The Product Development & Management Association (PDMA) will hold its first event in Charlotte, Thursday, January 24th. In addition to offering participants valuable networking opportunities, the workshop will discuss innovation strategies through a blend of education and hands-on activities.
Durham, NC (PRWEB) January 10, 2008 -- The Carolinas Chapter of the Product Development & Management Association (PDMA) will hold a professional development and networking workshop in Charlotte, Thursday, January 24th. This will be PDMA's first event in Charlotte. In addition to offering participants valuable networking opportunities, the workshop will discuss innovation strategies through a blend of education and hands-on activities. The event will be hosted by Regus.
Through a presentation entitled "Systematic Innovation and Networking," Touch360 founder Shimon Shmueli and BOLT Group Director Mike Garten will offer an overview of Systematic Innovation (SI) techniques, which can be effective tools in stimulating creative thinking that often results in innovative solutions. A well-known technique is TRIZ, which is used by companies such as Ford, Procter & Gamble, Eli Lilly, 3M and Samsung. After the introduction, participants will split into teams and have fun implementing the techniques by innovating new products. Participants will be able to network with their peers while competing to create the best innovation.
The seminar will be held at SouthPark Center, 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 1200, Charlotte, 28210. Networking will begin at 6:00 p.m., and the seminar will run from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. The seminar will conclude with a wrap-up and additional networking from 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $25 for PDMA members and $35 for non-members. Dinner and drinks are included in the registration cost. Attendance is limited to 30 so pre-registration at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/91135589 is required.
"Today's most successful companies know that identifying new products is not a magical experience where inspiration meets a marketplace need by chance, and process is not necessarily the enemy of innovation. Rather, providing the right amount of structure can help you identify the best opportunities, and make innovation repeatable," said Montie Rolland, PDMA Chapter President. "We invite professionals at all levels who have interest in innovation techniques, including product managers, engineers, designers and marketing managers to an evening that combines networking, innovation and education."
Speaker Background
Mike Garten is a Director of Project Management at BOLT Group, a product and brand development firm. Prior to that Mike was with IBM where he held responsibilities for the management of global product and software development programs at IBM's AS/400 Connectivity Group as well as design and usability for banking equipment including self-service terminals. Mike holds a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design from Ohio State University and a Computer Science Certification from UNC-Charlotte. Mike is an officer in the Carolinas Chapter of IDSA. He has been a speaker at leading educational and industrial institutions including Virginia Tech School of Architecture & Design, Savannah College of Art & Design, and the International Association of Business Communicators.
Shimon Shmueli is the founder of Touch360 where he leads product development, innovation, and design. Before that, Shimon was with IBM, where he held various leadership positions, among them as worldwide marketing segment manager for PC products, worldwide product line manager for the ThinkPad consumer notebooks and accessories, and leading development of innovative mobile platforms. Shimon was a co-founder and CTO at KeyNetica, a company that pioneered the use of the USB flash drive as a mobile platform. He also served as a marketing and business strategy consultant. Currently he is teaches marketing research and consumer behavior at Elon University School of Business. Shimon has been a speaker at various professional events, among them at the 2007 World Design Congress in San Francisco, the Taiwan Design Center in Taipei, and the MIT Forum in DC. Shimon holds MSEE and MBA degrees.
About PDMA:
The Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) is the premier global advocate for product development and management professionals.
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