The Independence Blue Cross

HR-focused sessions on new ways to recruit and retain employees; improve their onboarding experience; and use growth mindset for innovation.In one said session, we worked with HR leaders from locations across the country to identify ways they can improve their recruitment processes by designing a standard process that leaders could use across all locations. First, we focused on insight gathering where leaders drew out how they currently recruit. Each leader mapped out their journey as they detailed the existing processes. After sharing back with the group, the teams did some reductive thinking and shared the highlights from their process. Finally, we sketched out their best practices to design a singular approach that all branches would utilize.

Innovation challenge to improve new member retention.The Greater Philadelphia YMCA Association Office reached out to Independence Innovation to lead a full challenge generating ideas which would later be implemented around ways they could better retain their new members. We used our entire suite of design tools with a group of nearly 40 high performing YMCA employees from across 17 locations. Over the course of four weeks, with four in-person half to full-day sessions, Innovation led the group through the design process. The group used scoping tools to understand the details and depth of the problem they were charged with solving; learned how to gather insight around their problem that would inform idea generation; generated lots of ideas through the use of multiple tools that support expansive thinking; practiced more reductive thinking to highlight their best idea; and finally, learned the art of storytelling and effectively pitched their top ideas to executive leadership. Following the Challenge, the Association piloted their top idea in two YMCA branches. Since the completion of the pilot, this idea is now being implemented in all 17 locations.

Idea session around how PGW can be a better corporate citizen to improve their reputation and increase customer satisfaction.Around 25 people from multiple areas of PGW attended a one-and-a-half-day session to come up with ways the company can improve their reputation in the community. Participants completed scoping exercises with PGW’s Director of Community Affairs to understand what they are currently doing and what would be within scope for future projects. They then used tools to examine what other companies are doing for this purpose. Finally, in small groups, the session participants came up with lots of ideas to address this challenge. Out of this session came a program called PG Works and Plays, a volunteer program in the community in which volunteers wear branded PGW clothes. Another outcome of this session is that PGW is now piloting Paid Volunteer Time.

Idea session with the School District Wellness Committee to develop a wellness plan for the next year.Representatives from district schools and local community organizations came together to craft a wellness strategy for the following year. First, group members individually came up with many high-level ideas. Then, they grouped similar ideas and built out each cluster to a full-blown idea with details on how, when, why and where their idea could work. Finally, they prioritized their ideas and identified easy versus heavy lifts. After talking with stakeholders, the Committee decided to implement two ideas in year one, a social media campaign around healthy living and a full day, district-wide wellness fair.

Idea session to design a dedicated teen space at the Fumo Family Library in South Philadelphia.Independence Innovation facilitated a half-day session for the branch manager and nearly 20 teens from local schools to come up with ideas around how this space could be utilized and what it would look like – after all, it is these students who would use this corner. First, the group learned how to think more expansively and acknowledge and flip any assumptions they were making about what the space “should” or “had to” look like. Then, through a post-it exercise, the students individually envisioned their new space and captured how they want to feel and what they want to do in that area. They also researched how color and design influence a space. Finally, with top tips from Innovation, students in small groups processed that stimulus, sketched their ideal Teen Corner with detailed design and color and presented to library staff.