From left: Jim Giardina, Anthony Smith, Paul Francavilla, Ann Marie Landel, Mark Ferguson, Robert Ballacchino, Rob Colantuoni, Lisa Flaherty, Jerry Bucklaew, Gary Koteras, Greg Nolte and Paul Nguyen.
Published May 8, 2012
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By Lisa Stephens, stephens@buffalo.edu
How can new ideas be encouraged? IGNITE them! CIT's Network and Classroom Services (NCS) division sponsored an internal, team-based competition to encourage new innovations and offer a chance to further develop an idea. IGNITE's acronym: (I)nnovate - (G)row - (N)etwork - (I)deas - (T)eamwork - (E)xcellence was modeled after similar programs in use at Federal Express and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Each team had just
five minutes to present their proposal to a panel of judges, who
then responded with five minutes of additional questions before
scoring each team. Following presentations, an audience of peers
was also invited to vote for their favorite idea, and the team with
the highest combined score claimed victory. A panel of judges
recently selected the "weTouch" proposal submitted by Greg Nolte,
Gary Koteras and Paul Nguyen to be further developed as part of an
IGNITE competition.
Team "weTouch" proposed using the Apple iTouch as an inexpensive
communication tool to keep support staff remotely connected. Greg
Nolte said, "Soon we'll be able to communicate to the technicians
in the field via an inexpensive iPod on UB's wireless network,
where cell phones and walkie talkies do not work. Our next step is
to find out how effective the iPods are."
Tom Furlani added, "This is a professional development opportunity
that goes beyond traditional job skills and emphasizes teamwork.
Congratulations to Kathleen Murphy, our new Chair of the
Professional Development committee for offering what I hope is the
first of many new staff development opportunities and doing so in a
fun and engaging manner."
For more details about the IGNITE competition, please visit: www.ncs.buffalo.edu/node/237.
