Task: Real-Life Creative Problem Solving
Come up with an original and creative solution for the following real-world problem:
The Upper Management of Acme Company has been holding wage increases to a 6 percent level. The decision to hold wage increases came about from an effort to reduce product twice in the past year due to increased shipping costs of materials, and upper management does not feel that Acme can remain competitive if there are any future increases in the cost of their product. Unfortunately, the engineering job market in the area stands at about 12 jobs for every one trained engineer. Because of this, recruiters are cropping up and are enticing Acme's engineers with better jobs and better benefits. As of late, turnover among Acme's engineers has increased and productivity has decreased. Also, there is a considerable grumbling among current engineers about Acme's policy on wage increases. Mr. Wentworth, an executive vice president, has directed Scott to improve the situation in the engineering department. Mr. Wentworth feels that much of the dissatisfaction is based upon the recruiters' enticements of better opportunities in other places. The concern at Acme is to maintain a quality group of engineers at a high level of productivity. Management at Acme does not know how to solve this problem..

Response: they should increase their wage every year.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 10

Response: In order to keep the employees that Acme still has, they should try to buy cheaper products with decreased shipping costs while maintaining quality. This will allow Acme to use more money on their employees and employee benefits.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: Agree to increase pay for those who are able to increase their productivity and if an engineer can come up with a way to save money.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: maintain a nice work environment, ask opinions from your workers, and keep them happy. Happy workers will work harder.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: I believe to maintain a high level of productivity, Acme Company must remain in the competition with wages.  The quality of workers is very important in a business, and most people set out for the job that is willing to pay the most.  Even if they can increase their wages a little bit, it would help them in the long run.  Also, make the job more flexible.  Make schedules easier to work around, and provide incentives for the workers that other corporations may not provide.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: Acme could reevaluate their products and see if there is a cheaper product that is just as good and effective as the one they are using now.  This would allow more money to be given to the workers for their hard work.  Also Acme could see what the competitors are giving the employees to keep them happy and reevaluate the benefits they give their employees in order to keep them satisfied.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: I would probably make more internships, so students and graduate students would have the opportunity to work in a competitive environment.  It would be beneficial for the students and the company.  Since we would have internship, students would benefit from experience.  Acme would benefit, since we could get cheaper labor.   This would also lead to more students working at Acme after they graduate.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 50

Response: Acme Corporation needs to start with employee surveys. Finding out why workers are dissatisfied with their current job and why other companies employment opportunities are better would be helpful. Acme may not be able to compete with everything their competitors are doing to satisfy their employees, but even trying to compete in a couple ways could really make a difference. Worker benefits would be another way to keep employees happy. An example would be paid time off (PTO) that they could accumulate after so many days and hours worked that they didn't call in sick or that the employees were working efficiently. PTO could be cheaper than bonuses because there would have to be a incentive to get it and not everyone will work to get it. Other little things management could do is even something as simple as a food Friday, just providing a meal for employees or having a potluck. Little things show workers that their employees care make them feel important and noticed leaving them satisfied which makes them want to perform their job better to impress their bosses. One last idea, instead of a normal Christmas bonus which could cost the company hundreds of dollars, a little gift for each employer would be much cheaper! On that note, Acme company should look outside employment problems to figure out how to make more of a profit! Acme company might need to find a different shipping method or ship smarter to reduce that cost. Reduced shipping cost would equal more profit and more profit means more money for employees, happier employees equals better productivity which in turns equals better competition with competitors.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 50

Response: I think that a way to keep the workers without increasing wage is to improve the work environment. Being really positive towards the workers will make them feel wanted and welcomed, which they may not feel at other work places. An extra incentive would be to increase wage just a bit, but it that is not an option, it could be good to give other type of benefits.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: In order to hire and keep quality engineers at Acme Company, I believe it would be important for the upper management to reduce their income and bonuses and use that money to give wage increases to the quality employees so as not to lose them to opportunities that they may find more enticing.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: I think that the managers should be willing to take a cut in their pay if they really care about the company so that the other employee's could get paid enough. Also I think that a decrease in pay to the workers that show they are not working hard should be established. That way the employees would have to work hard in order to earn their pay.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: Wages and problems come along in every kind of business. Acme Company needs to realize most work environment is going to have employees/engineers expecting more due to time change. One solution is to possibly increase the wages in which it could keep the employees there and possibly recruit more business for the company.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 22

Response: I think bonus's need to be given out for engineers to recruit more and keep the ones they have for good work. The longer you work, the better benefits/bonus you will receive.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 22

Response: In response to this problem I think that the company should let the most beneficial employees obtain a wage increase each year. This would make it so the people that are making the most money, have been employed the longest and therefore have the most expertise and would not want to leave. this would also make others want to stay with the company so that they could obtain those benefits.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: I think that it would be beneficial for Acme to contact university departments where students are specializing in engineering. I think that it would benefit Acme to visit these universities to discuss future job opportunities with students who will be graduating and entering the workforce soon.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: I think we should offer the engineers at the companies alternatives to the wage increase.  We should offer them stock in the company and increase other benefits.  We should offer them other benefits such as better health insurance and bonuses for productivity.  We should find a way to decrease our shipping costs such as using different companies for shipping or research different places to get the materials from that would give us a reduced rate.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: As a company we can give the people incentives.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 10

