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- O r g a n i z a t i o n a l _ I n n o v a t i o n -

Imagine this scenario: your industry has just experienced several years of unprecedented growth, profitability and expansion. Then the bottom falls out... the party is over. Layoffs nationwide stun thousands of people. Your company is not unscathed ... a recent announcement details the loss of l,000 jobs nationwide including 300 of the 800 at headquarters. Rumors are flying; stress and tension are building.

That was the situation GMAC Mortgage found itself in 18 months ago. In the anticipation of the painful downsizing, a volunteer group of employees called the Reading Group, (they began as a reading and discuss- ion group about business and personal development books) decided some- thing had to be done for those left on the job. According to Barbara Rosen, training and organization develop- ment department, "People had gotten stagnant and fearful about upcoming layoffs; they had been stunned into submission. The Reading group decided a morale booster ... a creativity shot in the arm ... was needed.

"Wake-Up Week was born and each department was asked to find a way to creatively showcase their teams and have fun. The idea behind it was to wake-up to the possibilities around us, shake out the cobwebs, and do something different," says Barbara.

Here are some of the highlights of the week: Every morning as employees arrived for work, senior managers handed out playful gifts for employ- ees: brain teasers, crossword puzzles, and wildflower seeds, to symbolize new growth and ideas. Upbeat music was played in the lobby so employees could get right into the fun spirit as they arrived. Calypso and other joyful types of music were featured to get people moving and smiling.

Brown bag lunch-time trainings were offered to help employees strengthen their creativity muscle and learn about the value of innovation and how to foster it. A book fair was set up to encourage reading and new ideas. One department sponsored a Jeopardy-style game to give employees an opportunity to test their knowledge of the mortgage business; a fun way to reinforce and teach new information. An art contest for employees and their families was held and judged by the employees themselves. The artwork spanned all age groups and was displayed in the halls of the company. Lots of enthusiastic participation made this an especially popular event.

One day during the week, everyone was encouraged to dress in the corporate color. "Blue Day" featured a contest to see which teams could come up with the most names of songs that had the word "blue" in them. Winning teams were awarded with blue prizes such as blueberry jam, blue corn chips, blue GMAC sweat shirts. Other departments featured a three ring circus, computer demonstrations, and decorated offices. Even the cafeteria served new and unusual foods that week to wake-up the employees.

Was it worth it? "It was a great celebration -- worth every ounce of time and energy we spent," says Barbara. "Morale was lifted, spirits were renewed and who knows how many great ideas were let loose by the jogging of tired-out brains?"

But why wait till an event like this is so badly needed? Every organization needs a healthy dose of fun and morale-lifting even in the best of times. If a week sounds too long or too much, how about a Wake-up Day? Have everyone wear crazy hats, put on skits during lunch time, bring in a magician, juggler or a fire-eater. Or better yet, have your staff brainstorm ideas of their own to make your celebration of creativity and renewal uniquely your own.

Have you found effective ways to rekindle spirit and foster innovation in your company? I'd love to share them with our readers,. Please contact me via fax at 707-829-0845 or e-mail Padispeaks@aol.com.