New Program Aims to Grow Innovation Capacity
(photo courtesy of the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Northeast Indiana Innovation Center in Fort Wayne is launching a program designed to grow the region’s capacity for innovation. The center says the Innovator Mindset Mastermind program shares content created by entrepreneur Dennis Stauffer, which includes tools that can help business owners and entrepreneurs through an innovation capacity growth process. The tools include four, 90-minute discussions as well as peer-to-peer mentoring, community building and support.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Women’s Business Center EmPWR Program Manager Sarah Lance said the immersive program is different than typical mastermind programs.
“Innovation capacity is something you can grow,” says Lance. “It’s different than your personality which might be kind of set. Innovation is something that you can continue to grow in and do better over time.”
The free, online program is being hosted through a virtual format that allows participants from around the state to take part. The monthly cohorts can be as big as 15, but Lance says ideally, the program aims to serve five to seven business owners in each cohort.
“Because we are sponsored by the SBA Office of Women Business Ownership, we are required to market to women, but the program is available to everyone,” said Lance. “And, we are certainly seeking to serve women as well as diverse and underserved entrepreneurs through the programming.”
As a part of the program, the WIIC says the Innovator Mindset assessment is also being offered.
The assessment, which was also created by Stauffer, offers business owners insights into their personal inclination toward the innovation cycle and leads participants through a series of online modules designed to grow innovation capacity.
“The Innovator Mindset methodology will enable Mastermind participants to measure their capacity for creating and delivering value to customers. Business owners will be challenged to improve performance by reexamining their values, assumptions, and leadership behaviors,” said Lance.
The Masterminds program kicks off on November 3.
You can get more information or apply by clicking here.
Lance discusses the program in more detail.