I nnovat ion Show and Tell Proposal
February 10, 2009

Mohawk’s new strategic plan sets out
a vision of establishing Mohawk as a
Canadian postsecondary destination
“renowned for its real-world applied
innovation culture and future-ready
graduates with the skills required for
today and the ability to prosper from
tomorrow’s opportunities.”

Applied research and innovation offers another
way for Mohawk to:
• differentiate itself from other post-secondary
institutions.
• support recruitment and retention strategies.
• drive engagement and satisfaction.
• strengthen industry and community
partnerships.

Mohawk administrators participated in a 6-week
Building Innovation Leadership program in the Fall
of 2008, aimed at fostering a culture of applied
research and innovation at the College.

Mohawk students, alumni, faculty and staff are
attending and presenting at Golden Horseshoe
Innovation Nights sponsored by Trivaris, SB
Partners, Lakestreet Communications, the Hamilton
Spectator and Halton Region.

“Innovation is all about connections. The more
connections, the more ideas. The more ideas,
the more solutions.”
-- A.G. Lafley, CEO of Procter and Gamble

“Innovation requires an open mind and an atmosphere
that encourages people to imagine, think broadly,
collaborate, capture serendipity and have the freedom
to create.”
-- Judy Estrin, author of Closing the Innovation Gap, former Chief Technology
Officer at Cisco Systems and co-founder of 7 technology companies.

“When tribes gather in the same place,
the opportunities for mutual inspiration can become
intense. In all domains, there have been powerful
groupings of people who have driven innovation
through their influence on each other and the impetus
they’ve created as a group.”
-- Ken Robinson, PhD, author of The Element:
How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything

Mohawk College is renowned as a leader in
applied research and innovation.

• Increase the number of applied research and
innovation projects at Mohawk.
• Raise awareness and encourage participation
in applied research and innovation projects at
Mohawk.
• Further enhance Mohawk’s regional and
national reputation for applied research and
innovation.

Internal audiences:
• Students, faculty, support and admin staff:
• Involved in applied research and innovation projects.
• Interested in getting involved in projects.
External audiences:
• Mohawk alumni involved / interested in projects.
• Business, industry and community partners involved /
interested in projects.
• Regional / provincial media.
• Funders and donors.

• Initiate College-wide conversations about applied
research and innovation.
• Build applied research and innovation networks
across the College and into the community.
• Showcase and celebrate Mohawk researchers
and innovators to recognize and reinforce desired
behaviors.

• Recapture, relive and leverage
the experience of preschool
show and tells
– Fun
– Safe and supportive
– Informal and interactive
– Emphasis on telling stories
– Sense of pride and wonder

Mohawk Innovation Show and Tells
• Held during Common Hour.
• Open to everyone with a passion for applied
research and innovation.
• Informal and interactive.
• Candid and conversational.
• A mash-up of lunch’n learns, conversation cafes,
brainstorming sessions, support groups,
networking meetings.

• 20 minutes to showcase an applied research and
innovation project (modeled after TED talks).
• One or two presenters who are directly involved in
the project – first-hand experience.
• Facilitated conversation about successes and
setbacks, key lessons learned, personal
motivation, key supports, critical success factors.
• Presenters prepped ahead of the session.
• No PowerPoint – one-page handout as a
takeaway. Emphasis on conversations.

• 30 minutes to ask questions.
• Brainstorm ideas.
• Problem-solve.
• Shop talk.
• Network.
• Get updates on other applied research and
innovation projects.

Use Innovation Show and Tells to audition
innovators and researchers for:
• Proactive media pitches.
• Stories in Cornerstones (staff pub) and In Touch
Magazine (alumni pub).
• Marketing and recruitment materials.
• To support Development and Corporate Training.
• Award nominations – Colleges Ontario,
Association of Canadian Community Colleges and
others.

• Recruit and prep presenters (February).
• Promote Innovation Show and Tell (February).
• Beta test Innovation Show and Tell (March)
• Launch March 18.
• Alumni Hall in the Student Centre, Fennell
Campus.
• Hold 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.
• Evaluate and gauge interest in expanding to
STARRT, Mohawk Brantford and the IAHS.

Raise awareness and encourage participation in
Innovation Show and Tells through:
• Positive word-of-mouth by attendees and
participants.
• Presentations to key groups (Admin group, APPT).
• Cornerstones profiles of presenters.
• Mohawk News announcements about
upcoming presenters.
• Innovation Show and Tell webpage.

• Attendance at sessions – new and returning.
• Hits to webpage.
• Requests to present.
• Media coverage.
• # of attendees who the get involved in applied
research and innovation projects.
• # of ideas discussed at Innovation Show and
Tells that are then implemented as projects.

Mohawk’s Director of Applied Research and
Innovation and Director of Media Relations,
Internal Communications, Community Projects
and Special Events would take responsibility
for:
• Recruiting presenters
• Promoting Innovation Show and Tells
• Facilitating discussions
• Thanking presenters
Attendees and presenters bring their own lunch.

• Supports Mohawk’s strategic plan.
• Fosters conversations and builds networks of
people who have a passion for applied research
and innovation.
• Showcases and celebrates innovators and
researchers.
• Raises Mohawk’s profile as a leader in applied
research and innovation.
• Helps build an applied research and innovation
culture at Mohawk.

Feedback to:
Jay Robb, Director of Media Relations, Internal Communications, Community
Projects and Special Events, Mohawk College
jay.robb@mohawkcollege.ca or 905.575.1212 ext. 3965

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