Innovation development is part of BizMaker's DNA. So says business developer Cecilia Nordlund, who was recently approved as a certified innovation manager by the research institute RISE. "This quality assures the support we provide in systematic innovation work," she says.
Contributing to strengthening the innovation power among companies in Västernorrland's business community and developing the start-up companies' ability to work strategically with innovations are central parts of BizMaker's activities.
- It's just like project management or quality work. You gain so much from working in a structured way with innovation instead of ad hoc," says business advisor and innovation manager Cecilia Nordlund.
In mid-February, she was approved as a certified innovation leader by the state research institute RISE and the professional association Innovationsledarna. This makes her one of around 50 people in the country with a quality-assured ability to lead systematic innovation work.
A minimum of three years of documented experience in innovation management is one of the requirements. To obtain the certification, Cecilia Nordlund has also undergone a tailor-made training course, including both oral and written examinations.
- It has been challenging, useful and fun to go through all this, which in a way summarizes everything I have done in my working life so far, she says.
Cecilia Nordlund has worked all her professional life with product development and innovation. Before joining BizMaker in 2013, she was an innovation advisor at MIUN Innovation and before that a product developer at the current Essity in Gothenburg.
She takes the opportunity to highlight the innovation support that she and her colleagues at BizMaker can offer.
- It is easy to start your innovation work with the help of BizMaker. We always start from what the company's innovation maturity looks like today. My advice is to start by doing the digital innovation analysis available on our website. Then contact us and we will develop a plan for the future.
BizMaker has recently launched a digital innovation analysis - a free self-assessment test for companies and organizations to take the temperature of their innovation climate. By answering 29 questions in 8 different areas in the digital innovation analysis, you get an overview of how the company is doing today and concrete tips on how to develop and improve.
The companies and organizations that want to work further with their innovation work based on the results of the innovation analysis, are offered a tailor-made proposal for how BizMaker can support the work ahead to strengthen the innovation maturity in the company.
Do the innovation analysis here
The innovation analysis is produced in a collaboration between BizMaker and Skellefteå Science City and Piteå Sceince Park.