IA Chapter Chair Series – Meet Deborah Jann

As Founder and Chief Experience Officer at Roll Out Innovation (ROI), Deborah leverages data analysis, talent development, team effectiveness and innovation to break down barriers, bridge gaps, increase emotional intelligence and drive sales. ROI is a sales and leadership training consultancy serving small and medium-sized businesses.

IA: Tell us about yourself and your entrepreneurial journey in a few sentences.

A 4-year ESL teaching stint in Japan after graduating from university began a progressive 30-year career in training, coaching, sales and leadership consulting back in Canada. Working for international training houses and consultancies afforded me opportunities to refine my consultative and collaborative approach, and hone creative problem-solving skills as an intrapreneur.

IA: What do you enjoy most about the IA community?

I have been part of the IA community since 2017, when engaged to facilitate the Board’s strategic planning session. I was invited to chair the Intrapreneur Chapter in 2018, and have been enjoying the role and IA community ever since! I particularly love hearing the individual check-ins and then observing members benefit from receiving rich feedback and advice from their trusted peers. There are deep relationships built within the chapter and members value the confidential setting for candid discussion and accountability.

IA: What is unique about the Intrapreneur / Innovation Leader Chapter?

The Intrapreneur / Innovation Leader Chapter is unique in that the members are both innovation leaders and the second-highest authority in the company, reporting directly to the Founder or CEO. As such, discussions typically revolve around sales and operations issues and how to execute the business strategy through managing up, across and down effectively. While all members are focused on supporting their organization’s vision, mission and values, they are at different stages in their leadership journey which enables exciting dialogue and opportunities for learning and growth.

IA: What does Innovation mean to you?

• Continuous improvement to be competitive and relevant today and tomorrow
• Embracing diversity of thought, experience and education to drive engagement and the best solution
• Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn
• Fail fast, fail cheap and fail forward
• Leveraging a disciplined innovation process like creative problem solving or design thinking where customer empathy and a clearly defined goal lie at the forefront
• Recognition of effort and achievement
• Supported at the top

IA: What would you say to someone who is considering joining the Intrapreneur / Innovation Leader Chapter as a member?

Come prepared to connect with peers and to learn, collaborate, and build supportive relationships. In this rapidly evolving world of work, you will gain a network of reliable advice, knowledge and support to accelerate your company’s growth, and own personal leadership journey, through innovation.

To learn more about the Intrapreneur / Innovation Leader Chapter reach out today!