Do you want to begin the new year with a bang? Do you want to get some new ideas on how to improve your business? Need some ideas on how to cut costs and improve productivity?

Peter E. Drucker said, "One has to assume, first, that the individual human being at work knows better than anyone else what makes him or her more productive... even in routine work the only true expert is the person who does the job."

Many organizations around the world are using a unique program called, Idea Campaigns. In just four weeks these businesses are capturing hundreds of new ideas from their own workforce. At the end of these month-long campaigns, they have concrete ideas on how to improve productivity, cut costs and improve motivation.

The Idea Campaign concept is a revolutionary way of capturing new ideas and improving employee involvement. They are an exciting, fun and streamlined version of the traditional employee suggestion program. The major difference between this and other employee involvement programs is plain and simple. There is a direct bottom-line result. The campaign is the best way of getting hundreds of helpful ideas from the workforce quickly. For example, look at the following organizations that have done just that.

Harley-Davidson saved $3 million in one 30-day program.

Holly Farms identified $1 million in savings during a four-week program.

Eaton Corporation gained 944 ideas from a workforce of 113 people reaching 100 percent participation.

Parker Hannifin Corporation submitted 499 ideas from 103 employees.

National Semiconductor saved $3.6 million using idea campaigns.

The U.S. Park Service made more than 12,000 suggestions with an approval rate of 75 percent.

At Eglin Air Force Base the campaign ran for two weeks. They asked civilian and military personnel to submit ideas that could reduce waste and inefficiency or increase productivity. Eglin received a tremendous bonus when workers generated $400,000 worth of cost savings ideas and new ways to generate revenue.

The goal of the program is to get at least one idea from everyone in the organization. For the first idea, each person receives a coffee cup. They reward the second idea with a writing pen or a rubber buck. In addition, at the end of each week there is a special award ceremony to recognize everyone who has turned in their ideas or suggestions. At the end of the celebration management randomly draw names from a basket for one of several other prizes and gifts.

Bottom-Line Results

With most suggestion programs results are sporadic and slow in coming. It seems like the good ideas screened out or put in a desk drawer. On the other hand, idea campaigns take a different twist. The goal is to get at least one idea from everyone in the organization. All ideas have to be considered and all suggestors receive instantaneous recognition. Because the program only lasts three to four weeks, the program generates a tremendous amount of focused energy and motivation. No one wants to be left out.

One variation of the idea campaign is called BAD idea (Buck-a-Day). It comes with a special guarantee. If the program doesn't generate enough ideas to pay for the cost of the program, the vendor will pay the difference.

People discover the most powerful force was not the awards, but the feeling that management was listening to their ideas. Businesses today can't afford not to listen to their employee's ideas. It is the workforce that knows where the problems are. It only makes sense to ask them how to solve the problem.

Gregory P. Smith lives in Conyers, Ga. He helps organizations solve problems and build more productive work environments. For information phone 770-860-9464 or send e-mail to greg@chartcourse.com. You can find more information and business tips at www.chartcourse.com.