Developing the Intrapreneur’s Touch
How internal innovators can make their case and claim precious resources, and how leaders can create the space for them to succeed
Innovation is one of the engines of entrepreneurial and corporate success. If innovation comes easy to a start-up business, it can be challenging to inculcate in an established organization. In a recent survey of CEOs, 81 percent said innovation was critical to their firms’ share price. The same survey found that most of these CEOs felt they did not have the right mix of people and skills to drive internal innovation. What pieces do they need to put in place to encourage intrapreneurship?
Independent entrepreneurs and corporate intrapreneurs seem to be cut from the same cloth. But the differences are significant. For intrapreneurs, the risk-reward dynamic and level of autonomy are much weaker. They have to operate in a corporate culture not of their creation, and often have to fight for resources and attention.
In this webinar, Smith School of Business expert Shari Hughson is joined by Simon Lee of LCBO and Alain Mootoo of Surrey Place Centre to discuss what it takes for intrapreneurs to succeed and for organizational leaders to create the winning conditions for that to happen.
Participants will learn about:
- Key skillset and personality traits of individuals who excel as intrapreneurs
- How a major Canadian corporation with $6 billion in sales manages internal innovation
- What intrapreneurship looks like in a not-for-profit enterprise
- How intrapreneurs can identify and win over key stakeholders
Session Participants
Shari Hughson
Shari Hughson is an award-winning entrepreneur, innovator, and adventurer. As a Smith School of Business Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) and Educator, Shari draws on her lived experience as a seven-time serial entrepreneur and the previous Director of the Master of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
Alain Mootoo
Alain Mootoo is vice-president, finance and administration, of Surrey Place Centre. The Toronto-based organization helps children, youth, and adults living with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. He has more than 20 years related experience in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Alain is in the Queen's Master of Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship program.
Simon Lee
Simon Lee is manager of IT innovation at LCBO. In this role, he sets the corporate innovation agenda, manages the ideas pipeline, and prioritizes innovation initiatives. He leads LCBO’s IT Innovation Council and is a senior member of IT Strategy and Architecture team. Simon is in the Queen's Master of Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship program.