Thales fosters innovation

Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. From our work in space oceanography which helps to keep tabs on climate change to 3D touchscreen displays used in military operations, we are always striving to better understand the world we live in. 

Events like this are really important for creating the relationships we need…

Thales invests 20% of its revenues in research and development every year and last year, our 22,500 engineers and researchers filed over 350 new patents. These join our portfolio of some 13,000 patents offering solutions to everyday problems, however big or small.

Our Research & Development (R&D) team is active around the world and we have established R&D centres in 18 countries across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. In the UK, we have been applying clever thinking to resolve daily challenges, such as securing mass transport.

Last month, teams from our Security and Transport businesses came together to hold a unique joint innovation event called InvenT. InvenT is loosely based on the Atlassian ShipIt Days and our theme for the two-day event was ‘Securing Mass Transport’, which was developed to bring together some of the brightest minds from across our businesses.

The highly successful event saw collaboration between our Security and Transportation teams, the building of informal networks, and the creation and development of new ideas. InvenT also presented the opportunity to bring a bit of fun to work! Matt Mullan, the organiser for Security says: “Events like this are really important for creating the relationships we need to develop ideas and win business in the gaps and crossovers between our respective business units”.

InvenT began with an idea generation activity based on the SocialText ‘Bar Camp’ concept which resulted in some 36 ideas. Using a process of self-organisation and selection, teams were formed to further develop seven of the ideas over the remainder of the event, culminating in a series of focused pitches presented using the Ignite (Pecha Kucha) format and delivered to a panel of judges. “InvenT pulls together a number of best practice techniques and innovation concepts, along with our own unique additions such as ‘Find the Point’ and ‘Trading Cards’” says Colin Waugh, TRT UK’s Business Development Manager.

Following the event, all 36 ideas have been reviewed and we hope to see a number of incubation projects initiated as a result. The InvenT format will also be captured to assist others in holding similar events in the future. Ben Pritchard, Transportation’s organiser adds: “Providing a variety of mechanisms to allow people to harness their creativity and solve real customer problems is a key part of our innovation management plan”.

Innovation is key to our success and placing it at the heart of our growth strategy has paid off, as, for the second year running, we have been listed as a Top 100 Global Innovator in the rankings announced by Thomson Reuters. We are proud of the commitment and creativity of Thales employees and we look forward to seeing what they come up with in the future.