Innovation Methods

When working on our 2inno method we discovered a very valuable source: The "i-model" of the Institute for Innovation and Technology in Slovenia. Therefore we invited the team to join our project as a partner and to help us to improve our 2inno method. Overall objective of the European i-model project was to introduce the innovation management strategy into the wood processing industry. i-model is a frame of methodology, procedures and "ready to implement" materials for introducing an efficient innovation management; i.e. company's diagnostic tool, booklet containing good practice cases, training programme, methodology for designing Strategy and Operational plan, web pages, supporting materials, etc.

Under the project over 100 top and middle managers coming from selected companies were trained to become mentors to over 1000 co-workers, who already participate in innovation processes actively. A short version of i-model, i.e. the so-called Innovation Toolbox was developed. It represents a possibility for a wider sphere of companies, especially small ones, to implement the i-model independently, and thus make use of their employees’ innovation potentials efficiently. The experience gained by the project partners and the companies from Greece, Sweden, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia prove that the project is effective, given that the benefits of the project have already led to concrete economic results in the participating companies. Other companies, coming also from ther industries, are offered a possibility to use the i-model and thus increase innovativeness and consequently achieve higher competitiveness.

The main steps towards achieving the project objectives were as follows:

• Analysis (diagnostic) of existing situation of innovation management process in selected wood-processing companies in participating countries ("before"- analysis).
• Development of an innovative learning organisational model, based on using modern Information Communication Technologies.
• Preparation and implementation of a specific modern in-company training programme for top and middle management from selected companies. The aim of training was to improve their knowledge and skills for efficient work in the innovation area in a company's daily routine.
• Preparation of innovative strategy and operational plans for selected companies.
• Analysis "after" and optimisation of the -model.
• Development of self-learning tool, which provides managers, trainers and consultants of different business sectors with the opportunity of continuous improvement of companies’ innovation potential through a set of easy-to-use tool for self-evaluation and instructions for training program implementation.

Please find more information on the project website of Korona plus d.o.o.: www.innovation.si