Key Lessons From RHI Magnesita: Your Idea Platform Isn't Broken, Your People Strategy Is
Why do idea platforms fail? RHI Magnesita reveals the hidden factor most innovation programs overlook.
Most innovation programs tend to focus on tools, not people. And unfortunately, that’s where they often fall short.
Companies invest heavily on tools like idea platforms, analytics, and workflow automation. Yet, the emotional experience of the employees behind those ideas is frequently overlooked.
RHI Magnesita, a global leader in refractory products, recently shared its people-first strategy in a webinar conversation with innosabi focused on "Turning Challenges into Breakthroughs." The company discovered that while processes support innovation, its true, continuous growth is powered by people.
For Chiara Fabrizi, Innovation Manager at RHI Magnesita, the practice of innovation is fundamentally human management. “We really believe in the power of motivating people because people are the core of innovating,” she shared during the recent webinar. “Innovation succeeds when people feel recognized, heard, and motivated.”
This belief shapes every initiative they run.
Platforms and processes are only part of the equation. The real engine of innovation is intrinsic motivation. Employees are more likely to participate in voluntary programs (like submitting ideas for improvement) when they see value in their contributions and a connection to the company’s broader mission. This principle aligns with research showing that companies with highly engaged employees see significant profitability gains.
During the webinar, Chiara emphasizes that engagement fades when people feel unseen. “Even the most motivated people will lose motivation if they don’t get feedback or recognition for their ideas,” she noted. She also pointed out a key risk: “People stop submitting ideas when they see there is no follow-up.”
RHI Magnesita's commitment to this insight translates into a strategic focus on people: Its innovation programs extend beyond simple idea generation to actively nurture curiosity, foster collaboration, and build a sense of shared purpose among employees. They specifically aim to leverage the expertise of their people, that constantly brings in new perspectives and knowledge.
For this, one of the standout practices at RHI Magnesita is structured, transparent feedback. Every submitted idea goes through an evaluation funnel, and employees receive clear explanations for why ideas are implemented, or not.
“We always try to make the process transparent so submitters know where their idea stands,” Chiara explained. She then added: ““We give reasons why some ideas move forward and some don’t (...) “Having a platform is very useful for maintaining trust and motivation because it’s very transparent and everything is documented there.”
Here, feedback isn’t only procedural; it connects employees to the bigger picture. Participants see the tangible impact of their ideas on the company, whether through:
To reinforce participation and maintain the innovation culture, RHI Magnesita provides visibility and recognition for contributors. The company promotes the challenge and the people who find a solution within their internal channels. This internal promotion includes the use of videos and posts. Furthermore, to keep motivation high, the company introduced monetary incentives for personnel in their dedicated Idea Management initiative which targets people in the plants (the shop floor).
RHI Magnesita operates across multiple continents and cultures, with employees speaking different languages and working in diverse environments. This global diversity is a tremendous asset, but it also presents challenges like communication barriers and siloed knowledge.
To leverage its internal expertise and create a single, connected space for ideas, the company launched the Idea Factory platform, hosted by innosabi. Beyond a simple idea collection point, it functions as the unified, full-cycle platform that curates ideas from initial spark through refinement, incubation, and ultimately, proof of organizational value.
The platform provides essential functions for a diverse workforce, including:
The Idea Factory platform is the technological backbone, but as aforementioned, the company’s success hinges on the people-first approach that drives its usage.
Initiatives like Idea Challenges have become global, award-winning programs precisely because they combine technology with human motivation. The Challenge initiative—where any employee can raise a problem for the global community to solve—received the company's prestigious Global Award for Culture in 2025, voted by both employees and the Executive Management Team (EMT).
This success is proof that the approach is effectively:
Employees see their input valued, share feedback, and watch ideas grow from concept to impact, fostering a culture of continuous process improvement.
Technology alone can’t sustain engagement. Recognition, transparent feedback, and continuous visibility of contributions are essential.
Employees are more invested when their ideas are connected to the company’s mission and are focused on strategic, high-value problems (like sustainability and efficiency).
Monitoring the value creation (financial and non-financial) and communicating it back to the community fosters continuous participation and builds culture.
Multicultural teams bring varied perspectives, but intentional structures and platforms (like the Idea Factory) are needed to harness them by removing language and access barriers.
Chiara’s experience shows that investing in people pays off. When employees feel seen, heard, and valued, they innovate with energy, creativity, and commitment.
Innovation is a living process shaped by the people driving it. RHI Magnesita’s approach shows that when companies invest in understanding what truly motivates employees, they unlock creativity and problem-solving that no platform alone could achieve.
The real takeaway isn’t just about adopting the right tools for your company, but knowing how to cultivate a culture where curiosity, collaboration, and purpose naturally thrive. In the end, ultimately, success doesn’t come from the most advanced technology; it comes from prioritizing people and letting innovation flourish through them.
innosabi provides the Innovation Management Platform (IMP) that served as the technological backbone for RHI Magnesita’s award-winning initiatives. Discover how you can implement a robust system that reinforces your people-first strategy to drive commitment and achieve measurable impact.
Because they often focus on processes and tools, neglecting employee motivation, recognition, and engagement.
Focus on low-cost incentives, public recognition, peer feedback, and aligning ideas with core company goals.
Regular recognition, transparent progress updates, recurring challenges, and linking ideas to strategic impact help sustain engagement.
Lack of feedback, unclear purpose, perception that ideas won’t be acted on, or a culture that discourages speaking up.
Managers can coach, provide recognition, model curiosity, and ensure employees feel their contributions matter.
