How to kick off a suggestion box like a champ

Engaging staff in improving operations is a top priority, and suggestion boxes are a popular method. However, good planning is crucial to success. The Lappeenranta University of Technology and Orchidea Innovations have identified the key steps for a successful launch of a suggestion box: Ensure management commitment, define process and rules, set key performance indicators, motivate participation, create an annual plan, launch successfully, and integrate with existing processes. Assuring management commitment involves involving mid-level managers in the planning process and communicating the benefits of the program. Defining the process and rules includes transparency and online suggestion box software. Setting key performance indicators helps organizations reach their business goals, and involves properly setting KPIs that meet the SMART criteria. Motivating staff to participate should focus on recognition of active participants and good suggestions over financial rewards. Creating an annual plan involves competitions and challenges, recognition, regular meetings with suggestion managers, and events. To kick off the program, successful tactics include launching in a separate event or as part of a monthly or quarterly meeting, launching a contest with rewards, visiting team meetings to educate and activate, and spreading puzzle pieces around the office. Integrating the suggestion scheme into existing processes involves tracking lead times and implementing the best suggestions quickly.