At Hitachi Energy Transformer Insulation and Components, we recognize that every employee is a vital source of innovative ideas. To foster this creativity and innovative spirit, we are launching the KICKBOX program. This initiative aims to cultivate an innovation-oriented culture and provides all employees with the opportunity to demonstrate the value of their unique ideas.

Participating in the KICKBOX program will equip you with new skills that foster both professional and personal growth. You'll learn innovative methodologies such as design thinking and lean start-up, which will enhance your skillset and enable you to quickly validate your ideas. This hands-on experience will empower you to navigate current and future innovation projects with confidence and efficiency.

At Hitachi Transformer Insulation and Components, we believe that there are no bad ideas.

Everyone is encouraged to submit their thoughts and suggestions. Large, innovative projects thrive on diversity and inspiration, making every idea valuable and welcome. When diverse perspectives and ideas come together, they lead to better concepts and solutions. We envision an environment where all contributions are appreciated, knowing that the best outcomes arise from a rich mix of viewpoints.

Nonetheless, focus points for this initiative can be found at the online platform in the "Topics" session and they include the following 8 macro-areas:

• Advanced Manufacturing / Automation
• Digitalization (e.g. AI) / Diagnostics
• Operational efficiency
• Next generation products
• Quality and testing
• Safety
• Sustainability
• Business strategy

We encourage out of the box thinking and particularly disruptive ideas submission. However, we encourage employees to consider the focus areas mentioned in the previous FAQ and to consider that each idea will be reviewed and evaluated by an internal panel of experts.

HITACHI Transformer Insulation and Components's KICKBOX Project Team will review your idea and when a decision has been made, you will receive a notification via email with the next steps. For more details on the KICKBOX process, please refer to previous sections of this webpage.

Congratulations, you will then receive a KICKBOX RedBox and have 20% of your work time allocated to developing and validating your idea. Your KICKBOX Team will reach out to you with details.

For more details on the KICKBOX process, please refer to previous sections of this webpage.

First and foremost, we believe that there are no wrong or bad ideas. It is possible that your idea was not selected to enter the KICKBOX program because it doesn't fit into topics under current focus, but it doesn't mean it's not valuable. It might be that the ideas is right but the timing is not optimal. If requested, we will arrange communication with you to discuss your idea and explore how it might be adapted for another time or program.

Yes, you are not alone on this journey! By registering on the online platform, you become part of the HITACHI Transformer Insulation and Components Innovation community. On the one hand, you get coaching and have access to an online platform with internal and external experts. On the other hand, you can exchange information with other participants on the online platform and you can support each other.

On the platform, you will find Services to support you and help you bring your idea to life. Depending on your idea, you can choose which Services best fit your needs. You can have help from a lawyer or a developer, or reach out to someone to lead you in the right direction. Just click on the Service you need and book it with your Coins!

Please note that you might have the required Coins budget for the service you are interested in only if you have been already awarded a red box, or a red and a blue box.

When you click on the person, you will have their contact details. Please do contact them if you think there might be able to support you!

The point of the platform is to make the people and services available for you at the click of a button and to foster the Innovation Community within HITACHI Transformer Insulation and Components.

You will be assigned a Coach to help you work on your idea and you will have dedicated sessions with your Coach, where they will advise you with best practice and recognise areas that may need more work. In general, the Coach will be able to guide you in the right direction.

There is no deadline for good ideas! You can submit your idea at any time. You will receive feedback on your idea within one week. Together, we will define how to proceed with your idea.

In this case you have the following options: You can either submit your idea with your mobile phone by scanning the QR code available at various locations or with your private computer.

At the RedBox level, there is typically one Kickboxer who has the lead and who submits the idea. However, if you have the opportunity, we encourage you to form a team with different skills early on. We observe that teams are more successful and it will also be useful for a possible BlueBox stage where the team approach is emphasized. So yes, you can. If you are a team, discuss who will take the lead and what roles the others will focus on.

After you have submitted your idea, it will be reviewed by the KICKBOX core team and you will receive an information email. If the RedBox is approved, you will be contacted to discuss the next steps.

For more details on the KICKBOX process, please refer to previous sections of this webpage.

Yes, very much so! Every employee can register on the platform. We would like as many people as possible to join the Innovation community to share their knowledge and expertise.

For more details on the Innovation community, please refer to previous sections of this webpage.

The KICKBOOK is the manual which will guide you step by step through your KICKBOX journey. It‘s a bottom-up movement to foster innovation and transformation inside and outside of organizations. Built around a strong base, the KICKBOOK has brought the KICKBOX Methodology to a whole new level. You can find it here.

For more details on KICKBOX, please refer to previous sections of this webpage.