Alliance for Innovation

1. Greg Stopka, Central Regional Director (866) 778-8067 gstopka@transformgov.org Alliance for Innovation KSGFOA 2012 Conference

2. Agenda What is the Alliance for Innovation? What is innovation? 6 Qualities Linked to Innovation Innovation assessment

3. 1890

4. What local government do you want to be?

5. What Is the Alliance for Innovation? Community of Local Governments • Testing • Discovering • Accelerating the Adoption of New Ideas How Is This Done? • Knowledge Sharing • Organizational Development • Networking • Research

6. What is the Alliance for Innovation? • National Non-Profit Celebrating 33 Years • 300+ members • 4 Regions • Governed by Board of Directors • Headquarters: Arizona State University

7. What is Innovation? Ideas left idle are only ideas…ideas put into action are innovation Innovation is the adoption of any new or adapted idea

8. Breakthrough What are the Types of Innovation? Incremental

9. Breakthrough Innovation“AKA Radical Innovation” • Fundamentally changes the process • Characteristics: Rare, often external and generated out of need Can you think of an example of a breakthrough innovation?

10. Incremental Innovation Innovation the builds on existing knowledge to improve a product, process or service Learning, growing, and adapting to a changing environment Incremental can lead to breakthrough Characteristics: Subtle, within span of control Can you think of an example of an incremental innovation?

11. What is Innovation? Associating: Connecting seemingly unrelated ideas Questioning: Ask why, not why not Observing: Scrutinize the environment around you (ex. the behavior of citizens) Experimenting: Try out new ideas and approaches Networking: Test new ideas from a network of diverse organizations 5 Discovery Skills-Harvard Business Review Study

12. 6 Qualities Linked to Innovation Inclusive Leadership Relentless Creativity Extensive Internal Partnerships Robust External Partnerships Authentic Community Connections Reality Focused-Results Driven

14. Inclusive Leadership • Traditional Leadership • What is Inclusive/Level 5 Leadership? -Unselfish -Shared Credit and Recognition • Looks to the Next Generation to Sustain

16. Relentless Creativity • What does relentless creativity look like? -Unleash the Potential -Not Satisfied with Status Quo -Look for Ideas Elsewhere -Multiple Front -Non-traditional Methods • What encourages creativity? -Allow for Failure -Constantly Revising and Changing -Breakthrough and Incremental

18. Extensive Internal Collaboration • Traits • Unusual • Non-Hierarchal Teams • Diverse Teams • Disrespect the Silos • Staff Supported and Heard • Members of the Team Want to be There

20. Robust External Partnerships • Public, Private, NGO • Not Quid Pro-Quo • What Makes a Successful Partnership • Know How to Disagree • Willing to Trust and Take Risk • Understanding Value from New Perspectives

22. Authentic Community Connections Real Connection, Not Lip Service Deep Sustained Involvement Public: Not “Me-Centric” Looking for Long-Term Value

24. Reality Focused – Results Driven If you Count It, It Will Change Useful and Serves Need Sustained Impact, Not Flash in the Pan Knowing Who Benefits

25. “I’m happy to give you innovative thinking. What are the guidelines?” How Innovative are You? Inclusive Leadership • Are you developing informal leaders? Relentless Creativity • Do you have a risk tolerant culture that allows for new ideas? Extensive Internal Collaboration • How well do you break down silos between departments? Robust External Partnerships • How well do you break down silos with external groups? Authentic Community Connections • Do you have REAL community connections? Reality Focused-Results Driven • Do you have a results driven culture of accountability?

26. Challenges Which of the innovative qualities are your strongest/weakest?

27. Solutions What action can you take to improve?

28. Next Steps TO “Without traction, an idea – no matter how good -- is like an unused brand new pair of tennis shoes”

29. The Alliance is Unique • Full & Part Time • All Department Disciplines • Elected Officials

30. Member Benefits REAP THE BENEFITS! Your Entire Organization Belongs Access to Emerging Practices Tangible Results Knowledge Network Learning Research

31. Value Added Benefits National job board FREE Federal Grant Research Tool Pilots on New Technology Academic White Papers

32. “82% of Alliance for Innovation members are above the average local government in their adoption of innovative practices. Many are national award winning cities and counties.” -James Svara, Director, ASU

33. Alliance Ambassador Program \ Grow Engagement • Newsletter • Research Requests • Sign Up New Accounts • Recruit New Ambassadors Support the Alliance • Share Best Practices • Answer Knowledge Network Question • Key Contact for Other Alliance Members Build a Culture of Innovation • Organize Alliance Events • Ambassador Webinars • Proactive Use of the Alliance Material • Innovation Team

34. Board Member Quote “Participating in the Alliance for Innovation is a unique opportunity for the entire organization to become engaged in creating, developing and implementing innovative ideas to enhance local government operations and for building stronger communities”. Tom Bonfield City Manager Durham, NC

35. Thank You! Greg Stopka Central Regional Director 866-778-8067 gstopka@transformgov.org