Innovative ideas drive a company’s success. Whether creating new products, improving existing services, or finding more efficient workflows, innovation keeps a company at the forefront of its industry.
Employees are a very important source of great ideas. They are on the front lines, directly interacting with customers every day, moving product through the company, and supporting the business. Employees know what customers are saying, how products work, and how processes can be improved.
Here are some guidelines on how to tap into new ideas to better a company with an employee suggestion initiative.
If company leaders aren’t listening to and considering suggestions, employees will not participate. Leadership sets the tone for a culture of innovation by lending weight to its importance. This encourages engagement across all levels of employees and managers, and ensures the serious consideration of viable suggestions.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conducted a study* about suggestion programs. It found that 36% of businesses with such initiatives feel that “top leaders do not see the program as a critical contributor to innovation.”
Senior leaders are more likely to support a new program with a persuasive business case, outlining the likely benefits and the investments required...
As Vice President of Engagement Strategy & Corporate Services at Next Level Performance, Susan serves on the board of the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF), and chairs the IRF Research Committee. She has also served on the board of the Incentive Marketing Association (IMA) and is a past president of the Recognition Council, and a past member of the Performance Improvement Council and the Incentive and Engagement Solution Providers (IESP). She is interested in the strategies and benefits of employee engagement, incentive, and recognition programs. An avid traveler, she is also passionate about the art and science of incentive travel.
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