The Big Idea

[Cory Smith]

 

[kishdxb]

'the big idea'

'the big idea'

but we all work for ourselves don't we ?, not for management!
kishore

 

[Deleted member 16349]

That's a real problem that has probably inhibited a lot of innovation. On the other hand, innovation can be very risky and much more expensive that one might have thought.

I am not sure they still do this but 3M had a nice company environment that helped get by this situation. If someone in 3M had a good idea, they made a plan out and it was evaluated at a few stages. If the idea was commercially viable, the initiators of the idea were set up as leaders in a new division of 3M to build that business.

It was a win-win situation for everyone. The originators of the idea were protected from personal risk and had the chance to benefit if the business grew and 3M benefited because it added a new cash flow into the 3M business.

The other thing to think about is that one works for different reasons. If you like to work on innovation then being in a safe environment is not such a bad idea. If one is working in a reasonably large company, bigger than mom and pop family business, then one should not think that you are just working for your present salary. You are also working for future opportunities.

By demonstrating that you can do more than your regular job can open up opportunities within your existing company or give you the experience where you can move to other jobs in the future that are not directly related to the same job you had before.

Unfortunately, cartoon characters don't have the option to move unless Gordon allows it. He is their master.

 

[chevalier]

I am not sure they still do this but 3M had a nice company environment that helped get by this situation. If someone in 3M had a good idea, they made a plan out and it was evaluated at a few stages. If the idea was commercially viable, the initiators of the idea were set up as leaders in a new division of 3M to build that business.

Odd timing. I have a family member that works for 3M and we just recently discussed this very practice. He said that it did when he started years ago and was heavily encouraged during orientation/training (they cited the Post-it note). He said something along the lines of "the MBAs took over, ruined the company and crunch out every penny they can for their short-term bonuses".

It's really a shame that so few companies will really invest in long-term or risky business ventures via low-cost, small-scale incubator approach.