prof. Han Gerrits

About Han Gerrits

Han Gerrits is CEO of Innovation Factory and an authority in the field of innovation. He studied Business Informatics at the University of Twente and he received his PhD at the Faculty of Economics of the VU University Amsterdam. His expertise and broad experience of innovation projects make him the ideal person to stimulate an innovative response from people and organisations. Listening to prof. Gerrits gives the energy and enthusiasm to start innovating immediately.

His inspiring presentations combine stories of both theory and practice. Theory provides a base and a perspective, practice provides understanding and the know-how for implementation. Because prof. Gerrits incorporates the latest developments in the field into a very practical and accessible approach his lectures help initiate a change of mindset for his audiences.

Prof. Gerrits is convinced that innovation requires the improvement of information and knowledge exchange, both between employees and between the organisation and its social environment. Open innovation, transparent communication models and social communities to support innovation are therefore important topics of discussion.

If you’re interested in a tangible outcome prof. Gerrits often delivers lectures combined with workshops. For instance, a workshop focussing on how to generate ideas. Even with people who think they have already thought of everything, or don’t feel creative, these sessions will lead to many new innovative ideas.

Prof. Gerrits is founder of Innovation Factory, a company focussed on improving connected innovation within large organisations Through the work of Innovation Factory he is involved in a great number of innovation projects at companies that include TNT Post, Achmea and Vodafone. Prof. Gerrits is also professor of E-Business & IT-industry at VU University Amsterdam.

Han Gerrits is the author of four books and a great number of articles and columns. He is a professor on several postgraduate educational programs and a much sought-after speaker and chairman at conferences. He’s happy to adjust his lectures to his audience. Among other issues, he covers topics such as:

The ins & outs of innovation

The architecture of innovation strategy and innovation projects

The management of successful open innovation

The acceleration of an innovative and enterprising organisational culture

The management of new ideas

How to organise a contest for new ideas

The use of social communities to promote innovation