Overview
In a business world defined by constant change, innovation is key to staying ahead. However, many organisations struggle to overcome the hurdles that come with turning bold ideas into reality.
This dynamic two-day Korn Ferry Academy course Innovation Leadership: Mastering the Working Backwards Methodology introduces the Working Backwards Method – a proven approach to product development that starts by envisioning a fully developed, market-ready product centred on customer needs. Rather than jumping directly into product creation, this approach helps to begin with a clear, customer-focused vision based on insights and feedback – and then work backwards to achieve it.
Throughout the course, you will collaborate with fellow participants to apply the methodology to real ideas, engage with practical tools to develop and validate business plans and cultivate an intrapreneurial mindset that drives customer-centric, commercially viable innovations. You will also learn to lead large-scale innovation initiatives with both speed and effectiveness.
The Working Backwards approach has been key to building Amazon.com, AWS and Alexa, and has also fuelled innovation across other major global enterprises like DBS, Changi Airports, Petronas and Astro.
Learning Outcomes
- Master the Working Backwards Approach: Learn when and how to effectively apply the Working Backwards methodology to drive both incremental and disruptive innovation.
- Leverage Essential Tools: Utilise the 12 Working Backwards tools to efficiently conduct Customer, Solution and Business Validation processes.
- Navigate Enterprise Challenges: Identify and overcome common organisational obstacles, while engaging leadership and stakeholders throughout the innovation journey.
- Implement the Scientific Method: Use scientific principles to analyse product-market fit, increasing the success rate of your innovative products each year.
- Enhance Validation Skills: Develop essential competencies in customer validation to accelerate the time-to-market for your product innovations.
Course Topics
Customer Validation: Covers identifying target personas, developing hypotheses, and conducting experiments to validate assumptions effectively.
Solution Validation: Focuses on mapping pain points to features and testing solution resonance with potential users.
Business Validation: Utilises the 7V framework for financial analysis and crafting investor-ready business plans to showcase your innovation’s potential.
Who Should Attend
Assessment & Evaluation
To be eligible for funding, participants are required to attain a minimum 75% attendance and pass the course assessment. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for more details.
Course Fees & Funding
| Participant Profile | Self-Sponsored | Company-Sponsored | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SME | NON-SME | ||
|
Singapore Citizen
≥ 40 years old |
$266.70
(After SSG Funding 70% + MCES Funding** 20%) |
$266.70
(After SSG Funding 70% + ETSS Funding* 20%) |
$266.70
(After SSG Funding 70% + MCES Funding** 20%) |
|
Singapore Citizen
< 40 years old / Permanent Resident |
$686.70
(After SSG Funding 70%) |
$266.70
(After SSG Funding 70% + ETSS Funding* 20%) |
$686.70
(After SSG Funding 70%) |
| International Participant |
$2,289
(No Funding) |
$2,289
(No Funding) |
$2,289
(No Funding) |
*ETSS – Enhanced Training Support for SMEs
**MCES – Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy
Self-sponsored participants may use SkillsFuture Credit (SFC) to offset fees
Course Fees are inclusive of 9% Goods & Services Tax
Course Schedule
14 & 15 Oct
Facilitator Bio
Eric Tachibana
Eric Tachibana is a Senior Client Partner with Korn Ferry, and a distinguished faculty member at the Korn Ferry Academy, with a 30-year track record in executive leadership, venture capital advisory and enterprise intrapreneurship and transformation. A recognised global thought leader, he has authored eight books on technology development and innovation management. Eric is dedicated to partnering with senior leaders to implement large-scale change, with a strong emphasis on practical, hands-on execution. He excels at building high-performing teams, encouraging innovative thinking and fostering cross-organisational collaboration to drive results.
Before joining Korn Ferry, Eric served as the Global Chief People Officer and APJC Head of Professional Services at Amazon Web Services. He also held leadership roles as CTO and COO for UBS and Merrill Lynch Bank of America in the APJC region. In these positions, he collaborated with boards and senior teams to achieve business outcomes through cultural transformation, innovation, leadership development and operational excellence.
Recently, Eric has assisted Fortune 500 companies in adapting the Working Backwards approach to enterprise innovation. Since 2018, spinouts from the "Innovation Engine" have attracted over $200 million in funding and generated more than $25 billion in revenue impact for clients.
Based in Singapore, Eric has extensive experience in emerging markets across the APAC region. He is passionate about exploring new possibilities with seasoned leaders and has delivered impactful solutions for global MNCs, including DBS, Globe Telecom, Petronas, LG and Astro. He holds a BA in Anthropology from UCLA, a Master’s in Science, Technology and Public Policy and an MBA from the National University of Singapore.
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