Innovations can be left to chance - or they can be systematically initiated, evaluated and driven forward.
As a consulting and software company, doubleSlash has been helping companies to digitize their processes since 1999. It goes without saying that doubleSlash itself also digitally maps internal processes. This includes the specially developed innovation management - a process in which every employee can contribute innovation ideas. doubleSlash received an award for the introduction of this process when it first took part in the competition in 2014.
Over the past two years, work has been done to firmly anchor the innovation process in the company "We have taken a very big step and designed and set up a completely new, standardized innovation process," says Matthias Neher, Innovation Manager at doubleSlash. The feedback from the Top 100 jury, which doubleSlash received when it first took part in the competition in 2014, was incorporated into the optimization of this process.
"We need companies that are innovative not only today, but also in the future. Unlike in the past, we now have the opportunity to actively shape innovations. It no longer takes one or two generations for innovations to become visible. This is an important change in our society," says Top 100 mentor Ranga Yogeshwar.
Boosting innovation with openness and transparency
The innovation process is characterized by openness and transparency. All ideas and suggestions for improvement - including for internal processes - are collected in an "idea storage tool" that is accessible to all 120 employees at the company. Every employee can comment on and evaluate the ideas submitted and support them on their own initiative. In this way, the entire workforce is involved in generating ideas. If a suggestion is generally well received, the idea provider is given time and a budget to develop it. This concept of "idea ownership" is particularly motivating. "Our employees are bright minds. It inspires them when they are allowed to 'do their thing' with us," says Matthias Neher.
Developing business ideas and improving internal processes
After two years of working with the new innovation tool, for which there have already been requests from other companies, doubleSlash's assessment is positive all round. It has led to completely new business models and services being designed for customers. And there have also been internal improvements. For example, doubleSlash has been offering a special mentoring program since early summer 2016. Experienced employees act as mentors and coach younger employees. Both benefit from this exchange in an informal atmosphere and continue to develop.
"For us, the renewed Top 100 award is proof that the continuous development of our innovation management has paid off. This process has become indispensable for doubleSlash and we can only recommend that companies also address the topic of the innovation process. We are also happy to support them with our best practices," said Matthias Neher at the award ceremony at the German SME Summit in Essen.
About the Top 100 competition:
TOP 100 has been on the market for more than 20 years and is the only benchmarking for innovation management in Germany. Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and his team are responsible for the scientific management of the project. The award was presented by mentor Ranga Yogeshwar to the 100 most innovative companies in Germany.
+49 7541 70078-708
