Today nearly everyone agrees that innovation is the only way to supercharge an organization and shift it to growth. The ability to see new opportunities and harness resources to pursue them is a fundamental advantage for any organization, from super corporations to start-ups.

But many are uncertain about just how to make innovation happen, especially when the pressure to stay skinny and do more with less remains strong. By closely observing innovation in action in various organizations, Steelcase researchers have identified several critical components in the emerging science of innovation. Space is the stage for the overall experience and, as such, it needs to work hard on all fronts: supporting the business processes, positively influencing the culture, and fully accommodating the latest technology and tools. When seamlessly integrated, these components comprise a multi-dimensional “surround sound” that supports successful innovations, one after another. (Click to Read More) 

Keynote Speaker:

Richard Benoit
Workplace Consultant
Advanced Solutions Team, Steelcase

Rich promotes Steelcase research and insights to support the development of highly effective, contemporary workplace applications. Over his 25 year tenure, he has also worked on the marketing and development activities across the company including work tools, lighting, and architectural products. He has been involved with several key accounts including General Electric, Starbucks, Intuit, SunTrust Bank and Bombardier. He also graduated from the University of Colorado with a BS in Architectural Engineering.

Innovation in the Workplace -CEU

This seminar focuses on the findings of secondary and primary research conducted by Steelcase, which included observation studies with clients that helped to identify innovation behaviors and processes in actual work settings. Adopting methodologies from anthropology and other social sciences, Steelcase’s Applied Research Consultants and Workspace Futures teams, in collaboration with architects, designers and corporations worldwide, are discovering new insights into the types of spaces that work hardest to support meaningful interactions, foster collaboration, and deliver on innovation.