General Information
Promotional Video
Unavailable
Instructor Bio
Azadeh is the Director of Insights & Client Experience Design at RBC Insurance, Digital, Data and Strategy team. She builds journeys of discovery and innovation to help internal teams develop new products, experiences and strategies that are differentiating. Prior to joining RBC, as an innovation strategy consultant over the years, Azadeh helped numerous organizations from multiple industries including Health and Education, better understand their customers, reach new insights and create innovative solutions and strategies by using Design Thinking and human centered design methodologies.
Target Audience
Open to students who have a keen interest in Business Design (BD) and human-centered innovation.
Course Dates and Format
3 classes in March 2025, followed by a one-week study tour to New York City.
Check-In: Sunday, April 27th, 2025
Check-Out: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
Course Mission
The coursework will blend in-person and online modules with in-person visits to provide students with the knowledge of industry-leading design methods, models and case study frameworks for design-driven business innovation. The site visits will offer unique engagement with firms that use design-infused methods to innovate new services, processes and experiences. This course will expose students to relevant and resilient ways to engage in business innovation and transformation. Site visits will encompass dialogues, case studies, Q&As. The course focuses on both the academic/theoretical aspects of Business Design (BD), as well as application and the real-world challenges organizations face in pursuing innovation ambitions. It will provide students with insight into how companies innovate and the types of behaviors and mindsets they exhibit. The ultimate goal is to understand how companies use Business Design as a problem-solving method to solve strategic business challenges.
Course Scope
A deep dive in understanding how design practices are applied by practitioners across industry verticals and business functions.
Over the course of 3 sessions in Toronto, students will engage in discussions about innovation and Business Design principles, and fortify their knowledge through research on organizational culture and industry practices that foster innovation.
Following the course work, students will travel to New York, NY to visit design-inspired organizations. During the visits, students will meet with company representatives to engage in a knowledge exchange on innovation, the importance of design, industry practices and challenges, and ways in which Rotman students can bring additional value to organizations and project work through their Business Design knowledge and skills.
Evaluation and Grade Breakdown
| Component | Due Date | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Class Participation | Ongoing | 40% |
| Assignment | Before the NYC Tour | 30% |
| Final Paper | After the NYC Tour | 30% |
Required Resources and Cost
Course and practicum fees TBC.
Experiential Course Limit
There are limits to the number of RSM27XX range courses that students may take for credit toward their degree. Please refer to the Global and Experiential Course Eligibility Specifics and Limits section on the RO website for all details.