The improvement ceiling is real.
I break it for a living.
For over a decade I've helped leaders think and do differently to break through the improvement ceiling, building the capability their teams keep long after I leave.
My Story
Meet Derek, and why I do this differentlyFor over a decade and across multiple industries, I've watched the same pattern: capable leaders hit the improvement ceiling optimization can't break. I built CIP to close that gap.
I am a Denver, CO native and passionate about helping people and organizations realize the potential they have to offer. A BS in Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder taught me to think in systems; an MBA in Innovation & Statistical Analysis from the Daniels College of Business, University of Denver, taught me to prove it. I'm an Advanced KAI (Kirton Adaption-Innovation) Certified Practitioner and a TRIZ (a structured, engineering-rooted problem-solving method) Associate through the Altshuller Institute. I have taught innovation and creativity as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver, and I've spent 20+ years working with startups, small businesses, and Fortune executive teams. I am also a published author with books and whitepapers on strategy, innovation, and creative problem solving.
What I build, every time:
- Insource Innovation — a repeatable capability your team owns and sustains, not a vendor dependency.
- Realize Quick Wins — fast, tangible results that cut costs, sharpen processes, and ship better solutions.
- Build Creative Cultures — a systematic process everyone owns, solving complex challenges with better ideas.
Your team is already fully capable. They just need a new perspective on how to view the world around them. And we get there together.
What to Expect From Derek
My Philosophy
Every business eventually hits the improvement ceiling. I built my career on what happens next: helping leaders and teams find the courage to think and do differently, not just do more of the same, faster.
My Mission
I build the capability inside your team, not dependence on me. When we're done, your people run the process themselves. That's the only measure of success I care about.
The Result
Real innovation capability shows up everywhere: stronger margins, faster processes, a culture that isn't afraid to fail, and customers who stop shopping around.
How I Work With You
I don't hand you a deck and disappear. I work side-by-side with your team, coaching your people to run it without me. Most consultants leave you dependent, but I measure success by how fast you stop needing me.
Industries Served
Industries ServedAre you ready to become
the business to beat?
Start with a discovery call. No pitch — a real conversation about where your ceiling is and what breaking through it looks like.
Book a Discovery Call