Knowledge about how to effectively manage and lead scientific staff has been known for over forty years, yet the application of that knowledge has fallen far short of expectations. Companies continue to mismanage the strategic resources that are embodied in their highly trained scientists and engineers. The reasons for this are many. They include the failure to appreciate the unique nature of scientific activities and of scientists themselves, the blind adoption of the latest management fad, and the lack of attention by senior management to the proper selection, training and mentoring of front line R&D team/ group leaders or supervisors.

The presentation will also include the results of surveys done in both North America and China of research scientists who were asked to describe the actions and behaviors of the most effective R&D manager they had ever worked for, who encouraged them to work to the best of their ability, and the worst R&D manager they ever had, that depressed their motivation to do a good job.

Presented by Bart Huthwaite, Sr., Author of The Rules of Innovation and Lean Design Solution: A Practical Guide to Streamlining Product Design and Development

Corporate leaders are now beginning to see innovation as a process that can be systematically learned, applied to any product, service or system, and¡ªvery importantly¡ªmeasured in ¡°real time.¡± Systematic Corporate Innovation is now being seen like Six Sigma and Lean in their infancy.