Alexander Manu RCA MDA

Director & Founder

Alexander Manu is the Founder and Director of the Beal Institute for Strategic Creativity. As principal of a development and applied research consultancy established in 1980 in Toronto, he has been committed to enabling global companies develop policies and strategies that addressed emerging issues through the development of strategic intellectual property and pre-competitive business models. Currently Alexander is involved in the development of new learning ecologies, new strategic business competencies and pre-competitive innovation methods that integrate a broad range of skills; he specializes in the application of play behavior in strategic innovation methodologies, new economic and business models and the creation of compelling user experiences.

Alexander has a unique ability as a conceptual creator; his imaginative frameworks lead to the discovery of new and innovative paths, and the creation of experiences that evoke emotion, insight and understanding. He believes that the exploration of possibility requires imagination as a prerequisite for strategic change and innovation. A member of various national and international professional and advisory boards, he has been involved in an exceptional and sustained activity as an international lecturer, giving over 100 lectures in 22 countries. He is the author of the books: “The Imagination Challenge: Points of departure for Strategic Creativity and Innovation” , 2006, "ToolToys: Tools with an Element of Play", 1995, and "The Big Idea of Design", 1999. Alexander is a Professor at the Ontario College of Art and Design and teaches “Strategic Foresight for Pre-Competitive Innovation” at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto.