“The first step in winning the future is encouraging American innovation. None of us can predict with certainty what the next big industry will be or where the new jobs will come from. Thirty years ago, we couldn’t know that something called the Internet would lead to an economic revolution. What we can do – what America does better than anyone else – is spark the creativity and imagination of our people. We’re the nation that put cars in driveways and computers in offices; the nation of Edison and the Wright brothers; of Google and Facebook. In America, innovation doesn’t just change our lives. It is how we make our living.” - President Obama
Inktel Direct is proud to present…
What is innovation? It’s the potential to change the world for the better through the exploration into our human creativity and unrestrained aspiration. Some of the greatest problems in history have been solved by regular people who had the courage to dream and to innovate.
100 Days of Innovation will includes four major projects:
The Inktel Direct Innovation Grant – Inktel Direct seeks to spur innovation in pursuit of solving everyday problems through the announcement of the Inktel Direct Innovation Grant. Inktel will award a grant of up to $10,000 (or more!) to reward a nonprofit organization for the most inspiring and unique form of innovation in the pursuit of furthering their particular mission statement!
Click here to download the Grant Guidelines and Application (updated July 6). Returned applications are due July 1, 2011.
(1) Which grant application, nonprofit organization and idea was the most innovative! We believe that innovative ideas have the power to change the world for the better.
(2) Which nonprofit was able to rally the most support via social media (along with who was able to use social media the most innovatively). The grant seeks to reward the nonprofit and idea that has the ability to effect, mobilize and inspire the greatest number of people!
(3) Once finalists are determined, they will conduct presentations in front of the panel. The panelists will then determine the winner!
The “Big Idea” Online Submission Portal - On the heels of the 2010 “Big Idea” contest, Inktel Direct is proud to unveil an online submission portal where “Big Ideas” can be submitted and collected all year long! This virtual portal is intended to encourage a year-round spirit of innovation at Inktel for its employees, partners and communities!
Visit www.inktel.com/bigidea to submit your “Big Idea” today!
IDEO Innovation Team Challenge Meetings - Inktel has done a case-study analysis of IDEO as a company and of its innovation methodology. We assembled three teams with members from all Inktel locations and departments to work through the IDEO methodology to innovate some Inktel-related process and/or challenge. We have had great success so far, and look forward to upcoming meetings!
The “Create the Inktel Mascot” Contest - An internal creativity-inducing competition for all of Inktel’s employees to take part in! Tony the Tiger, Colonel Sanders, the Aflac duck, the GEICO gecko, Mr. Peanut, “Life is Good” Jake, Toucan Sam… Lots of companies have a cartoon, or mascot, or other form of lifelike symbol or caricature that represents the company and all that it stands for! So why shouldn’t we!?
Inktel employees, click here to check out the guidelines! Entries are due back on August 1, 2011!
Also – stay tuned to Inktel’s social media pages this summer for “big ideas,” thoughts, innovation fun facts and inspirational innovation quotes along the way!
Join us during these “100 Days of Innovation” as we seek to make a difference for not only our company, but for the world as a whole!