Innovation Management: Winning in the Age of Disruption from Coursera

Not all organisations innovate, and those that do often find it difficult to initiate, develop, and deliver innovation consistently. Innovation management is crucial in leading valuable change and profits for companies of all sizes.

This course will give you the skills for successful strategic innovation by exploring how the world’s most successful businesses use systematic processes to harness its power. You will learn about disruptive innovation and how businesses need to have an innovation strategy in place to stay ahead of the competition.

You’ll look into how to embed a culture that fosters innovation in order to find opportunities and protect your core business before you move on to explore strategies to manage disruption.

Collaborating with external partners may sound daunting but it can allow you to solve a multitude of innovation problems and reach a common goal much quicker. This course will guide you through the types of open innovation that can be utilised at various stages of an innovative strategy to create different dynamics.

Design thinking (DT) allows teams to structure and manage ideation, development, and, ultimately, innovation. You’ll learn about the key elements and principles behind the design thinking process. You’ll also learn insights, hints and tips for practically applying design thinking from one of the world’s leading industry practitioners.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1 - Challenges of innovation

This week, you’ll discuss the challenges of managing innovation in organisations, and explore key enablers for innovation. In addition, you will develop managerial approaches that are used to respond to disruptive innovation. You will be introduced to the sources and pitfalls that affect the successful management of innovation and learn how to differentiate between innovation in core business and transformative business. The activities will support you to identify the factors which will help you successfully manage innovation in your core business, describe the factors that make innovation disruptive for organisations and industries and develop managerial approaches that are used to respond to disruptive innovation. Towards the end of the week, there is an extended discussion between the educators, answering some of the learner questions often asked on this course.

Week 2 - Key capabilities of innovation

This week, you will explore in more detail the key capabilities that organisations need to manage innovation and examine the managerial and organisational responses to the challenges of managing for innovation. The activities will introduce the concept of open and collaborative innovation, the core elements of design thinking and the importance of human-centred design. You will evaluate the actions required in your own organisation for gaining value from open and collaborative innovation and explore the corporate knowledge and protectable intellectual property rights (IPRs). You will be able to identify risks associated with IP infringement and consider proactive and reactive strategies. Towards the end of the week you will analyse the current and desired innovation capabilities within your organisation and reflect on the results of the analysis.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines challenges in innovation management, vital for value change and profit

Explores disruptive innovation and necessity of strategy in business

Instructs on building innovation culture for opportunity discovery and core business protection

Guides learners in implementing innovative strategies and managing disruption

Covers collaboration with external partners for quicker problem-solving and goal attainment

Introduces design thinking and its key elements for structuring innovation

Career center

Learners who complete Innovation Management: Winning in the Age of Disruption will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Innovation Consultant

Innovation Consultants help companies develop and implement innovative strategies. They work with clients to identify opportunities, develop new products and services, and improve existing processes. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in innovation consulting by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to develop and implement innovation strategies, and how to measure the success of innovation efforts.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to create products that meet the needs of customers. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in product management by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to develop and launch new products, and how to measure the success of new product launches.

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Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities. They work with customers to identify their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in business development by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to identify and develop new business opportunities, and how to build relationships with customers.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns. They work with a variety of channels to reach target audiences and promote products and services. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in marketing management by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to develop and implement marketing campaigns, and how to measure the success of marketing efforts.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and motivating sales teams. They work with sales representatives to develop and implement sales strategies, and to achieve sales goals. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in sales management by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to develop and implement sales strategies, and how to lead and motivate sales teams.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. They work with a variety of departments to ensure that the business runs smoothly and efficiently. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in operations management by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to develop and implement operations strategies, and how to manage a variety of departments.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources department of a business. They work with employees to recruit, hire, train, and develop talent. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in human resources management by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to develop and implement human resources strategies, and how to manage a variety of human resources functions.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and making recommendations to investors. They work with a variety of financial instruments, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in financial analysis by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to analyze financial data, and how to make recommendations to investors.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants help businesses solve problems and improve performance. They work with a variety of clients, including businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in management consulting by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to solve problems, and how to improve performance.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. They work with a variety of data sources, including surveys, experiments, and social media. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in data analysis by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret data, and how to make recommendations based on data.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing software. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in software engineering by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to design, develop, and test software, and how to work with a variety of programming languages and technologies.

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Hardware Engineer

Hardware Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing hardware. They work with a variety of hardware components, including processors, memory, and storage. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in hardware engineering by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to design, develop, and test hardware, and how to work with a variety of hardware components.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing electrical systems. They work with a variety of electrical components, including circuits, motors, and generators. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in electrical engineering by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to design, develop, and test electrical systems, and how to work with a variety of electrical components.

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Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing mechanical systems. They work with a variety of mechanical components, including engines, gears, and pumps. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in mechanical engineering by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to design, develop, and test mechanical systems, and how to work with a variety of mechanical components.

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Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing civil structures. They work with a variety of civil engineering materials, including concrete, steel, and wood. This course provides a strong foundation for a career in civil engineering by teaching students about the key concepts of innovation management, disruptive innovation, and design thinking. Students will also learn how to design, develop, and test civil structures, and how to work with a variety of civil engineering materials.

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