In the blog I wrote about what makes a good client, I said that I think good clients fall into three categories. I always think examples are helpful, so I came up with at least one personal example that would fall into each of the categories I listed. If I were to take this class again, this is basically the list of clients I would consider choosing to work with for my innovation project:
1) Tom Snyder Productions – This company is a subsidiary of Scholastic that produces education software. I met the president at a conference about two months ago, and he showed a lot of interest in my dissertation research. I have been meaning to follow up with him ever since I met him, and this project would give me the perfect excuse to do that.
2) A surf photographer – Photography is my favorite hobby and surfing is my favorite sport. As a result, I am fascinated by surf photography. I know that the guy who sold me my last three surfboards is friends with a few surf photographers who shoot all the big surf competitions in Hawaii, and I don’t think he would mind putting me in touch with one of them. Working with a surf photographer for seven weeks just sounds really cool to me, and the fact that I think it's cool would probably translate into me getting more out of the class and doing a better job on the final project.
3) A service learning project conveniently located either on or near campus - I am going to post a list of clients that fall into this category on Blackboard. All the clients on the list have told me they would welcome innovation ideas from students taking this course, and I have done enough leg work for you to determine that the problems they are facing within their organizations fall within the general scope of what Professor Owens expects you to accomplish. The contact people are all very well connected individuals who have managed to pull off some pretty impressive innovations using fairly limited resources. They are also all at a point where they would benefit from just a little extra help from you as opposed to being at a point where they need so much help that whatever you are able to accomplish in seven weeks is unlikely to have any real impact. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about these potential clients, but I also encourage you to seek out similar individuals on your own.
I listed their websites below, and I encourage you to check them out. Even if you aren't interested in these particular clients, it might help you think of some new ideas. I also encourage you to post on the Blogspot if you could use some help finding a particular type of client or if you know of a good opportunity with a client that isn't a perfect fit for your group but might be a perfect fit for another group.
Cinco De Mayo 5k and Block Party
http://www.irunfortheparty.com
Music Therapist - Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
http://www.vanderbiltchildrens.com/interior.php?mid=3880
School Program - Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
http://www.vanderbiltchildrens.com/interior.php?mid=277
Child Life Services -Vanderbilt Children's Hospital
http://www.vanderbiltchildrens.com/interior.php?mid=1095
Vanderbilt Instruction in Biomedical Engineering for Secondary Science (VIBES)
http://www.vanth.org/vibes
Gilda's Club Nashville
http://www.gildasclubnashville.org/
There is also an opportunity to work on a new Internet microsite with the School of Engineering.
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