The document introduces the FORTH Innovation Method, a structured 5-step process for jump-starting innovation within organizations. It connects focus, customers, and creativity to help teams generate new product or service concepts in 14 weeks. The method guides teams from exploring opportunities to creating tested concept descriptions through workshops and customer feedback. Teams use the process to develop 3-5 mini new business cases with internal support for further development. Over 20 organizations have used FORTH successfully to boost innovation.

1. www.forth-innovation.com www.brightsparksinnovation.com Jump-Start Innovation With the FORTH Innovation Method

2. In a fast-changing world innovation becomes essential

3. Innovation is essential but difficult

4. At the fuzzy front end a lot can go wrong Where do I start? In which direction do we want to go? We don ’t get a lot of time to work on innovation So we brainstormed, now what……? All our ideas are really vague There is hardly any internal support for new ideas Top management rejects all our ideas Don’ t know what is relevant for our customers! We stick to the usual market conventions We are coming up with the same ideas over and over Not invented by me Stage-gate process after Robert Cooper ‘ The fuzzy front end of innovation’

5. We developed an effective structured method to jump-start innovation Stage-gate process after Robert Cooper Second Dutch edition 2009 English edition 2011

6. FORTH is effective by connecting three essential elements Focus Connecting the board, management and employees Connecting customers to the innovation process Connecting business reality with outside the box creativity

7. With FORTH your organisation jump-starts innovation “ An internal team using the FORTH innovation method will ideate four innovative products or services, which are really attractive and feasible, in 14 weeks. Unlike brainstorms or hiring external creators to come up with ideas, the FORTH innovation method leads to concrete new concepts which are attractive because they have been tested by customers and are worked out as mini new business cases. These innovative concepts have great internal support because your employees have created them themselves and customers and decision-makers were closely involved in the ideation process ” .

8. Wat is VOORT®? Start : Concrete innovation assignment Team : internal team with core team members and extended team members Process : in five structured steps from business to creativity and back Focus : customer-centric Output : three to five mini new business cases Time needed : 14 weeks from kick-off Time effort : 1 ½ days per week for a core tam member How? FORTH will take you from business to creativity and back in five steps

10. In step 1 Full Steam Ahead the innovation assignment is drafted and you will kick-off Activities Choose internal sponsor, project leader and facilitator Draft an innovation assignment and planning Choose and invite team members Workshops Innovation focus workshop FORTH Kick-off Deliverables A SMART concrete innovation assignment a committed internal sponsor a motivated ideation team discover 6-8 innovation opportunities

11. In step 2 Observe and Learn the team explores innovation opportunities and discovers customer frictions Activities Explore innovation opportunities Explore trends & technologies Meeting customers Discovering customer frictions Workshops Focus groups with customers Observe & Learn workshops Deliverables Most promising innovation opportunities Most relevant customer frictions

12. In step 3 Raise Ideas the innovation team creates 12 concept statements Activities Choose brainstorm venue Draft braistorm programme Invite outsiders Facilitate a 2-day Brainstorm Improve concrete concepts descriptions Workshops 2-day brainstorm Concept development workshop Deliverables 400 – 600 ideas and 12 concept descriptions ready for customer feedback

13. In step 4 Test Ideas the most attractive concepts are identified Activities Set up customer research Visit customers Improve concepts based on feedback Choose the best concepts Workshops Concept improvement workshop Deliverables 3-5 well tested concept descriptions to be worked out as mini new business cases

14. In step 5 Home Coming 3-5 mini new business cases are drafted and presented Activities Draft mini new business cases Present mini new business cases Transfer concepts to development teams Evaluate the FORTH process Workshops 4 mini new business case workshops Presentation Deliverables 3-5 attractive mini new business cases ready for further development

15. Every phase has concrete deliverables A smart innovation assigment 6 - 10 innovation opportunities 5 - 10 customer frictions Best innovation opportunities 400 - 600 ideas 12 concept descriptions 12 tested concept descriptions Best 3 - 5 chosen 3 - 5 mini new business cases

16. ‘ Unfuzzying ’ the front end of Innovation

17. FORTH is a real team effort

18. 5 Advantages of FORTH The innovation assignment gives you focus Discover customer insights yourselves Concepts are approved by your customers Return with mini new business cases Team approach creates internal support

19. More than 20 organisations use FORTH as their innovation method

20. Clients are very satisfied with the FORTH innovation method “ FORTH is a wonderful trip with great discoveries and a great catch. All new concepts are innovative, attractive to our customers and fit our brands ” . Henk Scheenstra COO Print Sanoma Media

21. More information? www.forth-innovation.com Nello Spiteri Brightsparks !nnovat!on [email_address] +31-618431799 +31-727431111 www.brightsparksinnovation.com