Use problem-solving and creativity strategies to stimulate employee ideas and to create a workplace environment that makes it possible for a suggestion program to thrive.

Two important books for those wanting to create dynamic employee involvement programs and employee idea suggestion programs are: “Heads You Win: How the Best Companies Think,” by Quinn Spitzer and Ron Evans, and “Aha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas” by Jordan Ayan.

Employee Idea Example

An example of how to stimulate good thinking and help employee ideas flow freely:

Chrysler’s president and COO Robert A. Lutz once told of a problem his company had with Jeep Cherokee sun visors. The padded visors were bursting open at the seam after delivery. Product engineers set to work reengineering the whole visor.

Lutz asked questions: “How long have we been building the Cherokee?…Has it been the same design all along?…When did they start bursting open?…Have we asked ourselves why it worked for 10 years and now they’ve suddenly started popping open?”

The answer wasn’t reengineering, but replacing a worn tool at the supplier. “The absence of rudimentary problem-solving capability on the part of otherwise good and well-trained engineers was just profoundly disturbing,” said Lutz.

Creativity for Suggestion Program

You need a lot of creativity throughout your workplace. You need creative contributions from all of your employees for a successful suggestion program.

It’s important, then, to know that creativity is cultivated, not inborn, according to author Ayan. Ayan’s tips:

• Allow time to have fun. “When the going gets tough, laugh. ‘Ha Ha’ leads to ‘aha!’” said Ayan.
• Enrich the environment to stimulate thinking. Try a ‘tool box’ of toys (Slinky, Silly Putty, Play-Doh, Legos, puzzles). Some people think more clearly while they’re moving, or with something in their hands to manipulate.
• Capture ideas immediately. Get them on paper quickly, or they’ll be lost forever.
• Avoid creativity-killing comments: “We tried that…It costs too much…It’s not practical…It’s not our problem…Quit dreaming…Put it on the back burner for now.”
• Feed your mind with reading, travel, music, the arts.

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