There are many benefits to low turnover – reduced training costs, familiarity with the company and industry, trust built up over the years and many other things.  However, it is a challenge to keep things fresh, keep new ideas being generated and make sure everyone is challenging each other to think outside the comfortable surroundings of your company.  While I often consider myself “strange”, I’m sure people here get tired of hearing from me and “might” have a tendency to tune me out.  Some even wear dark glasses so they can sleep during my oratories.

There are many ways to combat complacency and “group think”.  One I recommend is bringing in an outside expert to brainstorm with different groups within the company, adding outside opinions and ideas to the process.  This person should be someone you have come to respect over time and someone that brings value to the process.  Make sure they have a working knowledge of the way you do business and your objectives, then sit back and let them lead the process.

I think you will find that occasionally having someone with strong industry knowledge and the ability to lead effective brainstorming sessions will lead to fresh ideas for your company and new motivation for individuals. 

What methods does your company use to keep things fresh and generate fresh, new ideas for the future?