Innovation Demystified: Tools for Finance Professionals from Coursera

Introducing the tools, methods and mindset that will enable contributions to any organizations’ innovation agenda, this course illustrates practical techniques specific to driving innovation. You will learn how and why leading, measuring, and executing innovation takes tools, methods and mindset different from those used to operate an established business. The course addresses the special perspective, opportunities and requirements of accounting and finance professionals, who are uniquely positioned to build a modern partnership with their Digital, Transformation, Product, Marketing, Technology, Operations and other colleagues to help their organization’s innovation efforts succeed. The topics covered will provide you with the ability to:

Describe how innovation can help your organization stay ahead of customer or user needs and other trends needed to survive.

Recognize the top barriers to innovation in your organization

Describe the role of leadership in creating and supporting a mindset of innovation

Explain how the nine elements of the Seek, Seed, Scale framework can be applied as a set of principles and tools within your role to effectively set you up as an innovation enabler for your business or industry.

Recognize areas of opportunity to leverage your skills as a finance professional to assist your business’ innovation efforts, and where these can be enhanced and expanded with new learning.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction: Innovation Demystified: Practical Tools for Finance Professionals

Introducing the tools, methods and mindset that will enable contributions to any organizations’ innovation agenda, this course illustrates practical techniques specific to driving innovation. You will see how and why leading, measuring, and executing innovation takes tools, methods and mindset different from those used to operate an established business. The course addresses the special perspective, opportunities and requirements of accounting and finance professionals, who are uniquely positioned to build a modern partnership with their Digital, Transformation, Product, Marketing, Technology, Operations and other colleagues to help their organization’s innovation efforts succeed.

Learning Segment 2: The value of innovation

In this segment, we discuss the role innovation on business transformation and how it can help you and your organization stay ahead of your customer or user needs and other trends needed to survive.

Learning Segment 3: What it means to innovate - revolution and evolution

In this segment, we define ‘innovation’, discuss barriers to innovation, and examine the key characteristics of successful innovation implementation.

Learning Segment 4: Fostering Innovation

In this segment, we discuss how innovation happens through non-linear, dynamic and iterative processes, and present the Seek, Seed, Scale Framework as a set of principles and tools that provide guideposts for navigating towards success.

Learning Segment 5: Introducing the Seek, Seed and Scale framework

Learning Segment 6: Establishing an Innovator's Mindset

In this segment, we examine how the nine elements of the Seek, Seed, Scale framework can serve to establish an innovator’s mindset, equipping you to make critical contributions to your business' innovation initiatives.

Learning Segment 7: Innovation and the Finance Professional

In this segment, we explore innovation's place within a growingly complex and ever-changing accounting and finance profession.

Learning Segment 8: Conclusion

In this segment, we make sure you are ready to take the first steps to becoming an innovation enabler. You will be asked to review and reflect upon the knowledge gained thus far with consideration toward your role and professional goals.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines the Seek, Seed, Scale framework, which can help in innovation at your company

Explores the role of leadership in fostering innovation

Introduces tools and methods to enhance contributions to an organization's innovation agenda

Helps professionals recognize and overcome barriers to innovation

Provides practical techniques tailored to driving innovation

Instructed by Amy Radin and Judy King, who are experienced in the field of innovation

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 Innovation Demystified: Tools for Finance Professionals with these activities:

Innovation Partnership Plan

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Create a plan for your partnership with your organization’s innovation team, ensuring you can effectively contribute to your business’ innovation efforts

Browse courses on Innovation Strategy

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Identify your skills and how they can be applied to innovation
Research your organization’s innovation initiatives
Meet with members of the innovation team to learn more about their work
Develop a plan for how you can partner with the innovation team to support their efforts

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Career center

Learners who complete Innovation Demystified: Tools for Finance Professionals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Innovation Consultant

Innovation Consultants help organizations develop and implement innovation strategies. The Innovation Demystified course can provide Innovation Consultants with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in this role. The course covers topics such as the innovation process, the role of leadership in innovation, and how to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Consultant

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products and services. The Innovation Demystified course can equip Product Managers with the skills and knowledge to drive innovation within their organizations. The course covers topics such as how to identify opportunities for innovation, how to develop and test new products and services, and how to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Technology Manager

Technology Managers oversee the technology operations of an organization. The Innovation Demystified course can provide Technology Managers with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation within their organizations. The course covers topics such as how to identify opportunities for innovation, how to develop and test new technologies, and how to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Manager

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs create and launch new businesses. The Innovation Demystified course can provide Entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses. The course covers topics such as how to identify opportunities for innovation, how to develop and test new products and services, and how to raise capital.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Strategy Consultant

Strategy Consultants help organizations develop and implement strategies for success. The Innovation Demystified course can provide Strategy Consultants with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation within their organizations. The course covers topics such as how to identify opportunities for innovation, how to develop and test new strategies, and how to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Strategy Consultant

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee the human resources operations of an organization. The Innovation Demystified course can provide Human Resources Managers with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation within their organizations. The course covers topics such as how to identify opportunities for innovation, how to develop and test new HR policies and practices, and how to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analysts conduct research to understand customer needs and trends. The Innovation Demystified course can provide Market Research Analysts with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation within their organizations. The course covers topics such as how to identify opportunities for innovation, how to develop and test new products and services, and how to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Investment Analyst

Investment Analysts evaluate investments and make recommendations to clients. The Innovation Demystified course can provide Investment Analysts with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation within their organizations. The course covers topics such as how to identify opportunities for innovation, how to develop and test new investment strategies, and how to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Analyst

Actuary

Actuaries use mathematics and statistics to assess risk and uncertainty. The Innovation Demystified course can provide Actuaries with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation within their organizations. The course covers topics such as how to identify opportunities for innovation, how to develop and test new actuarial models, and how to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers lead teams responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns that drive innovation and growth. The Innovation Demystified course can help Marketing Managers understand the principles of innovation and how to apply them to their work. The framework for innovation taught in this course provides a framework for developing and executing innovative marketing campaigns.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help organizations make better decisions. The Innovation Demystified course can provide Data Analysts with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation within their organizations. The course covers topics such as how to identify opportunities for innovation, how to develop and test new data-driven products and services, and how to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts provide financial advice to organizations and individuals. The Innovation Demystified course can provide Financial Analysts with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation within their organizations. The course covers topics such as how to identify opportunities for innovation, how to develop and test new financial products and services, and how to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization. The Innovation Demystified course can provide Operations Managers with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation within their organizations. The course covers topics such as how to identify opportunities for innovation, how to develop and test new processes, and how to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Finance Manager

Finance Managers oversee the financial operations of an organization. The Innovation Demystified course can provide Finance Managers with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation within their organizations. The course covers topics such as how to identify opportunities for innovation, how to develop and test new financial products and services, and how to measure the success of innovation initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Finance Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts bring innovation to a business by researching and recommending changes to processes and technology. The Seek, Seed, Scale framework learned in Innovation Demystified can help equip Business Analysts with practical techniques for driving innovation within an organization. This course may provide insights into how to overcome barriers to innovation and build a mindset of innovation, which can be crucial for driving successful innovation initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst