Defining a new strategy in co-creation at Aventus
Challenge
Aventus, the regional training centre in the Stedendriehoek Apeldoorn-Deventer-Zutphen triangle, plays a crucial role in training professionals for business. With more than 1,000 employees providing education to 10,000 students, Aventus faced the challenge of future-proofing its strategic position. The central question was how Aventus could respond to the changing demands of the business community, while at the same time meeting the future needs of students and teachers.
Approach
Aventus took an innovative approach to strategy development through co-creation with 50 employees, more than 70 companies and over 150 other stakeholders from the region. This process was characterised by a unique sprint methodology with different formats such as a sprint week, a film festival, master classes and validation sessions. Each sprint team focused on a specific target group, such as students or companies, thus developing the strategy from the outside in, tailored to the needs of all stakeholders.
Strategy development was based on three visions of the future: the company of the future, the student of the future and their translation into the school of the future. This approach ensured that crucial choices in the development of the mission, vision and strategy were validated with stakeholders, and adjusted or tightened where necessary.
Result
The intensive co-creation process resulted in a validated and widely supported strategy for Aventus. In addition to a future-proof strategy, Aventus also strengthened cooperation with all stakeholders in the region. Moreover, Aventus introduced a new, agile working method for strategic projects, which gave the organisation the energy and confidence to continue fulfilling its role in the region now and in the future.
With this approach, Aventus has secured a strategic position that not only meets the current demands of business and society, but is also flexible enough to grow with future developments.