SA's leading mobile operator, Vodacom, has motivated its staff to come up with innovative products and ideas that could potentially drive business forward, with a R1 million jackpot incentive.
This comes as SA's mobile network providers are under increasing pressure to innovate and introduce new services, as the mobile landscape shifts from traditional to data-driven services and over-the-top players start eating away at operators' average revenue per user.
In an internal e-mail last month, Vodacom CEO Shameel Joosub appealed to employees to "come up with innovative ideas and suggestions that can potentially play a significant part in changing the way [Vodacom] functions and the way [the company] does business".
The employee that comes up with an idea the company deems worthy of implementing, will become an instant millionaire.
"Just imagine what we could offer our customers, what kind of products we could develop, and what kind of work environment we could have if everyone continuously strives to innovate and improve. The possibilities are endless and now you have the opportunity to make the incredible happen," reads the internal note.
Joosub revealed to staff that Vodacom's "innovators" would not only be recognised in the business as "game changers and trailblazers", but they would also have their ideas implemented and stand in line to win prizes.
"All you have to do to be a part of this exciting innovation is to visit [an intranet Web page] to find out more about how it all works. You can also submit your ideas via the platform. Vodacom's Innovation team is ready to assist and guide you on your innovation journey."
In 2008, former Vodacom employee Nkosana Makete took the company to court in a bid to get compensation for the Please Call Me service, which he claims he invented in 2000.
According to Vodacom's managing executive for mobile commerce, Herman Singh, the operator sends out 3.6 billion Please Call Mes a year (28 million a day).
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