GPI 058 – Open idea contests to non-employees; you do not care where you get great ideas, right?

Anyone can come up with a great idea.  This includes employees as well as non-employees.  Ideas can come from anywhere.  It is acceptable for an employee to take someone’s idea outside of the company to submit as long as it is not patented or copyrighted.  The award will be given only to the name or number on your suggestion/idea contest submission sheet.

You need addresses and phone numbers of non-employees because the program should be open to everyone if you really want plenty of ideas.  Think of it.  Why not get as many ideas as possible?  Whoever sees your suggestion box, reads the questions and has great ideas should be encouraged to participate.  Instruct these non-employees that you want their great ideas.  Encourage them to offer their ideas and you will pay for them.

• Tell them the awards are kept quiet and will be mailed to them if they win. They pick the addresses.
• Tell them to include their name, phone number and home address (so we know where to mail their suggestion check).
• Tell them their idea can be privately awarded and the company respects privacy for those who work elsewhere.

We as employers and managers should appreciate great ideas regardless of where they come from.  We want them and will pay anyone for participating.

Get ideas brought to you from other companies.  You should want to have this contest open to anyone who passes through your facility.  Why?  You will have visitors going through the firm who visit lots of other similar companies and will recognize improvements applicable for your company.  Why would you not want to encourage and ultimately reward any profitable ideas?  These suggestions could come from visiting truck drivers, sales representatives, visiting vendor representatives, service technicians or potential clients or customer’s employees.