In the June 2009 issue of INC. magazine, a section called STRATEGY offered some insight into how to turn anyone into a designer through friendly competition.
Holding a church-wide (only staff) or company-wide competition can inspire all staff members to think like innovators. How?
Make participation mandatory
(the unlikeliest employees may make valuable contributions. remind reluctant staff members that everyone has a stake in the church/company)
Pick a slow time of year
(to cut down on low-productivity, preferably on-site, hold competition in “off-season”)
Assemble small, diverse teams
(put together employees from different departments to promote a variety of ideas and perspectives)
Keep it loose
(establish some guidelines to keep everyone on track, but keep “rules” short to prevent stifling creativity)
Give specific feedback
(explain why each idea works or does not work, while emphasizing the positive attributes of each one)
Reward the best ideas
(let everyone vote for their favorite submissions and give winners a small prize and lots of recognition)
Be sure to establish a system for vetting ideas thoroughly after the competition.
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