Course Detail (Course Description By Faculty)

"Innovation distinguishes the leaders from the followers."  --Steve Jobs

Please find a video introduction to our course, here.  

This course is about "Winning the Future." While everyone is transfixed on AI--and it is transformative--there are much larger forces at play. Leveraging better Vision (sensing, foresight, projection), understanding how organizations work, and solving the right challenges can provide meaningful competitive advantages. All leaders need far better Foresight to build optionality, both professionally and personally.

I'm a professor, author and active venture investor in nearly 50 companies and venture funds. I look forward to envisioning, exploring and creating the future with all of you.

Innovation must be a principal objective of senior management; unfortunately, few managers achieve the innovation competencies necessary to manage the innovation portfolio required by global firms to achieve growth and profitability objectives. This course will apply a theoretical and applied approach to understanding Innovation Strategy & Management from the perspective of senior corporate leaders.

The course will focus on innovation within business entities, from the typical technology and product innovation programs, to broader, process, marketing and other forms of innovation. The course will address innovation as a holistic strategic management imperative not limited to Research & Development or New Product Development. While the course will provide a theoretical foundation, the focus will be on real world issues, products and systems.

We will:
--Build foresight for where we're going across industries as a result of technology

--Examine Innovation from the perspective of corporate strategy

--Explore the impact of a range of emerging technologies on the future of business and society

- Relate Innovation to other factors such as Marketing, Risk, Structure, Processes and Project Management
- Discuss best practices from a number of leading firms, including Amazon, Netflix, AXON, BP, Disney, Dell, Zebra Technologies, Honeywell; category-creating companies like Haddy.life, AXON, Interstellar Lab, Unqork; and non-profit/government initiatives such as the Cambodian HIV/AIDS national response
- Consider what we’re trying to accomplish in the world, and WHY, both professionally and personally.

Students will be evaluated on the following basis:
- Final Projects (CEO Presentation, team) - 50%

-ProximityParks Case Solution (team) - 10%

- Personal Mission Essay (Individual) - 20%

- Class & Team Contribution (Individual) - 20%

Class Contribution incorporates team participation, which will be determined by both self-evaluation and team member evaluation. The Instructor will determine in-class participation by the quality of a student’s contribution to discussion. Each student will also evaluate the group work participation of each team member, reporting confidentially via email.

We’ll discuss the case solution and “personal mission” assignment during the first day of class.