Suggestions are included in a monthly publication. Savings are distributed as part of a profit sharing program. And in some cases, a good program may help preserve jobs. The Abex NWL division of Parker Hannifin Corp., in Kalamazoo, Mich., has had some layoffs. Through the suggestion program, people came up with ways to save jobs, attract more business and remain competitive, says Ed Manning, certified suggestion system administrator at the aerospace manufacturer.
Every suggestion is put on a bulletin board in the cafeteria.
Openness eliminates suspicion about things such as the amount of any reward. Rewards also come in the form of gift certificates at local merchants, so people will think of the suggestion program when they use the certificate. Many Avenues Open Abex uses paper forms now, but it may allow e-mail suggestions in the future if the company installs enough PCs around the plant. But the company doesn t want to eliminate paper forms altogether, Manning says, because not everyone is comfortable using a computer. That s why American Freightways turned to a toll-free number to allow its 13,500 employees to communicate ideas.