On October 2nd in Lyon, the Vianeo Club Day brought together around fifty innovation leaders — directors, managers, experts and partners — around a unifying theme: transforming innovation management systems toward value creation.
A rich and intensive day, punctuated by inspiring talks, participatory workshops and meaningful discussions, once again illustrating that innovation is above all a human and collective endeavour.
Innovating means transforming the way decisions are made
From the very first sessions, a core message emerged: innovation is first and foremost a matter of governance and mindset. Transforming managerial practices means transforming how we decide, evaluate and learn.
The discussions highlighted how a clear, agile and empowering framework can make the difference between a promising idea and a project that truly creates value.
The day also invited each participant to revisit their own stance as an innovator: moving from the “lone hero” to a project leader capable of mobilizing the right skills around them, at the right moment.
Human + AI: the new alliance for innovation support
One of the highlights was the collaborative workshop “AI coach, human coach: who does what?”, which underscored a shared conviction: neither humans nor artificial intelligence hold the keys to innovation alone.
While AI brings analytical power, availability and open-ended exploration, humans contribute nuance, emotional understanding and the ability to give meaning.
The real value lies in the combination: AI amplifies thinking, humans give it relevance.
This vision — central to Vianeo’s strategy — perfectly illustrates the ongoing transformation: a platform enhanced by intelligent agents designed to accelerate evaluation, fuel creativity and build on learnings. The aim is not to replace, but to amplify — in service of an augmented Business Design.
Measuring innovation value differently
Another structuring topic was the measurement of innovation performance. The workshop on innovation KPIs explored a simple but decisive question: which data for which value?
Beyond traditional indicators, participants proposed approaches integrating often overlooked dimensions — desirability, legitimacy, acceptability (three stages of Vianeo’s business design) as well as team complementarity.
A dynamic that confirms that the value of an innovation project goes beyond ROI; it is assessed through the quality of its journey, the learnings generated and the coherence it builds with the overall strategy.
Innovation becomes a strategic capability
Discussions around ISO 56000 standards and the upcoming ISO 56011 framework also opened strong perspectives: innovation management is now structured, measurable and certifiable.
These standards are not meant to constrain but to empower: they provide a systemic framework linking know-how, soft skills and long-term capabilities. Above all, they reflect a major shift: innovation is no longer just a function, but a shared strategic competence permeating all business areas.
A community of innovation in motion
Beyond the content, the day mainly showcased the strength of the network and cross-company dialogue. Framatome, EDF, Veolia, Vinci Energies, F-Initiatives, SBM Offshore, CN Innov, UTC Compiègne… all contributed to a rich mosaic of perspectives, confirming that collective intelligence is the primary engine of innovation.
In closing, Séverine Herlin invited participants to extend this momentum with the launch of an exploratory working group aimed at deepening practices and co-building the next steps of this shared transformation.
Together, making innovation a lever for lasting value
From this day, one certainty stands out: innovation is no longer an isolated act, but a living system, fueled by interactions, learning and trust.
It cannot simply be decreed; it must be cultivated — together.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this day full of exchanges, energy and forward-looking perspectives. Let’s continue building innovation as a driver of transformation and value for all.
