“For me, the “Innovation Excellence” training was a revolution to conventional management trainings. A large part of the content was developed and applied in a practical way and brought into context. It is tremendously motivating to use these new skills in everyday life, because you make yourself and your environment more efficient.”
References (excerpt)
Participants (excerpt):
Ulrich Kleinwächter, Head of Moers Service Centre, Vossloh Locomotives GmbH
“I had the opportunity to participate in various trainings by Harald Korsten and was very impressed with the ease with which he taught me the leadership tools and methods immediately after my promotion as a manager. He focused on the promotion of employees in connection with economic leadership and a harmonisation of corporate goals and organisation. After 20 years of leadership experience, I know that this was the right focus. Many thanks for this.
Harald Korsten sensitises in his trainings on process optimisation and motivates highly professional to reduce effort, time and costs. Here, he moves in the balancing act between continuous improvement and innovation. I have enjoyed taking part in his trainings.”
Wolfgang Kelle, Head of Electrical Maintenance at ZF Group
“Change management? Resilience?? Leadership by promoting??? You would like to finally tackle it and not just talk about it? Your company has recognised that something has to change, but doesn’t really know how and what? All I can say is, tackle it with a strong partner. And here is my recommendation: contact Harald Korsten and motiv GfI. We have gone the way and today we profit from this cooperation. Best wishes and regards.”
“I got to know and appreciate Harald Korsten during my time as CEO at Otto-Chemie! In a highly professional manner and spiced up with a good portion of humour, he first gave top management and later middle management a deeper insight into their leadership tasks and made us all better employees of the company. His special ability to empathize very quickly with the concerns and structure of the company has earned the highest respect from all who have been allowed to work with him. Harald Korsten also convinced in individual coaching sessions and showed me down-to-earth and feasible ways even in difficult situations. I can unreservedly recommend Harald as an extremely competent discussion and coaching partner!”
Karl Behm, PMP®, PMI-ACP®, PSM, PSPO
“Mr. Korsten is an experienced and outstanding trainer! I found the one-week leadership training with Mr. Korsten not only very instructive and comprehensive, but also very structured and relaxed. Mr. Korsten has the ability to bring extensive and at first sight non-transparent facts and topics closer with ease. He skilfully manages to focus the trainees’ entire attention on the content at hand. I also found his techniques for visualising problems very target-oriented and appropriate, which greatly contributed to the fact that all participants interacted, both consciously and unconsciously. I personally appreciate Mr. Korsten not only as a trainer but also as a person and recommend him to others!”
Tobias Gerasch, Head of IT, Viscom AG
“The training was enriching in many ways: A great group, with which it was a pleasure to experience the theoretically acquired group dynamics. An advanced training where you had to get out of the comfortable consumption corner from the very first minute to learn how to pass on what you had learned. And above all the understanding that there is much more to the fundamental attitude than just techniques and tools. Thanks a lot, Harald!”
Frank Schmilowski, Head of Department and Academy, EW Medien & Kongresse GmbH
“Practical relevance + interaction + optimal learning success! Never before have I learned so much in a short time to develop myself and my team. The certification course is challenging and in my opinion a MUST for every manager who is serious about leadership 4.0.”
“The training helps me a lot; the large practical part makes it much easier to directly apply what I have learned compared to other trainings. In concrete terms, I was able to significantly improve the workshops I led through the structure and techniques I learned in the “Innovation Excellence” training.Furthermore, I find the continuous improvement approach, which is the focus of the training, very inspiring and an excellent attitude for my own work, but especially for the leadership of employees.”
“The training was a great experience for me and gave me a whole lot of new impulses. The topics and especially the exercises are very close to practice – and the most important thing for me: They give structure and lead to results! Thank you very much for the very good support!”
