Over the years, I have found using the Synectics approach to creative problem solving to be invaluable. They allow people to not only become more creative, but also to better communicate, give and receive feedback, and ensure a free flow of ideas. Using Synectics extensively as part our qualitative consumer research has resulted in defining consumer opportunities and developing successful new concepts.
Steven MatisColgate
This was a huge opportunity for us to start getting the innovation culture embedded at Newmont.
Newmont Mining Corporation
It’s not about Synectics innovating for you. It’s about Synectics bringing out the knowledge you have, and your customers and experts have, and synthesizing that into a view of what might be possible.
Robert Mandel, CEO at Health Dialog
I wish I had gone through the process a couple of decades ago!
Newmont Mining Corporation
“Synecticsworld helped my team build a dynamic vision of what was possible for our newly formed Food Service National Account business. All participants were thoroughly engaged in a process that was stimulating and thought provoking. The facilitation techniques employed drew out the team’s best creative thinking to achieve alignment and commitment to a common business mission. Further work included exploration of consumer and operator insights, which ultimately lead to an inventory of …
Philip Wahl, Director of Global Strategic Partnerships at Georgia-Pacific Professional Food Services Solutions
I had the opportunity to work with Joe Giordano in 2010 on a corporate strategy project. He was very professional and was able to bring his passion for his work into all our dealings and communications. He has a great mindset and skillset to deal with teams and individuals who are in the midst of change and growth. He gave us 100% every time we interacted. I am delighted that I have had the chance to work with Joe and look forward to doing so again in the future.
Kim Bryan, Vice President, Talent & Organisation Development at Aurizon (formerly QR National)
Code Cracking will probably be one of the best things I ever learn as a consumer marketer.
Coke Marketing Director
I have been doing new product development for over 25 years, and I can say that I have learned and seen demonstrated more practical value with Synectics than I have with any other innovation group I have dealt with. These techniques really have depth.
David M. Moret Vice President of Product Development & Engineering at Levolor-Kirsch
Connie is so creative it is scary. She creatively teaches creativity. I have been lucky to work with Connie over the years. She teaches people that creativity is not a gift from birth, rather a process one can learn. This is a hopeful message for anyone who has struggled alone to solve a problem. It does not have to be that way.
David Glenn, Founder of Connected, Inc.
Over the past several years, I was fortunate to work with the team at Synecticsworld, and it was life changing. We gained the valuable insight we needed and we also created unique growth platforms that enabled us to see and explore significantly incremental growth paths for our businesses. The Synecticsworld methodology is unique to any that I have experienced. The experience opened by mind past new business opportunities and gave me insight into my own perspectives.
Anne Bannister, General Manager of Lighting at Energizer
Attending a week-long Synectics training session was one of the most engaging and transformative creativity courses I’ve ever attended.
Ken Martin, Senior Manager of Innovation at J.M. Smucker Company
Connie’s impact on our business and our people has been tremendous. I’d describe her as creative, smart, strategic, consumer focused, personable, a great communicator and fun. Did I say creative? I meant insanely creative. She knows how to apply process to an innovation brainstorming project, and she always mixes things up to keep the juices flowing. Our work together has resulted in truly break-out new product concepts. We’ve used her on several projects, and I look forward to the next.
Marlin Jennes, General Manager, Sr. Consulting Partner at NeuroFocus, Inc.
“Scientists are often great cynics, pouring cold water onto new ideas. Using these techniques has transformed what were often ineffective and frustrating team meetings into really productive sessions.”
Unilever Insight and Innovation Training
“With the help of Synecticsworld, we’ve found a new way of working together as we continue to spark creative thinking across our organization. It has helped us strike a balance between Operational Excellence and Innovation, a challenge that most organizations struggle with, today. We’ve used Synecticsworld in many different ways…Each time we’ve been inspired by the powerful results we can achieve by harnessing our collective, creative thinking.”
Kirsten SimonitschPremera Blue Cross
From the beginning, it was apparent that we were going to benefit from the outcome and the process. We concluded the session with two very viable solutions, each with our next steps and accountabilities outlined. What was enjoyable and truly valuable was how well you managed the process of “out there” thinking that led to creative and then feasible ideas. The session strengthened the team and brought out our best ideas and prepared us to put them into action.
Melissa Aiello, President of Junior Achievement
I have had the pleasure of working with Chipp over the past couple of years on various projects. Chipp’s professional, friendly and enthusiastic manner has permeated the groups he has been managing, involving everyone and helping open minds to some exciting and different ways of thinking. The experience is always interesting and fun while focused on achieving the best possible result.
