On 5 October 2010, idea managers, company suggestion scheme officers and personnel managers from the whole of Germany met on IBYKUS AG's premises in Erfurt for the Day of Ideas. This was the third specialist idea management conference held by this software supplier.

Helmut C. Henkel, IBYKUS director, opened the conference by welcoming the guests with a keynote message. In his speech, Henkel referred to successful innovators in the fields of culture and science, and outlined some of their great intellectual achievements. He added that idea management was the appropriate means of encouraging innovators in companies and other organizations. During his introduction to the Day of Ideas, the director did not miss the opportunity of mentioning his company's own idea management, and in front of the guests he paid tribute to an exceptionally good idea of one of IBYKUS's own employees.

 

An eventful supporting program

Am The Day of Ideas program included a number of expert presentations focusing on completely different aspects of idea management: The guests were introduced to a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from activities to foster creativity: from the introduction of an idea management system through to specific moderation techniques that can be of valuable service in idea management. The speakers all brought in their extensive experience from the theory and practice of idea management and related fields.

In the workshop run by and with Peter Flume, participants were familiarized with the company theatre method. They learnt how this principle would help them to better assess various actors understanding of their roles in their own company, and how to minimize opposition to idea management. Flume and his colleagues, which included trained actors and moderators, worked out ways of reaching a solution with which idea managers could better handle conflicts in their own companies.

The Day of Ideas was rounded off by an interesting exhibition, that this year extended from the foyer to the cafeteria of IBYKUS AG. A number of service providers presented their products, which could enable idea managers to organize their area of responsibility even more professionally. During the intervals, guests took the opportunity of extending their personal networks in informal talks with exhibitors, speakers and other visitors.

Before the now almost traditional Day of Ideas prize draw, the id-Force® team presented this year's visitors with a tricky puzzle, which they had to solve before the program of presentations came to an end. The main prize was a two-day holiday for two people.

 

 

Looking ahead to the new software version

In her own presentation, Anika Schöps, IBYKUS product manager, gave the first insights into the forthcoming version 3.0 of the id-Force^® idea management software. She presented its many new features to the visitors, and also answered questions about its improved functionality and the greater facility for customizing the application.

Anika Schöps summed up, “This year's Day of Ideas was once again a complete success. I was particularly impressed by the fact that so many of our guests had travelled such a long way to attend. That's a great incentive for us to keep future Days of Ideas attractive to our guests as a source of inspiration and an opportunity for networking.“