With brands and consumers all over the world, Whirlpool recognized the need for a new innovation strategy that sourced ideas from all levels of the organization. As part of this, the company developed methods to share new ideas, including a repository for idea sharing and an innovation database.
But how to implement these tools on an organization-wide basis? The company sent 75 employees from three regions to Italy, Brazil and its global headquarters in the U.S. in Benton Harbor to learn how to use them. After being trained in innovation methodology, the group returned home to teach these techniques to their colleagues.