Ralee Winks, Illustrator at Pencilcase
Three decades later, my early investment in Synectics development training continues to demonstrate a healthy ROI! Unshackled from linear and closed minded thinking, open to ideas that at first appear asymmetric, the facilitation skills learned at Synectics have been a springboard for me to take great advantage of a global and a richly diverse team within a multinational firm. Thanks for expanding and enriching my leadership potential.
Mario Leone, EVP and CIO at Ingram Mirco
I was doubtful that any group could come up with any approach that hadn’t been thought of over the last 20 years across the world.
Aurizon
I had the privilege of participating in Synecticsworld’s Innovative Team Workshop, where I learned how to utilize the Synectics process to develop rapid, actionable innovations within large organizations. I came away from the training feeling motivated, empowered, and that I had learned a valuable skill that I could put into practice immediately.
Thomas Plummer VP, Customer Relationship Management at HSN
Chipp is personable, experienced, helpful, patient. He is a great supporter who gave us the confidence to take some out of the box risks and do some great work.
William Bolton, Queensland Rail
Connie Williams is a true innovation consultant and partner. She tackles tough and sensitive challenges with the highest integrity, leverages her vast knowledge and expertise to help clients understand their needs, and recommends a pragmatic and innovative course of action. While some only offer up ideas, Connie sees them through — bringing her experience, passion, creativity, ingenuity and leadership to the team. She is a joy to work with and to win with!
Yvonne Wolf, Global Head of Leadership Development at Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics
The principle of Synectics and the innovation concept they provide is a “can’t go wrong” product that can give every corporation a much-needed vitamin boost whenever they need help to change speed or direction.
Mikael Backman, President and CEO at Viking Line
When you do this, it makes the rest of marketing easy!
Burger King Consumer Insights Director
When you start thinking it and doing it, you’ll know that it’s got you hooked for life.
Aurizon
Connie is my go-to choice for strategic product development. Her approach is insights based and results driven. I have hired Connie several times at many different companies and she delivers. She is also an excellent change agent, able to influence leaders into new mindsets. A task not easily achieved. I highly recommend her.
Kate Quinn, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at WellPoint
Joe Giordano does a top notch job. He develops strong client relationships, and helps his clients get the results they seek. I’ve known him to develop unique and effective development programs for his clients.
Candis Cook, Advisor at Peer to Peer Advisors, Inc.
Joe Giordano’s vigor, professionalism and commitment to these projects is awe inspiring and infectious. Coupled with his innate ability to see a “diamond in the rough” allows him to truly value add to a corporation’s future successes.
Georgina Marsh, Project Administrator at Abigroup Goldings Joint Venture
“I never saw our consumers in this light before. If we take the time to do your insights process, it makes the rest of marketing easy!”
Consumer Products Executive
Chipp provided expert advice and support for the duration of 2 major safety campaigns in our organization. His professionalism was outstanding. What I admired most about working with Chipp was his ability to relate to all kinds of people we encounter throughout our innovative journey. During my training as a facilitator Chipp provided mentorship and encouragement necessary for me to succeed.
Jessica-Lee Holland, Project Manager Assistant at Aurizon (Formerly QR National)
It’s a pleasure to work with Connie on a project and leverage her years of experience and diverse category knowledge. She has a unique ability to galvanize and focus a diverse team so they can effectively work together to uncover the often hidden and unarticulated insights that truly drive consumers’ behavior. Furthermore, she develops brilliant exercises and projects for both teams and consumers to illuminate these insights themselves.
Clive de Freitas, Planning Lead, Agency Development at Google
Thanks so much for facilitating our meeting. The Synectics approach is really great and I do feel that the process helped take us to a place with a plan. Creating an open/accepting environment is obviously key to changing the momentum in a positive direction and fostering a better work environment. Thanks for turning us in the right direction.
Jeremy Keller, Director of Sales & Marketing at Avalon Hotel, Beverly Hills
The Synecticsworld team allowed our organization to develop a truly transformative strategic plan. As a board member and Strategic Planning Committee co-chair at a children’s museum, I focused on finding a consultant who would drive innovation, relate to all our stakeholders and help us achieve clear, actionable results. The Synecticsworld team delivered over and above our expectations.
Leonora Williamson, Board Member at Creative Discovery Museum