Response: There are several changes that Acme could make to reduce the turnover rate of engineers at the company. Most can agree that money is frequently at the root one's dissatisfaction in their career. Although Acme is unable to provide a larger wage increase, they could try offering stock options or perhaps extra benefits (like gas benefits etc) There are also many affordable options that Acme should consider to reduce this turn over rate. It's rather simple: create a pleasant work environment. This is not in reference to everybody getting along, but appealing to the human brain's desire for an aesthetically pleasing environment. These changes can be subtle and still produce happier workers. Acme could start by changing the lighting in the working area of the engineers by removing dim lighting and avoiding fluorescent lighting. More color in the environment could improve the attitude of their engineers towards their job; paint the walls (avoid grey or cream colors), brighten up common/break rooms, get more colorful art etc. Try to open up the space of their working area; minimize cubicles. Also, plants in the work environment have been proven to increase productivity and create what is perceived to be a "healthier" environment. All of these aspects have been proven to create a satisfying and productive environment in the home or at work. Despite the fact that other companies can provide "more benefits" or a "better job", they will most likely fail to match our productive and pleasant work environment. The engineers spend a majority of their weekdays in their work environment, making the more likely to maintain their position with Acme. These adjustments are affordable and potentially extremely effective in reducing the turnover rate of engineers at Acme Company.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 50

Response: I would suggest expanding your product line.  Getting more products to make profit off of will increase your income so wages can continue to increase.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: It's obvious to me that Acme will continue to lose quality engineers if solutions to their wage and benefits situation isn't addressed. Since their wages can't be increased, the solution needs to come in the form(s) of benefit improvements that are cost effective for Acme while genuinely improvements for the engineers. First, I would suggest getting rid of any company fees the engineers are now having to pay for: gym memberships, fuel costs for company cars, etc. Secondly, their work areas and equipment could be upgraded in areas where they feel the most need. If these upgrades and fee dismissals cost under a bottom line wage increase which could even be discussed; I would recommend implementing these measures soon. Also, more employee family fees for participation in outside activities such as the ones enjoyed by employees on premises here could be discussed with the engineers: YMCA memberships, etc. Just getting into discussions with the engineers about their situation could inspire more company loyalty from their group.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: Develop a training program in which the current engineers train others to become eligible for the position as well. This will increase the number of engineers who can do the job sufficiently at Acme. Engineers who train others should be given a bonus. Although it is difficult to justify any extra spending of the company's money, spending money on training new employees will help in the long run. Otherwise, many engineers may leave the company, leaving Acme with nobody who can do the job well.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: First they should look to see what their competition is offering and see if they cannot match or have better benefits. Also they could offer wages based on performance by the individuals which increases productivity and shows the employers you appreciate their hard work.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: A standard needs to be set on the training level of the engineer.  Have a classroom where is it laid out what is expected of every engineer and what it takes to be a trained engineer. From this a superiority level can be established where trained engineers that have gone through the classroom and training will be responsible for training others. This will create a group of engineers that are highly trained and experienced.  Set a goal for these employees whether it be  a certain level of training or skill or a set time being employed when they can receive a wage increase.  This will increase productivity and decrease turnover as long as employees have something to work toward and see benefit out of it.  Make it a point that there isn't anything better than Acme.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: My solution for this problem would be to lower shipping costs to you could increase the wage percent level and also make working at Acme a more suitable place so the engineers don't want to leave.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 22

Response: Acme needs to determine the minimum amount of engineers they need to still function successfully. Then they should do performance evaluations on all the engineers and decide who the best and the brightest are. They should then keep the minimum amount of engineers but only the ones that ranked the highest. Then the company will be free to have higher wage increases because they have less people to pay.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: They need to give the workers' something to work for. They need a goal that they should strive for that would make them want to stay and sell more of the product. Give them something like a commission. If they make a certain amount of a product give them a bonus or some type of reward. This will increase their production rates and they will work harder to get that goal. And start being more social with them and have people higher up do a walk through tell them they are doing a good job or help them with a problem if they ask. This shows that you do care how your workers' are doing and that you want them to be happy working there.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: Giving people raises to decrease the turnover rate
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 10

