Benefits of a staff suggestion scheme:
Improvement in staff morale
Increase in job satisfaction
Creation of a feeling of ownership and engagement
Building of team spirit
Reduction in costs and increase in profitability
Increase in revenue inflow
and most important improvement in customer satisfaction
For running a staff suggestion scheme senior management support is vital and overall company culture is important.
A link to one scheme;
http://www.easterncoal.gov.in/notices/empsuggscheme.pdf
Latest technology plays a role in quick and easy communication.
It can be seen that well formatted and developed developed suggestion schemes mainly have the aim of collection of ideas from operational-level employees in order to improve standardised procedures and raise quality. Floor level workers are ones who can really come out with tips.
Dunn and Lloyd (1997) offer the definition,
„A suggestion scheme is a formal mechanism, which encourages employees to contribute constructive ideas for improving their organisation‟
If response time to implement employee suggestions are quick then more suggestions will come up.Many a time people are cynical-what is the point of giving suggestion,it never gets implemented.
Idea management software tools may also be used.Even free ones like Idea Torrent can be used.
I am all for involving every section of the factory/office to be involved in idea generation and also having a reward scheme for best ideas-not necessarily monetary in nature,but simple public recognition may be more of a motivation.