Work Idea

getsome

Hi,

I recently started a new job, i'm working in a pretty much unskilled role bottom of the ladder, anyway after spending a short time at the company I have seen very good chance to help improve the company in a couple of ways. Anyway my question is should I approach the head of the company with my ideas ? or should just keep quiet and get on with my job.

Thanks for any advice.

Thoie

getsome wrote: »

Anyway my question is should I approach the head of the company with my ideas ? or should just keep quiet and get on with my job.

How big is the company, and how many layers between you and the head of the company? For example, if it's Amazon, then going straight to Jeff Bezos would be a bit funny

If you've literally just started, I'd sit on the ideas for a few weeks until you get more of a feel for the place, and try flesh them out a little (costs, benefits). Sometimes there are things that look like obvious triumphs, but when you learn a little more, you realise there are really good ideas why they haven't been done yet. If they still look like good ideas in a few weeks, you'll be able to present a more thorough analysis.

How approachable is your boss? Is there a reason you wouldn't approach him with your ideas?

getsome

Thoie wrote: »

How big is the company, and how many layers between you and the head of the company? For example, if it's Amazon, then going straight to Jeff Bezos would be a bit funny

Hi Thoie, the company is large within Ireland not internationally like Amazon, the managing director vists the branch once every two week, and the area manager once a week.

Thoie wrote: »

Sometimes there are things that look like obvious triumphs, but when you learn a little more, you realise there are really good ideas why they haven't been done yet. If they still look like good ideas in a few weeks, you'll be able to present a more thorough analysis.

Yes that another reason I am asking, I am in a position that most managers aren't in but on the flip side I can't see the true costs of how the company is operating and if my idea would be worth while.


"How approachable is your boss? Is there a reason you wouldn't approach him with your ideas? "

My own boss is pretty approachable but I don't know how much recognition I would get if he were to talk to the higher ups, he would look like the guy with the idea.

As I am a recent graduate I want to show my abilities and what I can offer to the company as my position is very unskilled as I said before.

Mrs OBumble

And if you go to the area manager or above, ie over your immediate manager's head, then how to do you think your manager will react?

miezekatze

I think it would be a good idea to just ask your manager or maybe someone from HR what the process is for submitting ideas for improvement. I wouldn't tell them the actual idea yet, but that you'd want to bring this to the attention of senior management. I wouldn't go straight to someone more senior, you're likely to annoy both your direct manager and the more senior person.

Thoie

getsome wrote: »

My own boss is pretty approachable but I don't know how much recognition I would get if he were to talk to the higher ups, he would look like the guy with the idea.

As I am a recent graduate I want to show my abilities and what I can offer to the company as my position is very unskilled as I said before.

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

And if you go to the area manager or above, ie over your immediate manager's head, then how to do you think your manager will react?

Summary: I think you should bring your idea to your immediate manager.

Long and rambling reasons:
If you skip your boss and bring your idea to someone higher up, it can give the impression that you're an enthusiastic young go-getter. It can also give the impression that you don't trust your colleagues, and in turn, that you're not trustworthy.

There is always a risk that someone else will try take credit for your ideas. Why not test the water initially with one idea - mail it to your boss and ask if he'd have the time to discuss it with you during your next private meeting. That way you have a copy of the email (which you will, of course, save carefully).

During your private meeting ask him for some feedback on the idea. Don't mention bringing it to other people, just hash through it. Listen to the type of feedback you get, and incorporate that in future idea sharing.

Another flaw in skipping your boss is that if the idea is insane/shows a lack of understanding of the business, then the MD might nod and smile politely to you, but haul your boss over the coals later on asking what on earth he's been teaching you.

Let's say your company makes widgets for industrial chainsaws. Your idea is "We should be on Facebook!". What I'd want to see from you is a one page outline showing that you've given it some consideration. Who is our target market? Do the people we sell to generally use Facebook? Do they use it professionally? How much will it cost to run a Facebook page (if your answer is "free", then sorry, please try again)? What kind of unique, engaging content will we put on Facebook? How much is there to say about chainsaw widgets that would interest the public? Are there any legal concerns about selling our product this way? What will we do if our Facebook guy gets drunk and starts posting pictures of his toes at 3am?

mawk

As a tidbit from personal similar experience, if it's a med device or pharma company. Changes aren't made because the hassle of validation could be 10 times the saving.