Details
Innovation doesn't happen by accident - it is created by managers who know how to unlock ideas and turn them into practical solutions. Innovation and Creative Thinking for Managers equips managers with the skills to build an environment where creativity is encouraged, ideas are evaluated effectively, and innovation leads to real business results.
The course covers proven techniques for generating and refining ideas, assessing innovation opportunities, and removing barriers that block creativity. By focusing on both people and process, it enables managers to improve problem-solving, drive continuous improvement, and build agile teams that adapt, innovate, and add sustainable value to the organisation.
This course is aligned to cover the outcomes of US 252020 at NQF level 5 for 6 credits.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the concepts of innovation and creativity and their role in organisational performance
- Identify environmental, cultural, and managerial factors that enable or block innovation
- Assess a unit or team for innovation readiness using structured diagnostic tools
- Apply practical creativity and problem-solving techniques to generate new ideas
- Evaluate and select innovative ideas based on feasibility and stakeholder acceptance
- Develop, test, and communicate innovative concepts effectively within the organisation
- Support and promote an environment that encourages continuous innovation
Delivery Methods
| Delivery Method | Duration | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Days | Get a Quote | ||
| 2 Days | Get a Quote |
Discounts Available
Brochure:
Audience
Innovation training benefits leaders responsible for driving strategy, middle managers overseeing execution, and cross-functional teams seeking fresh perspectives.
R&D teams and start-ups can harness formal innovation frameworks to fuel product and service development, while HR professionals can shape an environment that encourages creative thinking and risk-taking.
Essentially, anyone eager to challenge the status quo, find new solutions, or foster a culture of continuous improvement will gain valuable insights from a course on promoting innovation and gain an accredited certificate at the same time.
Pre-Requisites
- Communication at NQF Level 4
- Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4
- Computer Literacy at NQF Level 4
Course Outline / Curriculum
1. Understanding Innovation and the Enabling Environment
- Definition of innovation as a structured process of idea generation and commercial application
- Types of innovation: incremental, complementary, and disruptive
- Common barriers to innovation, including risk aversion, limited resources, and closed leadership attitudes
- Key factors that create an innovation-friendly environment:
- Trust, psychological safety, and open communication
- Leadership vision and clearly defined innovation challenges
- Strong customer focus as a driver of innovation
- Supportive physical work environments that encourage collaboration
- Role of the unit manager in embedding innovation into performance, processes, and culture
2. Assessing a Unit for Opportunities for Innovation
- Evaluating organisational readiness for innovation across key dimensions
- Using diagnostic tools such as spider diagrams to assess innovation culture
- Analysing data to identify patterns, strengths, and gaps
- Identifying improvement opportunities through diversity, rapid implementation, and collaborative spaces
3. Understanding and Applying Creativity
- Understanding creativity as both imaginative thinking and practical execution
- Applying creativity techniques to generate ideas:
- Brainstorming
- Mind mapping
- Lateral thinking
- Structured problem-solving methods
- Encouraging individual and group creativity in workplace settings
4. The Creative Thinking Process
- Generating multiple alternatives before evaluating solutions
- Selecting ideas based on feasibility and stakeholder acceptance
- Developing concepts through refinement and small-scale testing
- Communicating and promoting ideas to build organisational buy-in
Schedule Dates and Booking
There are currently no scheduled dates.