Managing Innovation: Ambidexterity, Teams and Leading Change from Coursera

You may have noticed that what is new often behaves differently than what has become accepted over time, whether it is in a market, or a technology, or involves people and firms. Much research supports these general ideas, and one implication is that management of innovation often requires different approaches and skills than management in established arenas. This course helps you develop a perspective on managing innovation. That is, you will build your capability to lead and design your organization to effectively implement innovation initiatives and achieve their strategic intent.

To do this, you will learn a set of frameworks, tools, and concepts that can help you address several important challenges in managing innovation. The first regards how to successfully implement innovation efforts within established firms and alongside established businesses. A second is leadership of new product development teams. The course also covers leadership of organizational change, which is often a critical part of driving innovation initiatives forward.

Through covering these topics, the course will help you:

- Analyze innovations and their impact on organizations

- Articulate a research-informed perspective on innovation management

- Utilize frameworks, tools, and concepts to address leadership challenges that arise in innovation

What's inside

Syllabus

CHALLENGES IN MANAGING INNOVATION

We begin our exploration of managing innovation by reviewing key characteristics of new technologies and markets. We discuss how uncertainty, among other such characteristics, fundamentally affects management, strategic choices and execution of innovation initiatives. We examine how firms succeed through aligment with the needs of their technologies and markets over time, yet at the same time alignment can create inertia that acts as a barrier to change in response to new opportunities.

MANAGING INNOVATION TRHOUGH AMBIDEXTERITY

We continue to focus on the challenges of managing innovation initiatives in firms which confront new technologies and markets while they simultaneously compete in established businesses. We examine the idea of organizational ambidexterity as a solution to this challenge, and cover how managers can develop and lead an ambidextrous organization.

LEADING INNOVATION TEAMS

In the third module, we continue to focus on innovation management by focusing on teams and innovation. Teams are ubiquitous in innovation, as there is a need for high information flow and integration across functions. We start by describing common approaches to team design in product development. We specifically go into depth on how to design and lead "heavyweight" cross-functional development teams. These have been found to be particularly effective in challenging innovation situations.

LEADING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE

In this module, we will focus on organizational change, with emphasis on some of the reasons why people resist change. We will talk about two well-known models of organizational change and discuss strategies for effective change implementation.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops a perspective on managing innovation, which is a valuable skill for leaders

Provides frameworks, tools, and concepts for addressing challenges in leading innovation

Examines how firms succeed through alignment with the needs of their technologies and markets over time

Covers innovation management by focusing on teams and innovation

Describes common approaches to team design in product development

Discusses strategies for effective change implementation

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Managing Innovation: Ambidexterity, Teams and Leading Change with these activities:

Join a Study Group for Innovation Management

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Offers opportunities for collaboration, peer support, and knowledge sharing among fellow learners.

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Identify or form a study group with other students enrolled in the course or interested in innovation management.
Meet regularly to discuss course materials, share insights, and work on projects together.
Provide constructive feedback and support to each other's learning journey.

Design an Innovation Pitch Deck

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Enhances presentation and communication skills by requiring students to create a persuasive and engaging pitch for an innovative idea.

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Develop a compelling innovation idea and conduct market research to validate its potential.
Create a pitch deck that clearly articulates the problem, solution, market opportunity, and competitive advantage of your innovation.
Practice delivering your pitch to receive feedback and refine your presentation skills.

Write a Case Study on an Innovation Success

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Develops analytical and communication skills by requiring students to identify, analyze, and present a real-world example of innovation success.

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Identify an innovation success story and gather relevant data and information.
Analyze the factors and strategies that contributed to the success of the innovation.
Write a case study that presents the findings of your analysis in a clear and concise manner.

Three other activities

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Attend Innovation Management Workshops

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Provides exposure to cutting-edge innovation practices and insights from industry experts.

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Identify and register for innovation management workshops that align with your interests and learning objectives.
Attend the workshops, actively participate in discussions, and network with other attendees.
Apply the knowledge and techniques learned from the workshops to your own innovation initiatives.

Complete Innovation Simulation Exercises

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Provides hands-on experience in applying innovation management concepts through simulated scenarios.

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Participate in online or offline innovation simulation exercises.
Analyze the results of the simulations and identify key learnings.
Apply the insights gained from the simulations to real-world innovation challenges.

Develop an Innovation Leadership Framework

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Provides practical experience in developing and implementing an innovation leadership framework within an organizational context.

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Identify the key elements and characteristics of an effective innovation leadership framework.
Develop a customized framework that aligns with the specific needs and goals of your organization.
Implement the framework within your organization, monitor its effectiveness, and make adjustments as needed.

Career center

Learners who complete Managing Innovation: Ambidexterity, Teams and Leading Change will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with cross-functional teams to bring products to market and ensure they meet the needs of customers. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful as a Product Manager. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Innovation Consultant

Innovation Consultants help organizations develop and implement new products, processes, and services. They work with clients to identify and prioritize innovation opportunities, and then develop and execute strategies to bring those opportunities to market. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful as an Innovation Consultant. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns to promote products and services. They work with cross-functional teams to develop and implement marketing strategies, and then track and measure the results of those campaigns. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful as a Marketing Manager. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Technology Manager

Technology Managers are responsible for the development and implementation of new technologies within organizations. They work with cross-functional teams to identify and prioritize technology needs, and then develop and execute strategies to meet those needs. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful as a Technology Manager. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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R&D Manager

R&D Managers are responsible for the development and implementation of new research and development initiatives within organizations. They work with cross-functional teams to identify and prioritize R&D needs, and then develop and execute strategies to meet those needs. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful as an R&D Manager. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance by providing advice on strategy, operations, and technology. They work with clients to identify and solve problems, and then develop and implement solutions. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful as a Management Consultant. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of organizations. They work to ensure that organizations run smoothly and efficiently, and that they meet their goals and objectives. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful as an Operations Manager. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to identify trends and patterns, and then develop solutions to problems. They work with cross-functional teams to collect, analyze, and interpret data, and then develop and implement data-driven solutions. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful as a Data Scientist. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities for organizations. They work with clients to develop and implement business strategies, and then track and measure the results of those strategies. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful as a Business Development Manager. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Strategy Manager

Strategy Managers are responsible for the development and implementation of strategic plans for organizations. They work with senior management to identify and prioritize strategic goals, and then develop and execute strategies to achieve those goals. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful as a Strategy Manager. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for the planning, execution, and completion of projects. They work with cross-functional teams to define project goals, develop project plans, and then execute and manage those plans. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful as a Project Manager. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Financial Manager

Financial Managers are responsible for the management of financial resources within organizations. They work to develop and implement financial plans, and then monitor and control financial performance. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career as a Financial Manager. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for the management of sales teams within organizations. They work to develop and implement sales strategies, and then motivate and manage sales teams to achieve those goals. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career as a Sales Manager. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Quality Manager

Quality Managers are responsible for ensuring the quality of products and services. They work with cross-functional teams to develop and implement quality control standards, and then monitor and measure product and service quality. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career as a Quality Manager. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for the management of human resources within organizations. They work to recruit, hire, develop, and retain employees, and then manage employee relations. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career as a Human Resources Manager. You will learn about the innovation process, how to manage teams, and how to lead organizational change.

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