Keynote and workshop given at the annual NGDP conference for Local Government Association looking at how to have breakthrough ideas in the public sector. See other publications on how to create breakthrough social innovations at http://www.wecreate.cc/inspiration/publications/

1. @NICKWECREATE
SWITCH ON
CREATE RADICALLY BETTER FUTURES THROUGH
BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION & BREAKTHROUGH
LEADERSHIP
NICK JANKEL, WECREATE
NGDP
MARCH 2012

2. wecreate empowers and
enables change-makers
to co-create a radically
better world.
breakthrough social innovation.
service design. org design.
masterclasses. training.
coaching.

3. WHAT
DO YOU SEE?

6. VALUABLE
COMPANY IN THE WORLD

7. Problem

9. 6 BILLION
DOLLAR COMPANY

12. 5 MILLION
ROOMS BOOKED

13. Problem

14. Breakthrough
Opportunity

15. “If I had not been in prison I would not
have been able to achieve the most
difficult task in life, and that is changing
yourself... Prison itself is a tremendous
education in the need for patience and
perseverance. It is above all a test of
one's commitment.”
NELSON MANDELA

16. ‘Switched on’
entrepreneurs and
leaders are either
delusional or visionary.
Either way, they see
something no-one else
can see.

17. SWITCH ON
REWIRE OUR MINDS, TEAMS & ORGS TO FIND
THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE PROBLEM
NO MATTER WHAT THE WORLD THROWS OUR
WAY

18. If we want
breakthrough
impact...
We have to have
breakthrough
thoughts.

19. SWITCH ON
1 WORKING
ADULT PER
PENSIONER
REWIRE OUR MINDS, TEAMS & ORGS TO FIND
THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE PROBLEM
NO MATTER WHAT THE WORLD THROWS OUR
WAY

20. INNOVATORS
CREATE NEW MARKETS
THROUGH THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

21. (GONNA PARTY LIKE IT’S)
1999

22. MARKETING IS THE KEY
TO GROWTH

24. INTERNET
CHANGES EVERYTHING

26. MASSIVE
PROBLEM

27. CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN,
LOUDLY
www.wecreate.cc 25

28. BREAKTHROUGH

29. MASSIVE
OPPORTUNITY
(A VISION)

30. PEOPLE
WHAT KIND OF PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND
BUSINESS MODELS WOULD WE DESIGN...
IF WE PUT (REAL, HUMAN, MESSY) PEOPLE AT
THE HEART OF EVERYTHING?

31. POSSIBLE
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY THERE IS
TO SERVE, INSPIRE & DELIGHT PEOPLE...
WITH RADICALLY BETTER PRODUCTS &
SERVICES?

34. INNOVATION
SEEING BIG PROBLEMS
SWITCHING THEM INTO MASSIVE OPPORTUNITIES
AND MAKING THEM HAPPEN BRILLIANTLY

35. INNOVATION IS IN OUR DNA
AND MAKES US HUMAN

36. TRAINED
NOT TO QUESTION
NOT TO CHALLENGE
NOT TO THINK DIFFERENTLY
NOT TO SEARCH FOR THE POSSIBLE

38. “Unfortunately we are unable to
provide you with a bin for recycling
as, due to where you live, we can only
collect from you with a smaller vehicle;
which collects your refuse weekly.
However please find attached a list of
your local Neighbourhood Recycling
Points (NRPs).”
WASTE OFFICER

40. FAILS
IN A NETWORKED, PARTICIPATORY WORLD

41. UNLEASH
NATURAL CAPACITY TO QUESTION EVERYTHING

42. CREATE
A RADICALLY BETTER FUTURE
(NOT JUST A BIT BETTER)

43. EASY...?
IF IT WAS, EVERYONE WOULD BE DOING IT!

44. The Switch
Breakthrough
Problem Opportunity
Conventional Breakthrough
Proposition Proposition
Assumptions Breakthrough
Insights
© wecreate 2012

