Frequently asked questions about 2thinknow, innovation agency.
Who are 2thinknow?
2thinknow are the world’s first innovation agency. We offer services for innovation.
What innovation services do 2thinknow offer?
2thinknow services include data: City Benchmarking Data™, training: the Innovation Course™, and events: Local Innovation Forum™ events,
We also offer a range of custom innovation services with innovation analysis, innovation consulting and speaking.
Where is there more information on each of these innovation services?
Each individual product or service has it’s own pages and site, and are summarised in the toolkit section of this website as sites are expanded.
Where have I heard of 2thinknow?
2thinknow’s innovation services and programs have been mentioned in major news. Including in the Boston Globe, New York Times Opinion, Boston Herald, The Age, ABC Radio National, Fox, and others including a variety of local and regional news sources in a variety of languages. Read a selection of our favourite news stories here.
What types of innovation training workshops do you offer?
The Innovation Course™ as a standard 2 day workshop for learning innovation skills. This is also available also in a wide variety of custom formats, to suit you, with more details here.
Do you offer innovation consulting?
Innovation Consulting Services by 2thinknow are currently available.
Where do you offer innovation services?
This varies based on the service. See our service locations or ask us.
When did you make your first U.S. sales?
Our first (small) data sales in the U.S. was in 2008, after our research visits in 2006, 2007.
What about Europe analysis sales?
We visited Europe in 2005,6,7,8 and then our first analysis sales were in 2009.
Where did you give your first workshop?
In Melbourne Australia in 2007, on the topic of web 2.0 enabled innovation to a mix of government and corporate leaders.
Can your Executive Director speak at our conference?
Yes, for a reasonable fee. Also you may consider adding an affordable Local Innovation Forum™ event onto your conference, or staging one for your group.
Since when have 2thinknow been global?
We were ‘born global’. 2thinknow started offering a small range of data and analysis services overseas and in Australia in 2007.
Since 2011, our company now offers most services in USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, UK, Europe and some of Asia.
What languages do you deliver services in?
As an Australian-based company, we deliver services in English.
Do you have any plans to deliver services in German or French?
Yes, in 2012 or 2013 based on demand. So ask.
Are innovation speeches, training or events delivered in English?
Yes. If English is an issue, we suggest that a translator can be provided.
For training and speech customers, we are also able to provide some key written materials in French, German, etc. upon your request. We have some facility with French, German, and Serbo-Croat.
What about other languages?
Other languages for events and courses will be based on demand.
Is it possible to arrange translation for reports and data?
Yes, international translation can be provided at cost. We use quality human translation for analyst reports. Please allow an added 7-10 days for translation.
City Benchmarking Data is provided in English at this stage.
What about your website translations?
These are machine translations for your convenience. The quality relies largely on Google, Bing or other translations. Human website translations will be forthcoming in 2012 for most demanded languages.
Can I get a quote for any innovation services?
Yes, it’s simple — fill our our request for proposal form here or ask us to contact you.
How do you keep your prices low?
By designing processes for innovation, and using those processes to create superior outcomes for clients.
Why do you have everyday low prices for services?
Because we want to ensure the maximum uptake of our services, and we believe you will purchase again from us. We also do not want to become a pyramid style company, but rather a more open, creative, innovative firm. (Pyramid companies like big 4 management consultants are old economy, and can offer poor value for clients)
Do you offer fixed pricing or by the hour/day?
We offer fixed service pricing for all innovation services, except any really custom innovation consulting.
Why is fixed pricing better for me?
It’s cheaper for you, more certain, and means that our firm threw out the timesheets!
Will you participate in our tender process?
We do not normally participate in tenders, we believe our value is sufficient that we are better value than competing tenderers. (Tenders are normally about getting best value, by not passing on tendering costs we keep prices low). Prove our prices for your self — request a proposal!
I requested a proposal, and the price is lower than I expected– how can you do this?
2thinknow services achieve lower prices than larger consulting firms through our unique process.
I requested a quote and the price is too high for my budget, what can I do?
All 2thinknow proposals have variables you can adjust — included locations, no. of attendees, data indicators — to ensure it meets your needs.
What is the easiest method to pay for 2thinknow innovation services?
The quickest method for service delivery is payment by credit card or Paypal. This allows instant approval of your services.
Where can I find out more about payment options?
There is a convenient summary here, and each product site has an FAQ. If you’re not sure please ask us
Do you offer any free samples?
This varies by product. We prefer though generally to offer lower prices, rather than build in the cost of preparing free samples. If you’re unsure, ask!
Why services for innovation?
Because innovation is the early-stage leader of business growth and healthy communities.
What is unique about our thinking on innovation?
2thinknow is in the unique position to give our clients detailed intelligence on business and community segments of urban and regional economies, from an innovation view.
When we train, report or analyze for you as a client, we can tailor the output to your industry and key markets (not just ‘general concepts’).
2thinknow analysis allows us to tailor our approach to your industry.
