Testimonial about the Managing Global R&D and Innovation Program (IMOT)

Managing Global R&D and Innovation (IMOT) is a 17-day program for senior R&D and Innovation Managers. The program consists of research-based concepts and practical tools to manage global R&D and Innovation.

Three intensive modules ensure a steep learning curve and a limited time away from desk. For delivering this program, Chalmers University of Technology uses its international network of experts in Europe, India, China and the United States. Per Ericsson, Director Material Treatment & Finishing at Tetra Pak, participated in the program cycle of 2013-2014. We asked what he has learned and what he thinks about the program.

What was the most important that you learnt?

The program let me meet professors and fellow participants from other industries. The professors presented new ideas that made me see the world in a new light. My fellow participants showed that we share the same challenges irrespective of industry. And we could compare our processes. Thus, the network of participants was a source of informal benchmarking.

The program showed the big picture and made me understand what decision points we have ahead of us. Just the fact that the program discussed issues from a macro perspective has made me prepared to view my own business from a distance. Now, I feel more confident in management meetings to contribute in discussions and ask those sharp questions that highlight the key issues that we need to solve to take our company forward.

If you have to single out one specific topic that you learnt, what would it be?

The most important learning point was how low-cost competition challenges old structures. In our industry we see how new, low-cost entrants make dents into our business. To stay ahead of that competition we need to combine innovation, low-cost thinking and speed without compromising on quality.

Which new behaviors did you learn?

I am now in a better position to support and guide my team. I achieved a greater understanding of the overarching concepts allowing me to drive our development work in the right direction to achieve our long-term goals. I also have a deeper understanding of the link between R&D and business. This has made me better at attacking the right problems and taking the right actions to solve them.

Have you seen solid results of your new way of working?

We have become better at carrying through the proper preparation work before starting projects. We have higher attention on the business side to balance the technical. Now when we start new R&D pre-studies we both do theoretical studies and further practical tests to understand both the business and technical opportunities. Hence, we have a solid foundation for the subsequent full-scale development phase.

We were two managers from the same area in Tetra Pak participating in the program. This was very useful both in terms of reflections related to our specific situation but also to actually test our learnings back home. After the program we decided to begin with just one initiative and really take that through. We selected “open innovation” and more specifically crowd sourcing. Now we have completed three challenges and are taking two of them further.