IASP participates in ISPIM Connects Valencia 2021

IASP recently participated in ISPIM Connects Valencia 2021, an event that brought together researchers, managers, business and thought leaders under the theme “Reconnect, Rediscover & Reimagine,” as they shared insights on innovation management hot-topics.

ISPIM, the International Society for Professional Innovation Management, is a community of members from research, industry, consulting and the public sector, all sharing a focus on innovation management, how to successfully create new products, processes and services from ideas to stimulate economic growth and well-being.

The in-person conference took place in Valencia, Spain from 29 November – 1 December 2021, and explored the value and importance of human-centred connections, alongside the lessons and possibilities that digital experience has taught us. Participants explored themes such as the value of community, co-creation and collaboration in a physical setting and responses to innovation management challenges, sharing successful international innovation practice and research.

Speakers included academics, researchers, consultants, industry and public sector representatives and other experts, as well as IASP Advisory Council President Luis Sanz, who was invited to talk about the meaning of networks, how they changed during the pandemic, and the role of network managers today. Networks are essential to globalisation, but are often misunderstood: they are composed of nodes and links, but the central role of links is often neglected. The pandemic has introduced new elements and new challenges to the work of running and managing networks, because efficient networks do need to be managed.

“Networking is crucial for any organisation, and should always be approached professionally, with clear objectives in mind. A reactive, haphazard approach to network building will get us nowhere, especially when facing the challenge and disruption of the global pandemic,” commented Luis Sanz.