45. RISKY?
TO MAKE THE SWITCH

46. SURE!
ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS RISK INCARNATE

48. HOLDING
ONTO OLD WAYS

49. FAR MORE
DANGEROUS THAN
RISKING NEW ONES

50. THOUGH IT DOES
NOT STOP PEOPLE
TRYING

51. EVERYTHING
WE NEED TO CO-CREATE A RADICALLY BETTER
FUTURE IS INSIDE US AND OUR NETWORK

52. WHAT?
ARE YOU WAITING FOR

53. YOU
ARE THE ONE YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR

54. “If I am not for myself, then
who is for me?
And if I am for myself only,
then what am 'I'?
And if not now, then
when?"
HILLEL

55. @NICKWECREATE
SWITCH ON
CREATE (RADICALLY BETTER) FUTURES THROUGH
BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION & BREAKTHROUGH
LEADERSHIP
WORKSHOP

56. IMPACTFUL
LEVERAGE OF IDEAS

57. INCREMENTAL
EVOLUTIONARY

59. BREAKTHROUGH
DISRUPTIVE

64. WHAT IS A BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION IN
YOUR WORLD?

65. BREAKTHROUGH
INNOVATIONS

66. DESTABILISE
STATUS QUO

67. CREATE
A RADICALLY BETTER FUTURE

68. CURRENT
BUSINESS DRIVEN BY OLD RULES

69. CURRENT
LEADERS SUCCEEDED WITH THE OLD RULES

70. VESTED
INTERESTS MAINTAIN STATUS QUO

71. POWER
OFTEN CAN’T OR WON’T SEE THE FUTURE

72. UNTIL
IT’S TOO LATE

74. $85 BILLION
TO $0

75. WHY?

76. PROBLEM
PEOPLE TAKING OUT TOO FEW MOVIES,
TOO INFREQUENTLY

77. SOLUTIONS?

78. DOOMED
TO FAILURE

79. WHY?

81. MODELS
ALL ARE PREMISED ON ASSUMPTIONS

82. STATUS QUO
MAINTAINED BY OUTDATED ASSUMPTIONS

83. ASSUMPTIONS
HELP WITH SURVIVING

85. PREVENT
US THRIVING

87. ASSUMPTIONS
SHAPE OUR SUCCESS AND DELINEATE OUR
FAILURE

88. ASSUMPTION
VIDEOS ARE SCARCE
WE CONTROL ACCESS (TIME & RANGE)
YOU MUST COME INTO A STORE
LATE FEES ARE PART OF LIFE (AND OUR
BUSINESS MODEL)

89. SWITCH!

91. ASSUMPTION
VIDEOS ARE ABUNDANT
WE ENABLE ACCESS
YOU CAN INTERACT & TRANSACT ONLINE
NO LATE FEES ARE A RIGHT
THE COMMUNITY IS BETTER TOGETHER

92. SOLUTION
A FLEXIBLE, ACCESSIBLE, ENJOYABLE PEER-
POWERED ONLINE COMMUNITY WHERE WE
CAN ALL SEE, RATE AND EXPLORE MOVIES
TOGETHER

94. BREAKTHROUGH
INNOVATIONS CHANGE THE RULES FOREVER
BY SWITCHING THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT
DRIVE THE SPACE

95. SURFACE
ASSUMPTIONS, BIASES, BELIEFS

96. SWITCH
THEM INTO NEW INSIGHTS

97. “Problems cannot be
solved by the same
level of consciousness
that created them.”
ALBERT EINSTEIN

98. SHARE AN ASSUMPTION THAT NO LONGER
SERVES YOU

99. The Breakthrough Switch
Breakthrough
Problem Opportunity
What is the What kind of headline ideas
problem, in human could seize this opportunity ?
terms?
Conventional Breakthrough
Proposition Proposition
What is the current proposition What proposition [programme offer,
[programme offer, policy idea, policy idea, campaign message,
campaign message, impact model, impact model, org process] that
org process] that leads to this emerges from this insight?
problem?
Assumptions Breakthrough
Insights
What do we have to believe to What is a more insightful,
generate and validate this future-positive belief?
proposition?
© wecreate 2012

