Female executive talent program

A global organization wanted an executive development program for its female leaders that was practical rather than ceremonial — one that strengthened pragmatic leadership, built genuine innovation capability, and sent participants away with ideas they could apply rather than a certificate.

We designed a 12-month blended development journey. Participants ran action research initiatives on innovation and digital transformation trends, working on real business challenges from their own parts of the organization rather than case studies. Practical leadership toolkits ran alongside, giving them something to use between sessions.

At the center of the year sat a three-day immersive innovation workshop where the research came together and ideas were pressure-tested. SmartLab connected the whole journey — live events, learning content, action research and collaboration in one environment — so participants could keep refining their thinking after the workshop rather than losing momentum when they went back to their day jobs.

Participants left with tested ideas rather than notes. Because the action research was drawn from live business challenges, the work produced during the program had somewhere to go, and the most promising ideas were given ongoing support after the 12 months ended.