TL CoE Mtg: Innovative Pathways: Moving from Concepts to Successful Utility Solutions

Innovating at utility companies requires more than just good ideas—it demands a strategic approach to transforming these ideas into actionable solutions. Using solution examples for the U2030 Design-Think-a-Thon at Georgia Power Company, this session will explore how Design Thinking principles can be effectively employed to move innovations through your company using a scalable approach that democratizes the effort while still ensuring they align with business objectives and customer needs.

In this session, we will delve into how to apply best practices to a real-life design thinking process customized for the needs of utilities. Starting from understanding and defining the challenge statement to healthy “creative abrasion” for idea scoring and high-quality test plans that include steps to empathize with your customers. You will better understand the steps to building cross-functional teams that foster collaboration and creativity, drawing on diverse perspectives to enrich the innovation process.

We will also discuss the essential roles and skills needed to champion innovation within your organization, including the importance of leadership support, how to get support from cross-functional teams, and the need for a culture that embraces experimentation and learning from failure.

Join us to discover how applying Design Thinking principles can not only streamline your innovation process but also lead to more effective and impactful solutions for your business and customers.

Who Should Attend:

• Innovation leaders and managers

• Product development teams

• Customer experience professionals

• Business strategists

• Cross-functional team members involved in driving change and innovation (e.g., HR, Digital Transformation, Risk)

Presenters:

• Kim Getgen, Innovation Force
• Cheryl Davis, Georgia Power
• Vanessa Edmonds, U2030