Nurturing Innovation: My Experience at the Amdocs Innovation Offsite 2024
Last week, I had an amazing experience at the Amdocs Innovation Offsite event in Pune. It was a day filled with learning, teamwork, and excitement. As someone passionate about innovation, I was thrilled to be a part of the event, Little did I know that this day would be filled with insightful discussions, intense brainstorming sessions, and unforgettable moments of triumph.
09:00 AM:
As the day began, I headed to the Amdocs Innovation India event accompanied by a colleague. We got there at 9:00 AM and were excited to see what the day had in store. The venue was buzzing with energy, and the smell of breakfast made our mouths water 🤤.
After a warm welcome, we dove into icebreakers to meet everyone. It was nice to chat with people who were also interested in innovation like us. Over coffee/chai, we got to know each other better and shared our excitement for the day ahead.
Every conversation seemed to spark new ideas and perspectives. It was inspiring to see how innovation could be so simple yet impactful. Throughout the day, I felt like I was on a journey of discovery, surrounded by a community of like-minded individuals. In the heart of Amdocs Innovation India, I found a welcoming space where creativity thrived and new possibilities were always around the corner.
Agenda of the event:
At the start of the event, we were split into groups of six randomly. There were about 6 groups in total.
Anjan Biswas, who heads Amdocs Innovation India, kicked things off with an overview of innovation. He explained why innovation matters and how we can make it a part of our daily routines. We delved into the culture of innovation and talked about how employees drive innovation in their everyday tasks. Anjan also highlighted the key pillars of innovation, which include B.E.A.N (Behaviors, Enablers, Artifacts & Nudges), communities of practice, innovation advocacy, and open innovation.
The main topic of the event was “How to Sustain and Grow the India Innovation Community?”
During the event, every two teams were tasked with solving a specific problem statement. This meant that there were three different problem statements assigned to a total of six teams. Our Team worked on the 3rd Problem statement,
My Team:
Before we dive into the rest of the story, let me introduce you to my team members. We were quite the diverse bunch, each bringing our own skills and perspectives to the table. We had Anup, our HR guy, Anil from IT, and a few software development guys: Abhilash, Ganesh, and Saurabh. And then there was me, the Digital Product Designer. Together, we formed a unique mix of talents and backgrounds ready to tackle any challenge that came our way.
Throughout the event, we employed various frameworks to brainstorm ideas and develop solutions for the problem statements assigned to us. One such framework we utilized was the Lid Buckets framework, which encourages thinking outside the box by exploring different perspectives. In this framework, we metaphorically open the lid to uncover conventional solutions, kick the lid to challenge assumptions and explore unconventional ideas, and finally, break the lid to push boundaries and think radically.
Another framework we used was The GROW Framework, which stands for Goal, Reality, Options, and Will. This structured approach helped us define clear goals, assess the current reality, generate multiple options for achieving our goals, and commit to a course of action.
Additionally, we utilized the RACI Matrix, which stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. This matrix helped us clarify roles and responsibilities within our team, ensuring that everyone knew what was expected of them and who needed to be involved in decision-making processes.
Shark Tank 2.0:
Once we had brainstormed and developed our solutions using these frameworks, we pitched our ideas as a team to the other teams participating in the event. This not only allowed us to showcase our creativity and problem-solving skills but also provided an opportunity for constructive feedback from our peers.
After all the teams had presented their solutions, we participated in a peer-based evaluation process where each team was scored on the quality of their solution and the effectiveness of their presentation. And to our delight, our team emerged victorious, winning the pitching competition by good margin🕺🏻😀.
Overall, the combination of diverse frameworks, collaborative teamwork, and peer feedback played a crucial role in our success at the event. It demonstrated the power of creativity, innovation, and effective communication in solving complex problems and achieving our goals.
Conclusion:
As the event drew to a close, we left with a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration. The day had been a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and inclusivity in fostering innovation. And as we bid farewell to our newfound friends and colleagues, we carried with us not just memories, but a shared commitment to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
In hindsight, attending the Amdocs Innovation Offsite event was an enriching experience that reminded me of the importance of diversity, inclusion, and collaboration in driving innovation forward. It was a day filled with learning, growth, and meaningful connections — a day I will cherish for years to come.
Here are some glimpses from the event:
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