IFST members: log in via My IFST, to view the webinar recording, below.
Organised by Food Innovation (Product and Packaging) SIG
Ideation that works (and virtually!): Practical best practice for successful idea generation sessions in food and drink.
Innovation is the lifeblood of many food and drink companies. Yet often innovation workshops are, at best, exhausting and, at worst, disengaging, especially if they are conducted virtually. Join us to share practical best practice learnings on what really works when running idea generation sessions, with a special focus on harnessing the opportunities the virtual world offers.
The importance of having razor sharp focus: being clear on your objectives and designing to deliver on these.
What participants will learn about: What successful ideation needs, and how this differs face to face and virtually, covering:
o Design
o People and collaboration
o Disrupting thinking
o Behaviours
o Creating the right environment for innovation
Overcoming common challenges in the virtual world
Target audience: Members and non-members that are involved in idea generation, as participants, facilitators or as project leads that would like to understand more about best practice when commissioning or organising idea generation sessions.
Chair: Valia Christidou, FIFST, Lecturer and Food Industry Consultant,
Communications Lead of the Food Innovation SIG
Valia Christidou is an R&D leader with 30 years experience in the food industry in the UK and abroad. She has held senior technical positions as head of R&D UK and Europe, for Pladis (formerly United Biscuits) and before this as head of Product Design. Valia has overseen the creation and launch of over 300 new products and nutritional improvements under iconic brands such as McVitie’s, Jacob’s and Godiva. Valia also gained marketing experience early in her career, as a Senior Brand Manager. Very keen to inspire the next generation to discover the opportunities and thrills of a technical career in food, Valia joined IFST’s Innovation Special Interest Group and also blogs about all things product development and innovation at itsonlybiscuits.com
Speaker: Coral McConnon, Managing Director, 8 Innovation
Coral is the founder of ‘8 innovation’, an agency that specialises in front-end innovation applying creativity pragmatically to get results. Coral has worked with over 40 brands on innovation projects spanning the world. She is on a mission to ensure that innovation projects always deliver.
Coral innovation challenges in categories as diverse as snacking, confectionery, ready meals, processed meats, pet food, coffee, non-alcoholic beverages, produce, fresh flowers, health and wellness, beauty, fashion, financial services, pharmaceuticals and even toilet paper!
Live Q&A: Valia Christidou and Coral McConnon