smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Small businesses are turning to support staff, including cleaners and security guards, for ideas to grow their business, research finds.

According to a study of more than 1,000 companies by Orange, levels of innovation have increased across the majority of British businesses, with 60 per cent stating they are innovating more than ever before.

When asked if their firm asks staff for their ideas on new products and services, nearly half (47 per cent) say yes.

A quarter (25 per cent) of British bosses surveyed say support staff regularly submit ideas to improve their business, leading to unprecedented growth in business innovation from within.

According to the research, which Orange commissioned to highlight innovative working practices, businesses are attributing this surge in innovation to two factors – a drive to stay ahead of the competition with new products and services and a route to cut costs.

When questioned why their firm asks employees for their ideas, 32 per cent say it is to gain a competitive advantage over rivals and 44 per cent cite cost saving as a reason.

Some 39 per cent of employees believe that their firm asks more staff for their ideas now compared to the boom times (2002-2007).

This new trend is having a dramatic impact on firms’ bottom lines, leading to a growth in profits. According to the research, the average businesses turned four staff suggestions into new offerings over the last 12 months. Furthermore, these suggestions generated an extra £250,000 in profit over the same period for 33 per cent of businesses surveyed.

Martin Stiven, vice president of Business at Orange says, ‘There is a new connected culture of bosses asking their whole organisation for ideas. It is sweeping through British business and with fears of a double dip recession growing, new ideas are exactly what is needed to kick-start the economy.’