Session 4 - Managing Creativity & Innovation in an Organisation

In this session, Dato’ Dr. Kamal Jit Singh, CEO of the Special Innovation Unit at the Prime Minister’s Office (UNIK), moderated a panel who consisted of Mr. Adzhar Ibrahim, the Regional Head of People, Air Asia Berhad, Mr. John R. Ryan, the President of the Center for Creative Leadership, and Mr. Ananth Lazarus, the Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia.

Mr. Adzhar Ibrahim, the Regional Head of People, Air Asia Berhad

Adzhar elaborated on some of the innovations that his CEO, Dato’ Tony Fernandez, had brought to work in AirAsia. He also added that companies need to recognise the creative and innovative minds within their organisations and leverage on their ideas and enthusiasm. John Ryan spoke about his company’s research findings on creativity, innovation and leadership, where the company researched leadership through literally hundreds of organizations around the globe for over 40 years. Last but certainly not least, Ananth highlighted the importance of research and development, and told the audience that Microsoft invests US$9.5 billion every year on R&D.