“The focus of the training was on us, the participants, right from the beginning – where do we stand and where do we want to get? Instead of theoretical learning, self-experience through direct application and a lot of self-knowledge plays a big role. Harald Korsten exemplifies what makes a change agent: appreciative and motivating leadership and coaching behaviour in change processes. Thank you for this extraordinary experience!”
“The beginning of the training was surprisingly unusual and a bit uneasy. However, in the further course of the training Harald Korsten was consitent about his most important message: “The manager builds the capacity of his employees”. Almost the entire content of the training is self-acquired and the personal training handbook is 100% self-created. As a result of the training I got to know myself more intensely. I become increasingly attentive towards my employees and understand their opinions better, which helps us to achieve our goals in more efficient ways. Thank you Harald, well done!”
“Personally the training for innovation managers was the best training I evey experienced. Why? An entrained trainer who was able to teach the challenging contents and tools in a very unique way. I was always looking forward to the next module. That what is taught, is directly trained on the spot, so that I found the implementation in my daily business very easy. The training, however, does not only support me in my professional life but also it helped me to get to know myself better and to question me.”
“In all aspects an extraordinary and challenging training. Contents and methodologies are identical as the participants experience the trainer just as the role of a leader is being taught during the training: appreciative, authentic and with regards to the capacity development of the participants. The leadership tools are at the sam time also that of the trainer; the participants adopt them and internalise them automatically. Any training couldn’t be better and more application-oriented – well done.”
“The education was the best I have ever participated yet. (…) The following transfer into practice was easy to do. (…) Many thanks to Harry and his crew!”
Christine Riedmann-Streitz, Managing Director MarkenFactory, Lecturer and Trainer
“Innovation Competence – Based on the assumption that every human being is born as a creative and trusting being, this innovation training impressively points out the current situation in numerous projects and many companies. In the future, it should no longer surprise any of the participants that the Pareto Principle has been able to establish itself negatively in such a way, whether in management behavior, employee motivation or the market performance of products. The consistent refusal of conventional didactics is extremely goal-oriented and just as beneficial. After all, this systematically challenges every participant to do exactly what he or she is attending the training for: to think, to rethink, to learn from each other and pass on, to appreciate, to innovate. The focus is on an appreciative, supportive and challenging attitude, and proven behavioral and procedural tools are also explored. As an experienced manager, I was also able to take valuable food for thought with me. And last but not least it is a great pleasure to work with Harald Korsten.“
“The education especially widened my understandig of appreciative leadership behavior and illustrated the „creation“ of innovation capability by change willingness, feedback, reflection and confidence. The application-oriented trained methods and techiques are absolutely helpful in my professional live as well as in my private environment. The education was very challenging and varied; I never experienced anything like it.”
Dirk Bruchmann, Business Manager, TOYOTA Deutschland GmbH
“”Yeah, but…” Ping-Pong. justification orgies. Blame. Unproductive meetings, going off without concrete agreement. We all know it. Maybe it’s me, too? How do I communicate? Do I question concepts, opinions, decisions of others and try to understand them? Or do I just make suggestions and wonder why others don’t want the same as I do? These were probably not their suggestions after all ….. During our training as innovation coaches we were made aware of self-evident things that unfortunately are not always self-evident. For example, how to express criticism in a team, with employees or with customers: Constructive criticism instead of accusations. Or how to manage effective meetings and let the group develop goals, solutions, action plans on its own – then it’s the group’s goals and solutions. Or coaching behavior, appreciation, trust instead of rules and control. One of the most important insights for me: pause and reflect again and again. Self-reflection helps in all situations of life and work. Who only plans and implements (= Plan, Do), but does not reflect (= Check), cannot improve (= Act). It all sounds so simple, but it is not always the case. I pack my own nose and try to start with myself. And the nice thing is: I realize that it works. Not always – but more often. For me, this was a very valuable training with great group (developmental) dynamics, without any consumption – we even worked out the manual ourselves – and the highest practical relevance. And it was a lot of fun!”
