What’s innovation for Marco, Head of HR at a strategic United Nations (UN) Agency?
A good interview to understand that ‘innovation’ has so many different meanings — but there’s always a way to start innovating
One of my first guests is Marco, a Portuguese expat living & working in Sweden for 11 years now. Working as Head of HR for a strategic United Nations (UN) Agency based in Sweden. His ambition goes towards continuing to be exposed to an international and inter-cultural environment, learning & contributing as much as possible.
It’s good to have the feedback of Marco, working in a highly regulated and conservative environment. Not only because of that but mostly because he is the Head of HR, not the typical go to role when you need to discuss innovation. So Marco can give us powerful insights about how ones like him address this topic, what might resonate, and how to start. Marco’s peers are usually the top decision makers, the ones that have a seat in the board. If you are an innovation evangelist, it might be useful to know how to address “this kind of people”…
Many thanks to Marco, one of our first guests in this series of interviews that will bootstrap The Innovation Pub.
So, Marco, what’s innovation for you?
When I think about innovation, I normally think about a new product that fills a gap where there is a need and no valid alternatives.
Usually we don’t think of services as being able to be innovative which is not a good approach.
The quicker we understand that services can also be innovative, the better.
Why it’s so hard for established companies to innovate?
Resistance to change comes to mind. Generally speaking, people are resistant to change. To innovate, one needs to change.
Established companies often have a solid past & present and they assume the future will be equally good so the tendency is not to feel the need to innovate.
For you, what’s innovation in human resources / talent management?
The use of innovative tools in recruitment, promoting work life balance activities, flextime, providing free snacks/fruit.
How are HR Directors innovating? Do they have a process to innovate?
We can contribute in several ways:
- Hiring innovative free-thinking individuals
- Add provisions in the performance management for innovation rewards
- Organize innovation events.
How can a highly regulated organisation, without competition, innovate?
It has to come from within. Highly regulated organisations often have rigid structures and regulations and rules to obey to.
Innovation would need to start at the small processes level like for instance to implement the usage of video conference equipment.
Such organisations don’t usually hire Chief Innovation Officers.
Becomes more of a challenge and patience is key.
How can the workplace be a good place for innovators?
The workplace is (or could be) a dynamic place.
The meeting format can be changed, the decoration, colours and natural light. There are ways to make the workplace more inspiring to innovative workforce.
Tell us one story, or more, about innovation / transformation
In my previous role a few years back we setup video equipment in all field offices plus the HQ office in Stockholm. This enabled us to carry out meetings by video conference without the need of travel. At the time, it was quite innovative but I must say it was mainly driven by the cost cutting factor.
As an HR leader, what’s your vision about the future of talent management and how can organisations like yours keep the pace with innovation
It is key to hire innovative dynamic people. Hire them, give them the adequate conditions and tools, and retain them. It is a lengthy process but this should be the main focus.
These days, to retain talent is not enough to pay them more. The new generations focus a lot on identity and they need to feel that the organisation is going forward in a direction they identify themselves with.
Marco, are you innovative enough? :)
No, I am not :)
It is not a concept that lives in my mind on a daily basis. Mostly I only consider it in the hiring process and not in all the HR processes I am responsible for.
What’s your favorite quote?
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” — Friedrich Nietzsche.
Thank you guys and keep following #TheInnovationPub!
