Social innovation: a real engagement driver
Combine employee-driven innovation with community action — that’s the principle behind employee-driven philanthropy, which is being adopted by a growing number of Safran companies. Here are just a few examples of the many initiatives taking place…
- BACK TO WORK
- Environment
- Snapshots
- At a glance
While employee-driven innovation (EDI) is an integral part of Safran’s continuous improvement effort, it’s increasingly being combined with action in the community. “I see these initiatives developing and I encourage them, but we don’t impose any kind of model on it,” says Sophie Goudmand-Rojon, EDI Manager for Safran. “It reflects a search for meaning by colleagues and new ways to engage.”
A source of motivation
At Safran Aircraft Engines, it all began in 2015. To recognize and reward its teams for their investment in employee-driven innovation, the Military Engines Division decided to donate 5 euros for each completed EDI to FOSA, the French veterans support foundation. The operation has continued every year since. In 2018, the Production, Quality and Human Resources departments joined the initiative, with donations going to Étoile de Martin, a nonprofit supporting children with cancer. And since 2021, colleagues have also had the option to support education for children with disabilities or an environmental cause, such as tree planting or protection of bees. “Last year, over a third of colleagues approached took part in the vote,” says Claire Dorin-Copée, EDI Manager at Safran Aircraft Engines. “It’s testimony to the growing interest in this initiative, which gives added meaning to employee-driven innovation.”
Safran Transmission Systems has been running a similar scheme for several years. It donates 1 euro for every EDI implemented and 100 euros for EDI of the month. Colleagues can also vote for the recipient organization, which must be local and working in the areas of environment, education or employment for young or disabled people. “In 2023, our goal is two EDIs per person,” says Eva Allaoui, the company’s EDI Manager. “The community engagement dimension really helps motivate colleagues to take up the challenge.” From restocking France’s forests to supporting cancer research, Safran Engineering Services has made giving an incentive at its teambuilding exercise, part of its annual Innovathon.
“Contributing to a worthy cause fosters team spirit and indirectly stimulates innovation.”
On the occasion of the Bourget Air Show, the employees of Safran Aircraft Engines, whose participative innovations have been realized and each valued at 2€, were able to present a check to the association of their choice. Among them were A Tree for You...
A groundswell of engagement
Other companies have got involved more recently. At Safran Landing Systems, 2023 is the first year of its employee-driven philanthropy program. At the end of each year, the company will donate 5 euros for every idea implemented to two nonprofits chosen by colleagues at the annual Innovation Day challenge. Safran Aero Boosters is donating the same amount — this year to a charity supporting vulnerable children. And at Safran Cabin, for each innovation submitted as part of the 2022 Low Carbon EDI challenge a tree was planted. These and other initiative reflect the commitment of Safran and its people to good corporate citizenship!
“These initiatives give colleagues the double satisfaction of contributing to Safran’s performance and action in the community.”
