Did you know that March is International Ideas Month? As Continuous Improvement Professionals, we feel every month is ideas month, but March is when the rest of the world celebrates too. March is a time when we celebrate the power of ideas and their potential to transform our lives. 

Ideas can reshape how we do things, solve problems, and make our world a better place. This month is about fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and open communication. It's a time to reflect on the potential of our ideas and the impact they can have when shared with the world. 

Join us as we explore ways to celebrate International Ideas Month and unleash the power of innovation within ourselves and our communities.

Here are three ways you can celebrate International Ideas Month: 

Implement Idea Generation Challenges or Competitions

One effective way to celebrate International Ideas Month is by implementing idea-generation challenges or competitions. This involves defining specific challenges that align with your organization's goals or areas for improvement. Encouraging widespread participation is crucial and it can be achieved through promotion via various communication channels. Providing participants with guidelines helps structure and present their ideas effectively. Additionally, setting clear evaluation criteria ensures a smooth process, allowing organizations to objectively recognize and reward the most innovative ideas with prizes, certificates, or public acknowledgment.

Plan out your Communication and Training

To make the most of International Ideas Month, take time to think through and plan out your communication and training strategy. Do you have regular office hours? Training materials? Consistent communication? These are all crucial to the success of your improvement culture.

Communication should include many channels- from emails, posters in highly trafficked areas, a CI section in your company newsletter, or a shoutout during your company all-hands call - make sure you are taking advantage of the communication channels your company already uses to distribute information. If you have a communications or marketing team, make sure to get them involved. In regards to training, ensure you hold semi-regular office hours or highlight other training resources - ensuring employees know where and how to get help if needed. Individuals don't always want to ask for help, so ensuring you provide it, where they always know where to find it, can help instill confidence to move forward.

Think Through Your Habit Loops

When trying to engage your users in a new process, engage them in current processes, or introduce and educate them on continuous improvement, make sure you have thought through and sketched out each persona's habit loop. The Habit Loop is a powerful cycle comprising of cues, routines, and rewards that shape behaviors within organizations. From the Frontline to Executives, routines will vary; hence, the way their habit loop runs will be unique to them. By harnessing habit science and utilizing the habit loop framework, you can influence engagement across your organization at scale. International Ideas Month is the perfect time to finally think through habit loops.

As we wrap up our discussion on International Ideas Month, let's remember that fostering a culture of innovation and idea-sharing is not just for this month but should be a continuous effort throughout the year. 

Let's keep the spirit of International Ideas Month alive by implementing idea-generation challenges, enhancing communication and training strategies, and thinking through your organizations' habit loops. Together, we can cultivate a culture where ideas are valued, nurtured, and turned into reality for a brighter future. Cheers to the power of ideas and the journey of continuous improvement!