Response: Acme is to evaluate whether they value their workers more or the potential increase of cost of their products. I would personally suggest maybe cutting some engineering employees and keeping those with the most experience and work drive. For those who keep their job increase  wage and better the benefits.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: Acme needs to find a cheaper way to ship their products. Also they need to talk to their employees. If you have disgruntled employees you will have less productivity.  There should be wage increases if the employees aren't motivated to work they won't and the company with go down. Also the recruiters need to change their approach.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: I suggest that Acme hold wage increases slightly more. By doing this, they can use what is held to get better benefits or wages for the engineers specifically. Then the engineers won't be enticed by the recruiters and they will want to stay at Acme. Also, Acme should show that they have a better work environment than the other places the recruiters are telling the engineers about. Acme could add things to the office that make it a pleasant environment.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: Have a better reward for the engineers for staying with the company. Reward them with days off or longer lunch times for working hard and meeting company goals. Or ACME can invest in a less cost heavy product since the cost of their current product is getting too high.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: Make sure the Engineers are promised that in time, things will get better. The economy goes up and down and that's just how things work. Make sure that no one else is trying to take them from their jobs for their own. Do not let recruiters come into the workplace, or contact the Engineers. Promise in time the wages will increase.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: Acme should listen to all of its employees concerns and respond accordingly and honestly. Open communication within the company will maintain company integrity and increase employees respect for the company, which in turn could motivate them to work harder. Even though the company can't afford all of the jobs and benefits, they should try to conjure up some smaller benefits that are unique to the company. Acme should organize a team to decide creative, inspirational benefits that are low in cost.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: In order to increase employee productivity, incentives need to be given to employees in order to keep them interested and invested in their job.  If there is not reason to stay at a job, because there are better opportunities working for different companies, then Acme is eliminated as competition.  The employees need to see that staying with Acme is the way to go in the long run, and what you give to the company, it will give back to you.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 22

Response: Acme as a company is going through a financial problem at the time.  They won't always be having such a financial situation, and their prices will be able to drop again to where they make a sufficient profit.  At that time their employees will be regaining all the great benefits that the company had recruited the engineers with.  They will still be keeping their promise of  a better job and a better benefit.  So, the company needs to look ahead to the future sales and try to have some smaller benefits for the employees until the larger one's are available.  Some of the smaller one's could be a company dinner or a small added bonus to one of their checks.  Acme's management team needs to get together to discuss how they are going to solve it and let the workers know so that they keep the workers happy and keep them productive while doing a good quality job.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: It is my belief that Acme should find a way to keep there employees happy. Every Friday Acme should either bring in some type of free lunch for the engineers, or have a giveaway of a random but worthy prize if they meet there quotas for the week. If quotas are exceeded for the month then, Acme should take then entire engineering department out for a company picnic at a family friendly place.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: Acme needs to make sure they are treating their employees well and giving them more benefits.  If they treat their employees like others are supposed to be they should be able to keep them on board They need to look at their financial decisions and figure out a way to keep their employees from moving to another company.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 22

Response: Allow Acme engineers to receive a less stressed work load. Incorporate a number of benefits for employees. Create a workplace where people feel comfortable to discuss benefits and wages.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: Try to entice the engineer with the non-monetary benefits of the company. Many people are extremely motivated to pick a job based on how much money they will be making, but don't often initially consider traits about a company that would make them want to leave, such as a mean boss, or bad moral of coworkers. When advertising for positions at Acme, stress not only the salary, but that the employee would be fulfilling a need to society, that they are valued and wanted. Tell them that the facilities are state of the art, the managers are very supportive and constructive, and they will be an important contribution to a worthwhile cause. Creating an add for new employees or trying to console present employees, use the kind of supportive, inspirational mood as my manager did for me. Engineers may see that while they might not earn as much money as they could with a different company, Acme is a place where they will feel valued and not want to quit.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: I think that for Acme's Company it is important for the recruiters to be specific when advertising the "better" job "better" benefits promotion. Also, the Company should make clear that holding wage increases will only last as long as the cost of the product increases. Or, perhaps the Company should rethink the number of employers they have, maybe they should hire less to work longer hours.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: Acme's solution may be that instead of having a fixed yearly wage increase, there be 2 raises per year each merit based. The harder you work the bigger your wage increase. And to keep engineers motivated, and feel like any improvement they do make will be rewarded the it should be twice a year instead of yearly.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: Acme needs to find ways to have their employees want to stay. Acme can offer forms of incentives, such as bonuses to the individuals with the most productivity, or maybe extra vacation time to the employees with more productivity.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: First I would have a meeting with the engineers. I would get their opinions on the matter to hear all of them out. I would make them aware that the job is not about the money but what we are doing for people. I would offer benefits to them that wouldn't help them but not affect the company. For example, maybe more vacation days or bonuses.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: Give the engineers a higher wage increase to get them to stick around otherwise there wont be any engineers left at Acme to help run the business. Also, Acme can reduce the cost of their product, making them more competitive.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 22

Response: My solution would be to make a work environment for the engineers that is comparable to the work environments being offered to them. This could include small wage increases and increasing the quality of the work environment. By changing the work environment to be more like the competitor's, this could lessen the engineers want to leave Acme.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 31

Response: stop reducing product twice, 1/2 might work.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 10

Response: Do a survey of the employees to try to identify ways to motivate them, and try to cater to their motivational needs. Also try to increase skill variety and job rotation if possible.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 39

Response: Offer incentive to the engineers to try and increase their productivity.  If this fails, consider finding new engineers to hire.
Human originality rating (0-100 scale): 22