The document discusses the benefits of actively soliciting employee ideas and involvement in improving processes. While many organizations have suggestion programs, most fail because they do not listen to employees or implement their ideas. Some key points are: - Employees are eager to contribute ideas if organizations will listen and act on them. Small, incremental ideas can have a big impact. - Large cash rewards can backfire and limit participation, while recognition for participation and implementation is more effective. - Involving supervisors to evaluate ideas and help implement them is critical to success. Programs should focus on employees' own work and keep the evaluation process simple. - When done right, employee idea programs can significantly improve engagement, safety, quality

1. Ideas Count Simple Ideas Big Impact !

7. Some Successes - 2007 Statistics from EIA Employee Involvement Association Company Employees Participation # of ideas Adopted Net Savings $ Per Idea Grote Ind. Vehicle Safety Systems Madison, Indiana 700 52% 236 $2,500,436 $10,595 Lockheed Martin Bethesda, Md 101 100% 136 $6,208,200 $45,648 GM Lordstown, Ohio. 5000 87% 4224 $7,571,403 $1792 Dubai Aluminum Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2200 99% 8105 $1,557,000 $192

12. Small Ideas vs. Home Runs Looking only for big “home run” ideas is a mistake The impact of many small ideas quickly exceeds the impact of the few big ideas. Focusing on only big ideas limits widespread participation and therefore the positive impact on a company’s culture Big ideas often require big changes with long approval cycles and big budget impacts Employees should be rewarded for participation, innovation and most importantly implementation

13. The Pitfalls of Rewards Traditional reward systems reward employee’s for having ideas Ideas have no real value unless they are implemented Implementing an improvement often takes the efforts of many employees Employees should be recognized and rewarded based upon their ability to identify problems, develop solutions and implement improvements

14. “ Can” The Committee Evaluation committees generally lead to a programs untimely death. Making decisions about ideas at the lowest possible level in the organization leads to better decisions and faster implementation. Involving the Supervisor is critical to the success of an idea program The best ideas can be nominated for further recognition and reward to a small program committee.

15. Making Ideas Everyone’s Work Employees need to be coached to identify problems, look for solutions and implement changes Organizations that effectively solicit and implement employee ideas undergo a dramatic and deep transformation Employees feel a part of the organization

16. The Need For Speed Ideas need quick feedback by Supervisor “coaches” Supervisors work with the submitter to improve their problem solving skills and help implement the proposed solution Quick action helps to encourage wider participation which results in more ideas and greater and greater involvement setting up a “virtuous cycle”

19. Common sign-on page for all participants

20. Idea submission form

21. Supervisor ideas for review listing

22. Supervisor idea evaluation questionnaire - pg 1

23. Supervisor idea evaluation questionnaire - pg 2

24. All participants have an account page

25. Detailed reporting is available to the administrator