Researchers

Impact of OpenInnoTrain on my career and organisation

How has the secondment created new perspectives for applying your knowledge in practical situations?

This was a rather managerial secondment visit rather than a research based one. However we are setting up new pathways for EU/FI energy cluster companies on how to engage locally in the energy transition offered great new collaborations. My initial attendance at local Global Business Innovation Conversations offered great insights and network opportunities, which led to new incoming secondments on pertaining topics – the current crisis pending them naturally. There were also many great discussions and meetings on the whereabouts of future collaborations and also managing the secondments.

There were great many discussions and meetings on the whereabouts of future collaborations and also energy transition related alternative topics; new contacts made in meetings that I got invited to. There are now several new collaborations in the pipeline through coffee talks, which would never had happened without the personal attendance – now they can be taken forward electronically and online.

How has the secondment created new career perspectives for you?

Being able to interact with the project partner in its own environment was an invaluable experience altogether. Having an international career most days of the work life still gives inside views to how other cultures “tick”. One always learns for life, which then turns out to be(come) a career, so this was a greatly appreciated puzzle in this learning curve. Personal encounters always make work, expectations thereof, networking, etc. much easier to organize and work onwards from that common experience. I do hope that I was also able to actively contribute to the overall positive picture for this project‘s outcomes through my many-fold diverse international background in project work. Time well spent in my opinion, although the 2nd shift (5pm-midnight) never really ceased!

How has the secondment given you global mobility opportunities?

Due to current work environment there is a great deal of transnational learning happening on a daily basis and having the opportunity to spend a longer continuous time frame at another work environment than just the usual conference days, project meeting, workshop or seminar, opened very different viewpoints, from an academic lens as well as a cultural approach on how to handle matters. Transnational learning is continuous and never stops for a European citizen which include getting new insights on global aspects in other local markets. New and different challenges on similar original problems from company and academic backgrounds. Ideas, values and addressing their relevance on a global scheme.

How has the secondment given your organisation opportunities?

Opening up of staff members towards internationalization of their work aspects. New collaboration opportunities through incoming research secondees and strengthening of ties to consortium partners. New ways in working with cluster companies beyond energy, on Blockchain, IoT, I4.0, Digitalization topics. Links to new partners for further collaboration in CleanTech Cluster opportunities. Linking incoming secondees with energy cluster company contacts to engage in active research collaboration in the future. New channels for research and innovation matters. Host of 2nd OIT workshop in collaboration with Merinova‘s 30 year anniversary and presentation of internationalization strategy to a large stakeholder audience.