Course: The Art of Innovation Communication
If your brilliant idea dies in the inbox, it wasn't the idea that failed, it was the message.
Course title
Communicating Innovation: A Practical Course for Emerging Leaders and HR Teams
Course snapshot (one liner)
A hybrid, pragmatic programme that teaches leaders and HR professionals how to translate technical innovation into compelling, adoptable stories, with tools, templates and real world practice.
Target audience and skill level
Primary: Emerging leaders and frontline managers in tech enabled organisations; secondary: HR managers responsible for capability uplift. Level: Intermediate, participants should have some project experience and a mandate to influence change. Ideal for cohorts from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane metro teams; works equally well for dispersed regional groups.
Duration and format (randomised)
Format: 3×2 hour live virtual workshops plus one half day face to face lab (hybrid delivery). Total contact time: 8 hours + 4 hours of pre/post work and on the job practice. Recommended cohort size: 12 to 18 participants for optimal interaction.
Price and practical constraints
Indicative fee: $495 inc. GST per person (assuming a minimum cohort of 10); travel and venue costs for the face to face lab billed separately. Delivery platform: Zoom for virtual workshops; Miro for collaborative whiteboards; face to face labs in Parramatta or Geelong (rotated depending on client geography). We can scale to in house delivery across multiple sites if headcount exceeds 40.
Why this course and why now (short business case)
Half the time Organisations invest in technology, the uptake stalls because people don't see the point. Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that in 2020 to 21 around 52% of Australian businesses were "innovation active", that's promising, but activity without adoption doesn't move the needle. Leaders need the craft of communicating innovation: clarity, credibility, empathy. This course converts theory into repeatable practice so teams stop explaining, and start persuading.
Learning outcomes (behavioural and measurable)
By the end of the programme participants will be able to:
- Articulate the strategic purpose of an innovation in a single, stakeholder framed narrative (measured by a rubric scored 90 second pitch).
- Map stakeholder ecosystems and tailor three distinct messages for executive sponsors, frontline teams and customers (measured through scenario roleplays).
- Use storytelling frameworks to convert features into outcomes and build a one page adoption plan (assessed via peer review).
- Design a communication playbook that balances transparency, myth busting and data, ready for immediate deployment (evaluated by manager sign off).
- Apply at least two visual communication techniques (infographic, customer journey map) to simplify complex concepts (scored in practical lab).
- Measure early adoption signals and iterate messaging based on feedback loops (pre/post survey delta and manager observed behaviour change).
Core principles emphasised throughout
- Clarity beats cleverness.
- Trust is built, not claimed.
- Stories persuade where slides bore.
- Data supports the story, it doesn't replace it.
- Continuous communication > one big launch.
(Yes, some will argue data first. I say marry both. You can have your numbers and your narrative.)
Module breakdown and session plans
Pre work (45 to 60 minutes)
- Pre course survey to capture participant challenges and real projects.
- A short reflective task: bring one innovation you need to communicate in the next 90 days (product, process, policy).
- A one page stakeholder map template to be filled and uploaded prior to session one.
Session 1 Foundations: Who cares and why? (2 hours, virtual)
Learning objective: Build audience centred clarity.
Agenda:
- Welcome and program orientation (10 mins).
- Quick wins: why good communication determines adoption (15 mins), includes a short reference to the ABS stat and a leadership anecdote.
- Stakeholder mapping workshop (30 mins breakouts), participants create and share maps for their real projects.
- Message architecture: problem, promise, proof, play (30 mins), hands on drafting of single sentence value statements tailored to three audiences.
- Live feedback clinic (25 mins), peer critique using a simple rubric.
Takeaway: one three line audience framed statement per participant.
Session 2 Storycraft and visual simplification (2 hours, virtual)
Learning objective: Turn features into human centred stories and visual artefacts.
Agenda:
- Quick debrief on playbook progress (10 mins).
- Story framework demo: protagonist, obstacle, transformation (20 mins), convert a product spec into a customer journey vignette.
- Visuals that matter: headline infographics and one slide journey maps (30 mins), practical template walkthroughs in Miro.
