The Challenge

Before 2018, Haskell lacked a formal process for capturing and advancing employee ideas. Innovation efforts were fragmented, with ideas languishing in SharePoint folders, Excel sheets, or email chains. Key barriers included:

• Unorganized submission process: Ad hoc email chains and unstructured collection points slowed innovation.
• No centralized repository: Employees had no clear, transparent platform to submit and view ideas.
• Limited engagement: Most ideas originated from the very teams tasked with sourcing them, stifling grassroots participation.
• Lack of visibility: Cross-business unit collaboration was minimal, and ideas rarely reached decision-makers.
• Inefficiencies in Pitch Events: Innovation pitch events, similar to Shark Tank, lacked a structured platform for submission, review, and follow-up.

Up to that point, Haskell’s approach to innovation was fragmented and ineffective. Recognizing the cultural and operational bottlenecks, new leadership wanted to make innovation a pillar of Haskell’s longer-term vision, aiming to unlock employees’ creativity and transform how innovation contributed to business outcomes.

The Solution

The tipping point came in 2018 with new leadership who had a vision and understood the culture of innovation. That’s when the new unit, Dysruptek, dedicated to managing innovation and harnessing employee ideas came to light. To help break down silos and operationalize innovation across the org, Haskell partnered with Brightidea. The platform became the cornerstone of Haskell’s innovation efforts, enabling them to launch targeted innovation challenges like “The Big Pitch”.

Brightidea solved Haskell’s pain points by providing a branded, easy-to-navigate submission portal to drive employee engagement. Apart from boosting executive visibility and participation by surfacing promising ideas for final pitch events, key benefits included:

• Employee Engagement & Visibility: The platform provided a clear and accessible portal where employees could easily submit and track their ideas.
• Structured Innovation Pipeline: A Kanban-style management system allowed the innovation team to quickly and easily categorize, assign, and track ideas through the entire pipeline.
• Enhanced Pitch Events: The “Big Pitch”, Haskell’s annual innovation competition, became more structured, allowing employees to submit ideas within a specific timeframe and receive real-time feedback.
• Automation & Efficiency: The platform automated key processes, such as notifications, approvals, and assignments, making it easier for the innovation team to manage a high volume of ideas without being overwhelmed.

The Results

The Big Pitch has since become Haskell’s annual “Super Bowl” of innovation, with participation and idea quality increasing year over year. With only five ideas selected for final judging, competition runs stiff at the highly anticipated event. Key outcomes of managing innovation with Brightidea include:

• Increased Engagement: Participation in innovation challenges has grown year over year, with a record-breaking 49 ideas submitted and 828 votes in the most recent Big Pitch event.
• Cultural Transformation: Employees are now more aware of innovation opportunities, and Brightidea has helped foster a collaborative culture where ideas are openly discussed and refined.
• Career Growth & Recognition: Employees who actively participate in the innovation process have experienced meaningful recognition and career advancements, demonstrating the value of contributing innovative solutions.
• Real-World Impact: Top ideas have progressed from simple sketches to fully developed patents and deployed solutions on job sites, demonstrating tangible value beyond the pitch stage.
• Improved Workflow: The innovation team can now efficiently manage ideas, track progress, and ensure that top concepts receive the funding and support needed for implementation.

With Brightidea, Haskell has successfully transitioned from an ad-hoc, inefficient innovation process to a structured and engaging program that drives real results. By leveraging technology to streamline idea management, Haskell continues to cultivate a culture of innovation that aligns with its vision for the future. The success of the Big Pitch event and other structured innovation challenges demonstrates that when given the right tools and support, employees can drive meaningful change and contribute to the company’s long-term success.