We have introduced a system to submit new ideas and suggestion forms to the company. We are required to provide new ideas to reduce costs and new suggestions for improving the existing system. Initially, we found this system innovative and beneficial. However, nowadays, we are very frustrated with the submission process. The boss has made it mandatory to submit before the 3rd of every month; otherwise, the salary and yearly bonus will not be credited. Eight ideas and eight suggestions are required per year.
While it may not be a big deal to submit, what should someone do if they don't have any ideas or suggestions? Many employees sometimes go against the rules and fail to submit even if they have ideas. After submission, many times the Managing Director (MD) does not take any action. The reason given is usually related to funds or a promise to think about it, but there are no further initiatives even after reminders.
CAN ANYBODY SUGGEST HOW I SHOULD DEAL WITH THIS?
Regards,
Dhanashree
From India, Mumbai
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While it may not be a big deal to submit, what should someone do if they don't have any ideas or suggestions? Many employees sometimes go against the rules and fail to submit even if they have ideas. After submission, many times the Managing Director (MD) does not take any action. The reason given is usually related to funds or a promise to think about it, but there are no further initiatives even after reminders.
CAN ANYBODY SUGGEST HOW I SHOULD DEAL WITH THIS?
Regards,
Dhanashree
From India, Mumbai
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Understanding Creativity in Management
To understand your problem, let me put it as "creativity at its peril." The type of management you have is not clear to me, but the way your MD behaves clearly shows that he has not understood the term creativity. Creativity is a voluntary process and happens only when the employee is satisfied with his or her physiological needs and desires for self-actualization skills, which is creativity.
You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink; this adage fits your company. I would suggest that by forcing, you will not achieve anything. Follow the above need hierarchy theory of the great management thinker Mr. Maslow, and you will get all the results.
Keep well
From India, New Delhi
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425To understand your problem, let me put it as "creativity at its peril." The type of management you have is not clear to me, but the way your MD behaves clearly shows that he has not understood the term creativity. Creativity is a voluntary process and happens only when the employee is satisfied with his or her physiological needs and desires for self-actualization skills, which is creativity.
You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink; this adage fits your company. I would suggest that by forcing, you will not achieve anything. Follow the above need hierarchy theory of the great management thinker Mr. Maslow, and you will get all the results.
Keep well
From India, New Delhi
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Further to what Dinesh Divekar has mentioned, let's look at the situation from a different perspective.
Role Clarification
Firstly, please elaborate on your role/designation. Are you in HR?
Communication Gap
Next, regarding your remark "He is giving reasons all the time i.e. funds problem, we will think and afterwards no initiatives after reminders," it looks like there has been a very big communication gap between your management and the employees.
From what you mentioned, I get the impression that the employees are mixing up 'ideas' and 'wishes/likes'—the latter most often would involve money.
Please note that not all creative suggestions involve money—in fact, a significant portion of ideas in an organizational setup doesn't need money to be implemented.
Process Improvement
Let's take a particular activity that you are currently doing by following a particular process. Can't you think of ways to do the same task differently with less time, money, or effort? I am sure you can—now don't say that the existing processes are good and perfect—like the quote by Shakespeare goes: "Nothing is perfect however perfect it is." There's always room for improvement.
Why not try this and give your feedback to the management for a change and see the difference in response from your MD? Forget about other employees for now—let the first step come from you and see the response. The others are sure to follow you.
Since you haven't mentioned your function or role, it's tough to guide you more focusedly. But Dinesh Divekar has mentioned quite a few areas where ideas can be generated by the line employees—not the management.
Challenge and Credit
In a way, your MD has thrown you guys a challenge—to grab it or crib is your choice. Also, please note that the process adopted by your MD also ensures you get the credit once your idea is accepted and implemented—please don't take this angle lightly. The corporate world is full of instances where the boss gets/takes the credit for any good idea (and the junior gets the flak for whatever goes wrong). So, your interest is automatically protected.
@ Jagat Kumar—
I feel compelled to mention a few aspects vis-à-vis your comment "creativity is a voluntary process and happens only when the employee is satisfied with his/her physiological needs and desire for self-actualization skills, which is creativity." I am afraid I don't agree with you.
