13. Idea Sharing Platforms
The Problem – Why Businesses Struggle to Capture and Develop Ideas
Many SMEs recognise the need for innovation but lack the systems to capture, track, and develop ideas effectively. Common challenges include:
Ideas getting lost in informal conversations without follow-through.
Employees not knowing where or how to share ideas.
Lack of clarity on what happens after an idea is submitted.
Innovation initiatives being driven only by leadership rather than employees.
No structured process to test and implement viable ideas.
Without a formal idea-sharing platform, SMEs risk missing valuable opportunities for improvement and growth.
The Solution – Establishing a Systematic Approach to Idea Sharing
To create a culture where ideas are regularly captured and developed, SMEs must:
Implement structured systems to collect, evaluate, and act on ideas.
Ensure transparency in how ideas are assessed and progressed.
Encourage participation from all employees, not just senior management.
Create a safe environment where ideas are welcomed without fear of rejection.
Use technology to streamline and document the innovation process.
By building a structured idea-sharing platform, businesses can consistently harness the creativity of their teams.
Practical Steps to Setting Up an Effective Idea-Sharing Platform
Step 1: Define Clear Objectives for Idea Sharing
Before implementing an idea-sharing platform, businesses must clarify their goals. This includes:
Identifying the types of ideas the business wants to capture (e.g., process improvements, product innovations, customer experience enhancements).
Setting clear criteria for evaluating ideas (e.g., feasibility, impact, alignment with business strategy).
Ensuring employees understand how innovation contributes to overall business success.
Aligning idea-sharing efforts with long-term company goals.
When employees understand the purpose of idea-sharing, they are more likely to engage.
Step 2: Choose the Right Technology for Idea Management
Technology plays a key role in streamlining idea-sharing. SMEs should consider:
Digital Idea Boards (e.g., Miro, Trello, Notion) for visually organising and tracking ideas.
Collaboration Platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) with dedicated innovation channels.
Idea Management Software (e.g., IdeaScale, Brightidea) to collect, vote on, and develop ideas.
Anonymous Submission Tools to ensure employees feel safe sharing bold ideas.
Choosing the right platform ensures that ideas are captured, tracked, and developed efficiently.
Step 3: Make Idea Submission Simple and Accessible
A complicated process discourages participation. To ensure ease of use:
Keep submission forms short and straightforward.
Allow multiple submission formats (e.g., written, audio, video).
Enable mobile-friendly access for employees working on the go.
Regularly remind employees about the platform through internal communications.
When employees find it easy to share ideas, they are more likely to contribute regularly.
Step 4: Establish a Transparent Evaluation and Feedback Process
To maintain engagement, businesses must clearly outline how ideas are reviewed. This includes:
Defining who evaluates ideas (e.g., an innovation committee, department heads).
Setting review timelines to ensure ideas are assessed promptly.
Providing feedback to all submitters, even if their idea is not implemented.
Offering an “Innovation Pipeline” that shows the status of submitted ideas.
Transparency builds trust in the system and keeps employees engaged.
Step 5: Encourage Participation Through Recognition and Rewards
To sustain momentum, businesses should actively reward idea contributions. This can include:
Public recognition (e.g., featuring employees in newsletters, meetings, or company intranet).
Monetary incentives (e.g., bonuses, vouchers, or gift cards for impactful ideas).
Career development opportunities (e.g., leadership training, project ownership).
Team-based rewards to encourage collaborative innovation.
Recognising contributions reinforces the importance of continuous idea-sharing.
Step 6: Test, Implement, and Measure Success
Ideas are valuable only when they lead to action. SMEs should:
Select promising ideas and test them through small-scale pilots.
Measure the impact of implemented ideas using key performance indicators (KPIs).
Share success stories with the team to inspire further engagement.
Continuously refine the idea-sharing process based on feedback and results.
A structured approach ensures that ideas lead to real business improvements.
HR Best Practice: Embedding Idea Sharing in Workplace Culture
HR can play a significant role in sustaining an innovation-driven culture by:
Including idea-sharing expectations in job descriptions and performance reviews.
Providing innovation training to help employees develop creative problem-solving skills.
Encouraging leadership to actively participate in the idea-sharing process.
Creating a feedback loop where employees see how their contributions make an impact.
By integrating innovation into HR practices, SMEs ensure long-term engagement in idea-sharing.
Psychological Perspective: Why Employees Engage More When Ideas Are Valued
Employees are more likely to participate in idea-sharing when:
They feel psychologically safe – Knowing they won’t be penalised for submitting unconventional ideas encourages risk-taking.
They see real impact – Employees are motivated when they witness their ideas being tested and implemented.
They receive recognition – Feeling valued for their contributions strengthens their commitment to innovation.
They experience autonomy – Employees are more engaged when they feel ownership over their ideas.
By fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, businesses can unlock the full creative potential of their teams.
Red Flags – Signs That Idea Sharing is Not Working
Employees hesitate to submit ideas due to fear of rejection or lack of response.
Idea-sharing platforms exist but are rarely used.
The same individuals contribute ideas while others remain disengaged.
Ideas are submitted but rarely implemented or acknowledged.
Innovation discussions happen only at senior levels, excluding frontline employees.
Recognising these warning signs allows SMEs to adjust their approach and ensure that idea-sharing remains effective.
The Impact on the Business and the Owner
By setting up an effective idea-sharing platform, SMEs can:
Generate a continuous flow of new ideas that enhance operations and customer experience.
Increase employee engagement by giving teams a voice in business improvements.
Strengthen competitive advantage through ongoing innovation.
Reduce inefficiencies by crowdsourcing practical solutions from employees.
Future-proof the business by ensuring adaptability and continuous improvement.
For SME owners, implementing structured idea-sharing processes ensures that innovation becomes a sustained and impactful business practice.
Reflective Question for SME Owners
Does your business have a structured way to capture and develop employee ideas, or are valuable insights getting lost? What steps can you take to make idea-sharing a regular and effective practice?
Golden Nugget – “Great ideas can come from anywhere. By providing a structured, transparent, and engaging way to capture and develop ideas, SMEs create a culture where innovation thrives as a natural part of business success