Humin, Prospect’s innovation programme for the region of Flanders in Belgium, is having its first public presentation of progress.

The sneak preview takes place during the grand opening of C-Mine, a new innovation centre created on the grounds of a disused coal mine in the city of Genk. Humin’s 30 participating companies will each reveal the strategies they’ve developed and the progress they’ve made to improve their businesses through design. The companies range in size from a 3-person outdoor furnishings provider to a multi-million Euro building company and in business type from an online language company to a manufacturer of bricks. Despite the diversity, all companies are united in their goal: create more valuable services through design.

This means different things to different companies, of course. For Emax, a manufacturer of aluminium profiles, the sustainability workshop was an eye opening experience that convinced them to completely change the way that they are structuring their business and their brand. For Savic, one of Europe’s largest producer of pet care products, the service design workshop helped them to focus not only on how well they support the millions of people who need information to help care for their pets, but also to consider the pets themselves as end users. Now, there’s a usability testing session that we’d like to run!

In addition to the 30 participating companies, 20 of Belgium’s top designers are on the Humin journey. As Humin-designated Design Coaches, they are developing their skills in managing design and mentoring executives in the art of innovation. They will be continuing to provide their invaluable input until the first phase of Humin officially comes to a conclusion in May of 2011.  We will report on developments throughout this next year. Then stay tuned for Humin Part 2!