ABSTRACT
The Danish pump manufacturer Grundfos has introduced a new way of developing talent through co-creation, an innovative method and process that can differentiate organizations and their products and services. In co-creation, people design with people, rather than for people. One of the biggest challenges that Grundfos constantly faces is how it will train and develop talented leaders, innovators, and specialists in an organization with more than 18,000 staff in more than fifty countries. To ensure local ownership, a group of forty leaders and employees representing a high degree of professional and cultural diversity was invited to design and create a concept for Grundfos’ talent program. As a result, a process that can work globally has been developed, and a series of talent centers that can grow these talents have been established. Engaging many different people in the process has helped Grundfos not only to ensure a firm ownership of the concept throughout the organization, but also to respond quickly to the talent challenge made by their ambitious innovation intent. Talent management is a key element in the Grundfos strategic approach to innovation.
