EVER WONDER WHY MATCHBOXES usually have a sandpaper strike on only one side? Well, it didn't used to be that way. For decades, people could use either side of the matchbox to light their matches. But this changed in the early 1900s, when E a worker at a Swan Vesta factory pointed out this apparent redundancy in the design and suggested that the company could reduce production costs substantially by placing sandpaper on only one side of the matchbox. This simple idea has influenced matchbox design ever since, leading to millions of dollars in savings for manufacturers.
Employees often have creative ideas that can help their organizations. These breakthroughs range from ways to make the production process more efficient, such as the matchbox design proposal, to ideas for new products, like Frito-Lay's Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Those very spicy chips were invented by Richard Montañez, at the time a janitor at the Frito-Lay Rancho Cucamonga plant in California. According to Montañez, he was inspired by a video message from the president of the company that encouraged employees to "act like an owner." He pitched the chili-based snack to company executives, which led to Flamin' Hot Cheetos becoming one of Frito-Lay's most lucrative products. Other innovative ideas that stemmed from employees in nontraditional ways include the McDonald's Happy Meal and Southwest Airlines' humorous approach to its flight safety instructions. But how can companies best tap into the vast array of ideas that their employees dream up?
Innovation contests have become a popular answer. The idea behind these contests is good, but new research shows that the way many organizations conduct them needs improvement. The biggest takeaway: When leaders run innovation contests, they need to design the contest to match the organization’s objectives.
Denne historien er fra Spring 2024-utgaven av MIT Sloan Management Review.
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Denne historien er fra Spring 2024-utgaven av MIT Sloan Management Review.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Avoiding Harm in Technology Innovation
To capitalize on emerging technologies while mitigating unanticipated consequences, innovation managers need to establish a systematic review process.
Make a Stronger Business Case for Sustainability
When greener products and processes add costs, managers can shift other levers to maintain profitability.
How to Turn Professional Services Into Products
Product-based business models can help services firms achieve greater scale and profitability. But the transformation can be challenging.
Do You Really Need a Chief AI Officer?
The right answer depends on the strategic importance and maturity of AI in your company.
Where To Next? Opportunity on the Edge
Doing business in regions considered less stable or developed can pay off for companies. But they must invest in working with local communities.
Make Smarter Investments in Resilient Supply Chains
Many companies invest in resilience only after a disruption. Applying the concept of real options can help decision makers fortify supply chain capabilities no matter the crisis.
The Three Traps That Stymie Reinvention
Organizational identity, architecture, and collaboration can be either assets or liabilities to pursuing growth in new sectors.
What Makes Companies Do the Right Thing?
Vaccine makers varied widely in their engagement with global public health efforts to broaden access to COVID-19 immunizations. Ethically motivated leadership was a dominant factor.
Build the Right C-Suite Team for Your Strategy
CEOs can foster a more effective leadership team by understanding when to tap senior executives' competitive instincts and when to encourage collaboration.
A Better Way to Unlock Innovation and Drive Change
A strengths-based approach to building teams can win employee commitment to change and foster an inclusive, agile culture.
