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ISS BLOG - Giving Your Team a Voice and Fostering Innovation: Why We Launched Our Self-Storage ‘Shark Tank’ Event
Here’s a news flash for you self-storage owners and management companies out there: Your employees have great ideas that could greatly improve your business! The question is how to extract them, especially in a large company? Not everyone is comfortable speaking up. This is why an industry management firm launched a new “Shark Tank” event. Read how it’s giving staff a voice and inspiring innovation.
3 Min Read
At Storage Asset Management (SAM), we believe that everyone at our company can contribute to innovation, regardless of their level or department. It's woven into the fabric of our organization. That's why we’re excited to share the success of our first “Shark Tank” event, which was held on Oct. 15.
It was inspired by the popular TV show of the same name in which entrepreneurs present their ideas to a group of investors. Our version was born when our chief marketing officer Melissa Stiles recognized the potential for excellent ideas to emerge from within our self-storage staff, but then realized that team members might be unsure of how to share them cross-departmentally. She brought her idea to CEO Alyssa Quill, and SAM Shark Tank was born!
Growing the Idea
Our intent was to establish a platform through which self-storage team members from all over the company can present their ideas, ensuring collaboration and that every voice is heard. We also hope to cultivate a culture of innovation that not only encourages creativity but aligns with our strategic goals.
At the first event, four employees each delivered a 15-minute pitch to our executive team to showcase their innovative concept.
Belinda Jones, a self-storage training specialist, proposed a new approach to merchandise plan-o-grams that are designed to optimize product placement and increase customer engagement.
Maura O’Leary, a business-systems analyst, suggested a way to round up the amounts on self-storage tenant purchases, so the overage can be donated to local charities.
Cecelia Scalfaro, assistant manager at Storage Sense in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, suggested text-payment options for tenant convenience.
Hayden Scheuerlein, assistant manager at Storage Sense in Romeoville, Illinois, proposed customized solutions for business-storage tenants, offering tailored unit options to meet their specific needs.
We held the “Shark Tank” presentations online and in-person to ensure everyone could participate comfortably. What stood out during the event was how new team members like Cecilia and Hayden, who had been with us for less than four months, felt empowered to step forward with their ideas. This demonstrated our commitment to integrating and uplifting all voices within our organization, regardless of tenure or experience.
Once an idea is pitched and approved, a member of our executive team is assigned as a mentor, guiding the process from concept to execution. This structure aims to give our team members the necessary support and resources to bring their self-storage ideas to life.
Lending Support
The response to our first event was overwhelmingly positive, showcasing a wealth of talent and diverse perspectives. “My goal was to introduce an idea that would help managers in the field enhance their effectiveness in upselling merchandise,” Belinda explains. “Preparing to present to the 'Sharks' was a significant undertaking for me. My teammates on the corporate training team were incredibly supportive and provided valuable advice. The 'Sharks' were receptive and encouraging, making it, without a doubt, my best experience at SAM.”
Jones’ experience encapsulates what we hope to achieve with the “Shark Tank” initiative: a supportive atmosphere in which team members feel inspired to share their ideas, knowing they will be valued and considered. “This event showcases the wealth of talent and fresh perspectives across our organization. We look forward to seeing even more great ideas in the future,” Melissa says.
Dreaming Big
As we reflect on the success of our first “Shark Tank,” we’re motivated to continue fostering a culture of inclusivity and innovation. By creating a platform for idea-sharing, we believe we empower our employees and align our collective efforts with our company’s strategic goals.
Looking ahead, we plan to host another event every six months, allowing us to continually tap into our team's creativity.
We ’re excited to see how these ideas evolve and contribute to our mission. We invite all self-storage team members to keep dreaming big and sharing their ideas!
Paige Weary is the reputation manager for Storage Asset Management, a third-party management company that operates nearly 600 self-storage facilities nationwide. To reach her, email [email protected] or connect with her on LinkedIn.
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