‘You know so much about this – you should create your own innovation model,’ said Neil, a good friend and mentor of mine. We sat in a London coffee shop discussing next steps for the innovation consultancy I had created. It was 2009 and the recession was biting hard. ‘You have been working in this field long enough, have tons of experience and organisations need something that is simple, yet practical, to help them innovate.’ Neil was right. I had identified a gap in the market for a more person-centred approach to creating and developing ideas. It was a challenge to which I was ready to rise.
Little did I know that, eight years later, I would have moved to Asia, established a business in Singapore and be writing a book, which codifies over 20 years of research and innovation experience into a practical how-to guide – The Six ‘I’s of Innovation®.
There are many people who have been part of my journey whom I would like to acknowledge. Too many to name all. Here are a few that deserve a special mention. Pamela Hamilton, who introduced me to the world of using customer insights as a springboard for new ideas; Kim Barnes and Dr David Francis for their excellent programme Managing Innovation; Neil Metha, my business mentor, who encouraged me to be an inventor and introduced us to United Kingdom Trade and Industry (UKTI) who helped us set up in Singapore; Michael Gold, a close friend and colleague who worked with me to develop the initial concepts and prototype them into the real world; Dr Gilles Spony, award-winning cross-cultural psychologist, for his research rigour and investigative skills in testing the statistical reliability of the Model; clinical psychologist, Lilian Ing, for her help and advice on the IP development and her ongoing support since I arrived in Singapore; Dr Kirpal Singh, whose speaking invitation to Singapore Management University (SMU) brought me to Asia in the first place; and David Forrest, who saw my PURPOSE before I did.
Our supportive clients, a few to whom I would like to give special acknowledgement – Danny Wootton, Pauline Pinnock, Jan Crabtree, Rick Teo, Francisca Ghin, Lynn See, Michael Meyer, Marco Brabec, Michael Maigret, Monika Steimle, Christi Novomesky, Deanna Sacco, Rose Shapley and Pat Lucas – for applying The Six ‘I’s® on real business innovation challenges to create value for yourselves and your organisations.
My colleagues: my fellow director in Singapore – Shoba Chandran, who continues to grow not only our business, through our Certification Programmes and partnership network, but is furthering the ideas into experiential tools and products; Andy Bruce who has developed, with his innovative App software, a Six ‘I’s® online innovation management system; Ayoub and Mohd, our two Upwork designers whom we have never met; Rob and Stu for creating our Six ‘I’s® profile management system and my editor Eloise Cook who, with her practical insight and advice, has helped ground my thinking to make this book more useful and practical.
No first book would be complete without thanking those that are closest to me. Those who have seen and shared the highs and lows of this innovation journey – my sister, Caroline Slark, who, with her generous assistance, enabled us to move to Asia; my supportive parents Leslie and Jean Turner, who brought me up to be an innovator and, despite being in their eighties, continue to remain curious explorers willing to challenge themselves courageously and enthuse others; and my husband and co-founder Carl Hinds, who has been my business partner since 2006. His financial and operational role, combined with his commitment, love and patience, has made the journey of The Six ‘I’s® possible. He is my greatest believer and supporter.
Natalie Turner
Singapore, January 2018