David Silverstein

Silverstein has authored numerous articles on the topics of strategy and implementation, innovation, Total Performance Excellence and executive development. His editorials and articles have appeared in over 100 publications including the Wall Street Journal, Business Finance Magazine, Robb Reports Worth Magazine, Investors Business Daily and Chief Learning Officer.

Silverstein has most recently been featured in Business Weeks The World According to TRIZ. He has also appeared on CNNs Squeeze Play business television program speaking about the proliferation of C-level executive positions, what he calls "a disturbing trend in corporate America." More recently, Silverstein has turned his attention to innovation and business strategy, and the identification of cutting edge technology solutions. In the book Insourcing Innovation, he talks about how companies need to focus on developing new skills and core competencies, with innovation being at the top of the list. More importantly, the book explores how companies can drive innovation systematically.

Aside from his numerous publications, Silverstein frequently speaks on these topics, around the globe, and has shared the stage with such notable figures as Jack Welch, Larry Bossidy, Jim McNerney and Steven Covey.

Silverstein holds a dual B.S. in mathematics and physics from Ithaca College. He also earned an MBA from George Washington University.

Dr. Phil Samuel

Dr. Samuel is a highly regarded thought leader in performance excellence methodology studies including innovation, Six Sigma, Lean, Design for Six Sigma and change leadership. His recent speaking engagements and published articles have included: Process Based Approach to Growth and Innovation (Innovation Immersion Conference); Identifying and Measuring Customer Outcomes for Breakthrough Innovation (WCBF Conference); Creating Sustainable Innovation for Growth (ISSSP Leadership Conference); and Creating New Market Space using Six Sigma (Insights Magazine).

Dr. Samuel holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary in Canada, and an MBA from Arizona State University. He is a registered professional engineer, and an active member of several professional organizations including the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

Robert B. Tucker

His pioneering research in interviewing over 50 leading innovators was published in the book Winning the Innovation Game in l986. Since then, he has continued to publish widely on the subject, including his international bestseller, Managing the Future: 10 Driving Forces of Change for the New Century, which has been translated into 13 languages.

In his most recent book, Driving Growth Through Innovation, Tucker describes the emerging best practices of 23 innovation vanguard companies. As one of the thought leaders in the growing innovation movement, Tucker is a frequent contributor to publications such as the Journal of Business Strategy, Strategy & Leadership, and Harvard Management Update. He has appeared on CNBC, CBS News, and was a featured guest on the PBS series, Taking the Lead.

Cheryl Perkins

As president of Innovation Edge LLC, she is helping companies across many industries build sustainable innovation capabilities and define sustainable growth opportunities. Her work involves designing and implementing organizational structures, processes, systems and tools that enable open innovation and growth. These include, but are not limited to, ambidextrous growth incubators for new business development, design capabilities, strategic alliances and partnerships, environmental sustainability, safety and regulatory affairs, disruptive technologies and product brokering, and portfolio management.

Perkins has over 23 years experience directing growth and innovation and most recently served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer for Kimberly-Clark Corporation, reporting to the CEO and Chairman of the Board. In this role she provided leadership to global teams, and oversaw the development of new strategic business opportunities that delivered competitive advantage across key business platforms in mature and emerging markets. Perkins led teams who developed technologies, partnerships, and intellectual assets to identify and transform insights, designs, technologies and capabilities into total solutions and new-to-the-world innovations.

Perkins has made many notable contributions during her career, delivering long term growth and a continuum of innovative solutions. As a passionate champion for innovation, she has helped drive growth through the design, development and delivery of solutions while reducing cycle time and engaging external partners through an open innovation model. She serves on the Board of the Product Development Management Association (PDMA) and the Consumer Goods Research Advisory Board. She is also on the Board of Directors of the Governors Wisconsin Technology Council, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and the Georgia Institute of Technology External Advisory Board. She has been granted eight U.S. Patents and has several other patent applications pending

Additional Course Information:

Cost is $2,950 per person.
Registration closes Monday, April 16, 2007.