Innovation Sessions Part III: What does the current state of change mean for the innovation consulting industry?
3 exceptional panelists // 143 attendees // 5 questions
*Panel*
Natasha Chetiyawardana // Founder & Creative Partner, Bow & Arrow // Bow & Arrow - WHITE SPACE DIGITAL INNOVATION - identifying and creating new digital products, services and ventures that fulfil unmet customer needs and deliver diversified revenue streams
Sal Pajwani // Group CEO, ?What If! Innovation // ?What If! Innovation - GLOBAL INNOVATION FIRM WITH OFFICES IN LONDON, NEW YORK, SHANGHAI, AMSTERDAM, SINGAPORE & CHICAGO - using an experimentation-driven approach to help clients incubate
Chloe Williams // Founder, 8TH Day & London Chapter Lead, Women In Innovation // 8th Day - STRATEGIC INSIGHT AND INNOVATION AGENCY - helping global brands adapt and reinvent themselves – in what they create, what they do and what they say
facilitated by Drew Welton // Co-Founder, Bamboo Crowd // Bamboo Crowd - EXPERT INNOVATION RECRUITER WITH OFFICES IN LONDON & NEW YORK - bringing innovation to life by hiring world-class talent - the people that develop game-changing products, services, experiences and cultures
*Setting the scene* The world is in flux. Business and consumer behaviours and habits are shifting rapidly. Our personal and professional lives are changing. The world is a different place.
*Session purpose* What does the current state of change mean for the innovation consulting industry?
*Insight and Inspiration* Q&A with our panel.
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What do you think the outlook for the innovation consulting industry is?
Sal - Both Natasha and I are in a fortunate position in that we both sold our businesses to Accenture just before this. I think there is a transition first.
For small, independent consultancies there are potentially some testing times ahead. However, if you get through that, then I think there is going to be a lot of opportunity.
But that opportunity might sit in different spaces. So, if you’re not well networked it might be challenging. The real challenge is to get through the next few months, come out of it and survive with a little bit of cash, then I think the future will look quite rosy.
Chloe - Coming from a different position, being an independent, we think of ourselves as a speed boat in an interesting way. We have lots of overheads, but we have the advantage of having a really strong senior team; we’re finding that clients want senior team members because they want reassurance and experience, so we’ve not seen work slowdown so far. But we’re also expecting things to slow a little over the next few months as clients reprioritise where they’re going to focus their efforts. As an independent, we feel like we’re in control of our own destiny and we don’t have hard numbers to hit, so in some ways, it feels like we’re free as well at the same time.
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How is the world of work changing? Specifically, how can you onboard somebody if they haven’t been into the office?
Natasha - For us, identifying the right people isn’t really the issue. We interview on both skillset and mindset. What has come to light in this moment is how do people know that we are right for them? This is just as important. If you’re going to go into a new organisation, you’re going to need to feel the company and culture is right for you for the long-term. We realised that a huge part of who we are is present in the office…from the energy you get from being there, the osmosis of work ethic and the interpersonal connections you get. We’ve almost taken that for granted over the last 11 years as we’ve always had it. That’s what people feel when they come into the office for an interview and that starts the onboarding process.
We’ve created a video (link here) that enables us to onboard virtually so new people can see the depth of who we are and the uniqueness of our culture, which I think is really important. From a talent perspective, I think this could be a huge moment, although I get it might not feel like that if you’re looking for a job right now.
I do think it is worth pausing and thinking this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to reassess what it is you want from work.
As a candidate, thinking about what you are good at doing beyond your CV; ask yourself what you want from work. Also think about your strengths. Take a look at Strength Finder – it’s about beginning to find out what your true, holistic strengths are. Most people focus on their shortcomings rather than their strengths. What if you used this time to focus on honing your strengths, not just looking at your shortcomings? It sounds obvious but it’s the thing that most people don’t do, and right now I feel like it’s more relevant than ever. It’s a brilliant thing, it’s super rewarding and I can’t imagine you would ever regret doing it.
Chloe - A strong vision and set of values are critical. With a rise in remote working, and as part of this, on-boarding and hiring, you need to give people a real reason to work for you. A purpose and vision they connect with.
Be specific with what you need. This rare moment presents an opportunity to rethink work and life. From moving towards greater flexibility and more openness to part-time work and supporting parents in returning to work.
?Check out the full, uninterrupted session wrap up here.