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505 Innovation Hour: Pitch, Pilot & Implement a Space for Creativity at Work

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM ET
Wednesday, December 6

As “creativity” and “innovation” take on buzzword status, many L&D departments find themselves responsible for fostering creativity and innovative thinking. They are often hindered by questions of how: Rules, guidelines, policies, etc., may make it feel impossible to take a risk. But innovation and learning only occur when there is room for ideas to grow.

In this session you will learn how to move beyond the buzzwords with practical ideas for fostering creativity and innovation. We will share how we planted and nurtured the idea of Innovation Hour at CenterPoint Energy. Innovation Hour is a dedicated time and space for colleagues to participate in creative thinking exercises, collaborate, and be inspired to approach work problems in new ways. Whether you are looking to launch your own Innovation Hour or want some quick tips for inspiring creativity, you will leave with ready-to-go strategies to bring back to your organization. During this session, we will share our journey from pitch to implementation and facilitate a miniature Innovation Hour experience.

In this session you will learn:

  • What an “Innovation Hour” is and how it can be beneficial to your organization
  • How to pitch, pilot, and facilitate an Innovation Hour within your organization
  • Specific strategies that can be used within an Innovation Hour or independently to promote creative thinking

Brooke Barker

Instructional Designer

CenterPoint Energy

Brooke Barker is a learning enthusiast with six years of experience educating others. As an instructional designer, she brings a passion for creativity to her work, supporting the customer service-learning team. Originally a chemistry instructor, she believes adult learning is both a science and an art. Brooke is a graduate of Sam Houston State University and a member of the Learning Guild’s 2023 Thirty Under 30 program.

Robyn Cole-Jackson

LOD Specialist

CenterPoint Energy

Before joining CenterPoint energy as an LOD specialist on the employee learning team, Robyn Cole-Jackson was a reading and language arts instructor for nine years. At CenterPoint Energy, she and her team help create learning opportunities for employees to grow in their professional careers and leadership. She is a graduate of Grambling State University and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.