Generating NEW IDEAS 

New ideas are the fuel of organisations to stimulate growth,  profit and survival.          

          Commercial businesses have four main functions – production, marketing, innovation, and profit.  

          New ideas rarely germinate with people who are scared of making mistakes.

          With cooperative management, enthusiastic workers and an environment contributing to free-thinking,  innovative companies will thrive and grow.

A handful of tips to stimulate new ideas

* Encourage new ideas

          Build a favourable work environment.

          Innovation flourishes in organisations where it is encouraged and appreciated.   

          Select enthusiastic team leaders who believe work can be competitive and enjoyable.   

* Reduce rules and regulations

          Remove barriers by reducing rules and regulations.  Too many rules will reduce innovative and creative ideas.   

          Delegate responsibilities down to the front line where the action takes place.

*  Seek new ideas

          Ideas can be found inside and outside organisations. Ask your staff, your clients and your potential clients for ideas.

          Research and copy what others are doing and if appropriate, modify their successes to your advantage.

* Generate new ideas

          Set up workshops to generate ideas.

          Select an experienced, enthusiastic facilitator. 

          Find a suitable quiet location and run planning and innovative workshops. Use ‘brainstorming’ and other ways of listing and generating new ideas. Get everyone involved!

          Remove all distractions. Turn off all cell phones and make workshops enjoyable and fun. 

* Reward new ideas

          Show appreciation of good ideas with rewards and public recognition.

          Everyone likes to feel their work is appreciated.  

          Rewards can take many forms as well as money.

          A few words of praise such as,  “Well done. You did a good job.” can mean a lot to an employee.  

-Geoffrey Moss (mossassociates.co.nz)

“New ideas and innovation thrive on encouragement and dies with criticism.” 

Source: “Secrets for New Managers” first published by Moss Associates Ltd., New Zealand and Cengage Learning, Asia.

          This book contains a decade of my articles first published in “Today’s Manager”, the official bi-monthly publication of the Singapore Institute of Management.

          Also available as an e-book from Amazon.com and VitalSource.