INNOVATE Project Partners Meet in Helsinki to Advance SME Innovation Strategies

On September 24-25, 2024, the EU-funded INNOVATE Project convened its TPM4 partners meeting in Helsinki. This key milestone furthered the project’s mission to identify, develop, and promote innovative approaches for enhancing vocational education and training systems, with a focus on the ISO56000 innovation framework.

During the meeting, partners reviewed the progress of tools aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrate innovation into their strategic planning. These tools are designed to foster sustainable growth and strengthen competitiveness in today’s dynamic marketplace.

As co-organizers and participants, the INNOVATE team reflected on their achievements and outlined the next steps to finalize and promote these solutions across various sectors. This meeting marks an important advancement in supporting sustainable business practices through innovation, aligning with the broader goals of the European Union.

In conjunction with the meeting, partners explored the various competences and skills that “Innovation Management” encompasses, which include:

• Strategic Thinking: Identifying opportunities for innovation and aligning them with organizational goals.
• Creativity and Problem Solving: Generating and implementing novel ideas and solutions.
• Project Management: Planning, executing, and monitoring innovation initiatives.
• Change Management: Facilitating and managing organizational change resulting from innovation.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Fostering cross-functional and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with innovation.
• Customer and Market Insight: Understanding customer needs and market trends to drive innovation.
• Leadership and Vision: Inspiring and guiding teams towards innovative solutions.
• Technological Competence: Leveraging emerging technologies for innovation.
• Resource Management: Allocating and managing resources efficiently to support innovation efforts.

Additionally, the partners from the Helsinki Business College arranged an online casting of the Nordic Business Forum, happening live at the College during partners’ attendance. Participants had the opportunity to watch Adam Grant, a world-renowned bestselling author, discuss hidden potential and achievement, providing invaluable insights into personal and organizational innovation.

Find out more about the INNOVATE Project, here.