Center’s Idea Clinic Is Praised; Clinic Meets April 20

DePaul University’s Leo V. Ryan Center for Creativity and Innovation has been named one of the top-10 university “entrepreneurial hot spots” with “the most innovative programs for fledgling business owners” by Fortune Small Business magazine in its March issue.

The magazine praises the center’s Idea Clinic, a quarterly public forum for sharing creative business ideas and innovative opportunities. “Entrepreneurship students, local business leaders and alums learn better ways to brainstorm new business concepts in sessions led by experts on creative thinking,” the magazine noted.

DePaul was the only Midwestern academic institution mentioned by Fortune Small Business. The other universities named were: Florida International University, Miami; Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.; Howard University, Washington, D.C.; Simmons College, Boston; Sitting Bull College, Fort Yates, N.D.; University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.; University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.; University of Texas, Austin, Texas; and University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y. The universities were not ranked numerically.

“This national recognition underscores the high quality of the programs we offer to help local business people, business students and alumni unlock creative potential and apply innovative thinking to their endeavors,” said Management Professor Lisa Gundry, director of the center.

Launched eight years ago in a colorful and stimulating space within DePaul’s College of Commerce in downtown Chicago, the Ryan Center offers workshops, customized training and consultations for individuals, teams and organizations seeking innovative strategies and tools for breakthrough thinking.

The center’s Idea Clinic typically attracts 25 participants who share experiences and learn creativity tools and techniques for sparking fresh business ideas. Guest speakers discuss their “Ah ha!” moments of business inspiration. DePaul business school faculty and business leaders facilitate the discussion, focusing on how to transform business ideas into solid ventures.

“During one clinic, an aspiring business owner collected information and ideas about her proposed scrapbook store,” Gundry said. “Ideas were suggested for its location, marketing and innovations she could integrate in her business.”

The next Idea Clinic, titled “Managing Cross-Functional Creativity,” will be held in Room 7301 of the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 20. Christopher M. Barlow, a visiting assistant professor of management, will facilitate a discussion of how colleagues working in diverse areas – such as accountants, engineers and MBAs – can work creatively together. The session will cover creativity tools for assembling and managing cross-functional, collaborative efforts to more fully address real world strategy, design and entrepreneurial opportunities. The fee is $25 per person; free to DePaul students. For more information, contact the Leo V. Ryan Center for Creativity and Innovation at (312) 362-8395 or visit its Web site: creativity.depaul.edu.

The Fortune Small Business recognition is one of several honors earned by DePaul’s College of Commerce and Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. U.S.News and World Report has ranked the school’s career-focused, part-time MBA program among the top 10 in the nation for 11 consecutive years, and its entrepreneurship program was rated in the top 13 programs by Entrepreneur magazine.

To view Fortune Small Business online, click here.