What are the 31 industry & community segments?
The 31 industry and community segments are a way of segmenting market performance and changes. Segments include Business, Commerce, Sports, Music, Arts, Mobility, Military and other segments centered around customer needs to be fulfilled by the business, government and NGO sectors of urban and regional economies. The 31 industry and community segments are listed here.
What is your Innovation Cities™ Index?
The Innovation Cities™ Index is a world-leading index of cities, that classifies cities for the innovation economy. Our Index analysts rank the the top 100. The Innovation Cities™ Index is published by 2thinknow and our index is followed by 57% of major cities worldwide as at Sept 2011. Unlike other rankings it is based around actual job creation, and economic innovation through growing companies, and smart government.
Where can I find out more about the Innovation Cities™ Index and Program?
At our dedicated Innovation Cities site: www.innovation-cities.com
I am a journalist, I would like a quote, story or interview. What’s the quick way to contact you?
Please contact us here via special email here, for a rapid response.
Where has your Innovation Cities™ Program been mentioned?
The 2thinknow Innovation Cities™ Program has been featured in journals in North America — Municipal World, and Public Sector Digest. And also quoted in a growing mix of academic papers.
Do you collaborate with academics?
Yes. Bear in mind we have a commercial model, but please ask us, especially if your paper is peer-reviewed or part of a large institution.
Do you offer discounts for academics and libraries?
Yes. For all analysis reports and data we offer a 20% discount for tenured professors, PhD students and libraries — see to order a copy of the Innovation Cities Analysis report.
Can I ask my library to order the Innovation Cities Analysis report?
Yes. For a print copy of the Innovation Cities Analysis report — here’s the order form.
Can you recommend any good innovation books?
Yes. We have set-up an innovation book store, full of innovation books and good reading. The innovation bookstore is fulfilled by Amazon for 2thinknow.
Are 2thinknow active in social media?
Yes. You can follow us @2thinknow on twitter or join our LinkedIn group. See our social media and RSS pages for more.
Are 2thinknow a social business?
2thinknow are an innovation agency. We use social means to grow our business, and we price our products fairly and affordably, so that we can have maximum impact in the innovation economy.
What are your working hours?
Our office hours are 8.30 to 5.30 pm Australian EST.
We also have 1 to 2 members of online staff in Australia from 8am to 11 PM GMT (London time) and from 4pm to 6PM New York Time.
What does this mean?
This means if your in the North, we can work overnight your time, and provide answers for you next business day. Which is why we are so fast!
Sam, Chris and Eva help out with any enquiries, receipts, email responses, urgent requests during Northern Hemisphere hours.
How big is your firm?
We are a small firm based on a tight data-set, project teams and interns. We are ‘born global’ and based in Melbourne Australia.
Do you outsource any work or back-office?
We use some U.S. based services, but other than this do not outsource client work or our back office services to any country outside Australia . We sometimes partner with local firms for local clients.
What is the best way to get in touch?
Use the web form on any of our websites, these normally come through to our analysts within 15 minutes.
How quickly do you normally respond?
To new customer enquiries our response time is 12-24 hours anywhere in the world, although it can be as quick as under an hour (depending on your time difference with Australia).
How can I check my request has come through?
Look for a green success box below your submission. Very occasionally your computer browser may not complete the request properly. You should receive an email from us. Please send us a special email to follow-up if you are in any way unsure.
I sent a request via an online form, how long does it take for a response?
If you are requesting information form us normally 12-48 hours. If after 72 hours you have not received a response, please contact us via this special email — and our analysts will follow-up.
What languages do you use to communicate?
We prefer submissions in English, and answer in English. If you submit in another language, we will answer in English, and all our materials are in English. Our policy is to use English for all communications.
Is there any sort of requests you don’t respond to?
2thinknow analysts respond to all customer or prospective customer enquiries. We also respond to most other enquiries, except sales, unclear or overly general requests. Selling language (free, best ever, offer) may be flagged as spam, and may sometimes not be received.
Can you respond in French or German?
We have some French and German reading skills, and very basic French or German writing skills.
Can I have files sent encrypted &/or other security measures?
Yes, this is available to customers.
Can I fax you my order or request?
Yes. See our contact details for current fax number(s) here.
Do you have a global network of connections?
Yes. We have been building global connections in over 100 cities since 2006.
Are you setting up many offices?
As we have entered product stage in 2010/11, we will establish more branch offices / phone answering in more locations once possible. This is based on country sales from 2011 onwards.
How do you deliver your services?
Data services are delivered to your email, we can provide support via email, phone or video skype.
In-person services are delivered at your office or CBD location.
Do you video conference?
We do analyst briefings by video conference exclusively with platinum customers.
Are 2thinknow multicultural?
Yes. None of us were born in the same-city! We embrace difference: different cultures, and understandings, as part of innovation.
When and where was 2thinknow set-up?
We were established in Melbourne August 2006.
Are you really the world’s first innovation agency?
