Idea management is no longer a marginal topic, but a central lever for modern innovation culture in companies. Those who rethink idea management today do not rely on rigid processes, but on flexible, company-wide impulses and genuine participation. KIROI Step 7 shows how companies can take a systematic approach in order to leverage creative potential and utilise it effectively in the long term - across all departments [1][3].
Idea management as a dynamic innovation process
Many clients report that suggestions come to nothing or that no feedback is given. This is demotivating and slows down innovation. Idea management according to KIROI Step 7 is therefore a dynamic support process: it involves continuous dialogue, targeted coaching and the development of a culture of innovation that involves all levels of the company [1]. Transruption coaching helps teams to recognise blockages, develop new perspectives and take concrete steps towards implementation.
In mechanical engineering, companies benefit from regular innovation workshops that significantly shorten development loops. Retail companies rely on digital platforms that document suggestions transparently and facilitate dialogue between shops. In software development, collaboration gains momentum through the active involvement of teams, as new features are implemented faster and to a higher quality [1][3].
Anchoring idea management company-wide
KIROI Step 7 focusses on anchoring idea management throughout the company. This means establishing a transparent, sustainable process rather than individual actions. Transparent feedback and communication cycles ensure that everyone involved gets talking and that barriers to the realisation of innovative approaches are broken down [1].
Many companies rely on digital tools for idea management. These facilitate the submission, evaluation and implementation of ideas and enable employees to share suggestions in a simple and effective way [2]. It is important to design the software intuitively, train all employees and regularly check whether the system is still in line with the company's objectives.
Creating a culture of innovation is the basis for this. Employees must feel that their ideas are taken seriously and that they will not be penalised for mistakes. Open communication and a positive error culture promote trust and openness within the company. Innovation awards and targeted rewards also increase the motivation of the workforce [2].
Concrete examples from practice
In industrial production, targeted workshops supplemented the traditional suggestion scheme. Project teams regularly exchanged ideas across departmental boundaries and jointly identified obstacles to implementation. Knowledge and expertise were bundled in a targeted manner, which significantly accelerated innovative projects. The support provided by experienced coaches was crucial for sustainable success.
In mechanical engineering, a company introduced regular innovation workshops to shorten development loops. This resulted in practical solutions that were directly implemented in production. In software development, the active involvement of teams strengthened collaboration and accelerated the implementation of new features. One retailer relied on a digital platform to document suggestions transparently and promote dialogue between shops [1][3].
BEST PRACTICE with one customer (name hidden due to NDA contract) In industrial production, KIROI Step 7 became a real added value. Structured workshops ensured the transfer of knowledge between departments, and a transparent communication process ensured the rapid and sustainable dissemination of innovations. This made it possible to realise many projects efficiently and increase innovative strength within the company - together with all teams and accompanied by targeted coaching to identify and overcome obstacles [1].
Idea management supported by artificial intelligence
Many companies ask themselves how they can deal with a large number of ideas and how they can identify the best approaches. Artificial intelligence (AI) helps to use resources efficiently by automatically evaluating and prioritising ideas. AI can provide targeted support for idea management by recognising creative patterns from large amounts of data and thus providing new impetus [4].
AI solutions simplify the integration of knowledge from different departments and help to recognise promising approaches with long-term potential. They analyse historical data and market information in order to improve the evaluation of proposals and assess their feasibility more realistically. Digital solutions with AI modules are therefore a valuable addition to existing idea management processes [4].
Action points for your company
If you want to implement idea management throughout your organisation, I recommend the following steps:
- Rely on flexible, digital solutions that make it easy to share and evaluate ideas.
- Strengthen the culture of innovation by promoting open communication and recognising mistakes as opportunities.
- Facilitate regular workshops to promote creative impulses and network knowledge.
- Use targeted coaching to support processes and overcome obstacles together.
- Think about using AI to make idea management more efficient.
My analysis
Idea management according to KIROI Step 7 is more than a classic suggestion scheme. It is a dynamic, company-wide process that emphasises participation, transparency and sustainability. Those who get idea management right embed innovation in the DNA of the company and thus create a clear competitive advantage. The support provided by professional coaching is a real success factor here - as is the use of modern tools and the targeted promotion of an open innovation culture.
If you want to break new ground in ideas management, you will find plenty of inspiration for your own organisation in the practical examples described and the recommended action points. In this way, the topic of suggestions and innovations will finally become a permanent fixture - and the company will remain fit for the future.
Further links from the text above:
Unleash idea management: Implement KIROI step 7 company-wide [1]
Success factors for effective idea management [2]
Rethinking idea management: KIROI step 7 [3]
Idea management and artificial intelligence [4]
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