【品牌故事】從便利貼到藍牙聽診器，3M的成功在於激發員工創意

談及創新，非提及3M不可。憑藉持續的創新力，3M榮獲美國政府的國家技術獎章，經常名列《Fortune》雜誌「美國最受推崇的公司」之一。但3M的成功背後，是怎麼做到的？

3M的成功在於其企業文化，特別重視員工創新。他們提供了多種中心和論壇，為員工創建、發展和分享創意提供了場所。讓他們分享知識、建立關係，從而孕育創意。這正是Post-it記事貼紙的由來。當時，科學家Spencer Silver本打算研發一種強力黏膠，卻意外創造了一種力量較弱的黏膠。而3M的另一名員工Arthur Fry，靈機一動將其用於書籤上，這就是我們現在所熟知的便利貼。

這樣的創新思維不僅體現在產品上，還表現在公司的管理策略中。一個例子是他們的「30%規則」：每個部門的收入中，有30%必須來自於最近四年推出的產品。這鼓勵了員工在保持當下業績的同時，不斷追求創新。

而在追求擴大市場份額方面，3M採用獨特的「15%規則」。允許工程師和科學家花費最多15%的時間進行自己選擇的項目。這不僅促使他們尋求突破性的創新，還使他們有機會展望更遠大的未來。例如，一組員工利用他們的「15%時間」研發了第一台具有藍牙技術的電子聽診器。

要提及3M的成功，還必須看到其獎勵制度及公司文化。當員工遇到困難或失敗時，3M會鼓勵他們繼續前進，尋找轉折點，就如Scotch tape的發明故事一般。

3M的成功和持續的創新精神是相輔相成的。他們不僅為員工提供機會和資源去追求新的可能性，更重要的是建立了一個文化和結構，使每個人都能夠盡情發揮創意，達到卓越的成就。

When talking about innovation, one cannot fail to mention 3M. With its ongoing innovative strength, 3M has been awarded the National Technology Medal by the US government and is often ranked among Fortune magazine's "Most Admired Companies in America." But how did 3M achieve its success?

3M's success lies in its corporate culture, which places particular emphasis on employee innovation. They provide various centers and forums for employees to create, develop, and share ideas. This allows them to share knowledge, build relationships, and thus nurture creativity. This is precisely how Post-it Notes came about. At the time, scientist Spencer Silver intended to develop a strong adhesive but accidentally created a weaker one. Another 3M employee, Arthur Fry, had the idea to use it on bookmarks, which became the sticky notes we know today.

This innovative mindset is not only reflected in their products but also in the company's management strategies. An example is their "30% rule": 30% of the revenue of each department must come from products launched in the last four years. This encourages employees to constantly pursue innovation while maintaining current performance.

In terms of expanding market share, 3M has a unique "15% rule." Engineers and scientists are allowed to spend up to 15% of their time on projects of their choosing. This not only encourages them to seek groundbreaking innovations but also gives them the opportunity to look to a broader future. For instance, a group of employees used their "15% time" to develop the first electronic stethoscope with Bluetooth technology.

To speak of 3M's success, one must also look at its reward system and company culture. When employees face challenges or failures, 3M encourages them to keep moving forward, looking for turning points, just like the story of the invention of Scotch tape.

3M's success and ongoing spirit of innovation go hand in hand. They not only provide opportunities and resources for employees to explore new possibilities, but more importantly, they have established a culture and structure that allows everyone to fully express their creativity and achieve excellence.