If you want to collect ideas from your employees, there are two effective methods: one where you will provoke the emission of ideas and one where you will promote the conditions to receive them. In the first case we speak of provoked Participatory Innovation and in the second of spontaneous.
Each of these two methods has its advantages, even if spontaneous transmission has been largely made popular by the appearance of new technologies which make it easy to obtain proposals from your colleagues. Focus on these two approaches.
The spontaneous method
Simple and accessible tools
It is simply a matter of putting in place accessible and simple systems. Traditionally illustrated by the suggestion box and today supported by digital tools, this method, although spontaneous, does not mean that you should not stimulate the process. You must, of course, motivate your employees, whether through a general email asking for their suggestions or during weekly meetings.
Organization and processing of ideas
In order not to find yourself overwhelmed by the number of suggestions, install an effective management system, for example by involving the local manager or an expert capable of processing the suggestion made. Even if ideas emerge spontaneously, welcome each one with empathy.
Communication and responsiveness
Your message should be communicated to all levels of the company and across all departments. It is not uncommon to see empty idea boxes simply because no one knows they exist or sees their usefulness. You can also establish processes to facilitate the formalization of the proposal. Thus, as soon as an idea is expressed, nothing prevents you from facilitating a meeting between the department concerned and the person issuing it to verify the relevance of the solution. Finally, the processing time is extremely important: it is generally recommended to keep it below 3 months.
The method provoked
Launch targeted challenges
It is not because you collect the opinions of your colleagues spontaneously that you cannot provoke their ideas. Nothing prevents you from launching challenges or challenges on specific themes responding to a particular issue. You can also delegate this initiative to your managers by setting them specific objectives, such as reducing delivery time by 30% within 3 months or optimizing the processing time of a service. It is also not necessary to solicit all the teams on each theme: it is better to first concentrate on resolving priority and local issues.
Animation and managerial support
Unlike spontaneous innovation, the induced method follows a precise framework. It is based on a meeting prepared and facilitated in advance. You can use brainstorming or other methods to spark creativity and solve problems.
Managers must also be trained in this exercise. They must mobilize employees and help them take ownership of the issue. They must also value the participants and the results obtained.
You can finally propose a broader theme. Improving working conditions or productivity can, for example, open the discussion. This approach also allows you to bring to light dysfunctions in the field that you were unaware of.