- Breakout: create a 60 second narrative and a one slide visual for your innovation (40 mins).
- Group show and tell + critique (20 mins).
Takeaway: a draft pitch and a visual that translates complexity into a simple action.
Session 3 Addressing resistance and building trust (2 hours, virtual)
Learning objective: Pre empt scepticism and design transparent messaging.
Agenda:
- Short primer: why leaders underestimate resistance (10 mins), includes a hard opinion: most Organisations treat resistance as a nuisance, not a diagnostic.
- Myth busting templates and transparency scripts (20 mins).
- Roleplay round 1: manager to staff resistance scenarios (40 mins), paired roleplays, scored by peers and trainer.
- Feedback loops and iterative messaging (30 mins), how to collect fast signals, what to measure (adoption metrics, sentiment indicators).
- Reflection and next steps for the lab (20 mins).
Takeaway: a Resistance Response Toolkit and a list of three evidence points to support your case.
Face to face Lab The Adoption Sprint (half day, in person)
Learning objective: Run live stakeholder simulations, finalise a communication playbook, and produce deployable assets.
Structure (4 hours):
- Rapid diagnosis: each participant presents for 7 minutes; peers and facilitators give targeted feedback (90 mins).
- Live simulation: cross functional roleplay with actors or invited colleagues, includes executives, frontline staff, a sceptic, and a Customer (60 mins).
- Asset production: teams refine the slide, the one pager, and the FAQ (50 mins).
- Manager sign off practice: participants simulate getting executive buy in (20 mins).
Deliverables: a one page Communication Playbook, a 90 second video script or recorded pitch, and an action plan for the first 30 days post launch.
Assessment and measurement
Pre/post surveys: capture confidence, clarity and likely adoption behaviours before and after the programme.
Practical assessments:
- 90 second pitch (rubric scored by trainer and peers).
- Roleplay scoring (behavioural checklist: empathy, clarity, evidence, call to action).
Manager observation: a simple observation checklist to be completed two weeks post course by the participant's manager, focusing on whether messaging changed and whether stakeholders responded differently.
Adoption metrics (client defined): early uptake, training enrolments, help desk tickets, and customer NPS deltas where applicable.
Success criteria: a 20 to 30% improvement in self reported preparedness to communicate innovation, plus at least one documented adoption metric improvement within 90 days (we'll co design targets with the sponsor).
Learning activities and resources
Active learning is non negotiable here. Activities include:
- Stakeholder mapping and empathy interviews (real or roleplayed).
- Storyboarding and journey mapping.
- Rapid prototyping of visual assets.
- Live roleplays with structured feedback.
Materials provided:
- Playbook templates (one pager, FAQs, myth buster, launch checklist).
- Story arc and pitch templates.
- Visual templates: journey map, simple infographic, slide layout.
- Suggested measurement dashboard template.
We provide sample workbooks ahead of sessions so participants can come prepared.
Facilitator guide and trainer notes
Trainer profile: experienced communicator with consulting/HR background, comfortable with technical and commercial audiences. Ideal trainers have run at least 50 workshops and can critique slide decks with surgical precision.
Facilitation tips:
- Push for specificity, "who exactly is the user?" is a lethal question that forces better messaging.
- Use silence. Let groups sit on their drafts; watch who leads and who withdraws.
- Treat scepticism as data, not drama.
We will supply a full session script, timing cues, and a bank of roleplay prompts tailored to sectors (finance, retail, healthcare).
Customisation options
- Executive deep dive: add a 90 minute session for C suite sponsors that focuses on governance, risk and strategic framing.
- Technical to non technical "translator" extra: half day workshop for SMEs who need to simplify complex features into business outcomes.
- Industry spin: tailored case studies for energy, health, retail or public sector.
Accessibility and inclusivity
All materials provided in accessible formats; recordings captioned; breakout rooms monitored to ensure psychologically safe environments. We encourage inclusion of diverse stakeholders in roleplays (different ages, digital literacy levels).
