Think Innovation

Think Innovation

SME innovation, offering coaching, training, and support. This programme combines market and resource-based approaches to enhance success.

By Michael Spooner - Principal Consultant of M A Spooner Ltd

Select date and time

Thu, 1 May 2025 09:30 - 16:30 GMT+1

Location

Clarence Centre for Enterprise and Innovation

6 St. Georges Circus London SE1 6FE United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event

Agenda

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Welcome and programme overview for the month

Delegates to introduce themselves, and the Principal Trainer to highlight the monthly programme overview and key learning priorities.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Programme aims and learning outcomes for the month

Principal Trainer to clarify programme aims and learning outcomes and to request one key outcome from each delegate.

11:00 AM - 11:10 AM

Break

11:10 AM - 12:10 PM

Theme of the month

Principal Trainer to present 30-minute session on Think Innovation content, incorporating questions and answers from delegates.

12:10 PM - 1:00 PM

Group work (1)

Delegates to complete exercise/ case study/group discussion based on themed session.

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

Lunch

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Group Work (2)

This is the core content for the month delivered by the Principal Trainer (30 minutes with 45 minutes of group work.

3:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Break

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

Action Planning

All delegates are to apply thinking and outcomes from group work to their own business under the session (Thinking About Your Business) to produce 3 concrete actions.

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Evaluation Form

All delegates are to complete an evaluation form to be handed in or submitted by email.

4:30 PM

Close

Programme ends.

About this event

Our programme focuses on fostering innovation within SMEs, aligning with the UK Government's vision of an 'Innovation Nation.' We endorse two influential innovation approaches. The market-based approach concentrates on commercializing new goods, services, and production methods to enhance market position. The resource-based approach views innovation as a multi-step process involving ideas, devices, markets, and their integration, yielding valuable assets and a competitive edge.

The programme offers business coaching, advice, and support, comprising six one-day training courses that instil innovation principles and best practice.

Our programme utilizes Experiential Learning Theory and intensive one-to-one business development to craft an Innovation Plan for each delegate over 12 months. It combines face-to-face and online learning, particularly in monthly Reflective Learning Groups, ensuring that all delegates develop concrete, actionable innovation ideas.

Programme benefits:

1. Enhanced Creativity: Strengthen entrepreneurial creativity to refine ideas into viable commercial concepts.

2. Academic and Practical Fusion: Blend academic models with practical applications, case studies, and exercises to explore innovation potential.

3. Target Audience: Suitable for businesses trading for over 12 months, aiming to enhance idea generation for future growth.

4. Interactive Networking: Limited to 20 businesses, fostering monthly networking with like-minded peers throughout the year.

5. Collective Learning: Encourages progress presentations, feedback, and capitalizing on collective wisdom to enrich the learning experience. We adopt a holistic approach, merging market-based and resource-based views to cultivate an innovative culture through systematic processes and insights.

6. Flexible payment options: Delegates can pay an advance fee of £325 and 12 monthly instalment of £100. Please request this when booking.

Frequently asked questions

Who delivers the training courses and consultancy services?

All training courses and consultancy services are delivered by the Principal consultant and trainer Michael Spooner and his team who work with Micro businesses, small firms and Sole Traders, regardless of business size, type or sector.

How is the training delivered?

In-person training sessions follow a workshop format, using theory to meet delegate learning goals. Activities include discussions, group tasks, case studies, role plays, and real-world business examples.

What is included in the course fee?

Consultant-led training employs Experiential Learning Theory and one-to-one business development. Over 12 months, delegates create Innovation Plans through face-to-face and online learning, fostering concrete, actionable ideas in Reflective Learning Groups.

Who are your clients

Our clients are established businesses that have been trading for at least 12 months, possess a clearly documented business idea, and have sufficient funds to cover the minimum fee of £500.

What is the average group size on a course?

A minimum of 10 delegates and a maximum of 20-delegates.

What are your payment terms?

Payment must be cleared 15 days before the commencement of the event, training course, or business coaching and advice session.

How can I make the service fee payment?

Delegates can pay for this ticket in full by BACS transfer or in monthly instalments with an advance fee of £325 payable and £100 each month for 12 months. This option requires the delegate to pay the fee directly to M A Spooner Ltd who will issue an invoice/receipt for any payments received.

Where will this event be taking place?

Clarence Centre for Enterprise and Innovation LSBU, 6 St. Georges Circus, London, SE1 6FE

How do I get to the event?

Nearest tube station: Elephant & Castle Located near St Georges Circus buses: 148, 453, 344, 68,176

Is there an accessibility entrance?

The building wheel is chair accessible.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind about attending?

No refunds are available, but we will place you on the next course or similar course available.

If the event is cancelled, how do I obtain a refund?

If M A Spooner Ltd cancels an event, you can request a full refund, or we can defer your place to the next available course.

I have special accessibility needs/dietary requirements; can you accommodate me?

Where we provide lunch or refreshments, we will always accommodate different dietary requirements such as vegetarian or vegan options, after consulting delegates.

Tags

Organised by

Michael Spooner - Principal Consultant of M A Spooner Ltd

M A Spooner Ltd values training and development as a means to equip our Delegates and Clients with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to meet the needs of their business. By encouraging our Clients to invest in their own personal and business development, we ensure that we harness their full potential and focus their energies on the strategic objectives within their Business Plans, while fulfilling their need for job satisfaction and realising their aspirations.

We recognise that such development is a continuing process for every Business Owner or Manager embarking on any programme of change. Training is seen as a necessary investment in order to provide excellent performance and create new, different and unique products, services or processes to meet the opportunities that a knowledge economy demands.

All courses take place in London and start at 9.30 am and finish at 4.30 pm, including refreshments and regular breaks. Each course includes case studies, group work and highlights the importance of applying knowledge learnt to your own business in order to embed concrete and measurable improvement.