For UMIO Innovation Lead Carmen Vonken, innovation is much more than a trendy phrase or a nice project. “I see innovation as the ability to achieve renewal that is truly meaningful,” she says. “It must create value for people, whether they are customers, employees, or patients, while also adding value to the organisation. For me, innovation is only truly valuable when it is sustainable: when it does not come at the expense of the environment, but instead contributes to a future-proof balance between people, the organisation, and society.”
According to Carmen, innovation is never an endpoint. “It is not a goal in itself, but a conscious choice to make a positive, lasting impact in a creative way. Innovation is also never finished. It is a continuous process of learning, improving, and renewing. That requires an organisation that does not leave innovation to chance, but actively organises it.”
Space for collaboration and creativity
In UMIO’s tailored programmes, Carmen brings this vision to life. Her focus is on building a culture where collaboration is central and creativity has room to thrive. “By questioning existing perspectives, assumptions, and ingrained patterns of thinking, we create space for new insights and develop solutions that are challenge-driven and innovative.”
She emphasises the importance of truly understanding the people for whom you are designing solutions. “Too often, innovation is shaped by assumptions: what we, as an organisation, think citizens or customers need. But it actually starts with getting to know those citizens, their needs, desires, and frustrations. That is often the key to new forms of service delivery.”
Learning to see with fresh eyes
For participants in her programmes, this often leads to surprising insights. “They recognise how their own thinking patterns can hinder innovation and creativity. At the same time, they discover that groundbreaking ideas are not a matter of luck; they require a structured process,” Carmen explains.
These processes are far from dry or theoretical. They are fun! “During the sessions, participants discover the joy of exploring new futures, collaborating in multidisciplinary teams, and learning from different perspectives. That gives them the energy to keep experimenting.”
Small steps, big impact
One important insight Carmen wants participants to take away is that innovation can start small. “I want people to continue building with enthusiasm, but also to understand that they are only at the beginning of a journey. It’s important to test and validate first, rather than rolling out a solution or project on a large scale immediately. Small, quick experiments can yield enormous results.”
This approach often leads to a lasting change in how participants view their work. “I am proud that they recognise the value of engaging with citizens and are open to other perspectives. It’s a mindset shift: not rushing to solutions, but taking the time to understand first. They experience that innovation requires time, investment, and effort, but also that this investment pays off.”
Carmen Vonken teaches in our tailored programs. Would you like to have a conversation with her about what she could mean for your organisation? Feel free to get in touch with her. She would be happy to explore how you can work on sustainable innovation within your organisation.
