From Buzzwords to Breakthroughs
Barbara Salopek is an international innovation strategist, TEDx speaker, and author of the upcoming book Future-Fit Innovation: Empowering individuals, teams, and organizations for sustainable growth. With over 20 years of experience across Europe, she’s worked with public institutions, tech leaders, international funders, and forward-thinking companies to unlock innovation where it matters most — at the intersection of people, culture, and systems.
Barbara has led or significantly contributed to over 20 innovation projects in just the past five years and has helped secure more than 100 million NOK in funding. She brings clarity, energy, and deep expertise to every stage she steps on.
*Based on the upcoming book by Barbara Salopek*
Most innovation efforts fail — not because of lack of ambition, but because we skip the hard parts: people, culture, and long-term commitment. In this keynote, Barbara introduces her 3-level Future-Fit Innovation framework and challenges audiences to reimagine what sustainable innovation really looks like — from the inside out.
– Why innovation collapses when treated as a department
– The 3-level model: individuals, teams, and organizations
– How to align strategy, systems, and people to unlock innovation
– Tools and insights to start building innovation that sticks
Executives, leadership teams, strategy units, innovation directors, and transformation professionals seeking a practical system — not a buzzword-heavy presentation.
Why mindset and psychology matter more than strategy
Innovation often fails in silence. This keynote explores the invisible barriers that kill ideas before they start — from functional fixedness to fear of failure and psychological inertia. Barbara offers tools to identify and shift those patterns.
Takeaways:
– Recognize innovation-killing habits in yourself and your teams
– Learn how to build psychological safety and creative space
– Activate diversity and curiosity as strengths
– Rewire how your organization thinks about failure
How to move from innovation theatre to innovation culture
Events don’t change culture — behavior does. In this powerful talk, Barbara shows leaders how to embed innovation into team habits, leadership styles, and organizational values — even without a massive transformation budget.
Takeaways:
– Understand what innovation culture looks like in action
– Learn how leadership either unlocks or blocks creativity
– Discover how to build systems that support experimentation
– Practical steps to shift culture from the ground up
Turning ESG and climate goals into innovation drivers
Sustainability is a strategic imperative — but it often lives in a different room from innovation. Barbara brings these conversations together and shows how sustainability goals can fuel meaningful, measurable innovation across your business.
Takeaways:
Working with Barbara means more than inspiration — it’s about impact.
Real words from clients and collaborators who experienced Barbara’s impact.
“Barbara delivered good digital workshop. She was well organized, and well structured. We have had good discussions and reflections. She possess relevant innovation competences which she gladly share.”
“Barbara is knowledgeable with a lot of experience, which she conveys in a good way to both small and large audiences.”
“I have already used this for my job! Barbara activated the entire group in discussions and group assignments by using creative methodologies in this interaction. I recommend!”
"Barbara’s openness and eagerness to share her expertise from her innovation consulting and other experience was valued by our students."
"Vinco Innovation’s forward-thinking approach and profound expertise significantly enhanced our innovation potential."
“Fantastic webinar. I think you're incredibly skilled, and I gained huge respect when your slides disappeared — you stayed completely calm. Really well done!”
Future-Fit Innovation Strategist | Speaker | Author
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