PORTAGE, Ind. -- The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest is launching a full year of programming in 2020 that includes interactive monthly workshops, an innovation masterclass series, partner events, and more networking opportunities.
“Since its inception, our organization has done a great job of recognizing and celebrating Northwest Indiana’s innovators,” said Sheila Matias, executive director of the Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest. “This new programming will help us better connect and develop those across the region who are leading the innovation charge.”
Monthly Workshops
The Society of Innovators’ monthly workshops will provide a hands-on environment that connects participants with the people, tools, and resources that drive growth. Each workshop highlights a key component of innovation, led by an experienced professional. The cost of each workshop is $20.
Upcoming sessions include:
Friday, January 10: Collaboration That Drives Innovation
Innovation is a team sport that requires collaboration, but how can teams work together to build the next new thing? This fun session is designed to get participants working together to build and test their designs with an emphasis on radical collaboration. Learn some new secrets about teamwork and equip yourself to build more collaborative teams within your own organization.
Friday, February 7: Trend-Driven Innovation
What will your customers want next? What if you could understand and apply any consumer trend, today? In this hands-on workshop, we will work with the Consumer Trends Canvas to better understand what your customers want next by looking at some key consumer trends and innovations that are driving the trends.
Friday, March 6: Introduction to Business Design Thinking
You have excellent strategic ideas. You can visualize what success looks like. You are hungry to make it happen. But how do you do it? This workshop will introduce you to tools and processes that are part of the foundation needed for Business Design Thinking.
Masterclass Series
Through a partnership with Gregg Fraley Innovation (GFi), the Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest will host a series of six innovation-training masterclasses in 2020. The Jumpstart Innovation Learning Series seeks to train innovators and entrepreneurs in essential innovation skills. Participants are managers, project leaders, small business owners, and those charged with leading innovation programs.
The content of the sessions includes basic innovation skills and deliberate creative problem-solving. Over the course of the series, more advanced topics in cutting-edge innovation strategy, branding, culture building, and project management are trained.
The Jumpstart Innovation Masterclass Series is offered as a subscription package, with each module advancing participant knowledge about innovation in a new way. However, participants can also buy a specific module of interest.
The cost of the series is $599 for all six workshops. Purchased individually, the workshops are $149 each.
Upcoming sessions include:
Friday, January 17: Innovation Concepts Immersion
Friday, March 13: Structured Creative Problem-Solving
Friday, May 15: Facilitation Skills and Tools for Leadership
Friday, August 21: Innovating Your Brand
Friday, October 9: The Art of Agility (Agile/SCRUM Concepts)
Friday, December 11: Improvisation for Business Problem-Solving
Workshops and masterclasses will take place in Purdue Northwest’s meeting facility, 6100 Southport Road, Portage, Ind. Those wishing to attend may call Jason Williams at (219) 989-2805, or register online at www.pnw.edu/soi/events/.
The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest
The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest (PNW) aims to contribute to economic and community development throughout Northwest Indiana as the champion of innovation in the region. For more information about the Society of Innovators, visit www.pnw.edu/soi.
Purdue University Northwest
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is a student-centered university that values academic excellence, supports growth and celebrates diversity. Located in Northwest Indiana, near Chicago, PNW fosters a vibrant academic community through high quality and engaging undergraduate and graduate education. For more information about PNW, visit www.pnw.edu.
