per cent of our participants are from outside the United States. Class profiles vary from one cohort to the next, but generally, our online certificates draw a highly diverse audience in terms of professional experience, industry and geography—leading to a very rich peer learning and networking experience.


    What other dates will this programme be offered in the future?

    Check back at this programme web page or email us at learner.success@emeritus.org to inquire if future programme dates or the timeline for future offerings have been confirmed yet.

  • How much time is required each week?

    Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.



    How will my time be spent?

    We have designed this programme to fit into your current working life as efficiently as possible. Time will be spent among a variety of activities, including:



    • Engaging with recorded video lectures from faculty
    • Attending webinars and office hours, as per the specific programme schedule
    • Reading or engaging with examples of core topics
    • Completing knowledge checks/quizzes and required activities
    • Engaging in moderated discussion groups with your peers
    • Completing your final project, if required

    The programme is designed to be highly interactive while also allowing time for self-reflection and to demonstrate an understanding of the core topics through various active learning exercises. Please contact us at learner.success@emeritus.org if you need further clarification on programme activities.



    What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?

    More than 250,000 professionals globally, across 80 countries, have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 per cent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programmes said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded.

    A dedicated programme support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues or anything else that may affect your learning experience.


    How do I interact with other programme participants?

    Peer learning adds substantially to the overall learning experience and is an important part of the programme. You can connect and communicate with other participants through our learning platform.

  • What are the requirements to earn the certificate?

    Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enrol. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programmes are designed to fit into your working life.

    This programme is scored as a pass or no-pass. Participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programmes include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the programme brochure. Please contact us at learner.success@emeritus.org if you need further clarification on any specific programme requirements.


    What type of certificate will I receive?

    Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter or resume and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile.
    The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the programme, once grading is complete.


    Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?

    No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social networking platforms, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.


    Do I receive alumni status after completing this programme?

    No, there is no alumni status granted for this programme. In some cases, there are credits that count towards a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the programme brochure.


    How long will I have access to the learning materials?

    You will have access to the online learning platform and all the videos and programme materials for 12 months following the programme start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.

  • What equipment or technical requirements are there for this programme?

    Participants will need the latest version of their preferred browser to access the learning platform. In addition, Microsoft Office and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files and transcripts.


    Do I need to be online to access the programme content?

    Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet, and video content is not available for download. However, you can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. For maximum flexibility, you can access programme content from a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device.

    Video lectures must be streamed via the internet, and any livestream webinars and office hours will require an internet connection. However, these sessions are always recorded, so you can view them later.

  • Can I still register if the registration deadline has passed?

    Yes, you can register up until seven days past the published start date of the programme without missing any of the core programme material or learnings.


    What is the programme fee and what forms of payment do you accept?

    The programme fee is noted at the top of this programme web page and usually referenced in the programme brochure as well.

    • Flexible payment options are available (see details below as well as at the top of this programme web page next to FEE).
    • Tuition assistance is available for participants who qualify. Please email learner.success@emeritus.org.

    What if I don’t have a credit card? Is there another method of payment accepted?

    Yes, you can do the bank remittance in the programme currency via wire transfer or debit card. Please contact your programme advisor or email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for details.


    I was not able to use the discount code provided. Can you help?

    Yes! Please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org with the details of the programme you are interested in, and we will assist you.


    How can I obtain an invoice for payment?

    Please email learner.success@emeritus.org with your invoicing requirements and the specific programme you’re interested in enrolling in.


    Is there an option to make flexible payments for this programme?

    Yes, the flexible payment option allows a participant to pay the programme fee in instalments. This option is made available on the payment page and should be selected before submitting the payment.


    How can I obtain a W9 form?

    Please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for assistance.

  • What is the policy on refunds and withdrawals?

    You may request a full refund within seven days of your payment or 14 days after the published start date of the programme, whichever comes later. If your enrolment had previously been deferred, you will not be entitled to a refund. Partial (or pro-rated) refunds are not offered. All withdrawal and refund requests should be sent to admissions@emeritus.org.



    What is the policy on deferrals?

    After the published start date of the programme, you have until the midpoint of the programme to request to defer to a future cohort of the same programme. A deferral request must be submitted along with a specified reason and explanation. Cohort changes may be made only once per enrolment and are subject to availability of other cohorts scheduled at our discretion. This will not be applicable for deferrals within the refund period, and the limit of one deferral per enrolment remains. All deferral requests should be sent to admissions@emeritus.org.

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