BT calls for employees' ideas

BT is upgrading a scheme that has saved the firm nearly £100m over the past four years by harnessing its employees' ideas.

BT Ideas provides a formal framework for encouraging staff to be creative and rewards them for any ideas that it uses.

Suggestions policy and strategy manager Arthur Wright said the project is being developed over the next year to try to increase the proportion of ideas implemented from 10 to 15 per cent.

The scheme uses the Internet and intranet to promote the initiative, but an incubator website is to be introduced to allow people to get in touch with other staff for help on developing their ideas.

Wright said, "People are immensely creative and want to contribute to the business - whether it's with little changes that make the job more satisfying or big changes than can have a dramatic effect."

Rewards can be significant - the company paid out £400,000 to employees last year.

Wright said, "Ideas don't come for free. If we have a good idea that saves us money or generates significant income, then we are delighted to reward the originator with 10 per cent of the savings or additional income up to a maximum of £30,000."