7 ways to increase employee participation

If suggestion numbers rise in the first months and then fall, the problem is usually not the employees but a slow process. What makes participation last is people quickly seeing what became of their idea.

• Answer fast: even if review takes time, say “received, at this step”.
• Give reasons for rejections: a rejection without a reason kills the next idea.
• Publish results: implemented suggestions should be visible on the board.
• Make managers the example: team leaders should be seen opening records too.
• Keep the form short: no more than three steps.
• Allow voice typing: people who don't like writing can talk instead.
• Thank people as a team: walk through one record at the Gemba meeting.

What to measure?

Record counts alone mislead. Track participation rate (people who opened a record / all people), time to first response and share of records implemented, together.