How do you speed up the flow of ideas in a large organization spread all over the world? At Ericsson, the answer is a system of ideabox on the intranet.
Things can go to:
- In a development challenge is to reduce the energy consumption of a base station.
- The project manager describes the problem and opens a new ideabox where all Ericsson employees can step in and suggest a solution.
- As a carrot offered a dinner for two for the best proposal for each month.
- All employees can comment on any ideas. Proposals reviewed by informed individuals in the project.
- Really good ideas are introduced. Whoever came up with the new solution, attention and can sometimes be detached from his regular job to refine it further.
– How do the ideas to be nurtured and rewarded is up to each idea.We have deliberately chosen not to steer too hard, says Magnus Karlsson at Ericsson’s central unit for business and innovation.
The first pilot boxes were added in 2008. Over time the number has increased. In total, over 20 000 suggestions poured in at just over 350 ideabox.
Work has also been effective. Ten percent of the proposals will lead to some type of action. About two per cent has been introduced.
– It’s big and small. There are examples of innovations that have saved big money and led to new revenue, says Magnus Karlsson.
One example is the energy efficient base station. Another a simulation tool that halves the time of testing. But everything is not about technology.
– We need to improve on near-market innovation and new business models, says Magnus Karlsson.
Previously, different departments of different ways to deal with ideas. When the proposals can now be read and commented upon by all Ericsson’s 100 000 employees, it means that ideas can return to the correct recipient. But openness has also encountered resistance.
– Especially in the elderly, who believe that development should be secret. For younger, it is more natural to share their ideas.
The benefits of transparency is still there contemplating.
– We have begun to open ourselves to ideas internally. The next step is to open some boxes also for customers and partners.