NineSigma and Caliper Launch a NEW Collaborative Innovation Development Program to Identify and Groom Successful Innovation Leaders

CLEVELAND, Oct. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As collaborative innovation becomes a mainstream strategy for accelerating growth, organizations need to ensure that their innovation leaders and managers are well-suited for their roles, and know how to bring out the best in their teams. In response, NineSigma, the leading innovation provider, and Caliper, known for its in-depth personality assessment, the Caliper Profile, have developed a new Collaborative Innovation Development Program for those responsible for these initiatives. The companies have also created a first-of-its-kind Collaborative Innovation Profile, which sets benchmarks for the personality qualities, cognitive abilities, and motivations of successful innovation leaders.

"More organizations are evolving their treatment of collaborative innovation from an occasional, 'nice-to-have' program and are now depending on this strategy to stay competitive," said Denys Resnick, Director, Strategic Programs, NineSigma. "Success with innovation requires a specific set of skills. With Caliper, we've developed a unique, objective, and scientifically validated model for selecting and assessing Innovation Leaders. It is a tool to help coach them for increased success, and for building effective teams."

The specialized strengths required for managing innovation teams range from being comfortable reaching into the outside world for new solutions, to being able to help groups of intelligent, independent, and strong-minded individuals to work more collaboratively. That led NineSigma and Caliper to develop two Collaborative Innovation Profiles for Innovation Leaders and Project Managers. The profiles surface key differences between these two roles. For instance, Innovation Leaders are visionary, strong communicators, and comfortable with risks. Project Managers are skilled in keeping innovation teams on task -- with a sensitivity to organizational needs and goals, and strong attention to detail. Their teams are enhanced by individuals with diverse backgrounds and qualities, from Dreamers who push everyone's thinking "to the edge," to Experts who know what it takes to accomplish specific outcomes.

"The best-performing people in any role are those who play to their strengths," said Kim Butler, VP Organizational Development Services, Caliper. "Particularly in today's economy, where there is a more pressing need to drive business, we're excited to offer these unique profiles that will help organizations build high-performing collaborative innovation teams by harnessing the talents of their leaders. We are proud to be partnering with NineSigma to help these teams reach their potential to be great innovators."

The assessments are based on a comprehensive study, for which Caliper interviewed a broad range of Innovation Leaders to understand their tasks, and to develop competency models for their positions. Each also completed a Caliper Profile. From this information, the company developed customized, scientifically-based models of success.

Organizations can consult with NineSigma and Caliper to bring in new Innovation Leaders and Managers, or to help existing leaders pinpoint strengths and growth opportunities, and improve their effectiveness. Customized engagements range from individual leadership coaching, to assistance creating and coaching collaboration teams. They also include action plans for continuous improvements.

For more information, please contact Denys Resnick at [email protected], or visit ninesigma.com/WhatWeDo/Caliper.aspx. NineSigma also recently held a webinar on the new Collaborative Innovation Program, available at ninesigma.com/News/WebinarSeries.aspx.

About NineSigma

NineSigma engages organizations with external innovation resources and enables them to share knowledge to accelerate the innovation cycle, whether they are in the private, public, or social sectors. Their proprietary and collaborative process has produced billions of dollars in tangible value. Companies such as Kraft, Philips, L'Oreal, Unilever, Denso and Suntory utilize NineSigma's Open Innovation services to solve immediate challenges, fill product pipelines, integrate new knowledge into their organizations, close development gaps, and improve financial performance. NineSigma has the largest open global network of solution providers and an extensive database of existing solutions that spans all industries and technical disciplines. Our team integrates professionals from a variety of fields, including business leaders, innovation consultants and Ph.D.-level scientists. Learn more at ninesigma.com .

About Caliper

Caliper of Princeton, New Jersey is an international management consulting firm. For a half-century, Caliper has helped over 25,000 organizations -- from Fortune 500 companies to some of the fastest growing smaller firms -- to improve every aspect of managing their talent -- including hiring and selection, employee development, team building, organizational development, conflict resolution, leadership development and succession planning. The company delivers tangible improvements in the performance of individuals and the organizations for which they work.

Starting with accurate, objective insights their consultants gain from the proprietary, time-tested personality assessment, the Caliper Profile, Caliper helps clients create solutions that are tailored, practical and adaptable. Caliper Founder and CEO Herb Greenberg, Ph.D., developed the Caliper Profile, which has assessed the potential of more than three million applicants and employees. Dr. Greenberg and Patrick Sweeney, President, Caliper, have also written two business books -- the New York Times bestseller, "Succeed on Your Own Terms" and "How to Hire & Develop Your Next Top Performer." For more information, please see www.calipercorp.com/.

Media Contact:
Dawn Ringel, Warner Communications, [email protected], (781) 449-8456

SOURCE NineSigma