Tag Archives: certification

Why Sometimes Being Certifiable is a Good Thing

Certified Design Thinking ProfessionalRecently I became a Certified Design Thinking Professional (CDTP) through the Global Innovation Institute (GInI).

I’m sure you’ve probably heard someone say that an individual is certifiable. In the negative context of the word it means that an individual is “officially recognized as needing treatment for mental disorder” according to the Oxford Languages dictionary.

BUT, there is of course a positive meaning to the word certifiable as well – “able or needing to be certified.”

I’ve been doing human-centered design, or what some people refer to as ‘design thinking’, for more than twenty years – since I built Symantec’s first web-based technical support and customer service capabilities. But, despite decades of experience I’ve never bothered to get certified. So, why now?

Well, recently I finished building and launching a Design Thinking program for Oracle customers similar to Salesforce Ignite, Deloitte Greenhouse, EY Wavespace, SAP Leonardo, etc. Now as I explore a range of potential new opportunities to tackle next, there is one inescapable fact that presents itself very quickly:

Companies are extremely risk averse as they evaluate potential vendors and employees, and so they place a great deal of value on diplomas and certifications as a way of decreasing the perceived risk of hiring the services of a new employee or contractor.

This is valuable to the individual as well, but certifications help to increase the knowledge and confidence for the person too. And, tools like the Applied Innovation Master Book (AInMB) contain not only valuable information about design thinking, but also about innovation in the bargain. And, the Applied Innovation Master Book gives you one place to jump back to for selecting the methods you want to leverage each time you engage in a new design challenge.

So, does it make sense to get certified in everything you could possibly get certified on?

Maybe not. But, there are definitely times where being certifiable is a good thing.

Keep innovating!


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December Innovation Special

December Innovation Special

As 2013 comes to a close and the holiday season continues, I thought I would make a special offer to event organizers in search of a last minute innovation speaker for a December or early January 2014 event AND to innovation managers looking to build strong momentum for their innovation efforts as we head into 2014.

Here is the offer:

Stoking Your Innovation BonfireBook me for an event occurring between December 5, 2013 and January 15, 2014 for either a:

  • 60-90 minute Innovation Keynote
  • 2-4 hour Innovation Workshop
  • 1 Day Innovation Masterclass
  • 2 Day Training towards Global Innovation Management Institute (GIMI) Level 1 Certification

… and I will include a box of fifty (50) signed copies of my popular book Stoking Your Innovation Bonfire for your attendees, at no additional charge.

Book Braden Kelley for your event

P.S. Have you taken the FREE Innovation Catalyst certification BETA exam yet?


Build a common language of innovation on your team

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Free eLearning for Global Innovation Certification BETA

Announcing FREE eLearning for Global Innovation Certification BETA

I am proud to announce the launch of Innovation Tutors – your home for high quality Innovation eLearning, which will be delivered by recognized innovation thought leaders that travel the world delivering innovation keynotes, public masterclasses and corporate workshops.

We are excited to announce our first two BETA eLearning offerings, which we are providing for FREE for a limited time:

BETA – Global Innovation Certification
Nine Innovation Roles 101

And, we are proud to announce our partnership with the Global Innovation Management Institute (GIMI) to bring you the referenced BETA – Global Innovation Certification eLearning AND…

There will be more eLearning for the Global Innovation Certification coming soon:

— Level 1 – Associate
— Level 3 – Manager

–> CLICK here for your FREE eLearning for the Global Innovation Certification BETA <-- PLUS, we will be bringing you our own in depth eLearning offering to supplement the certification training or as a standalone to provide your employees with a strong understanding of innovation fundamentals. So watch for the following eLearning and DVD to appear soon: — Innovation 101

So, please enjoy these introductory FREE Innovation eLearnings and watch for more extensive premium eLearning offerings coming soon!

Keep innovating!

P.S. If you have a need for an innovation keynote, public masterclass, or innovation workshop – Please Contact Us!


Build a common language of innovation on your team

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