What I do

Research

My research interests fall in 3 domains:

Innovation.

My work in this area attempts to improve our understanding of how organizational paradoxes (e.g. efficiency vs innovation, current markets vs new markets, incremental adjustments vs blue-sky projects) enable innovation in the face of changing technological environments. In particular, I study how firms in high-velocity markets can excel at balancing both incremental (exploiting current capabilities) and discontinuous innovation (exploring into new space).

Entrepreneurship.

This stream includes studies in entrepreneurial networking, organisational creativity and entrepreneurship education

Curiosity.

My research explores the ways in which individuals, teams, and organizations harness their inquisitiveness to foster innovation and drive progress.

Teaching

Nothing excites me more than to see the light bulb go off in a student's eyes after grappling with some kind of challenge/problem/dilemma

Teaching Philosophy:

I view class delegates as collaborators. I gather their insights and thoughts in order to develop and delve deeper into deeper truth. It is a “Balancing Act” between exploring new paths, yet giving them the confidence to go the whole way.

My teaching seeks to engage and challenge students through active learning. In the MBA and Executive Education courses that I lead (Strategic Management, Market Orientation and Innovation Management, Leading Strategic Innovation, Leading and Implementing New Product Innovation, Corporate Entrepreneurship) I use case studies, in-class exercises and debates and I discuss the latest academic thinking to support students’/delegates’ intellectual development.

"The test of first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function"

F. Scott Fitzerald

Advising

I engage with firms in two ways:

I can deliver a workshop or a boot camp for your firm.

I welcome the opportunity to come to your workplace and give a half-day workshop or a full-day boot camp on the following areas:

Leading strategic innovation
Using ethnographic methods to uncover customers’ (unanticipated) needs
Developing new products in high velocity markets
Preparing for shifts in the market
Understanding culture and how it affects your bottom-line
Developing innovative leaders
Cross-functional team working

I can advise your team.

I have undertaken one on one discussions and facilitated meetings to assist firms recognize the importance and power of new ideas and to highlight the desired processes, structures and systems that can turn these ideas into meaningful actions. Based on rigorous research and practical, proven tools and methods, I can help you improve business performance in a variety of ways:

How to develop a culture of creativity and innovation in  your workplace. Areas of work have included conducting  values, culture and commitment audits for improving the  rate of innovation and changing how people behave.
How to resolve innovation tensions, such as  profit vs creativity, structure vs flexibility, individuality  vs collectivism, etc.
How to use your physical space in order to encourage  both the exchange of ideas and knowledge and their  translation to tangible marketplace products or services.

I currently advise:

Speaking

Organizational presentations & Academic Workshops

Speaking Engagement

Presentation at your organization (for-profit or not-for-profit)
on the topics of

- Leading Strategic Innovation,
- New Product Development,
- Customer-Focused Innovation,
- Market Orientation,
- Organizational Ambidexterity,
- Disruptive Innovation,
- Strategy Implementation and Change (or other relevant topics)