In the age of the individual, everyone wants to have input & feel that it is valued. Whilst I go in & do the requirements of my day job everyday, I have numerous skills that are transferrable across the business, but no one would ever know. Furthermore, I see how many of the everyday challenges can be mitigated by changes at the top. However, without access to the top or an inviting environment in which to share those ideas generated, I do not feel valued in the workplace. I have a sneaking suspicion that I am not the only employee that feels this way. In fact, in a company with over 50,000 employees, I KNOW that I am not the only one that feels this way.

This is where IT can facilitate intellectual capitalization. With the likes of facebook & twitter, people love to share ideas & seem eager to do so the moment ideas arise. Incorporating a platform through which employees can share their ideas if & when they arise--irrespective if they are read or not by someone that can implement the idea, can generate an open, fulfilling environment where everyone feels that they have the ability to influence the business.

This is even more important when companies are facing challenges such as an economic downturn. As Execs are only human, they cannot be expected to know the right answer at all times but can only hope to do their best & make the right decision for that moment in time. But an open arena of communication between the problems that people face in the workplace & everyone else could foster a wealth of ideas & decrease the responsibility & stress of the execs to do so.