Workshop Overview:

The foundation of performance improvement is innovation, the source of innovation is creativity, and the spark of creativity is Divergent Thinking. Creativity should not be confined to industries such as fashion, design, or the preforming arts; nor should it be confined to specific periods of time or individuals or groups. Creativity should be a daily occurrence in our technical work. The purpose of this workshop is to assist project teams in breaking away from the status quo decision making process by embedding divergent thinking in to all aspects of our work. By embracing divergent thinking we will become more creative, find new ways to be innovate, and improve overall performance.

Developmental Outcomes:

Outcomes (intangible and longer-term impacts):

• Leverage existing knowledge more strategically across projects
• Develop a deeper understanding of own cognitive biases and heuristics
• Improve performance and influence success
• Think differently about solving problems
• Enjoy engaging or finding your creative talents

Outputs (tangible short-term results):

• Assessment of the organizations divergent thinking agility
• Confidence to engage divergent thinking to improve decision making

About the Facilitator:

Mark is a PhD candidate at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia where he is researching how we can improve outcomes by embedding divergent thinking into project team decision making using creative interventions.

Mark's research is endeavoring to tackle a perfect storm of established cognition, conservative education systems, a lack of understanding about creativity, busy life-styles and project constraints; all of which contribute to status quo decision making.

Mark is a seasoned leader with over 20 years' experience in senior management roles, advisory board positions, executive committees and hands on operational roles. Mark's technical experience is broad, having designed information systems in legal, compliance, gaming, pharmaceuticals, retail, FMCG, hotels, finance, surveillance and supply chain industries.

As an Illustrator, Mark has worked with local and international clients helping them visualize their strategies, ideas and business models. Mark's clients include; Intelligence Answers, RMIT, The Organizational Zoo, Meals on Wheels, Cirque du Soleil and Bangkok University. Mark has recently finished illustrating a new book called KNOWledge SUCCESSion which is due out late 2016.