024 - The Science of Innovation with Amantha Imber

OutsideVoices with Mark Bidwell - A podcast by Mark Bidwell

Amantha Imber is the Founder of Inventium, a company that uses science-based innovation to help organizations unlock their growth. Amantha has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry such as Coca-Cola and Disney, and is the author of The Creativity Formula: 50 Scientifically-proven Creativity Boosters for Work and for Life. On this episode, Amantha discusses how to encourage a risk-taking company culture that isn't afraid to fail in the name of innovation, as well as what she personally looks for in a new hire. 03:20 - Who is Amantha and how did she get started? 04:45 - What is Amantha's book about? 05:20 - Amantha discusses some of the innovation taking place in Australian companies. 08:05 - How Amantha and her team have helped big-names like Coca-Cola and Disney with their innovation. 09:45 - When you're working on creative ways to disrupt the industry, you have to apply a long-term game plan. 11:15 - How does Amantha effectively measure the before and after of a company's innovation? 11:25 - It's difficult to foster a risk-taking company culture. 13:00 - How did Tata successfully build a company culture where it was okay to fail in the name of innovation? 15:20 - What would a typical day at Inventium look like? 16:50 - Unfortunately, companies do not give enough autonomy and control to their employees. 17:50 - If managers are simply telling staff what to do, they are also killing creativity. 21:00 - When people feel challenged, they produce more innovative outcomes. 23:55 - What does Amantha look for when hiring new talent? 27:15 - How important is purpose in a company? 29:15 - How to use the innovation audit/self-assessment quiz that's in The Creativity Formula book. 31:25 - The Creativity Formula caters to both the individual at the employee level looking to make a difference as well as senior leaders. 32:15 - What has Amantha changed her mind about recently? 33:30 - What does Amantha do to remain creative? 34:45 - What Amantha contributes her life’s success to. FULL SHOW NOTES: http://innovationecosystem.com/the-science-of-innovation-with-amantha-imber/