Student Projects For Technology Companies:Successful Experiences With Nokia

Dr Peter Kelly

Helsinki University of Technology

(peter.kelly@hut.fi)

Challenging Times For A Titan

• Sales have flatlined at €30 billion over the past two years

• Market share has fallen which has prompted handset price cuts

• When will 3G take off spurring advanced handset demand?

• How to make the most of R&D investment (€4 billion)

Nokia’s Technology Reach Is Broad

Digital Pen

ImagingFashionwear

Fitness Monitor

Including Forays Into Entertainment

NGage

Digital TVWhat Next?

Mobile TV

Nokia Ventures Organization

Where Projects Fit In My Course Portfolio

• Introductory course provides framework (Mullins)

• Follow-on course is invite only limited to teams of students with an opportunity they wish to analyze in detail or a project for an established company

• Many of company projects come from contacts made through Managing Growth course

Mechanics

• Nokia Ventures makes a presentation in class providing a 10000 meter view of “mobile space”

• They identify a number of areas that are of particular interest to them (health & wellness, youth market, elderly market, etc)

• Students brainstorm potential ideas in a group of their choosing (4 per group maximum)

Mechanics

• Groups need to apply for a project by summarizing their idea(s) in 1 page + 1 page cv of each group member

• Proposals are independently reviewed by course instructor and Nokia (joint selection)

• Teams are assigned a mentor inside the company

• Non-disclosure agreements need to be signed by participants and course instructor

Mechanics

• A written report is submitted for course credit

• Students are asked to make a presentation before the Nokia Ventures Development Board, a mechanism for greenlighting projects for further funding

• Students are grilled on aspects of their proposal (as in real life)

Some Positive Take Aways

• A fresh perspective has helped to alleviate “Nokian” tunnel vision

• Tests students’ abilities to synthesize vast amounts of market research available within a firm with global reach

• Teasing out the feasibility of a real life project is fun

• A risk-free but informative way for entrepreneurial students to get to know Nokia Ventures and vice versa

Some Frustrations

• Students were encouraged to ask questions but in some instances were told “can’t comment”

• “Silo mentality” is alive and well

• Horse does not like to be told it has “blinders on”

• “Consultants syndrome” ... “tell me what I want to hear”

• Are some of these thoughts “way ahead of themselves”

Mobile Technology Takes Time To Unfold ...

www.vocera.com(1966)

(2004)