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People are multidimensional One flaw with many idea management systems, whether using purpose built software or ad-hoc systems of e-mails and memos, is that they do not allow true, cross enterprise collaboration on ideas. In many systems, ideas are two ways. People contribute ideas to management. Management reviews ideas and communicates back to the idea originator. Some systems are three-way. The idea originator can send her ideas to colleagues – whom she selects – for feedback before sending the ideas to management. This is approach is somewhat better, but it ignores a simple fact: people are multidimensional, with knowledge, experience and passions in a variety of subjects. Consider: have you ever met an accountant who only knows about accounting or a sales person whose only interest or experience in life is selling? Of course not, but the chances are, if a salesperson has an innovative new idea for her firm, she will send the idea to other salespeople for feedback. She'd probably never think to send the idea to someone in accounting, the human resources manager or that energetic new intern in finance who is positively bubbling over with new ideas which no one will listen to. But, in every firm we have worked with, people across the enterprise are full of ideas. Ideas about their own area of work, of course, but also ideas about other departments. Moreover, employees spend at least eight hours a day working for their employers. They care about their companies and even dissatisfied staff want to see their companies become better. They want to share their ideas with people who will listen. In one very hierarchical firm, the sales administrator had an excellent idea for the accounting department (after all the sales administrator often dealt with sending invoices and responding to customers' queries). The idea would have substantially reduced the time from finishing a project to sending an invoice, this significantly improving the firm's cash-flow. But, management refused to listen to the sales administrator's idea. Not surprisingly, this firm has stagnated while its competitors grow steadily. Thus, to maximise a firm's innovative potential, it is absolutely critical to get everyone involved in the creative process. This is why Jenni enterprise idea management service offers numerous features that actively encourage cross enterprise innovation: Anyone can contribute an idea on any category. If an accountant has an idea about sales, she may submit it. Anyone may collaborate on an existing idea, thus ensuring a wide range of feedback from different perspectives. Anonymous submission of ideas. People worried about submitting ideas not relevant to their position may contrbute ideas anonymously. A genius directory that allows users to learn more about the people who contribute a particularly interesting idea or comment. IdeaMaster monitering of each person's performance with Jenni allows management to quickly identify innovative thinkers and take advantage of their abilities. In summary, Jenni maximises the chances that the best ideas are identified - irrespective of who dreamed them up. Based on an article (by Jeffrey Baumgartner) published in Report103, 2 March 2004 issue © 2004 Jeffrey Baumgartner Return to Articles directory