Profiting From Creativity

If we have a development team working on a system they're trying to build for a customer, or if a salesperson is trying to secure a project or training deal for our overall business, they have a great deal of latitude in terms of how they can get it done. And while we do have processes and procedures for how we accomplish our goals, we also give individuals the ability to make those day-to-day choices so they don't feel micromanaged.

Also, for the key result areas I mentioned, there are things specific people need to do over the next quarter to deliver for the business. For a salesperson, that means selling. For a consultant, that means getting in billable hours. But in addition to that, people will have projects they'll come forward with and say, "During the next 90 days I will generate X number of hours of billable time on these different projects I'm working on, and I have an interest in pocket PC development. I'd like to spend time to work on a class or a special project."

This dialogue allows us to formalize some of the creative things employees want to do. They have full control over how they'll implement them and get them done. This dialogue also allows us to recognize the benefits creativity brings to our business. It allows us to see the positive results. It also allows us to reward people for their creative endeavors. For example, if someone does creative work on a pocket PC, which is added to the portfolio we show customers daily, we'll recognize that person for that accomplishment. This, in turn, encourages others to be creative, and it keeps our business on the cutting edge of technology.