Overview:
A financial organization aimed to cultivate innovation by empowering employees to pitch their ideas for new tools to improve
internal processes in their departments. These tools would increase efficiency, effectiveness, and remove manual work in their
internal processes.
I worked with the account manager to introduce the idea of a ‘shark tank’ presentation to senior c-suite executives
as a way to gain exposure and excitement around the ideas, which resulted in access to funding for development.Using design thinking, and focusing on user needs, I led a 5-week workshop to teach 10 groups how to validate and
develop their ideas, showcasing them in a 3 minute elevator pitch.The program successfully increased employee engagement, enhanced problem-solving skills, and resulted in three
funded high-potential innovation concepts.The initiative demonstrated the effectiveness of design thinking in transforming complex ideas into viable business
solutions.
Persona and Scoping Workshop
Challenge:
A leading financial organization sought to foster a culture of innovation by empowering employees to generate
cutting-edge ideas in AI and technology. Their goal was to identify and nurture three out of one hundred promising
ideas through a unique "Shark Tank" event featuring C-suite executives as judges.
Journey Map Workshop
Impact:
The Innovation Challenge program successfully achieved its goals:
• Increased Employee Engagement: Fostered a culture of innovation within SMBC by empowering
employees to contribute their ideas.
• Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Equipping participants with design thinking tools for identifying and
developing solutions to real-world challenges.
• Identified High-Potential Concepts: Three ideas received funding to drive meaningful change in the
financial services industry.
Problem Validation Workshop
Solution:
SMBC partnered with Synechron to develop a comprehensive Innovation Challenge program. This program
aimed to equip ten shortlisted teams with the necessary skills and tools to transform their initial ideas into
compelling 3-minute elevator pitches.
Solution Validation Workshop
My Role:
I led and delivered a 5-week workshop series focused on design thinking principles. This series guided participants
through a structured process to:
• Clearly define problem statements and target users.
• Develop validated solutions through user research.
• Craft a compelling value proposition showcasing the solution's business impact.
• Construct an evidence-based presentation for the Shark Tank event.
Problem Sizing Workshop
The Process:
Each week included:
• Group Workshops: Interactive sessions introduced key design thinking concepts like user personas, customer journey
mapping, and solution validation.
• 1-on-1 Meetings: Personalized coaching sessions provided tailored guidance to each team, ensuring their pitches
effectively addressed the specific requirements of the Shark Tank.
Value Proposition Workshop
Results:
Ten teams successfully presented their ideas at the Shark Tank event. The rigorous workshop series not only helped
them refine their pitches but also equipped them with valuable design thinking skills. Ultimately, three outstanding
ideas were selected and received funding to move forward to the prototyping stage.
Pitching Preparation Workshop
Key Takeaways:
The Innovation Challenge serves as a testament to the power of design thinking in facilitating innovation. By providing
a structured approach and ongoing support, even complex ideas can be refined into compelling pitches with significant
business potential.