Companies must create opportunities for employees to break down internal and social borders that try to dictate who they are and what they can achieve. By doing so, employees can think beyond their day-to-day role to grow as professionals and individuals, while also creating meaningful value for the company.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Since mid-2021, the US<\/strong> workforce has been experiencing what many are calling In this war for talent, it has become increasingly important to keep employees Instilling a sense of purpose in employees not only benefits workplace Nevertheless, recent workplace trends are telling us that the concept of purpose Such a mindset is exemplified by Kohler<\/strong>\u2019s Innovation for However, beyond the business aspect is the impact this type of program has on I-Prize helped Gaurav Verma<\/strong> \u2014 an India-based design engineer whose \u201cThe collaborative culture and encouraging environment made me feel that all This sentiment is shared by Atlanta<\/strong>-based confidential assistant Delia \u201cTo be able to bring my strengths and lead something where I managed individuals It is important that companies create opportunities that encourage employees to
\nthe \u201cGreat
\nResignation<\/strong><\/a>\u201d \u2014
\nwith people re-evaluating what it is they want out of their life and career,
\nleaving their current roles for ones that better fit their needs, or people
\nopting out of the workforce entirely. This trend has put power firmly in the
\nhands of workers and reminded everyone that the most important stakeholder in
\nthe stakeholder
\ncapitalism<\/a>
\nmodel is the employee.<\/p>\n
\nengaged<\/a>. For
\npurpose-driven organizations, this means helping them find their own purpose
\nwithin the company\u2019s overarching purpose.<\/p>\n
\nculture<\/a>
\nbut can have a broader impact on business and society. Today, workers are
\nlooking for companies that share their values. A recent
\nUnily<\/strong><\/a>
\nstudy found that 65 percent of workers are more likely to work for more
\nsustainable employers \u2014 not just because of values, but because they believe
\nthat a sustainable employer will care about them more, offer more impactful
\nwork, and provide satisfaction and engagement.<\/p>\n
\nneeds to translate from words to action. Fostering purpose among employees first
\ndrives innovation and encourages new ways of thinking from all corners of the
\nbusiness. Kohler has embraced this notion and engages its associates to deliver
\non its promise of \u201cBelieving in Better<\/strong>.\u201d Guided by this strategy, Kohler
\nleverages the expertise of its associates to develop tangible solutions to build
\na better planet, better communities and better lives.<\/p>\n
\nGood<\/strong><\/a> program,
\nwhich has helped democratize innovation across the company through its annual
\nI-Prize<\/strong><\/a>
\ncompetition. With I-Prize, Kohler invites associates to form teams and develop
\nproducts, technologies and business models that address a social need, and
\ncompete for incubation funding to bring these ideas to life. Since the first
\nI-Prize competition in 2018, associates have developed over 80 ideas that
\naddress issues such as safe water and
\nsanitation<\/a>,
\nwater conservation and most recently, greenhouse gas emissions. Several ideas
\nhave already been transitioned to commercialization and others are in the
\npipeline.<\/p>\n
\nemployees. At the crux of I-Prize is the concept that innovation and new ideas
\ncan come from anywhere. Participants represent all corners of the business, from
\nengineers to confidential assistants, from interns to tenured associates, who
\nare located around the globe \u2014 from Kohler, WI<\/strong> to Jhagadia, India<\/strong>.
\nAssociates share their own unique skills and perspectives to solve the challenge
\nat hand, making their work and role more meaningful.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/eddy-cms\/editorial\/2022\/02-Feb\/kohler-associates.jpg\")
\nI-Prize-winning associates Delia Mixon and Guarav Verma | Images credit: Kohler<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nwater-regulating product idea received funding in the 2020 Clean and
\nHygiene<\/strong>-themed I-Prize competition \u2014 feel a sense of belonging at Kohler,
\nespecially as a newcomer to the company. By participating in the competition,
\nGaurav was able to exercise key skills such as project management that tapped
\ninto his natural leadership ability, which inspired seasoned New Product
\nDevelopment teams at the company.<\/p>\n
\ndoors were open to me at Kohler,\u201d Gaurav says. \u201cCollaborating with head
\ndirectors and engineers on a project intended to contribute to society and give
\nback to the community were major motivators. What we are doing now is affecting
\ngenerations and this project remains close to my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMixon<\/strong>, a 12-year associate at Kohler who thrives in a collaborative
\nenvironment. Delia used her natural talent for creating connections to recruit a
\nwell-equipped team with a diversity of skills to develop a robust I-Prize pitch.
\nDelia was inspired by seeing her teammates, ranging from an intern to an
\nengineer, so invested in tackling climate issues.<\/p>\n
\nwith titles as high as director allowed me to develop and showcase my ability to
\nrun a project,\u201d Delia says. \u201cNot only did participating in I-Prize gave me the
\nopportunity to grow personally and professionally, but my team and I have given
\nthe company something to embrace and think about that could really make a
\ndifference.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nbreak down the internal and social borders that try to dictate who they are and
\nwhat they can achieve. By doing so, employees can unlock their potential and
\nthink beyond their day-to-day role to grow as professionals and individuals,
\nwhile also creating meaningful value for the company. Providing these
\nopportunities for growth and redefinition, while putting purpose at the center,
\ncreates a positive ripple effect across the entire company. Empowering employees
\nto see the value in themselves and each other optimizes innovation and generates
\nsolutions to pressing, real-world issues.<\/p>\n