Innovation in the Wilds

What is Innovation in the Wilds?

Innovation in the Wilds is a collaboration between the University of Exeter Future Focus team, Cornwall College, and Unlocking Potential funded by Government and the European Regional Development Fund.

The basic idea is to offer regional business support in a more imaginative way, which harnesses the power of alternative working environments on entrepreneurial thinking.

Hollie Kirk, Impact and Partnership Development Manager Impact and Partnership Development Manager at the University of Exeter described the programme as

"A commitment in 2022 to take SMEs in Cornwall outside and away from the death by powerpoint, by immersing your employees somewhere that is rich in terms of sights and sounds, but also in smells and touch can create an emotional connection from learning in a beautiful, inspiring and majestic landscape in Cornwall."

Why I am excited

I was lucky enough to learn about the Innovation in the Wilds programme through the amazing Caitlin Gould via the TEC (Technology, Engineering, Creativity) Women's network.

I was immediately excited by the concept as it relates directly to what we are trying to achieve at scale with WorkTripp, and offers a chance to connect with vision-aligned businesses who could become either pilot customers or suppliers via the platform and offer crucial feedback.

The Academic Research

One of the academics researching the affect of alternative learning environments to stimulate creative thinking is Dr. Allen Alexander of Exeter University, whose specialism includes the role that innovation and knowledge-based capabilities play in enabling a transition toward the Circular Economy. This includes innovative methods of teaching and coaching entrepreneurship, including work "in the wilds" with Nokia, Lufthansa, BMW, Lego, Aachen Munchener and Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust and the Innovation in the Wilds programme.

This research builds upon a long history of big thinkers recognising the role of alternative environments to aid "aha" moments. For example, Aristotle's peripatetic style of strolling, teaching and thinking.

Indeed, this emphasis on learning environments reminds me of conversations I've had over the years on The Edtech Podcast which have ranged from everything including University boards conducting their leadership meetings whilst walking, to chatting to Dr.Adam Matthews at the University of Birmingham about what even makes a learning environment (podcast, pub anyone?) to monitoring light, co2 levels and other architectural factors with Professor Stephen Heppell. (And more to come, once I edit my latest recording with the excellent Bruce Daisley who has researched intensively with many around the world on this subject.)

With intense focus on workplace culture, environment and the role of the office because of employee shift and demand towards hybrid working, this focus on collective experience in memorable and conducive environments has come of age. (And - spoiler alert - this doesn't just mean, "has it got a place I can plug my phone in?")

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.?-Albert Einstein

Analogical reasoning is fundamental to learning. And new ideas.

Today, I got to experience the first Innovations in the Wilds session. This was a useful reflection point in my journey to realise the WorkTripp vision. As with all startups, I've been head down since incorporation, chatting to customers, suppliers, tech devs, investors, potential co-founders and squeezing every moment out of every day. This is all very well, but those moments for deep introspection and deep work become fewer and fewer. Today was a chance to take stock - especially in the midst of the current geopolitical storm - and to experience for myself what WorkTripp is all about: connection.

So, what did that look like in reality?

Well, first of all the excitement of meeting people I have never met in a place I have never been to. The vibe at the beginning of the walk was excited and tentative and curiosity in strangers.

Our activity was a 3 mile walk around the Geevor Tin Mine - a UNESCO world heritage site, because of its contribution and legacy in the industrial revolution.

Our guide was Steve Crummay of Explore in Cornwall. (Check him out, he's got an unparalleled knowledge of the endangered chough, lichen, gannets, fractal maths, atlantic grey seals and is resourceful when it comes to scones).

During our walk, and with a stunning coastal backdrop, I got to know some amazing people. This process of introduction, connection building, and offering support, suggestions and shared ideas happened by stealth in between amazing insights into industrial cultural heritage.

Why does the industrial storytelling matter? Well, just at the point when you might think about that the penny drops.

Analogical reasoning is fundamental to learning and is a super-power of being human that other species don't have access to that can help with complex problem solving. This is especially important when we are lost in the midst of digital ephemera. The physical becomes a bookmark for a lesson learnt, which we can expand upon when back at our remote working desks.

For example:

(And, full disclosure, I came up with the parallels to modern business so blame me if they are wildly tenuous!)

1. Unbeknowest to most it's Richard Trevithick - of Cornwall - who is credited with inventing the first high-pressure steam engine and the first operational steam locomotive at the turn of the 19th century, not George Stephenson. But Trevithick wasn't great at business and commercialisation and didn't patent his fun idea...and the rest is history. Lesson for modern business owners: patent your I.P
2. The gig economy was alive and kicking among our mining forebears who would bid for work. The mine owner would describe what work was available for the day, throw up a rock and by the time it landed, miners had to say what they would bid for the work. In addition, - a bit like Uber - the workers had to buy all of their own protective kit, tools, gloves, candles etc. They would try and maximise their profit margin from the time in the mine and work collaborative sometimes to do so....or in the dark to save on candle costs. Lesson for modern business owners: watch your energy costs, be decisive in your decision making, go together to go furthest, and frugalvation. Thrift can help drive innovation. (And don't forget to pay heed to The Knockers - perhaps The Knockers are like that distributed team member you need to remember now and again even if they are "out of sight"!)
3. The final example is from nature. Steve talked about his 24-hour team who protected the nascent nesting activities of a new pair of rare Chough's which he helped to protect - through shifts of conservationists - from predators, successfully helping a new pair of fledglings come to fruition. This solitary pair is now 100 strong. Lesson for modern business owners: a desperate situation/dying business might be rescuable with strong management, good communication and an informed and optimistic vision your team can buy into!

The outcome:

The energy at the end of the Innovations in the Wild netwalking was palpable. During the walk, priorities for WorkTripp received a new clarity of form under a wide sky and among new friends. Connections were made and will be followed up, and I returned home with the mental space and energy to write this piece. Usually, I'd be tackling the "firehose" as they say in America. It was useful for me to viscerally feel what WorkTripp is all about - scaling this experience of connectivity and increased productivity for those working in the hybrid era. To make work life enjoyable, meaningful, driven by human connection, trust and collective experience with measurable outcomes.

I'm excited to get cracking with our version one build and fulfilling existing customer briefs, invigorated by innovating in the wild and how important and memorable, precious and privileged these moments are.

Sophie Bailey, Founder, WorkTripp

For more information on how you can get involved with WorkTripp check out the links below. We are curating the best coaches, facilitators, venues and experiences to make it easy to build a high-impact team offsite.

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