Employee Ideas for Company Improvement [PDF]

Employee suggestions are a potent catalyst for company improvement, harnessing the collective wisdom and passion of your team. A well-structured employee suggestion program can drive innovation, boost engagement, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Let's explore how to create and manage an effective employee suggestion program, and discuss real-life examples to inspire your company's journey towards excellence.

First, let's understand that employee suggestions aren't just a box-ticking exercise. They're a powerful tool that demonstrates your organization's commitment to growth, values employee insights, and encourages active participation in decision-making processes.

Creating an Employee Suggestion Program

Establishing a robust employee suggestion program involves careful planning and consideration. Here are two key aspects to focus on:

Clear Objectives and Parameters

Define clear objectives for your program – are you aiming to improve efficiency, enhance customer experience, or encourage innovation? Communicate these goals to your employees so they understand what kind of suggestions are most valuable. Also, set parameters around the types of suggestions you're open to, such as those related to processes, products, or services.

For instance, at 3M, employees are encouraged to allocate 15% of their work time to innovative projects of their choice, leading to numerous groundbreaking solutions and patents.

Open Communication and Easy Submission Process

Ensure your program fosters open communication and provides an easy, intuitive channel for employees to share their ideas. This could be through suggestion boxes, dedicated email addresses, online platforms, or even regular team meetings dedicated to collecting ideas.

A case in point is Google's "Project Aristotle," where teams meet regularly to discuss what's working and what's not. These meetings have generated numerous process improvements and inspired several successful projects.

Managing and Implementing Employee Suggestions

With a steady stream of employee suggestions coming in, it's crucial to manage them effectively. Here are two key strategies to consider:

Review and categorize suggestions promptly

Establish a system to promptly review and categorize suggestions based on their feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with your objectives. This could involve a multi-level review process, with initial screening by line managers, followed by evaluation by cross-functional teams or innovation committees.

For example, at Dell, employee ideas are evaluated using a scoring system, with the highest-ranking suggestions presented to the Dell Innovation Review Board for final approval.

Communicate, implement, and recognize

Once you've reviewed and selected the best employee suggestions, communicate the decision and next steps to the entire team. Assign a owner responsible for driving implementation, set a clear timeline, and track progress regularly.

Recognize and reward successful ideas, whether through formal rewards programs, public acknowledgment, or simple shout-outs during team meetings. This encourages continuous participation and fosters a culture of recognition.

At W.L. Gore & Associates, the company's "associates" (employees) are encouraged to pursue projects they're passionate about, with a "promote from within" philosophy that fosters a strong sense of ownership and pride in their ideas.

Embracing employee suggestions isn't just about gaining new insights – it's about empowering your team, driving growth, and shaping a culture of continuous improvement. Start by setting clear objectives, fostering open communication, and managing ideas effectively. Remember, every suggestion is a valuable stepping stone towards a more innovative, engaged, and resilient organization.