You hear them being dropped in casual complaint at the water cooler. They’re discussed ad nauseam in meetings. Often they’re imagined but never articulated. In most organizations, there is no shortage of new ideas. What’s often missing is an on-ramp to get them into the system so they can be considered. Process improvement ideas by those working the process…marketing ideas by those who sell…a new business idea by the receptionist—a new idea can come from anyone at any time. Unfortunately, most company suggestion boxes empty into the company shredder.
The rise of the Chief Innovation Officer?
Recently, I’ve seen a couple of senior level job openings for someone to facilitate the research, vetting, planning and implementation of new ideas that come from within the organization. These companies enable their idea champions to take their new thinking beyond the water cooler to someone who might help them do something with it. These companies value their employees’ ideas. They’re open to exploration and committed to innovation. They have built an on-ramp for the new ideas, knowing that while the road may be bumpy at times, it will lead to a promising future.
Will the Chief Innovation Officer be a trend? Could it be an outsourced position? I’ll be watching closely to see how these companies do.
A Marketplace of Ideas 
It’s great to have companies take an interest in their employee’s ideas. Not only should they listen to a good idea from them but they also should dig further with that employee and find out what other thoughts that individual might have. Maybe other employees can benefit as well. All it takes is a company that is willing to listen. Operative word, listen. As you mentioned, the next step is what to with the idea or ideas. They may know how to run a company but do they really know how to facilitate the idea(s) to make them come to fusion? This is where a Chief Innovation Officer comes in. I have seen it first hand and it works. It levels the playing field and makes everyone better understand the ideation process. I believe more companies should take this step in hiring or acquiring a Chief Innovation Officer to keep their company moving forward.