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Young employees in particular would contribute many more ideas with incentives
We recently revealed the results of an Employee Innovation Survey.
The purpose of the survey was to determine if employees have a voice in helping their organisations succeed. Innovation was defined simply in the survey as “implementation of ideas that add value”. There are many employee engagement surveys but not employee innovation surveys.
It’s a good sign that 73% of employees are offering ideas without an incentive to do so. Recognition of ideas is a strong motivator. It’s one thing to contribute ideas to an organisation, but it is even more important to know that you have been heard.
Only 27% of organisations provide an incentive to contribute ideas; however, 58% of respondents (65% male and 53% female) said they would provide more ideas if there was an incentive to do so.
Significantly, however 87% of 18-35 year-olds said they would contribute more ideas if an incentive was offered and it seems sensible that Management should encourage ideas from young people who have them.
The IdeaSpies Enterprise platform provides businesses with the opportunity to encourage all employees to contribute and implement ideas that may increase productivity and staff engagement. Incentives can be part of the process.
David Thodey AO, Chair of CSIRO and Jobs for NSW, said “I really like the IdeaSpies Enterprise solution. I have a strong view that the best source of innovation is your staff. They know the business and how to improve it better than consultants. The issue has always been how do you provide an open forum for those ideas?”
Management needs to stop feeling comfortable about the way they do things – for example by saying ‘that’s the way we have always done things’. In organisations like this, employees who suggest new ideas can be seen as a threat. In more progressive organisations, innovation is part of the culture- a continuous process where employees are encouraged to suggest ideas.
Progressive organisations are getting rid of 20th century silo thinking and need managers who have vision, imagination and drive (VID) Those who have VID are quick to see the value of ideas and proposals and have the drive to implement them.
The Employee Innovation Survey was sent to about 2,000 employees, with 18% responding and volunteering extensive comments.
A full report on the results with charts and comments is now being prepared. Please contact me if you’d like to receive it.
Lynn Wood
ph +61 418 966 625
Marcus Gordon