Surely, 'creativity' is a voluntary process—but psychologically, it comes out not when the individual's (I don't think it's limited to 'employees' alone) needs are satisfied but when the individual feels involved in the situation. When the individual has a 'sense of belonging' to any entity—be it an organization, group, family, etc.—creative ideas flow without being asked for. Quite often, the most creative ideas emanate when the chips are down—not when everyone's stomach is full.
The best example of this is the creativity (or the lack of it) of Govt/PSU employees. I hope you get the point.
Regards,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
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Role Clarification
Firstly, please elaborate on your role/designation. Are you in HR?
Communication Gap
Next, regarding your remark "He is giving reasons all the time i.e. funds problem, we will think and afterwards no initiatives after reminders," it looks like there has been a very big communication gap between your management and the employees.
From what you mentioned, I get the impression that the employees are mixing up 'ideas' and 'wishes/likes'—the latter most often would involve money.
Please note that not all creative suggestions involve money—in fact, a significant portion of ideas in an organizational setup doesn't need money to be implemented.
Process Improvement
Let's take a particular activity that you are currently doing by following a particular process. Can't you think of ways to do the same task differently with less time, money, or effort? I am sure you can—now don't say that the existing processes are good and perfect—like the quote by Shakespeare goes: "Nothing is perfect however perfect it is." There's always room for improvement.
Why not try this and give your feedback to the management for a change and see the difference in response from your MD? Forget about other employees for now—let the first step come from you and see the response. The others are sure to follow you.
Since you haven't mentioned your function or role, it's tough to guide you more focusedly. But Dinesh Divekar has mentioned quite a few areas where ideas can be generated by the line employees—not the management.
Challenge and Credit
In a way, your MD has thrown you guys a challenge—to grab it or crib is your choice. Also, please note that the process adopted by your MD also ensures you get the credit once your idea is accepted and implemented—please don't take this angle lightly. The corporate world is full of instances where the boss gets/takes the credit for any good idea (and the junior gets the flak for whatever goes wrong). So, your interest is automatically protected.
@ Jagat Kumar—
I feel compelled to mention a few aspects vis-à-vis your comment "creativity is a voluntary process and happens only when the employee is satisfied with his/her physiological needs and desire for self-actualization skills, which is creativity." I am afraid I don't agree with you.
Surely, 'creativity' is a voluntary process—but psychologically, it comes out not when the individual's (I don't think it's limited to 'employees' alone) needs are satisfied but when the individual feels involved in the situation. When the individual has a 'sense of belonging' to any entity—be it an organization, group, family, etc.—creative ideas flow without being asked for. Quite often, the most creative ideas emanate when the chips are down—not when everyone's stomach is full.
The best example of this is the creativity (or the lack of it) of Govt/PSU employees. I hope you get the point.
Regards,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
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Understanding Management Challenges
Your boss has a confused system of management. His ideas of creativity are unclear, but what he has asked for needs to be accepted wholeheartedly and as a challenge. It can be frustrating when you are required to be compulsorily creative, but see the positive side of it; you are racking your brains, thinking deeply, and that will make you more knowledgeable, gaining in-depth knowledge of the processes and products of your company.
Addressing Employee Concerns
Someone senior enough should bell the cat and tell the boss that stopping pay/bonus is not the way forward. The boss should recognize and publicly appreciate good ideas received. If an idea is unimplementable due to funds, it should be explained to the person who suggested it to avoid demotivating employees. Tactful handling is required as the boss feels he is using modern ways of innovation and achieving cost-cutting or new ideas.
From India, Pune
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Your boss has a confused system of management. His ideas of creativity are unclear, but what he has asked for needs to be accepted wholeheartedly and as a challenge. It can be frustrating when you are required to be compulsorily creative, but see the positive side of it; you are racking your brains, thinking deeply, and that will make you more knowledgeable, gaining in-depth knowledge of the processes and products of your company.
Addressing Employee Concerns
Someone senior enough should bell the cat and tell the boss that stopping pay/bonus is not the way forward. The boss should recognize and publicly appreciate good ideas received. If an idea is unimplementable due to funds, it should be explained to the person who suggested it to avoid demotivating employees. Tactful handling is required as the boss feels he is using modern ways of innovation and achieving cost-cutting or new ideas.
From India, Pune
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