Effective immediately, employees of the duisport Group can submit digital suggestions for improvement for their company in just one minute: this is made possible by the cooperation between duisport and the ideas startup idea-ly. The two companies were brought together by the startport startup program, which, as an innovation platform for logistics and supply chain, promotes the use of new technologies in industry and logistics.
Utilizing the knowledge of employees within the company
Inefficient processes in companies are particularly noticeable to employees working operationally at terminals and in warehouses, as they are the first to be affected by them. Christian Szygiel, project manager of the new ideas management at duisport, wants to utilize this employee knowledge: “We have set ourselves high goals in the port in the areas of sustainability and digitalization. We will achieve these goals primarily if we utilize the full potential of our workforce – the new ideas management is an important building block on this path.” Until now, employees could only submit their ideas via email, form, and physical suggestion boxes. The new ideas management tool idea-ly, which is also used by startport partner Borussia Dortmund, reduces inhibitions when submitting ideas through its ease of use.
Appreciation and bonuses: employees also benefit
After an idea is submitted, solutions are developed in smaller units that can be made usable for the entire corporate group. In this way, processes can be optimized, costs saved, and resources used more efficiently. But the tool also serves as an instrument for appreciation and cohesion, explains idea-ly founder Niklas Schwichtenberg: “Companies that make it easy for their employees to get involved are also saying: you have something to say and we want to hear it! Various studies show that employees identify more strongly with their company when they feel valued.” Employees also benefit: they participate in improvements made possible by their idea as part of a bonus model.
idea-ly – a successful startport startup
“When we first met idea-ly at the selection pitch for our new startup cohort, it quickly became clear to us that this solution would be exciting for many partners. The fact that the startup’s solution is now live with two exclusive startport partners shows that we had a good instinct in our selection,” says startport Managing Director Peter Trapp, delighted with the success of idea-ly.