Jens Talmon, Project Engineer, Visteon Climate Engineering Services
“The training showed me impressively that innovation is not shaped by processes but by willingness to change, the capacity for criticism, reflective behavior and trust. It helped me to discover new limits, but also new potentials, to reawaken my willingness to change and to sharpen my ability to reflect. Supplemented by useful tools, this training will be a very special experience.“
Karl-Georg Zipp, GPT/DP team leader Quali. & Training in Operations, BASF AG
“The qualification as innovation trainer has complemented and perfected my profile greatly. The coupling of the practical implementation during and after the training and the practical exchange with other participants is to be emphasized especially and explicitly. The know-how I learned and took with me was already successfully implemented in my daily work shortly after the training. Looking back, the training was challenging, exciting and interesting. Through the establishment of learning groups and partnerships, a network has also been created which is still available as a helpful advisor. For me, it was one of the best trainings, practical, goal-oriented and with a lot of personal responsibility for yourself. I would participate again at any time. Thanks to Harald Korsten and the whole team.”
Helmut Bauer, Head of Management Systems Quality/Environment/Innovation, OTTO Chemie GmbH
“Timetable, train and tracks for the ability to change” – this is how I would characterize the training as an innovation trainer. In a relaxed atmosphere, professional, credible and sustainable appreciative behavior in dealing with people is conveyed. Trainers Harald Korsten and colleagues use coaching-oriented methods and behaviors to give ” Help for self-help” and let the participants develop themselves by practicing the topics interactively and reflecting permanently. 4 months after graduation, I was allowed to integrate what I had learned, or better said, what I had experienced, into my professional practice within the framework of an innovation project and experience that it “works”. Also in my private life as a conductor of an orchestra it is absolutely helpful and valuable for me. But the quintessence of the training was to get to know myself better.“
“The training is a challenging analysis with organizational development, with the trainer role of the next generation and… with yourself.”
“The “Innotrainer” was the best education I participated within. The very demanding and complex topic was imparted absolutely professional, varied, motivating and by logical, comprehensible steps. The Process and training method were exemplary. I was fascinated by the culture of criticism, the supportive leadership and coaching behaviour, the dealing with difficult situations and the skillful use of the moderation method including useful team development techniques. The special thing is that these skills will be very useful to me in daily working life. This training earns a “highly recommended”.”
“I was strenghtened developed more confidence on the path to become an innovation trainer. The training was the best, liveliest and most interesting I have ever participated! With the issues, the trainers ripped us participants out of our seats and allowed us to to work towards success autonomously. The tools learned can always be used with much success, be it at work, in the family or in associations.”
“The Innovation Trainer education enriches for every professional trainer and also managers who wants to develop high performance teams. The participants learn how to develop employees into teams, achieving increasingly better results with high identification, initiative and fun at work. Harald Korsten and his training team provide the challenging syllabus excellently. The participants take away considerably more than the usual fat folder. For me, this was one of the best opportunities for development I`ve received so far in my professional career with BMW, Mercedes and now thanks to TOYOTA.”
Alfred Jürgens, District Manager Quality & Development, TOYOTA DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
“The innovation trainer course has helped me in my work within the dealer network to look at the cooperation with people applying the coaching approach. Individual work situations require different approaches. The training enables me to better assess these situations and to moderate groups in a way that visualizes goals and intermediate results. This leads to more efficient results in dealing with my clients. The training has a good balance between theory and practice. The joint training in groups provides experience and practical techniques in dealing with people. The days were exciting and fun!”
“In everyday leadership, I often reach into the “toolbox” of the Innotrainer. These are well-known tools from leadership training such as coaching, moderation and leadership. I have never been able to practice them as memorably as in the Innotrainer, so that I can now use them consciously and confidently.”
“The Innovation Trainer education has been very productive, as the opportunities were generated by consistently encouraging leadership behaviour were practically clarified in every training module. In particular, the reflection on the trainers self-image inititated my (still) ongoing learning process.”
