AMP – Enough Rope?

A common problem with large organisations is their tendency to get lost within themselves, with red-tape acting as a handbrake on development and innovation.

Sydney-based AMP is attempting to break this destructive cycle by calling on staff to get actively involved in improving the business.

Times are certainly tough for many financial services groups right now, as recent inflow figures from AMP – arguably a barometer for the industry’s health – proved.

Innovation is best if it is continuous, yet it is also useful – not to mention neccessary – when the chips are down and your back is against the ropes.

A visit to AMP head-office in Sydney reveals a simple and potentially OH&S hazardous feature in the lobby area in the shape of a number of roughly strewn climbing ropes on the floor.

The initiative is called: ‘Ideas Playground – Fair Play For New Ideas’.

The gist of the scheme is meant to encourage staff to be more open and voiciferous with their thoughts and ideas, looking to participate in the future of the business rather than accepting what is handed down to them from senior management.

Clearly AMP is trying to unleash the creative potential within its workforce and avoid the bureaucratic behaviours that often afflict large groups.

An enquiry into the scheme by burningpants revealed the concept had only been live since late the previous week, so it was difficult to assess whether the group’s Alfred Street-based staff have donned their thinking caps yet.

Perhaps the next reporting season will reveal if the initiative bears fruit or if it is simply a corporate gimmick staff try to aviod tripping over each day as they amble in with their morning coffees.