Who We Are

InnovationNetwork focuses on helping organizations develop a core competency of innovation. From our beginning in 1993, we have tried to help people understand the complex scope of innovation and that innovation is a discipline, not just a word or passing fad. Innovation is about creating the future and requires the hearts, minds and energy of people working together to create something of value.

When IN was founded, little information was available about innovation processes, so our focus was to provide ways for people to share information, techniques and experiences in the field of innovation. People around the world, from organizations large and small, public and private, have shared informaiton in meetings, virtual and real. Over the past ten years, thousands of people from hundreds of organizations in dozens of countries have participated in action learning processes: InnovationConvergence (our annual gathering), InnovationUniversity (an intense, indepth learning process for innovation leaders), as well as other events and workshops.

Out of these events have come things like the InnovationDNA, a framework for thinking about innovation, the Survey of People-Practices in Innovation, an innovation climate assessment tool that helps organizations know where to start, the InnovationWizard, a turn-key, dynamic innovation website filled with information, idea stimulators and mini-workshops that can be linked to an organization’s intranet, and a host of other tools for stimulating the mind-set and processes of innovation.

People who are committed to innovation tend to be an optimistic, future-oriented bunch who believe that one way of changing the world starts with creating work environments where people can work on important challenges and be their full creative, collaborative selves. We are proud to be part of this dynamic group and to play our part in making innovation a key competency in organizations around the world.

If you are just getting started on your innovation journey, you might want to look at this collection of easy, first steps -- Innovation Baby Steps. And, if we can help, please contact us.

Joyce Wycoff -- Joyce is a die-hard optimist who believes in the proverbial "better way." Life has also taught her to be a pragmatist -- to look for better ways that "work." Her professional background has been a journey from financial management to creativity and innovation, with a lot of side trips along the way. She fervently believes that a committed group of people can change an organization and that enough changed organizations can change the world. Doug Hall calls Joyce Wycoff, "the epicenter of innovation." Click here to listen to Joyce Wycoff’s interview on “The Coaching Show,” and for more info on Joyce, click here. staff@thinksmart.com

Ruth Ann Hattori -- Energy, passion and searching for "new and better" characterize Ruth Ann's daily diet. Having cut her teeth in the fashion industry, she thrives on the fast and fickle. The speed and excitement of innovation drew her to this work, but it's the people that keep her here. "People will shock you with their genius if you let them pursue their passions," she says. "Create the environment for synergy, and you'll see magic happen." For more information, click here. staff@thinksmart.com