Why aren't more employees' ideas implemented? In a corporate setting, new ideas automatically are met with resistance; there are always those who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.
But creative ideas from workers can benefit a business, primarily because workers have first-hand experience on office procedures. Getting good ideas implemented, however, requires effective presentation skills. Here are points to keep in mind when you're proposing new ideas:
- Make sure you focus on the issue involved. Don't attack something you're trying to change or improve.
- Consider the timing of your idea. You can't successfully pitch a solution to a problem when no one else thinks it's a problem. Your idea stands a greater chance of gaining interest and acceptance when a problem becomes apparent - and people are hungry for a solution.
- Present your idea face-to-face to the key players, instead of writing a memo or letter. In a face-to-face situation, you enhance your credibility; you are more closely identified with your idea. A memo is too easy to file away. You'll often get a response like, "We're looking into it."
- Don't be obnoxious about getting your idea across. Instead, be gently persistent. An employee successfully steered an idea to fruition by first meeting with requisite employees and supervisors. The employee pitched the idea and allowed supervisors to give their feedback. Then the feedback was integrated into the idea. Trying to get an idea accepted a little bit at a time can be advantageous. When employees try to get it all, they often receive nothing.
- Don't kill your ideas altogether. As you go through the creative process of finding solutions to problems, don't talk yourself out of new ideas by saying:
- "The boss won't like it."
- "I don't have the authority."
- "We've never done that before."
Terri Levine
http://www.coachinstitute.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
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