AIP Vision

AIP is a community of diverse innovation professionals* dedicated to improving the discipline of innovation** by learning, sharing and inspiring one another.

* We define “Innovation professional” as a person accountable or responsible to implement or improve innovation** in organizations. Level of skill includes from beginner to expert.
**We define “Innovation” as applying new ideas to create value by improving*** what you do and how you do it.
*** Improving includes all levels of innovation, from small to disruptive

We focus on practical innovation in business and services and do not focus on technology R&D processes or creativity alone.

AIP purpose

The purpose of the Association is to grow and nurture innovation professionals in Ontario and Canada.

Canada and the world need genuine innovation professionals (outside of R&D), people who dedicate themselves to making organizations a better place for all by improving innovation.

Today, Business and Service Innovation is an emerging field of knowledge and expertise and people with very different levels of understanding and experience are asked to make their organization more innovative

Although anyone can take a course on innovation or innovative thinking, the real breakthrough for people responsible for innovation happens when they can share issues and experiences with other people who are facing the same issues or have done it in the past.

Our purpose is to help all professionals actively involved in leading innovation in organizations of all types and sizes by

• Sharing practical experiences
• Developing new skills and knowledge
• Learning from other innovative and creative activities

What we believe

We believe that anyone who wants to make their organization more innovative should be helped to be successful.

What AIP is

AIP is an association of committed individuals who are actively involved professionally in innovation and its application in organizations.

AIP is a “by invitation” network of innovation professionals seeking a forum for frank discussion and to openly share best practices related to the discipline of innovation.

The purpose of the association is for members to learn from each other’s experience and to develop better knowledge, skills and expertise through sharing and openness.

The focus of AIP is business and service innovation, including the practical application of processes, methodologies and tools to better solve problems and take advantage of opportunities in organizations of all types and sizes.

Business and service innovation includes in particular:

• Innovation in the private and public service sector
• Service and business model innovation for manufacturing organizations
• Innovation in the service functions of all organizations (marketing, sales, IT, HR, Finance, etc.)

Members work in business, government, non-profit, or academia and have significant responsibility for improving Innovation.

AIP members encourage each other to openly explore topics of interest and support mutual learning and personal development. AIP actively promotes diversity in perspectives. In an environment of high-energy, action, and fun, AIP members value and respect the contribution each member makes in achieving the Association’s goals and mission.

What AIP Is NOT

AIP is not a typical “business network” where members feel free to solicit business for personal or corporate gain. AIP’s ‘code of conduct’ will not allow direct solicitation of business from members.

We do not focus specifically on technology R&D or on Creativity alone, topics that are already widely studied and whose professionals and person interested already have access to a variety of organizations.

Goals of AIP

The goals of AIP are:

• to actively connect active professionals in business and service innovation across Canada (non R&D)
• to help professionals in the emerging science of business and service innovation develop their own expertise and knowledge through experience and knowledge sharing
• to inform members of international best practices through links with similar organizations worldwide
• to help members create joint projects to develop new and practical knowledge useful for organizations in Canada
• to help gain recognition for business and service innovation as a professional discipline
• to facilitate the application of the members’ innovation skills for use by other organizations (via barter) and by charitable non-profit organizations
• to build a high quality innovation resource website

History

The concept of the AIP emerged in 2008 out of the first Masters Certificate in Innovation Management at the Schulich Executive Education Centre.

The first directors are

• Brian Coupland, Director of Innovation, Staples
• George Cugini, Director Growth Acceleration, J&J
• Claude Legrand, Managing Partner, Ideaction Inc.

Activities of AIP

AIP membership will develop the type and frequency of its activities during its first months. At this point, and based on the experience of similar innovation associations, we can envision:

• Two one-day meetings per year where the focus will be on interaction and sharing by the members with, potentially, one or two guest speakers
• Monthly or bi-monthly evening events on specific topics that involve guest speakers and social interaction
• Electronic social network (e.g. Ning)