The use of CO2 is a new business area, and the regulations, framework, and conditions for this sector are only now being developed. As a result, some companies are hesitant to invest in the CO2 business—but with the help of the Lego Serious Play learning method, companies can better visualize the possibilities.
By Lene Klitgaard, Aalborg University
As part of the Green Innovation Lab initiative, Aalborg University (AAU) has used Lego Serious Play to help companies explore opportunities for developing business in the field of CO2 utilization.
One company saved time on the product development of a fuel cell, and another had a preliminary discussion on how to commercialize its consulting services so that they would generate revenue.
The companies found that talking about their work in a visual and tactile way gave them a creative and innovative boost.
“It has created a different and more creative setting that has fostered innovative thinking in and around our strategy process. This setting has helped us think differently than we would have in a regular meeting room. The visual elements of Lego Serious Play allow us to concretely set up scenarios, understand one another, and ensure alignment of expectations through images, colors, play, and constructions. “It’s also been great to have AAU researchers on board to facilitate the process,” explains Jane Jacobsen, Head of Branding & Marketing at one of the two companies, Hydrogen Valley.
Lego vs. Conventional Thinking
Professor Julie Borup Nielsen and Associate Professor Anja Thomassen, who led the program with the companies, conduct research on learning processes at the Department of Culture and Learning at Aalborg University (AAU).
The project has given the two researchers insight into the potential of Lego Serious Play for developing CCUS—carbon capture, storage, and utilization—as a business area:
“It’s important for companies to have the courage to work differently than they usually do. If they approach this with an open mind, they’ll challenge their preconceived notions about what they can do to enter the CCUS market, and they’ll become aware of their own resources and potential to act on this insight,” says Anja Thomassen.
Julie Borup Nielsen adds:
“They moved away a bit from their usual way of thinking about their work, products, and services. Some also came up with ideas for new ways to organize collaboration within the company, so they can save time and reduce frustration.”
Visualizing Ideas
The companies were free to choose what they wanted to work on and set a goal for the process. The program itself consisted of two or three workshops lasting a few hours each, with homework assignments in between.
Researchers typically use Lego Serious Play for innovation and organizational development, and the method is particularly useful when several people need to agree on an idea or a desire for change. For example, Lego bricks can be used to visualize both concrete product ideas and more abstract concepts for developing a company’s services, so that others can understand them. They can also be used to visualize visions or desired changes.
Learn more about how the CO2vision method is used at Aalborg University.
