When you think about innovation, you might think about what it takes to come up with the next big idea. But sometimes, ideas aren’t something “new” — just improved! Here are a couple of examples of associates who are finding inventive ways to make Publix a little better.
Adding a pop of color
Assistant Customer Service Manager Josh O’Donnell, #1059, Birmingham, Alabama, came up with his continuous improvement idea while watching front service clerks gather carts in the parking lot. He noticed the straps associates were using to collect the carts were black and that they wrapped the straps around themselves before hooking them to the carts.
Josh thought a bright strap would provide a measure of safety for associates, especially while gathering carts at night. He submitted an idea for a bright cart strap through the continuous improvement page on PASSport. Now, his idea has been implemented.
“I liked the idea of a bright cart strap because it would be more visible to cars,” said Josh. “It was really easy to submit my idea through PASSport. I was the first one to make that suggestion. I thought it was cool to be ahead of the curve and flattered they thought it was a good idea.”
Do you have the next great improvement idea? Store associates can submit ideas under the Workplace menu on PASSport.
Building the future
In our distribution centers, our associates have a different way to submit their improvement ideas. Through the Build the Future program, distribution leaders have fostered a culture of innovation and provide a way for associates to share ideas.
Distribution associates who have a process improvement idea, whether inside or outside of their distribution center, share their thoughts with their managers. Those ideas are tracked and evaluated by the project team to determine whether they can be implemented.
Since Build the Future kicked off in the beginning of 2018, about 30 projects have been completed, with another 75 active. Since its inception, Build the Future has had potential savings of at least $350,000 for Publix.
“We want associates to share their ideas with us to see what we can implement,” said Director of Warehousing Kyle Davis. “We’re focused on small ideas that will lead to continuous change and improvement for our future.”
