Innovation Management School

IM Learned and Applied

The CIMS Innovation Management School takes a different approach to building skills and changing behaviors than other similar programs. Its main objective is to provide future business leaders with the skills they will need to succeed in the hyper-competitive economy of the 21st century. Working from the premise that innovation is a multidisciplinary endeavor, the curriculum targets cross-functional teams, of up to 25 participants, from participating companies. While other business schools may offer "developmental" programs aimed at managers of technology, the curriculum is geared to representatives from all business functions taught in a workshop format that allows participants to experience the diversity of viewpoints so critical to innovation.

After completing the program, participants are expected to demonstrate specific new behaviors CIMS has determined essential to successfully managing innovation.  These include: 

• Working as a project team, regardless of location. This entails coordinating multiple, interdisciplinary tasks in order to achieve innovation in an action-oriented business setting, including familiarization with key management issues such as governance and performance measurement.
• Conceiving, developing and marketing new products and services. With this skill, managers can lead innovation projects including the design of an innovation team and use of effective performance metrics. This includes proficiency in quantitative and qualitative techniques in market research, technology commercialization, and portfolio optimization. 
• Wiring the organization for success. Program graduates will be able to assess the drivers of an organization's culture, determine corrective actions, and facilitate organizational change. This includes dealing with the tougher HR issues that are often pushed under the rug in high-tech firms. 
• Creating the case for change. This involves the development of specific execution strategies to better align innovation activities with the firms' business strategy, including being able to objectively gauge the maturity of their own company's IM competence.  

Team-based and practical

The entire program may take between 12 to 18 months to complete and culminates with participants receiving a Master's Certificate in Innovation Management. Specialized "tracks" have been developed for each major type of innovation: product, process and service. Each track provides a flexible series of 2.5 day education "modules" with time in between modules for participants to apply their new knowledge by working on projects, or problems, deemed important to sponsoring management.

Customization is the key

This progressive and modular design provides companies with a number of entry points into the curriculum based on its business strategy and current IM proficiency. They can select just one module that perhaps fills a gap in an already strong internal training program. They can send employees through just the first level of training, so all participants acquire a basic understanding of innovation management. Or they can choose to send participants through an entire track and work on "live" projects. All are valid options, depending on where the organization is starting from and how much of a transformation it requires to become proficient at managing innovation. 

Whether they're front-line workers or line executives, your team learns, applies and synthesizes critical concepts, knowledge, skills, and aptitudes through a hands-on approach that directly affects your organization. When a course is completed, your team is ready to make an immediate business impact.


Want more information? Contact CIMS or visit the Innovation Management School.