Page 15 - AAA JULY-AUGUST 2012 Online Magazine

FEATURE INNOVATION

employees engage in actual innovating
around a real goal, challenge or problem
statement. “this is the most effective
training to foster innovation,” he says.

Innovation is where the brain is
although some companies, like strand
and eurocopter, offer a very open
approach to the fostering of innovation,
others – especially the larger entities
– have enabled a more structured,
organised approach. Both airbus and
Pratt & whitney offer bright sparks
within the company the chance to move
into areas that build on their greatest
innovative potential.
Dr alan epstein, VP of science
and technology at Pratt & whitney is
confident what he describes as “an of a gamble – but it improves the chances Kurichi Kumar, director of
open and supportive work environment of genuine innovation. “a talented work Research & Technology at Rolls-
where all employees are encouraged to force fosters innovation in itself; however Royce Singapore
actively participate … and share ideas Pratt & whitney also provides,” he admits.
freely” works most effectively when at airbus, the approach is slightly
they see a definite framework for their different, but still gives innovation a
ideas. since it started its in-house Utc structured start, notes axel krein, senior
employee scholar Program in 1996, VP, research & technology. “let’s face it,
Pratt & whitney‘s parent company, Utc, the industry is archaic by intention. we
has invested Us$1 billion in employees’ can come up with ideas but they have to be
formal education. “since then, more than long-term, and we have to accept [those
32,500 degrees have been earned by Utc ideas] may not give immediate results,”
employees in more than 50 countries,” he says. so airbus, which already spends
says epstein. the program, which pays some Us$1.2 to Us$3 billion per year on
for tuition, academic fees and books research and development, has set up a
at approved educational institutions, blue-sky think-tank system in addition to
provides keen employees the resources its existing links with major universities.
they need to stay current in their “we obviously need to work on mature
chosen field - or to pursue new career technologies, but the majority of our
opportunities. through the programmme, innovation goes into our future projects,”
employees can obtain a degree in any he explains.
field, whether or not it is related to their this, says krein, means that its new
job. as epstein points out, it is something india-based think-tank needs to have

TAG WITH BRAINS
The Qantas Q Bag Tag is a permanent electronic bag tag designed
to facilitate faster and easier baggage check-in at airports. Instead
of a temporary bag tag tied on each time travel, the smart tag stays
attached to your bag. It links the bag automatically to your flight
destination, so you can just leave it at departures and board. Better
still, it allows online or mobile check-in before you arrive at the
airport, so you can leave luggage at a dedicated Bag Drop. Each
tag contains smart technology that synchronises the details on a
passenger’s boarding pass or Qantas card with their baggage.

WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM JULY / AUGUST 2012 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS 15