Innovation Management - Inspirations from railway stories

Been a member of the Association of the friends of the (Greek) railway, I often have the opportunity to learn about the past and observe the role of innovation and how different problems were approached, prioritizing the maximization of the existing resources or the introduction of a different and long-term direction to maximize public value.

My intent for this article is to project different innovation dimensions through railway historic moments as food for thought and through a light read over the weekend.

Indeed, the history of the railway in all countries sheds light on major historic periods and events and describes the courage, the patience and the creativity of people of all ages as well as on how decisions were taken, key for any research regarding decision-making criteria, lobbying and teamwork.

Greece was one of the first countries to prioritize electricity in its railway strategy as it was one of the few European cities with electric trains in 1904 but unfortunately was left behind for years and years as the first train operating with electricity outside Athens was put on the rails in 1998, destination Eidomeni - Thessaloniki.

Innovation happens when there are pressurizing problems or/and a different vision about the future.

Product Innovation is important but leading innovation requires strong vision and the ability to pursue it against objections. I do not want to focus on how objections can be managed as I want to present the importance of Leadership and HR strategy innovation.

In 1904, the population in Athens had a different age mix than today and certainly many sterotypes regarding how people were recruited and placed in roles. Yet, in 1904, Mr Alexandros Vlagalis became the CEO of the organisation responsible for the railway (SAP) at the age of 31 years old and introduced many beneficial reforms regarding the use of electricity.

Today, many Greek companies make staff redundant over a certain age in an effort to 'refresh' and bring in more creativity at the workplace in the reality of an aging population, losing valuable skills and knowledge. In essence, sustaining the stereotype of age as a selection criterion. In my view, Innovation Leadership needs strong support from a creative, ethical, business-wise and aligned HR team.

As my intent is to present a snapshot on innovation through a different prism, I continue with the equally important dimension of Innovation in Communications. How can people change their views in an ethical manner?

The first electric train was viewed suspiciously and there were rumors that passengers were electrocuted and disposed into the sea! The need to convince the public shows to the researcher that apart from logic, satire was used as well as the impact of the figurehead leadership role on public opinion.

Mr Alexandros Vlagalis as the CEO of SAP in 1904 had a social impact emanating from his position and within his plans to convince the public was the decision that his wife (Mrs Rallou) would accompany him every evening from his job in Athens to Piraeus so as to show that the train was safe; a successful idea as his wife 'tells' us through her writings.

You will find the article of Vasilis Korovesis on the effort to operate electric trains in Athens and the article of Spyros Fasoulas on the long decision-making process to extend the use of electric trains outside Athens in the magazine of the Association of the friends of the railway, number 59. In the same magazine, you will also find an article on the initiative to restart the train at Peloponese (an initiative under the auspices of the ambassador of Switzerland in Greece Mr S. Estermann) as well as news about the metro of Thessaloniki.

On Wednesday 03/07/24 we commemorated 120 years from the year the first electric train moved on the rails between Athens and Piraeus and 25 years from the line Eidomeni - Thessaloniki during which the President of OSE Mr G. Grammatidis, the CEO of STASY Mr A. Kotaras, the CEO of ELLINIKO METRO SA Mr N. Kouretas, and the representatives of the museums of the railway from Thessaloniki and Drama, Mr G. Giannakoudis and Mr P. Makropoulos.

Today Hellenic Train, STASY and OSE have a new and ambitious strategy which you can learn about if you visit the organisations' websites. You will also learn about what the Association of the friends of the railway advises for and the Association's stance on many issues related to railway subject areas if you become a member.

The Association consists of people with in depth expertise and zest about railway topics from legal matters to engineering and from history to architecture and sociology.

Subscribing means that you will also learn about the tours organized by train too!

The board of the Association consists of Mr P. Rallis (President), Mrs R. Pollimeni (Vice President), Mr F. Likomitros (General Secretary), Mr M. Theophanopoulos (Cashier) and Mr T. Simeonidis (board member) who coordinate and lead many initiatives from/with the friends of the railway so that there is a constant update on all issues as well as an active participation in initiatives from other organisations.

Finally, if you want to organize a different teambuilding session or innovation session and combine it with Greek railway history, email me to discuss as I love combining my expertise in teambuilding and Lean change management with history.

Throughout time people have always tried to solve their problems. Some had looked at the root causes incorporating in their proposed solutions the social element either making use of team pressure on performance and behaviour in a work context or making use of the public need for order and safety in a social / civilian context.

I hope you enjoy the following notice that I have chosen to conclude my 'news' with. It has a rather punitive approach but nevertheless shows the importance of capturing as early as possible negative behaviours.