Can You Think Like An Innovator?

Edison’s “creative revolution” lay in his belief that every person was capable of deep creativity, no matter their prior training or background. He said, “The brain can be developed just the same as the muscles can be developed, if one will only take the pains to train the mind to think.” Decades before the two hemispheres of the brain were discovered, Edison had already begun using whole-brain thinking techniques to amplify his creative prowess.

A great grandniece of Thomas Edison, and an award-winning speaker, Sarah’s presentation reveals how America’s greatest inventor fostered creativity in himself and his employees throughout his 62-year career. Sarah will also describe how Edison uniquely cloned his approach throughout his laboratories and manufacturing operations, and how we can do this in our organizations today.

Spreading The Roots of Creativity
Research from Sarah’s book, Innovate Like Edison: The Five-Step System for Breakthrough Business Success reveals how Edison pioneered six world-changing industries in less than 40 years. Her book is the first ever work to identify Edison’s innovation process, which she calls the Five Competencies of Innovation. Written in collaboration with creativity expert Michael Gelb, (How to Think Like Leonard da Vinci) Sarah brings the perspective of her 25-year Marketing career to individuals and teams today who grapple with how to create value in a rapidly changing global economy.

MONDAY EVENING
Dean Kamen
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The Process of Innovation:  Rude Realities and Some Serious Suggestions

Dean Kamen is an inventor, entrepreneur, and a tireless advocate for science and technology. He is the founder of DEKA Research & Development Corporation, where he develops internally generated inventions and provides research and development for major corporate clients. He holds more than 440 U.S. and foreign patents for innovative devices that have expanded the frontiers of health care worldwide. Some of his notable inventions include the first wearable insulin pump for diabetics, the HomeChoice™ portable peritoneal dialysis machine, the INDEPENDENCE® IBOT® Mobility System, and the Segway® Human Transporter. Among Mr. Kamen's proudest accomplishments is founding FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an organization dedicated to motivating the next generation to understand, use, and enjoy science and technology. Mr. Kamen was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 2000, the Lemelson-MIT Prize in 2002, is a member of the National Academy of Engineers and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in May 2005.

Click on the videoplayer below to watch an excerpt from 60 Minutes about Dean Kamen's "Luke Arm", a full bionic prosthetic arm designed by DEKA Research:

TUESDAY EVENING
Keith Sawyer
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Group Genius

Dr. Sawyer engages the audience by telling little-known stories about the world's most innovative companies. He combines these stories with his own scientific studies of group genius to reveal the hidden principles that allow these companies to consistently innovate. Sawyer draws on his research to explain why brainstorming so often fails, how to manage teams for maximum creativity, and how to create an organization where group genius thrives. Companies desiring strategic, cultural change throughout the organization will benefit from this message.