Fostering a culture of innovation requires engaging employees in innovation efforts. During the third quarter of 2019, I&P hosted its September Innovation Conversation Series, which featured a panel of County employees showcasing the power of data and how they use data for program management, visualization, and storytelling. The 2020 Innovation Conversation Series will begin in February with tips on leading from the middle.
The I&P team launched the Cuyahoga County Innovation Academy (CCIA) on July 1 with the inaugural Yellow Belt cohort. The CCIA provides employees with the skills needed to improve programs and find efficiencies in their work through a three-tiered training program focused on Lean Six Sigma, Project Management, Organizational Behavior and Change Management methodologies. During the third quarter of 2019, the CCIA hosted three beginner Yellow Belt cohorts (offered monthly) and one intermediate Green Belt cohort (offered quarterly). Planning for the Black Belt training is currently underway.
The I&P team also spent the third quarter of 2019 preparing two new programs that will drive innovation by connecting County government with entrepreneurs and businesses. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the I&P team will launch The Lab @ Cuyahoga County to connect local entrepreneurs and businesses with public sector partners in order to test new ideas, products, or services in a real-world environment for 12-16 weeks. The Lab will provide local businesses and entrepreneurs with the subject matter expertise, data, and customer feedback needed to make the jump from product ideation and validation to product launch.
Then, in 2020, Cuyahoga County will participate in the Startup in Residence (STiR) program, which enables governments to identify creative solutions to existing problems through partnerships with tech-based businesses. Vendors, selected through a challenge-based RFP process, will participate in a 16-week residency during which they will collaborate with County departments to solve up to six current challenges through a technological lens.
Future priorities for engaging employees in innovation efforts include
- The launch of the Black Belt course as part of the Cuyahoga County Innovation Academy,
- Continued development of a training video series for employees on innovation topics, and
- Continued engagement of employees through Cuyahoga Performance, rapid improvement events, and process improvement projects.
13.3 Increase staff capacity to drive and support innovation and performance improvement efforts