E&M and innovation
Innovation stories: Bob Hoogstede
Innovation is not just about a technical know-how; it is primarily about an insatiable curiosity. This time in innovation stories, we share the story of Bob Hoogstede, who began his KLM career in 2008 as an instructor for the Boeing 777 and is now working as a Program Manager for 'Training Innovations' at KLM Engineering & Maintenance. Bob explains how a constant need to explore new ideas is the true driving force behind innovation.
The Three Pillars of Innovation Bob’s innovation strategy for training is built around three core principles:
1. Tools and Resources: He emphasises the crucial importance of selecting the right training tools, whether they are high-tech or low-tech. Using the right resources is essential for optimising learning processes.
2. People-Centric Approach: Bob’s approach is centred around people. Designing learning paths, delivering training, and guiding individuals in the workplace is primarily about human interaction. New insights into people’s ability to develop a call for a critical and continuous examination of how we help our employees bring out the best in themselves.
3. Collaborative Divisions: Bob focuses on understanding the different divisions and departments within and outside Engineering & Maintenance. He strives to create a coherent approach to innovation that transcends departmental boundaries.
Driven Curiosity as the Basis for Innovations For Bob, innovation is not about change for the sake of change. It is about understanding the reasons behind existing situations and processes and finding ways to improve them. At the start of his career in the Learning & Development department, he introduced the 'walk and talk' method, inviting colleagues to discuss various work-related topics in an informal setting during a walk. His curiosity and this method frequently led to inspiring conversations and fresh insights for familiar challenges.
"Innovation is about being constructively critical of everything," says Bob. "You must be curious about the potential of every idea and thought. That, for me, is the essence of innovation." He strongly believes in the power of dreaming, the continuous search for improvements and cultivating a mindset where mistakes are viewed as opportunities to learn and grow. By daring to approach challenges from different perspectives, Bob is convinced that every experience provides new insights, which in turn leads to more innovative results.
Achievements When we asked Bob about the achievements, he is proud of, he emphasizes that collaboration is the driving force behind every successful innovation. He believes that successful projects rarely come from the efforts of one person alone, but rather are the result of collective effort.
He is particularly proud of his role in the development and implementation of the HoloLens as a learning tool in the Boeing 777 training. This introduces a collaborative learning approach that helps participants better understand the operation of aircraft systems, such as air conditioning, equipment cooling, and fuel systems. He has also developed a training program for Ground Services focused on influencing and persuading. This program uses a straightforward yet powerful tool. Duplo blocks and strands of yarn are creatively applied to give individuals insight into their circle of influence and ways to achieve their goals.
Goals and Advice for Future Innovators Looking ahead, Bob’s goal is to encourage a training culture where individuals feel continuously invited to learn. A culture where employees have easy access to resources and information is available at the exact moment when it is required by the individual. This way, both individuals and the organisation can grow better.
For other innovators, Bob offers simple advice: "Dare to think, do, and be different. COURAGE is essential to unlock the innovator within you." He encourages others to take the leap and embrace the power of innovation. Quote from Michel Vermeij: "Bob is a free-spirited man who approaches the organisation from a person-focused perspective. His learning solutions range from simple to complex but are always surprising and effective."
Are you or do you know an innovative colleague that we need to interview? Of course, we don't want to miss this story! Contact us at: Innovation-em@klm.com