Western’s Innovative Thinking curriculum is a practical way for busy professionals to learn new skills they can apply immediately.
Imagine if there was a roadmap that could help you successfully tackle a complicated issue at work, or finally resolve a reoccurring challenge. The Certificate in Innovative Thinking at Western Continuing Studies offers just that. The program teaches learners new and creative ways to approach almost any situation.
Innovative Thinking offers a new way to solve old problems
“There’s never been a time when change has been more rapid,” says Western Continuing Studies instructor Anna Foat. Organizations no longer have the luxury of investing large amounts of time and money to research and develop a new service or product, she explains, so the old ways of thinking may no longer apply.
Foat teaches Design Thinking, one of the courses that make up the Innovative Thinking curriculum. She brings almost two decades of experience working in Canada’s high-tech sector to the classroom, beginning her career at BlackBerry in 1999. Today she serves as Director, Global Digital Transformation Office at SunLife Financial.
“Design thinking starts from a position of trying to understand what is important to the user,” Foat says. “We start from scratch and ask: Who are we serving? What matters to those people? It sounds like a simple thing, but it’s not the way organizations generally tend to think.”
Peter Sherriff completed the two-day Design Thinking workshop and has applied what he learned to his role as a Western Continuing Studies instructor. He currently teaches The Power of Strategic Questions, and Problem-Solving, Decision- Making and Creativity, which is also part of the Innovative Thinking curriculum.
Reinventing education to meet the needs of today’s busy working adults
“I was looking for inspiration. Instead of approaching things from the perspective of an instructor I wanted to shift my thinking to focus more on the student,” Sherriff says. “Design Thinking gave me a holistic approach that allows me to close the loop.” Sherriff found the workshop’s Empathy Map process particularly powerful. The mind-mapping tool is something he now incorporates into his lesson-planning. “I love it because it’s visual, it’s quick, and it helps me break down each step to make sure I get the best results for my students,” he says.
The Certificate in Innovative Thinking is about continuous improvement, he notes, and it attracts a wide range of students – from organizational leaders and managers to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
With only three required courses that are delivered in-person and online, the certificate offers a focused, practical way for busy professionals to learn new skills they can apply immediately. “It encourages you to be flexible in your thinking and it allows you to recharge your batteries,” Sherriff says. “It really kick-starts the process of looking at things in a totally different way.”
Caters to the organizational leader and manager to the small business owner and entrepreneur.
With rapid innovation and constant change in business and technology, there is not only a need for organizations, but also for individuals to continuously evolve and adapt to sustain success. Finding time for learning can be a challenge with our increasingly busier the fast pace of our lives.
These six accelerated certificates consist of just three courses, focusing on the skills employers want in a format that takes less time to complete.
Our fast-track certificates were developed specifically for working adults who are serious about achieving their career goals. They provide the skills to boost your confidence in the job you have today, while preparing you for the job you want tomorrow.
Innovative Thinking
Learn innovative ideas to apply to your current and future business challenges.
In a world where change is the only constant, the need to be innovative has never been more crucial. Learn flexible, transferable and collaborative methods and tools for approaching problems in creative ways. Inspire others to develop and exercise innovation and creativity in problem-solving.
Sparking Creativity and Engagement
March 20th – 9:00am to 12:00pm
Design Thinking
April 8th & 9th . – 9:00am to 4:00pm
Problem-Solving, Decision-Making and Creativity
May 16th & 17th . – 9:00am to 4:00pm
BONUS COUPON CODE
Save 15% when you register for all three courses. Use coupon code BUNDLE when you register for all three courses. Price adjusted at checkout.
For more information about Western’s Continuing Studies please click here.
