The following blog post was written by Avanade alum Matt Joe.

We live in fun times right now with technology innovation all around us.  Whether it’s your Internet-enabled security camera, smart thermostat, DVR, smart irrigation system, parking assist systems, the ability to find a ride to your destination in real-time using your smartphone, or some other kind of innovation, practical use of technology that can provide meaningful value is very satisfying. In fact, it feels like the value and pace of disruption are only increasing and, for the most part, we’re seeing technology positively contribute to the quality of our digital, and increasingly connected, lives.

Matt Joe, VP, North American CTIO

But at work, it’s a different story. We’re told that we need to “be more innovative” and that we need to “think outside of the box.” At Avanade, we believe that inspired ideas are within reach of everyone’s fingertips and that we can help draw them out and make them actionable. To do this, we developed our Innovation Day program, designed to give cross-functional teams the time and space to take a step out of the day-to-day grind and reflect on emerging opportunities like the rise of the Digital Business. With this program, we have helped our customers identify transformational, and in some cases, disruptive opportunities that were right under their noses and helped them realize that they were completely achievable using their existing technology investments.

We work with them to identify the “Art of the Possible” based on their business goals, key industry trends and examples from our Industry Innovation Suites – all with the aim of helping them identify a Digital Business Innovation Agenda. At the end of each session, teams walk away with a prioritized list of actions, grounded in what they can accomplish today along with clear next steps for the future. Working at a company that puts innovation at the forefront of its business – and invests actionable ways to achieve it – is very satisfying.  It ensures that we attract and retain those that understand that technology is an enabler and can match the speed of business. From our internal Innovation Contest for employees to customized Innovation Days for customers, it’s an exciting time to be a part of Avanade. Check out our Innovation Days web page to learn more.