Innovation in Shanghai

Situation

Centauric was called by the leader of one of the innovation labs of a global food and beverage conglomerate. The lab in Shanghai was lagging behind its sister labs and it was time to up their game. Because Centauric had completed a long-term strategic change initiative in the Chinese organization, we understood the culture, strengths and constraints that were important elements in customizing an innovation solution for the Shanghai lab.

Centauric Contribution

Centauric called in our colleagues from Innovationship (a global strategic innovation consultancy) to round out our team. Together, we designed a series of applied learning experiences that were facilitated remotely. When the time was right, we hit the ground in Shanghai for an intensive rapid development jam. This was followed by a field trip, with the entire lab, to explore innovations in Japan. The result was the creation of a number of prototype innovations that were winnowed down for presentation to the executive team. Concurrently, Centauric assisted our client to determine how best to maintain innovation momentum after the engagement was completed.

Outcomes

In addition to creating a new product for introduction to the market, the lab reported higher levels of teamwork and more openness to experimentation as a result of our time together. Innovationship introduced the importance of human centered design, which became the cornerstone of the lab’s innovation process. Finally, Centauric was able to assist the lab director to maintain the momentum that we built throughout our engagement and to achieve a positive shift in the innovation culture of the Shanghai lab.

1. Team Coaching
2. Change Leadership
3. Learning
4. Innovation