When I first heard about Northumbrian Water’s Innovation Festival, my initial thought was, "A festival for water sector innovations? On a racecourse?". It sounded like a curious blend of professional development and a summer fete, complete with tents, entertainment, food trucks and the inevitable mud. However, the reality of the experience far surpassed my expectations, leaving me with profound insights and a renewed sense of enthusiasm for our work as a tech and data consultancy supporting the water sector.
The event's setting was a significant departure from the usual corporate environment. The relaxed dress code, the open air and the festival vibe (portaloos and all) contributed to an atmosphere that was both invigorating and conducive to creative thinking. This wasn't just another industry conference; it was an opportunity to break down barriers, foster open dialogue and explore new ideas in a completely different context.
One of the most striking aspects of the festival was the diversity of participants. The event brought together a broad spectrum of people from the utilities sector, including suppliers like us, industry veterans and aspiring professionals. The varied backgrounds and expertise of the participants meant that every discussion was enriched with fresh insights and novel approaches. It was a powerful reminder of the value of diverse viewpoints in problem-solving.
For instance, in one of the Sprints, citizen-empowerment experts came together with industry professionals, technology consultants and design engineers to create innovative solutions to better care for and protect our waterways, from gamified campaigns to data-enabled monitoring tools.
Personally, the festival was a revelation. Engaging with such a varied group in a non-work environment allowed me to step out of my usual role and see the challenges facing our water sector clients from different angles. It was refreshing to tackle issues in a setting where creativity was encouraged and there were no predefined expectations about the "right" way to approach a problem.
From a professional standpoint, the festival underscored the importance of stepping outside our usual routines. The collaborative sprints and dashes seemed to be a great way of generating actionable ideas. The collective energy and enthusiasm were palpable and while the outcomes are yet to be seen, if the atmosphere and activity at the festival were anything to go by, they promise to be amazingly impactful.
Being involved in the festival was more than just a good use of time; it was an investment in the future of our water industry. The insights gained and the connections made will undoubtedly contribute to more effective and innovative solutions for our clients. Moreover, the festival demonstrated that when we break away from conventional settings and embrace a more open and creative approach, the possibilities are endless.
And no, I’m not talking about bringing mud and portaloos into our HQ (I’m sure building services will be relieved to hear), but I have been inspired to incorporate elements of this festival-style collaboration into our consultancy practice. While we can't always replicate the festival atmosphere (sadly), we can certainly adopt elements of it to foster a more open and creative environment in our meetings and workshops. We already encourage diverse participation and thinking outside the box but we’re always open to finding new ways to drive innovation in our projects and add further value for our clients – who knows, Transform Fest might just be the next must-attend event in your calendar?!
Summing it up, the Innovation Festival was a remarkable experience that highlighted the power of creativity, diversity and open collaboration. It was a reminder that sometimes, stepping out of the office and into the mud can lead to the most groundbreaking ideas. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing the outcomes of this festival and am confident they will drive positive change in the water sector and beyond.