Thomas Scheffler, Regional Manager Q&E, TOYOTA DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
“The training as an innovation trainer helps me to develop the group every day. Thanks to the training I am even better able to bring the strengths of individual team members to the surface – which has a direct impact on the results achieved. The training is exciting and entertaining, the proportion of practical exercises is very high. This offers many opportunities to gather and evaluate your own experiences during the training. The exchange with the other participants and their feedback is an important contribution on the way to becoming an Innotrainer.”
Gianni Capasso M.A., HR Developer, SWK STADTWERKE KREFELD AG
“In my function as a HR developer, I very often experience how supervisors do not sufficiently fulfill their role as a leader. According to the supposedly proven motto “As long as I don’t say anything, everything is fine”, employees are usually left to themselves. The frequent consequence is a downward spiral of consternation and demotivation. What does contemporary leadership look like? Which instruments help leaders to guide employees professionally? I have discovered answers to these questions in the training: Through intensive training in small groups and reflection on the contents in learning partnerships, I have become acquainted with working techniques and instruments that not only enable managers to sustainably support individuals and groups through consistent development behavior and constructive handling of criticism. I have also realized that leadership is much more than guidance and motivation, namely also developing employees. Conclusion: Absolutely worthwhile for those who strive to help employees to get more out of their talents and abilities.”
Gerhard Busch, District Manager, TOYOTA DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
“In my daily work with our dealers, it is important to motivate them to develop joint solutions to problems and to moderate within groups. For me it was important to deepen the subject of coaching from the ground up and to train group work from A-Z using self-developed moderation guidelines. The well-structured learning units, the relationship between theory and practical exercises and the open and collegial cooperation in the learning team were very beneficial to me. After about 2 months I can say in retrospect that I was able to take a lot with me into practice. The training days flew by – it was interesting, entertaining and fun!”
Martina Held, Marketing Manager, Yoga teacher, Business Coach DVCT, motiv-trainer since January 2008
“The training as an innovation trainer has optimally complemented and perfected my profile. I particularly liked the practical implementation during the training and the practical exchange with other participants. I already successfully implemented the trainer know-how shortly after the training.”
“A relaxed learning atmosphere, vividly conveyed information and plenty of opportunity to practice made sure that I can put into practice what I have learned and apply it in my professional life. Far away from dry theory I got to know inspiring and innovative methods – absolutely enriching and broadening my horizon!”
Werner Ahrens, General Manager, TIS GmbH
“Self-motivation, motivation of employees, responsibility of and for employees, team development, goal orientation, problem recognition and solution, innovation – these are all buzzwords that are gladly used but are often not lived. The innovation trainer course provided me with a lot of practical tips, ideas and help for procedures in daily leadership and in dealing with people. It was important for me that no “recipes” were handed out, but that attitudes were questioned and, as the saying goes, “help for self-help” was given. And what was learned can also be applied in the private sphere. The training was challenging, exciting and interestingly moderated. By setting up learning groups and partnerships, a network has also been created that continues to be available as a helpful guide. Initial successes show that the tools I have learned enable me to concentrate more on my work as a leader and that my employees perform their tasks with more motivation and personal responsibility. For me, it was one of the best trainings I have participated in in my many years in leadership positions. Thanks to Harald Korsten and his team.”
“The education is a prime example of interactive and challenging human resources development in the form of a seminar. In this case, it confronted the roles of innovation, leadership, development and also with your own personality. Actually, it should be a compulsory course for all young and all experienced managers as well as for trainers of any experience levels. We always keep on learning. Thanks motiv! Once again with pleasure!”
