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| Paving
the way for breakthroughs |
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| The varied
experiences included a fashion workshop
by Mr Thomas Wee (top picture) and a
kickboxing session. |
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Watching
a play and attempting to “re-make” it,
giving a theatre performance, trying out fusion
cooking, having fun cartooning, and music sharing
and appreciation — these were some of the diverse experiences that participants
of the prototype Aspiration Pathfinder (AsPI) programme underwent last year.
The brainchild of the National Library Board (NLB), AsPI is a multi-dimensional
innovation programme that exposes participants to a variety of experiences, people
and information beyond their normal spheres.
This is essential for the Public Service. Explained Mr Wan Wee Pin, AsPI Project
Manager, Invent, “Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen
argued in The Innovator’s Dilemma that the key to innovation lies not in
incremental improvements but in what he calls ‘Disruption Innovation’,
which enables new paradigms and new markets to be created.
“By disrupting what people are familiar with, they will develop new points
of
view that will result in new breakthroughs.”
A revolutionary programme
Unlike other innovation programmes, AsPI is not about learning a methodology
or applying certain techniques or principles. There are neither diagrams nor
models to study. AsPI is simply about learning by exploring new life experiences.
It seeks to change the way people see, think and feel.
Participants who undergo the stimulating programme will develop new insights
and ideas that can enable them to address their personal and/or professional
challenges.
Prototype workshop — a success
The prototype workshop took place from May to July 2002 with participants undergoing
an average of four out of 26 experiences. There were 40 participants from NLB
and organisations such as the PSB Academy, Public Service Division, NTUC Income
and Pioneer Junior College.
The response was positive. Seventy-nine percent of the participants reported
that they had gained new ideas that could be applied to their work and life.
Eighty percent would participate again or recommend AsPI to others.
Said one participant, Ms Alyssa Goh from NLB, “When I first joined the
programme, I was totally unsure of what was going to happen. I felt lost because
it seemed like there was no real structure. However, as I relaxed and allowed
myself to explore different things that I had never dared to venture into before,
it became really fun!
“While the programme is not directly linked to my work, the experiences
I enjoyed
have given me a wealth of ideas that I can tap into, modify and use.”
Upcoming pilot launch
Plans are in the pipeline to launch separate programmes for organisations, communities
and schools in the months ahead. |
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By Sharmini
Chellapandi, NLB
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Gaining
Recognition
NLB presented AsPI (Phase 1) to The
Enterprise Challenge (TEC) committee
in March 2001. It received funding
to develop the prototype, which proved
to be a resounding success, garnering
positive feedback from renowned innovation
and management gurus. AsPI (Phase 2)
has since received more funding from
TEC. |
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