At a Glance
Gijs van Wulfen, Keynote Speaker, Innovation InstituteFocus Areas: Innovation, Design Thinking, Creativity. Thinkers360 In-Depth Profile & Portfolio: Gijs van Wulfen Social Media: LinkedIn | X | Instagram Books: The Innovation Maze, The Innovation Expedition, Inspiration for Innovation: 101 Lessons for Innovators. Highlighted Content: Why People Reject Ideas, Seven Essential Elements for X-Factor Ideas. Thinkers360 Leaderboards: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Design Thinking, Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Startups 2023, Top 50 B2B Thought Leaders, Analysts & Influencers You Should Work With In 2024 (EMEA). |
Thought Leader and Influencer Interview
Thinkers360 thought leader interviews profile prominent members of the Thinkers360 community who embody the power of ideas in their work. In this edition, we speak with Gijs van Wulfen, innovation Influencer and keynote speaker, FORTH Innovation Institute.
He is the founder of the FORTH innovation method, a proven methodology for the start of innovation, which is implemented on six continents. His book, ‘The Innovation Maze’, was crowned recently as Management Book of the Year 2017 in The Netherlands.
Gijs is featured in several Thinkers360’s annual leaderboards,such as: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Design Thinking 2024, Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Startups 2023, and Top 50 B2B Thought Leaders, Analysts & Influencers You Should Work With In 2024 (EMEA).
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Thinkers360: Tell us a bit about your background and areas of expertise.
GvW: I am the founder of the FORTH innovation method, and very driven to jump start innovation in organisations, because they are often struggling with the start of innovation in their day-to-day hectic business. I am a business economist with a master in management consultancy. During my career of 40 years, I worked as a fast moving consumer goods marketer, and a boardroom consultant, before I did a start-up and founded the FORTH Innovation Methodology twenty years ago in The Netherlands. This, now proven, methodology combines design thinking and business thinking and structures the start of innovation. It generates new innovative concepts and sparks a culture of innovation in mainly big organisations.
In 2023 I got awarded to be among the first 150 Influencers among LinkedIn, which created a huge business audience. Via LinkedIn the FORTH Innovation Methodology spread worldwide, and is nowadays implemented on all continents and available in thirteen languages. As I was asked to train and speak at events the last ten years frequently, my main role today is that of a keynote speaker on corporate – and huge innovation events inspiring people on their path becoming amazing innovators. Through my informal personal style, infectious enthusiasm and Dutch directness I get people in big corporates to move beyond their borders to make their company innovative again.
By the way, I am Dutch, from The Netherlands originally, 64 years old, father of two children and have emigrated recently to Milano, Italy.
Thinkers360: What are your current responsibilities and what is your typical day like?
GvW: My mission is to inspire other on their way to becoming amazing innovators. A typical day starts for me writing an inspiring post for innovators, on LinkedIn, where over 300.000+ professionals are following me. I travel around the whole world for my keynotes on Design Thinking and Innovation. They vary from inspiring in-company innovators at an internal event, to inspiring 4000+ business professionals in a big venue in Turkey, Japan or Mexico. I also coach and help corporate innovators to facilitate the FORTH Innovation Method, a structured five months journey to come up with innovative solutions for strategic challenges. It makes me travel a lot, enjoying other cultures and countries.
Thinkers360: What is the favorite part of your current role?
GvW: Inspiring people on-stage at big events is my favorite part, as my story telling talents combined with my innovation experience really make an impact! It’s so rewarding to meet people from the audience afterwards hearing how they got so much value out of my speeches, or even say how it changes their lives!
Thinkers360: How do you like to work with brands who wish to engage you as a thought leader?
GvW: I love to do influencer work, as well as speaking at corporate – or brand events, especially when the design thinking innovation content is based on our mutual values.
Editor’s Note: See Gijs van Wulfen to work with him directly.
Thinkers360: How do you utilize Thinkers360?
GvW: I use Thinkers360 to be inspired by – and share my insights with fellow thought-leaders. The platform is also amazing to reach out to other thought leaders in design thinking innovation, and for keeping me up to date on the latest business trends.
Thinkers360: What is your main advice for upcoming thought leaders?
GvW: My advice is very simple and consists of three parts: 1. Follow Your Passion. 2. Focus on one relevant issue or topic. 3. Spent countless hours into mastering it. Wishing you lots of success.
Visit his website here: Gijs van Wulfen
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