“The education for the innovation trainer is a crucial step for my professional development. I’ve learned how to accompany employees in innovative action with structured approach and thereby enabling me to promote their willingness for change. This is not just for employees but also for myself a (also necessary) cultural change on issues of organization, processes, teamwork and leadership. Each module of this training series has always had the practical relevance, practice and clearly pointed out to me the benefits of the issues learned. Exceptionally important for me was the collaboration with the training`s learning partners. In the group, an open and constructive feedback was given. That was an ideal help for self-help. For me, the two very competent trainers Martina Held and Harald Korsten were a special experience.”
“This training has shown me impressively, how organizations innovation capacity may be increaseed by creating the necessary basics. While companies are usually focused on the processes, the training clarifies that innovative capacity has to be supported by an equivalent corporate culture. Innovation is regarded as a team effort – the training clarifies how teams will be able to increase maximum performance. The important skills for this, such as coaching and facilitation techniques, are unfortunately still very neglected in large companies.Deserves praise the training concept. Here, intensive group work is delivered instead of “PowerPoint teacher-up front style”. Participants will learn primarily through mutual criticism and mutual coaching. Unlike many other training systems, sufficient time is provided to practice the learned skills intensively. By this, the transfer into working live will be much easier. For me, that is the best training I have ever attended!”
“The Education in Innovation Competency is the best ever trainer training I’ve had. For me, a management consultant and project manager, are the trained and acquired skills crucial in order to deliver my projects and to implement change management skills in teams successfully.”
Nils Jeromin, District Manager Quality Management, TOYOTA D GmbH
“The very demanding, well-structured training supports me in my daily work with customers, colleagues, suppliers and service providers. The roles and tasks in daily interaction are complex: expert, moderator, mediator, coach, supervisor. Disney’s Balu the Bear “The bare necessities …” leads me through various creativity techniques, with which I also associate the Walt Disney strategy “Splitting perspectives instead of one-dimensional thinking” (dream, criticism, realization), via process analysis (PDCA cycle – Plan Do Check Act) to pausing (C = Check). Pause… before I can go on. Disturbances are important clues and have priority. With the number of meetings the number of decisions decreases. It is important for me to define the goal as precisely as possible at the beginning. Goals instead of (unequal) solutions. Listening instead of giving advice – working out common interests in a dialogue instead of producing an 83% loss of information in a discussion that only knows winners and losers! Ability to reflect, teamwork versus lone wolves… Only I myself can stop or decelerate the hamster wheel of our daily, hectic working world. No “Yes, but … justification ping-pong.” Doing, making, acting is done by hand and not by mouth. “Why not?” instead of “Yes, but…”!”
“The Innovation Management Training Program (IMTP) has been both a practical and enlightening experience and has served to provide an enhanced view of both myself, how I interact with others, their perception of me within working groups and a unique opportunity to take the lessons learnt into everyday life. I’m looking forward to applying the skills to ecological, environmental and sustainability projects. Over all, powerful and insightful and a must do course for businesses that expect to succeed in the 21st century.”
Boris Kandels, Business Development Manager, DIS AG
“A terrific training. Over and over again surprising moments: Experiencing the consciously thought in a new way. Questioning yourself and your actions again and again. Pausing. Learning to get faster and further on new paths. During the workshop I was already able to put what I had learned into practice and was amazed at how much fun and creativity arose. This training has shown that one and one can sometimes result in 5.”
Ingo Stritter, Tourism and Estate Manager
“During the past 16 years I have been involved in various projects and processes as project manager, managing director and trainer. Some of these projects and team processes were successful, others mediocre and there were also failures. I was not always able to identify exactly what the reason for this was. There were also occasional situations in which I was very discouraged by the poor performance or cooperation of the team members. The big change came in 2013, when I completed the Innovation Competence Training with motiv – Gesellschaft für Innovation. Wow! Since my graduation from this course I can be pleased about great achievements. This applies to my person and my professional environment. The performance, productivity and cooperation of the teams have always stabilized and improved. It is great fun to observe how the help for self-help has a lasting effect. Thanks to Harri Korsten and the motiv team! I am looking forward to our cooperation.”