100. Video Rental
Breakthrough
Problem Opportunity
What is the problem, in human terms? What kind of headline ideas could seize this opportunity ?
People take out too few movies,
too infrequently from our stores. LoveFilm, Netflix, Amazon
Breakthrough
Proposition Proposition
What is the current proposition [product offer, business model, org process] What value proposition [product offer, business model, org process]
that leads to this problem? emerges from this insight?
Video rental is a special event. Come to
our stores and choose what you want A flexible, simple, enjoyable peer-
(of the blockbusters that we think you powered online community where
should have) for that special night in. we can all see, rate and explore
If / when you forget to bring it back, movies together.
you will be punished.
Assumptions Breakthrough
Insight
What do we have to believe to generate and validate this proposition? What is a more insightful, future-positive belief?
Movies are abundant so we should
Videos are scarce and special and be able to choose what to watch
we control access. Consumers must instantly, learn from each other’s
suck up the deal if they want in. tastes and not be punished for our
mistakes.
© wecreate 2012

101. 1 CHILD DIES
EVERY 5 SECONDS
FROM HUNGER-
RELATED CAUSES

102. Poverty
Breakthrough
Problem Opportunity
What is the problem, in human terms? What kind of headline ideas could seize this opportunity ?
Children in Bangladesh's rural
areas are not getting enough ShoktiDoi: The power
nutrients to survive. yoghurt.
Breakthrough
Proposition Proposition
What is the current proposition [product offer, business model, org process] What value proposition [product offer, business model, org process]
that leads to this problem? emerges from this insight?
Locals contribute raw materials (goat’s milk)
and resources (workers, sales force). Industry
Dry food aid (live food needs redesigns brewing technology to make local,
refrigeration). small scale micro-breweries work (removing
need for refrigeration).
Assumptions Breakthrough
Insight
What do we have to believe to generate and validate this proposition? What is a more insightful, future-positive belief?
Poor people can be empowered to contribute
Commercial solutions are not feasible, scaleable or to a successful win win win with industry.
profitable in rural areas. Poor people cannot take Commercial solutions can be redesigned to fit
part in a globalised, sustainable economy. BOP realities.
© wecreate 2012

104. WORK DOWN THE LEFT HAND SIDE WITH
YOUR PROBLEM

105. The Breakthrough Switch
Breakthrough
Problem Opportunity
What is the What kind of headline ideas
problem, in human could seize this opportunity ?
terms?
Conventional Breakthrough
Proposition Proposition
What is the current proposition What proposition [programme offer,
[programme offer, policy idea, policy idea, campaign message,
campaign message, impact model, impact model, org process] that
org process] that leads to this emerges from this insight?
problem?
Assumptions Breakthrough
Insights
What do we have to believe to What is a more insightful,
generate and validate this future-positive belief?
proposition?
© wecreate 2012

106. INNOVATION
NOT REALLY ABOUT ‘GETTING’ NEW IDEAS
OR SOLUTIONS

107. PERMISSION
TO CHALLENGE CONVENTIONAL THINKING

108. LET GO
OF THE OLD IDEAS

109. ALLOW
NEW IDEAS ALREADY IN YOUR MIND & IN
YOUR NETWORK TO FLOW

110. WORK UP THE RIGHT HAND SIDE

111. The Breakthrough Switch
Breakthrough
Problem Opportunity
Breakthrough
Proposition Proposition
THE SIZE OF THE
OPPORTUNITY DEPENDS ON
Assumptions
HOW DEEP YOU ARE Breakthrough
Insight
WILLING TO GO TO MAKE
THE SWITCH
© wecreate 2012

112. You are only ever one
(major) assumption away
from a (massive)
breakthrough.

113. “Tis true without lying, certain &
most true.
That which is below is like that
which is above & that which is
above is like that which is below.”
ISAAC NEWTON

114. Breakthrough Leadership
Intentions Proactivity
Problems Executional idea
Possibility
Concept
Sense Making Purpose
Patterns
Passion
Pain Peace
© wecreate 2012

115. “All managers must exercise
leadership of the head and
hands – otherwise they are
mere administrators. Good
managers go further and
inspire people with the heart –
rendering their leadership
transforming.”
JOHN NICHOLLS, INT. JOURNAL OF
LEADERSHIP

116. The pioneering
creative leadership
& collaboration
coaching
programme

117. CONNECT
NICK@WECREATE.CC
WECREATE.CC: TRAINING, COACHING, ORG DESIGN
100OPEN.COM: OPEN INNOVATION CONSULTING
NICKJANKEL.COM: LIFE SWITCHED ON