Master Class in Opportunity Recognition for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs> May 30th 2008> University of Toronto

Topics Covered

-The Idea Lab-How to generate ideas, innovations  and new business concepts on demand

-The Opportunity Clinic-a systematic rigorous process for anticipating, spotting or designing Opportunity Scenarios before your competition does

-Text mining for scientific and technical discovery-How to use the newest data-mining software to discover new patterns that lead to scientific discoveries or technical advances

Lecturer:

Walter Derzko

• Former Director of the Idea Lab, Design Exchange Toronto
• Instructor Certificate Program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies
• Senior Fellow, Beal Institute for Strategic Creativity, OCAD,  Toronto
• President Smart Economy

Who should attend?

• Entrepreneurs who are ready to or have just launched  a new business venture
• Established or serial entrepreneurs who are prepared  to take their business to the next level-a fast growth enterprise.
• Managers (or intrapreneurs) responsible for corporate venturing -an important mechanism for creating innovation and new business in established firms
• Scientists turned entrepreneur

What you’ll learn from the Master Class ( Five concrete outcomes)

1. The most common types of unknowns that most businesses face  (ie, ambiguity, uncertainty, complexity etc) and how to effectively deal with each one
2. Which innovation and creativity methods work best, why  and under which circumstances 
3. The six types of change in the business environment that all businesses face and how to turn “change” into opportunity scenarios
4. The most effective opportunity windows for startups, that they don’t talk about in business schools
5. Strategies to kickstart innovation efforts in businesses that don’t feel they need to be innovative  or in copycat businesses that in the past, have been content to be quick followers.

Date: May 30^th 2008

Time  1pm to 5pm

Location:

University of  Toronto, Downtown, St George Campus,  Woodsworth College Residence, Corner of  Bloor St W.and St George, Toronto

Parking: Just down the street on St George at the Rotman School of Business

Hotels: Call 416-533-9667 for details

Cost: 

$199 prepaid before May 23, 2008 for the general public

$150 prepaid before May 23, 2008 for Smart Economy clients, U of T Innovation or Entrepreneurship Certificate alumni or for students currently  signed up for courses

$250 at the door or after May 23, 2008

Mention other discount codes upon registration

Registration:

Call 416-533-9667 or email walter.derzko@utoronto.ca for a registration form

Information:

Call Walter Derzko at 416-533-9667 or 416-819-9667