Yes. We were established in August 2006, and believe we were the first to use the term.
How do 2thinknow add value?
Our proprietary innovation technology enables us to model successful change on a:
- Geo spatial analysis (Cities)
- Structural analysis (business/govt) and a
- Time analysis (Trends).
2thinknow are leaders in this field of innovation modelling and analysis. Our innovation models and services derive from this.
What innovation models do 2thinknow have?
Innovation models that range from in-use production models (e.g. Innovation Cities™ Framework, HI Loop) to beta prototypes (Change Trends) and experimental concepts.
What are 3 easy ways to leverage your innovation models?
1) Commissioning City Benchmarking Data™ or innovation analyst reports for comparing markets / cities.
2) A tailored Local Innovation Forum™ event or the Innovation Course™.
3) Innovation Consulting services for areas such as metric design or new processes, ideas and marketing.
When are you launching new product websites?
We are doing a rolling launch of new websites in 2011. They will be launched in your area soon.
Why do 2thinknow innovation analysis and city-based data help innovation?
Our customers use analyst reports to understand concepts. Benchmarking data to measure performance, and change progress. And courses & events for transferring the change skills, across their organizaation.
For customers, it is possible to create change projects that can change companies, cities and government in controlled stages with innovation as a process.
Who are your product customers or service clients?
A mix of corporations, R&D firms, researchers, consultants, city governments, state government, national government, think tanks and others.
What do 2thinknow believe?
We believe in supporting small, medium and growth businesses / teams so they can grow to be bastions of the innovation economy. We believe in supporting big business and government in adapting to the innovation economy. We believe in giving communities tools to transition to the innovation economy, using a structured, rational approach.
We’d like to collaborate on a project can we?
Collaboration is a broad term. We will only collaborate on very attractive and/or clear projects. As a professional firm, we prefer clear definitions and proposals, rather than ‘fuzzy’ collaborations.
Do you have a summary of founding principles?
Yes, we know what they are. We’ve tried to document these from time to time, to no real success. We don’t want a stagnant vision statement. The evolve fairness and socially beneficial change.
Innovation, is the short answer!
Do you have or seek investors?
To leverage our innovation models we seek the right professional fit for sponsorship, VCs and angel funding. See investors or contact us.
How do you create change?
We give you in business, government and community tools to create change.
Can I get a job with 2thinknow?
We recruit and train people, including interns. We will post any positions vacant here.
We are based in Melbourne, Australia.
What is your role in the innovation economy?
Toolkit creation for your use. We don’t tell you ‘what to change’, except in analysis recommendations related to change trends. We do however have general positive social change values as explained above.
Are there are any clients we won’t work for?
As a socially responsible company, 2thinknow avoid any client in adult services industry, gambling, privately destructive industries or any company program that continues to worsen the human condition.
Is that subjective?
It has to be! We are not wowsers, and we are not against smoking and drinking. 2thinknow make an ethical decision not to service companies or programs that create poor social outcomes. Gambling is among the worst in this category, yet conversely we have no blanket issue with alcohol, oil, firearms or tobacco as a concept. So decisions are case by case.
Are there any charities you feel strongly about?
Mental health — and any thing that impacts mental health.
Do you have an environmental and equal opportunity policies?
Yes.
Crazy questions: Why don’t you give away everything for free?
Because free doesn’t create the money to fund further development. Free is a bad business and social model for creating change. In economist-speak ‘free externalises costs’.
What is your unique advantage?
Proprietary innovation models and tools which include the HI loop, change behaviors, trend analysis and the Innovation Cities™ Framework. These are both predictive and supportive of creating successful change.
When was the company established?
1999 for the trading company. 2thinknow was established 2006 as a brand.
Who is your Executive Director?
Christopher Hire, an analyst/presenter from government and business, with 13 years experience.
How do you compete with large consulting firms on large projects?
We sell defined products and services such as City Benchmarking Data™ or the Innovation Course™. We believe in knowledge transfer to our clients, and are priced significantly lower than large firms.
Will you give us data, reports etc for free?
Ahem. No. If you want them for free spend the tens of thousands of hours and many more dollars to create models, data points and case studies. Do not ask us. Not even nicely.
We are not funded by universities, government or charity. (It’s a bit of a gripe, when people ask for data for free!)
But isn’t everything free on the internet?
No. It’s subsidized by adverts (like T.V.) or paid for because someone is promoting a specific agenda. Often there is a hidden cost.
Being independent in our analysis, and having a thorough process, means you can trust our data is not influenced by our customers or anyone else.
If it’s free — it’s not free, and perhaps not well thought out.
I received a blocked message in my country for one of your websites?
This may be a government firewall (e.g some mid-East countries, Africa) directed at Western companies, or possibly our location security web IP filters which protect our customers.
I have another question not asked here, can you help?
Well congratulations on reaching the end of the FAQ! Virtual cake! There are all the product FAQs… or you can just ask us.
