Creating a culture of innovation in Nordic Industry

Creating a culture of innovation in Nordic Industry

Join us for an enlightening session with Dr Kevin Deegan, who will delve into the transformative journey of innovation culture at Valio in Finland. Traditionally, the approach has been characterized as 'push' innovation—where ideas and products are developed in isolation before seeking market validation. However there is now a shift towards a more consumer-centric model, prioritizing the needs and preferences of the customers from the outset. This new approach not only enhances product relevance but also aligns with broader trends in various industries and reflects ongoing challenges faced within the Nordic industrial landscape.

During this talk, Kevin will explore the implications of this cultural shift, examining how embracing a consumer-first mindset can drive sustainable growth and foster deeper connections with your market. Drawing on examples from both Valio and other sectors, he will discuss the hurdles that come with this transition, particularly in a landscape traditionally marked by top-down innovation. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the importance of adaptability and collaboration in fostering a thriving innovation culture, making this a must-attend event for anyone interested in the future of business and consumer engagement in the Nordics and beyond.

Dr. Kevin Deegan is Vice President, Innovation in Valio, Finland’s largest food company and food exporter. In addition, he has been recently appointed Professor of Practice in Marketing at Hanken School of Economics in Helsinki. He has led the development of consumer insight and research in both Valio and on the executive board of the Finnish food company Saarioinen. His passion lies in unlocking and interpreting consumer behaviour as a driver for consumer-centric business development and innovation in international markets.

Kevin is a board member of the Irish Business Club of Finland, an advisory board member of the Innovation Practitioners Community of Finland and a member of the Enterprise Ireland Nordics Advisory Panel.

Important to Note for event:

• Details for connecting to the meeting will be sent in a separate email upon successful registration. The event will be hosted via Google Meets and the invite for same will be sent to the email address you used to register. 
• Please join the online meeting a few mins before it is due to start as the event will begin at 11:30am CET on the dot.
• Members may register guests themselves when they do their own registration, guests can also be added later by sending an email to contact@irishchamber.se with the guest's name and email address.