Disruptive Ideation Workshop
The disruptive innovation workshop that turns ordinary teams into idea machines. Used by hundreds of organizations worldwide.
Disruptive Ideation is a proven, hands-on workshop built from four decades of real innovation leadership. Not consulting theory. Not a framework someone read about in a book.
Teams walk out with a ranked list of disruptive ideas — and the skills to facilitate their own ideation sessions going forward.
Two ways in
Whether you're looking to bring fresh thinking to your organization or you're an experienced innovation leader ready to add a proven methodology to your practice, there's a path for you. The workshop delivers results for your team. The certification delivers a new capability for your business.
Take the workshop // For your team
Certified Ideation Facilitators (CDIF) deliver the workshop to organizations of all sizes — Fortune 500 to early-stage startups. You bring the team and the problem. They bring the methodology, the materials, and the process.
Every participant leaves with:
- 150 pages of course materials, worksheets, and posters
- 12+ working aids refined across hundreds of organizations
- A copy of Beyond The Obvious by Phil McKinney
- A ranked list of disruptive ideas your team generated
- The skills to facilitate their own ideation sessions independently going forward
The workshop runs 12 hours — full-day or across multiple sessions depending on your team's needs.
Connect with a certified facilitator →
Become a certified facilitator // For innovation practitioners
If you have a proven track record in innovation leadership and want to add a standards-backed workshop to your practice, this is worth a conversation.
Disruptive Ideation operates like a franchise. Phil personally vets and certifies each practitioner. All course materials are provided. Every Certified Disruptive Ideation Facilitator is part of a small, standards-protected community. Phil stays involved — because the methodology's reputation is only as strong as the people delivering it.
This isn't for every innovation consultant. It's for practitioners who've been inside the work. Who've led innovation initiatives, not just advised on them.
Apply for CDIF certification →
What's in the workshop
Disruptive Ideation isn't a lecture. It's a working session. Every element of the workshop is designed to build a skill, apply it immediately, and generate real output for your organization. Not homework to do later.
The FIRE Framework
Using an innovation framework is critical to discovering ideas that lead to disruptive innovations. The FIRE Framework is proven across hundreds of leading organizations worldwide and forms the backbone of every Disruptive Ideation session.
Myths of innovation
The workshop starts by pulling back the curtain on the myths that tell people only a few are capable of innovating. Everyone can innovate. They just need to be shown how to discover their inherent ability.
Innovation skills
Participants discover how to see with fresh eyes, exercise the creative muscle, and work through individual and team ideation — then rank what they've generated to surface the best ideas.
Live ideation exercises
Seven exercises and brainstorm sessions give participants time to practice the skills while creating real disruptive ideas for your organization. You leave with a working pipeline, not a theory.
How the CDIF certification model works
Disruptive Ideation is a standards-protected certification — not a loose license. Phil reviews every applicant personally. Approved facilitators receive all course materials and the right to deliver Disruptive Ideation under the methodology's name.
The model is royalty-based. There's no large upfront fee — your investment goes into building your client base and delivering results. In return, a royalty is paid on each workshop delivered.
Every certified facilitator is part of a small, standards-protected community. Phil stays involved — because the methodology's reputation is only as strong as the people delivering it.
You bring:
- Proven innovation leadership experience
- An existing client base or clear pipeline
- Commitment to delivering the methodology as designed
You get:
- Complete course materials — ready to deliver from day one
- The FIRE Framework and all working aids
- The CDIF credential and the right to use the Disruptive Ideation name
- Direct access to Phil during your onboarding
Frequently asked questions
What is the Disruptive Ideation workshop?
Disruptive Ideation is a proven, hands-on innovation workshop built on the FIRE Framework — a methodology refined across hundreds of organizations over four decades. Teams work through a structured ideation process, develop their innovation skills, and walk out with a ranked list of disruptive ideas ready for their pipeline.
How long does the workshop take?
The workshop runs 12 hours of instruction time. It can be delivered as a single full day or split across multiple sessions depending on your organization's needs. Every participant receives 150 pages of course materials, 12+ working aids, and a copy of Beyond The Obvious by Phil McKinney.
What size organizations is it designed for?
All of them. The methodology has been delivered to Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, government agencies, startups, consulting firms, sports teams, and everything in between. The process scales to the team, not the other way around.
What does a team walk away with?
A ranked list of disruptive ideas generated by your own team — plus the skills and tools to facilitate their own ideation sessions going forward. The goal isn't dependency on an outside facilitator. It's building your team's capacity to innovate repeatedly on their own.
How do I find a certified facilitator?
Fill out the inquiry form below. We'll review what you're working on and connect you with the right Certified Disruptive Ideation Facilitator (CDIF) for your context and industry.
What does it take to become a Certified Disruptive Ideation Facilitator?
Certification is selective. Phil reviews every application personally. Candidates need a genuine track record in innovation leadership — not just consulting credentials, but real experience leading innovation initiatives inside organizations. If there's a fit, you'll be contacted to discuss next steps.
What materials are provided to certified facilitators?
Everything needed to deliver the workshop from day one — 150 pages of course materials, all worksheets and working aids, the FIRE Framework, and posters. You don't need to build anything from scratch. You deliver a proven, tested methodology.
What does the royalty model look like?
There is no large upfront certification fee. Your investment goes into building your client base and delivering results. In return, a royalty is paid to Phil on each workshop you deliver. The exact terms are discussed as part of the certification conversation.
How selective is the CDIF certification process?
Very. This is a small, standards-protected community — not an open license program. Phil personally reviews every application. The credential only means something if the people holding it are genuinely qualified to deliver it.
Connect with a certified facilitator
Tell us about your team and what you're working on. We'll match you with the right CDIF practitioner.
Apply for CDIF certification
Phil reviews every application personally. If there's a fit, you'll hear back within a few business days.
The idea was never the hard part. It never is. The call is.