MSU FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
“ One of the main catalysts for creating our innovation lab as ‘ The Lab at MSUFCU ’ was to create a brand , separate from , but complementary to our official brand ”
BENJAMIN MAXIM VICE PRESIDENT OF DIGITAL STRATEGY AND INNOVATION , MSUFCU
To support their CUSOs many MSUFCU employees are joining forces with a small group of employees specifically hired to the individual CUSOs , wearing “ multiple hats ” with roles at both the CU and one or more of the CUSOs . In addition to his role at MSUFCU leading innovation , Maxim serves as Chief Technology Officer to Reseda Group and its subsidiary CUSOs .
TRAINING STAFF , FOSTERING ENGAGEMENT , AND NURTURING INNOVATION For MSUFCU one of the greatest achievements of their innovation lab has been its impact on employee engagement . Maxim says : “ We recruit teams of eight from all over the business , with managers identifying availability and whether they would be a good fit . Over 20 weeks of workshops , employees learn how to build prototypes and products , as well as learn design thinking , lean startup , and agile methodologies . The hope is that they will take some of this innovative thinking back to their departments and further cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset across the organisation .”
So far , MSUFCU has put 40 employees through The Lab and hopes to increase the number this year , even hiring two full-time employees and an intern to help with the facilitation of the lab programmes .
“ Eventually , we want to give everyone a chance to come through The Lab and gain such experiences . Of those that have already done so a few have gone on to create their own miniature version of The Lab within their department . Nearly all of them share that they are more engaged and feel more fulfilled in their work ,” says Maxim .
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