I am just a minimum wage lackey at a Hollywood Video and I have a few ideas that I think would significantly help the business. I would like to communicate them to someone at corporate who could do something about them, would take them seriously and would give me credit if they should prove to be helpful. How do I do this? Who do I tell and how do I tell them? Is there some protocol?
I’d guess it would depend on the company. Is there a corporate HR department you could call or email for more information?
I work for a small insurance company, and my HR department has forms available that you just fill out with your ideas and drop them in the box. If implemented, you get a cash reward. It’s a nice system that give everyone in the company some idea that they can make a difference in the company.
I’m not sure if Hollywood Video has anything similar, but HR would probably be the place to start.
Put your ideas on paper. You could use a business proposal format. Only one idea per write-up. Back up your ideas with figures on increased profits even if the evidence is only an informal survey of customers by you.
Asking if there is a corporate-level suggestion program is a good idea. If there is, that is one avenue to pursue, but it may not be the only one or the best one.
Think about the nature of your ideas. At what level would they need to be implemented? Could a test case be done at your store? That is, does your manager have the authority to OK such a test? If so, working with him to propose the test would be a good idea. You should also be gracious to him and willing to share some of the credit if he lets you try it out. (OTOH, he should not be a jerk and hog the credit, but sometimes that is the risk you run.) If you don’t work through your manager, there is a certain risk of being perceived as a know-it-all and having your proactiveness work against you. Part of getting your ideas implemented is learning how to work with others in your organization to make it happen.
Also, think about if there is some other part of the organization that would oppose your idea. If something would increase sales at your branch but cannibalize other sales, or make legal nervous, or inconvenience accounting, try to get buy-in from someone in one of those camps before going forward. At least see their side of the story. If your idea would increase sales enough to make it worth extra work for accounting, make sure to factor in the need for extra accounting resources when you make your case.
One other option, if you are at all serious about a career in any aspect of the company, is to see if your company has a mentoring program. This gives you access to someone who knows more about the business as a whole and can help you pitch suggestions and get to know people in other parts of the organization.
In addition to working in HR for several years, I have had success getting ideas implemented in a large corporation, both through their suggestion program and other avenues. I received both bonuses and career advancement through this, but it wasn’t always easy, so I’m sharing what I’ve learned through experience. Good luck!
By credit, do you mean money, or a promotion? I’d usually say the chances of this are between Slim and None, and Slim just left town. Mostly because of your self defined position “minimum wage lackey”. For minimum wage, most companies just want you to show up, do what you’re told and not steal things. They’re not looking to you for their corporate strategy.
If there’s a defined corporate program, you may get a few bucks out of it. Outside of that, your best bet is to talk to the store manager, but like as not, if it’s a good idea, he’ll take credit, if there is any to go around.
The third possibility is to do a bang up job, be ultra reliable and efficient, and ask your store / regional manager about advancement opportunities. Get into a management position, and your ideas may get noticed.