How we see the world around us influences how we behave in it. Often, we have our problem-solving lens on, focusing on what’s broken and what needs to be fixed. However, have you ever fixed a problem, only for the problem to resurface—sometimes messier and more complex? Appreciative Inquiry sees the world differently by shifting away from the “what’s wrong” deficit thinking to the expansive “what’s right” thinking. In this session, participants will be given an overview of this other AI and learn how this practice can shift thinking, spark new ideas and inject a more innovative spirit in organizations. Participants will learn and practice different AI techniques, including appreciative conversations, expansive inquiry and the 5D process. Get ready to meet the Appreciative Dreamer in you!

When we reinvent the results of our creative activities as prototypes, a transformation starts to happen. The process through which we focus on developing our core products becomes just as important. This play shop is a catalyst: a safe haven to develop unexpected prototypes of all shapes and sizes at different levels of fidelity and resolution. A place to explore the reaches of your own expressive ideas and transform them from thought to word to tangible artifact. A minimum of talk and a maximum of improvised play time, learning tools to reshape your creative realities, and structures to guide and inspire your teams in an energetic, fun, fast-moving, practical and useful session. Paper, physical, embodied, wizard of oz, throw-away and digital prototypes will be facilitated.

Brand is stuck in a time warp of thinking as “ing” or “re”. This doesn’t help organizations to sustainably navigate the complex relationship between what they do, how they do it and why they do it. Let’s begin with a mind shift about a brand as a result of the promises you keep. Of all an organization’s (or an individual’s) actions and decisions. Built on a foundation of their purpose and values. And delivered through people’s experience. 

Why is it important? When you take what you care about and use it to help shape the promises you make, you’re more likely to keep them. When you put your purpose to work, even in unheroic actions and decisions, they’re more likely to reflect your purpose and become reasons to believe. So, what promises are you making and how are you keeping them?

This session will introduce you to thinking and tools you can use to better bridge internal reality and external expectations so your organization achieves a more resilient brand result that people will stick with.

Marketing and branding are very relevant to organizations and their customers. The two key tools for a marketing and branding professional are information and transformation. First, you have tons of information about organizations/products to sift through so that you can align your vision with theirs. Second, you need to get to the crux of customers’ hearts, and transform the state of product by deeply connecting with their purpose. In this interplay between mind and heart, knowing your true self and helping your clients find theirs is the key, so that there is seamless transformation in all dimensions. In this session, you will dive deep into the neuroscience and wisdom of mindfulness and meditation to start with a clean state, and blossom creativity and empathy to see through the eyes of your clients. You will also go through an experiential journey into the mysteries of the mind and tap into your infinite potential as well as help your clients embrace conscious choices for reaping the fruits of their innovation.