Welcome to the Global HRD Featured Guest Speaker Blog Series. The purpose of this series is to introduce the topics and guest speakers from the Global HRD track of the ASTD 2014 International Conference & Exposition. This week’s featured guest speakers are Etsuko Ogiso and Joel Tiala, presenting, “Innovative Methods from Asia: 4 Steps to Improve Your Organization.” We have asked them to answer the following questions to help our community members gain insight into some of the content they will cover at this year’s conference.

What is the topic of your presentation?

We will cover an approach for innovation proven to be useful in many Japanese organizations.

Why is this topic important for L&D professionals?

Innovation needs creativity and implementation. These aspects are not special abilities limited only to gifted people. It is helpful for L&D professionals to know that they can teach skills about how to become more creative and innovative.

What will be the top three takeaways from your presentation?

1. One or more techniques for generating ideas.

2. Tips for selecting and polishing ideas.

3. How one’s thought constraints might prevent innovation.

What is your experience with ASTD or the ASTD International Conference & Exposition?

Our experience has been really wonderful, especially being able to create a great network with professionals from all over the world. We have learned cutting-edge concepts. As presenters, we felt the audiences’ passion for innovation, and we felt certain that our experience and knowledge were welcomed by any country.

What do you expect to get out of this year’s event?

We expect to expand our network, learn from thought leaders, share our thoughts, and explore ways to collaborate with professionals around the world.

What are some suggestions you have for attendees to get the most out of their experience at ASTD 2014?

Plan which sessions you will join in advance. When you are there, talk to other people. And be sure to stay until the last day!

About the Speakers

Etsuko Ogiso and Joel Tiala are trainers and consultants who are dedicated to innovation programs. They work for Business Consultants, Inc., in Japan, which has 50 years of experience in the human resource and organization development field. They provide trainer certification workshops for the Innovative Thinking System™, which has been contributing to teaching people and organizations to be more creative and innovative for many years.