1 (770) 807-7223| Be the Best - Innovate Now! PDMA Summit 09 |
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| Written by Akilah Lowery, Marketing Manager |
| Friday, 25 September 2009 00:00 |
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The Georgia chapter of PDMA hosted an impressive innovation summit.So I wasn't sure what to expect from the summit besides networking opportunities and industry insights. It was a pleasant surprise to meet the people behind the companies that also contribute to the total innovation process - strategists, patent attorneys, packaging companies, human factor researchers, sustainability consultants, academia partners, and manufacturers. For me, one of the most intriguing presentations was given by Dr. Kenneth Kahn who shared findings between the "best" companies and the "rest". The best seem to have focus, a proven process for innovation, and team concepts that foster creativity. The best seem to always look ahead instead of reacting to the present. Most importantly, the best companies in any industry always innovate. Keynote speaker, Tony Ulwick, was clear and concise with his illustration of when, why, and how a company should approach innovation in their respective industry. I think many project managers took away important and practical tips for success from his experience. Dr. Wendy Rogers expanded my perception of open innovation through university collaboration, as well as, the benefits of virtual technology in product design.It dawned on me that innovation is more than designers, scientists, and engineers inventing the latest gadget. It's more like a community of people who thrive on achieving "new" from initial ideation to the end user. I have to also mention how impressed I was with the summit location at the Coca-Cola headquarters in downtown Atlanta. It is the perfect setting to inspire creativity and of course, enjoy their refreshing varieties of high fructose corn syrup. Hands down...the Coke brand is a marketing phenomenon. Well, I'll be making plans for next year's summit. Hope to see you there!
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