Keeping idea generators participating is crucial in obtaining a continual flow of good ideas that are ready to be developed for commercial gain.

1. Recognise and reward the idea generators
There are many different ways of rewarding and recognising participation and contribution in a program. Different types of ideas tend to be acknowledged in different ways. Process improvements and adaptations tend to be recognised through profiling and publicly acknowledging the idea generator. It is important to design a process of recognition and reward that fits the present and future innovation culture of your business.

The whole question of recognition and reward must be looked at holistically and innovatively. Monetary reward is fine as long as value is established and well publicised. The question of recognition and reward should be agreed at a senior level before program launch.

2. Support ideas with first class implementation processes
The question is how you can get more successful products and services into the market place faster, using current resources and capabilities more effectively. It is critical to have the right product, service or business idea, launched to the right people, at the right time and most importantly supported by the right team.

The Ideas Accelerator Limited had an innovation capability building process that ensures that you are driving maximum value from any current innovation processes, ideas, knowledge, know-how and intellectual property within your organisation.

3. Ensure appropriate IP ownership is established
When asking staff for ideas, it is important to clearly outline ownership of the ideas, knowledge and intellectual property that is being disclosed. Often the ideas are entered categorised and evaluated in a closed systems that is only accessible to a select number of people.

There are several ways we can protect ideas internally and establish ownership, they are;
Confidentiality Agreements – these act as two-way confidentiality, conditions are often outlined and confidentiality signed at the idea entry stage.

Employment Contracts – IP ownership and restraint of trade is often covered under employment contract law.

Declaration of Ownership – joint ownership can be established through an ownership declaration document.

The subject of building legal environments for successful innovation is covered in legal ground rules.

4. Focus innovation using an Innovation Charter
An Innovation Charter is a tool we use to establish alignment and agreement on what to focus collective innovation efforts on. For example: getting senior management agreement and support for innovation that is relevant for a companies, markets, competencies and future direction.

An Innovation Charter brings a focus to innovation and idea programs. It also enables the setting of evaluation or judging criteria. The rapid appraisal of many ideas is often an important part of a good innovation process.

An Innovation Charter is a strategic document that pinpoints the focus of a companies innovation efforts. It provides guidance and direction for both new product development and new venture development.