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Idea management comprises gathering ideas from
any creative input. The key source of these ideas is the brain trust of
our employees. We have found the process of obtaining ideas from
employees is not a new one.
Kodak
started such a program around the turn of the century here in the United
States. Overseas, the
British Royal
Navy
had a suggestion scheme in
1772. Since their inception, employee based ideas
systems have gone through significant evolution (and they continue to do so).
Although some quality experts feel employee idea systems (or suggestion
programs) are dead, a well designed idea program will significantly add to an
organization's quality arsenal while helping it cut costs and improve
performance. In fact, the foundation of Lean Manufacturing is directly based on
the Toyota Production System (TPS). TPS places a very large emphasis on
employee driven suggestions in conjunction with teaming (quality circles in
their environment).
An idea program can be designed to complement teaming activities, since not
everyone can participate on a team. The idea program allows those individuals
to still have a voice in the organization. Additionally, a team member may have
an idea that doesn't fit the current team's mission. This idea could get lost
without a process to support employee ideas.
Team efforts normally have management input into
their activities or focus. Whereas a suggestion process taps any creative idea
at any time. These suggestions can drive future team activities.
The classic
suggestion system
or
suggestion scheme
takes employee ideas and passes them on to an expert (evaluator) for review. If
the idea is feasible, it is then passed on for final review and implementation.
The employee then often receives a cash award for their efforts, based on
actual savings calculations (typically with a top award in the $10,000 to
$20,000 range). These programs are still in effect in many organizations. They
can be effective, if properly managed and promoted.
More modern idea processes directly involve the employee(s) with the solution
and implementation process. The method of rewarding their efforts may be based
more on recognition than actual cash awards. Employee Driven Idea Systems
(EDIS)
or
Continuous Improvement
(CI or Lean Manufacturing Kaizen) processes are another way to generate an
active idea generating process. These streamlined processes are often on-line
and typically have much higher participation than classic suggestion systems.
It requires employees to have the resources to solve their own problems and the
support from management to tackle them.
At Total Quality Systems, we can help you:
| 1. |
Measure performance by using our SimNet 8 Universal Idea Management software. You can provide management with the
information it needs to make effective business decisions on the process. |
| 2. |
Go on-line with our web-based SimNet 8 software hat
links with our other SIM software products |
| 3. |
Design an idea process that fits your culture, including integrating it with a
quality improvement team process.
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| 4. |
Effectively recognize or reward employee
achievements. We can even design the entire award process for you. |
| 5. |
Create promotional materials to keep the process active and interesting for
employees. |
| 6. |
Manage campaigns (e.g., a quarterly safety campaign), drawings and other
promotional activities with the SIM software. SIM can automatically pick
winners. |
| 7. |
Manage the administrative part of your process for you via our
outsourcing services.
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| 8. |
Train your administrators, evaluators, supervisors
and other participants.
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