The importance of fostering innovation was the theme of discussion for a group of business leaders who attended Ottawa’s executive Leadership Forum on September 22 – a hot topic that a recent Globe and Mail report suggests is on the minds of many.

The October 4 Globe and Mail story led with this: “Canadian executives know who is to blame for this country’s poor track record on innovation: themselves.”  And it went on to discuss a recent survey of corporate executives that showed that three-quarters believe an aversion to risk in their own ranks is a key factor keeping innovation and productivity low. This week, the Globe has been exploring innovation even more – running a series that has explored the concept from a variety of angles.

At the September Leadership Forum I attended, the topic amongst executives was the very same: how do we, as executives, foster innovation?

Each year the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance Women in Technology Forum (CATA-WIT) sponsors a handful of local women working in the tech sector to attend the forum. Bringing together local executives from both the public and private sector, the event is aimed at encouraging us to step back and think about the way we work with our teams, clients, customers, and from a broad perspective, the way we run our businesses. I was lucky enough to be nominated by CATA-WIT, and September’s meeting kicked off the first of five sessions that will be held over the next seven months.

Philip Townsend, Advisory Services Partner for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, spoke to the group about how a company’s commitment to fostering and rewarding innovation is key to executing with excellence- a mantra that has long been part of the High Road Communications culture.

At High Road, our research shows that 75 per cent of CEOs believe innovation is the strongest competitive advantage. We know our clients want us to continually inject fresh thinking into everything we do for them. As their communications partner we are in a unique position: we know our clients’ businesses inside and out, but still maintain that outside perspective.

High Road’s Innovation Sessions are a unique offering that help our clients develop ideas in a new way. Based on a proprietary methodology, the sessions take participants through a process to develop breakthrough ideas. Acting as facilitators, we help individuals and teams better understand and define their problem, find solutions, move to action, test ideas, gain acceptance, and create results through innovation.

For us, it is a way to cultivate innovation. Whether it is for a new business pitch or to keep a current client’s communications strategy on the cutting edge, at High Road we draw on the power of our more than 100 team members to push the limits of originality.

One of the reasons I enjoyed the Leadership Forum, is because I was given the opportunity to brainstorm and generate new ideas alongside local executives I’d never met before. It reminded me yet again how important it is to shake it up, look outside, and keep the ideas flowing.

Thanks so much to CATA-WIT for sponsoring my seat.

The Leadership Forum is held by the Centre for Executive Leadership   at the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management.