Risk management and common pitfalls
- Information overload: avoid "death by feature", prioritise three messages maximum per stakeholder.
- Poor timing: don't launch messages during known high stress periods (payroll, audits).
- Over reliance on slides: use conversational artefacts (one pagers, prototypes) to invite feedback.
We'll coach participants on sequencing and cadence so communication is bite sized and timed.
Technology and tools
- Zoom (virtual delivery) with breakout management.
- Miro for shared workspaces and storyboard co creation.
- Simple video recording tools for 90 second pitch practice (phone is fine).
- Optional learning management system (LMS) for pre/post content and resource storage.
Follow up and reinforcement
- Optional 60 minute group coaching session 30 days after delivery to review adoption metrics and iterate messaging.
- Email templates and a six week drip sequence to maintain momentum.
- A one page 'Refresher Checklist' for leaders to embed communication routines in team meetings.
Evaluation and ROI
Immediate: participant satisfaction and confidence gains (pre/post delta).
Near term: manager observed behaviour change and early adoption signals (30 to 90 days).
Medium term: measurable improvements in uptake metrics tied to the communicated innovation (90 to 180 days).
A practical note: expect some initiatives to require multiple messaging cycles, one launch rarely fixes adoption problems.
Practical example (micro case study)
Imagine a hospital rolling out new scheduling software. Clinicians see "another admin task". Translate features to patient outcomes: faster rostering means fewer last minute shift gaps; that reduces cancellations; that improves patient safety. One clear narrative, two visual artefacts (a simple clinician journey map and a one page FAQ), two roleplays with senior nurse managers, and suddenly the rollout looks like an enabler, not a burden.
Common objections and our answers
Objection: "We don't have time for storywork." Response: Done poorly, you'll spend months firefighting. Spend days preparing the message, save months on adoption. Objection: "Data should speak for itself." Response: Data without a frame is wallpaper. Framing matters. Some will disagree, and that's fine. Healthy tension is useful.
Optional add ons (value adds)
- Customised co branded templates for internal comms.
- On site filming of 90 second manager pitches for intranet use.
- Quarterly "message audits" to check alignment across teams.
Trainer deliverables
- Full participant workbook and templates.
- A one page Communication Playbook per participant ready for sign off.
- Recordings of virtual sessions for ongoing access.
- A short report summarising cohort themes, top risks, and suggested next steps for the sponsor.
Logistics checklist for client
- Provide a list of participants and their key innovations three weeks prior.
- Sponsor to attend at least one segment of the face to face lab for buy in.
- Ensure IT access for Miro and video recording.
- Schedule manager observation within two weeks post programme.
Why this course works a frank note
Too many programmes teach slide deck polishing. That's useful, but insufficient. This course prioritises deployment: what you say, who you say it to, and how you learn from the reaction. It's pragmatic. It's not glamorous. And, yes, the best communicators are part psychologist, part storyteller, part project manager. You can teach these skills. You can scale them. Small teams can out communicate large ones if they have clarity and practice.
One small truth most trainers won't say: storytelling without evidence is flim flam. So we insist on a twin track approach, narrative plus the right evidentiary support. But the narrative is the vehicle; the evidence secures the passengers.
Timing and next steps for sponsors
- Day 0: Confirm cohort and business problem.
- Day 7: Pre work completed by participants.
- Week 2 to 3: Delivery (three virtual sessions + lab).
- Week 5: Manager observation and short coaching check in.
- Week 12: Report on early adoption metrics.
We'll bring examples from Australian organisations (sector agnostic, anonymised) and practical templates that leaders can use the following week. Our trainers are happy to co design the scenarios to reflect your internal politics because, frankly, the politics matter. They always do.
Sources & Notes
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, "Innovation in Australian businesses, 2020 to 21", catalogue 8158.0, which reports that 52% of Australian businesses were innovation active in 2020 to 21.
- McKinsey & Company, commentary on organisational transformations and change failure rates (widely cited figures indicate roughly 70% of large scale change programmes struggle to meet their goals, see McKinsey analyses on change management and organisational performance).