About René
My analytical and structured approach supports companies in spotting innovation opportunities early on and developing future proof solutions. My expertise lies in proactively spotting external developments through market, trend, and technology analyses, and in making internal or external innovation potential visible.
In addition, I contribute to the validation of innovation initiatives, the evaluation and selection of potential cooperation partners (startups, external vendors), and the facilitation of innovation workshops. By working closely with cross-functional teams, I help ensure that new ideas not only emerge but can also be efficiently translated into tangible results.
German
Native or bilingual
English
Conversational
Can work on-site
Köln (up to 50km)
Experience
- HAYSExperte Innovation & TrendsApril 2025 - Today (1 year and 2 months)Identifying innovation potential:
- Implementing and continuously developing a systematic trend management approach to identify innovation potential and strategic areas for action
- Conducting structured market, competitive and start-up analyses to identify relevant innovation opportunities
Idea generation and prioritisation:- Deriving concrete innovation use cases from trends, start-up scouting and the internal ideas channel
- Development and facilitation of innovation formats (e.g. innovation sprints, innovation workshops, idea competitions, Business Model Canvas workshops) for systematic idea generation
- Conception, establishment and leadership of the ‘Future Forum’ as a central, cross-functional body for prioritising innovation initiatives and managing the innovation portfolio
Idea and use case validation:- Development of business model innovations and initial validation across the dimensions of feasibility, viability and desirability
- Planning and leading interdisciplinary proof-of-concepts within the context of process innovations (e.g. augmented reality solutions in HR processes)
- Identification and evaluation of external providers in the context of make-or-buy decisions for specific innovation projects
Establishment and further development of innovation management:- Contributing to the strategic, organisational and structural development of innovation management in close collaboration with the Head of Innovation
- Identifying technical requirements, designing solutions, selecting providers and implementing a tool-based innovation platform for the structured recording, evaluation and management of ideas and innovation projects
- Preparing and presenting strategic options for action and innovation use cases to the Executive Board and Senior Management Team
- HAYS(Senior) Innovation ManagerOctober 2021 - March 2025 (3 years and 5 months)Identifying innovation potential:
- Implementing and continuously developing a systematic trend management approach to identify innovation potential and strategic areas for action
- Conducting structured market, competitive and start-up analyses to identify relevant innovation opportunities
Idea generation and prioritisation:- Deriving concrete innovation use cases from trends, start-up scouting and the internal ideas channel
- Development and facilitation of innovation formats (e.g. innovation sprints, innovation workshops, idea competitions, Business Model Canvas workshops) for systematic idea generation
- Conception, establishment and leadership of the ‘Future Forum’ as a central, cross-functional body for prioritising innovation initiatives and managing the innovation portfolio
Idea and use case validation:- Development of business model innovations and initial validation across the dimensions of feasibility, viability and desirability
- Planning and leading interdisciplinary proof-of-concepts within the context of process innovations (e.g. augmented reality solutions in HR processes)
- Identification and evaluation of external providers in the context of make-or-buy decisions for specific innovation projects
Establishment and further development of innovation management:- Contributing to the strategic, organisational and structural development of innovation management in close collaboration with the Head of Innovation
- Identifying technical requirements, designing solutions, selecting providers and implementing a tool-based innovation platform for the structured recording, evaluation and management of ideas and innovation projects
- Preparing and presenting strategic options for action and innovation use cases to the Executive Board and Senior Management Team
- abcfnlab GmbHInnovation ManagerMay 2020 - September 2021 (1 year and 4 months)Cologne, Germany
- Conducting customer interviews to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation
- Facilitating ideas and innovation workshops to generate innovative solutions
- Carrying out market and competitive analyses
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Education
- Master of ArtsHochschule Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences2019Master of Arts - MA, Innovations- und Changemanagement
- Bachelor of ArtsHochschule Osnabrück2017Bachelor of Arts - BA, Betriebswirtschaft und Management
Certifications
- Professional Scrum Master™ I (PSM I)Scrum.org2023
- Technologiemanagement für Entscheider:innenHaufe Akademie2023