“On Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October 2008 the IEEE Technology Management Councils of the IEEE Benelux and Germany Sections, the IEEE Benelux and Germany GOLD Affinity Groups and the IEEE Student Branch Eindhoven will organize an event on Open Innovation in the NH Conference Centre Koningshof in Veldhoven” [ref01]
My attention to this event was drawn by a mailing of Engineering Assosiation KIVI NIRIA, and although IEEE is originally an Electrical Engineering Assisiation, the topic Open Innovation is in-line with the Master I’m conducting at the University of Twente.
The line-up of the event had some interesting topics, presentations and workshops presented by people with a variety of backgrounds adn practices. Due to an overload of innovation related event in that week, the event was changed to a more informal character on Friday afternoon. Since I already scheduled time for the event anyhow, I was really excited to meet the presenters and other people active in the field of innovation management.
- Ir. Martijn Kriens, Partner of Living Labs Leiden, provided us with an exciting story about the living labs research approach. Not only the history and fundamental idea’s but also the current status and ongoing research projects.
- Dr. Ing. Gerhard Seiler, VP Value Engineering at Philips, looked from a business perspective at (incremental) innovation in terms of value engineering. With some really life examples about a fork-lift truck and the wheel of a hover, both theory and pratice were related resulting in dicussions on development choices, drivers for product improvement and quality aspects.
- Dr. ir. Bart Meijer, Lector Proces & Production Innovation, Saxion Hogescholen,eleborated on current research on set-based concurrent innovation with a high “lean” character. In fact it’s a combination of different theories like concurrent engineering, lean manufacturing, open innovation, etc.
- Finally Geert Hommes BSc. MBA, Director of TOM Institute had a good final contribution on non verbal communication.
After the open discussion and looking forward to some IEEE Benelux Events in the upcomming future it was time for dinner and informal conversation. Actually it was an extention of the open discussion mixed with some personal topics.
Overall the event was a great succes to me. We had some good discussions, and a great interaction between the cross functional fields, students, business people and researchers. I will conclude with thanking Robert Bierwolff, and the rest of IEEE Benelux for the excellent organization of the event. Thanks !!
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