Meridian recently hosted Innovation Week, a multi-day event that brought separate development teams together to foster creativity and explore new ideas. Innovation Week was an exciting and dynamic break from the norm, designed specifically for the development teams to step outside of the usual routine and let their ideas loose. As Freddie Brown, Director of the Program Management Office described it, “Innovation Week is like having your regular work week, but shaking it up and adding a twist of creativity with a dash of ‘what if’.” It was a time to embrace the unexpected—a dedicated moment when team members could challenge the status quo, collaborate across different areas of expertise, and dream up ideas that could redefine how they operate.
The inspiration primary goal this initiative was to create an environment where everyone felt empowered to share their boldest ideas without fear of failure. “Meridian values continuous improvement and service excellence, and Innovation Week aligns perfectly with these values,” Freddie shared. This alignment was apparent in how the event was structured, encouraging collaboration and team building from the start. “The three-day structure was key. It gave the teams time to deeply dive into their ideas without the pressure of a typical work week. Starting with team-building activities like icebreakers—that was truly the game changer. It broke down silos, it built trust, and it set a collaborative tone from the get-go.”
At the heart of Innovation Week was a constant focus on service. The event wasn’t just about ideating new products, it was also about enhancing service for those who rely on Meridian’s software to power their communities. “We’ve seen teams more motivated and eager to contribute ideas that explore new ways to enhance user experience and service,” Brown shared. “Ideas from Innovation Week are being turned into projects that could lead to significant improvements in how we operate and serve our Member/Customers.” This commitment ensures that every innovative step aligns with providing exceptional value to Meridian’s community.
The week sparked some truly groundbreaking ideas within the development teams. One group developed an environment helper plugin that automates server and database monitoring, eliminating manual deployment checks and saving valuable time for developers and QA teams. Another team pitched the concept for Meridian Assist, or “Meridian GPT,” an interactive help feature that’s been green-lit to move forward.
Participants found the experience transformative, relishing the opportunity to break from their routines and contribute to something beyond their usual tasks. Freddie noted, “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants loved the chance to break from routine, engage with colleagues in new ways, and be part of something bigger. Some have even said it’s the most fun they’ve had in a long time!”
One of the most impactful aspects of Innovation Week was the level of engagement from Meridian’s leadership. “What truly blew me away was seeing our C-suite and VP executives actively participating and pushing the boundaries alongside everyone else.” This top-down involvement is a testament to Meridian’s commitment to innovation, setting the tone for everyone to be bold and think outside the box.
Ultimately, Innovation Week was more than just a brainstorming session; it revealed hidden reserves of creativity in our workforce and reinforced the idea that all of us can contribute to innovation across the company. It underscored Meridian’s commitment to fostering a culture where every voice can contribute to shaping our future. What will next year’s, and all of the following Innovation Week activities bring? No one can say for sure right now, but it is clear that every voice will be heard, and that innovation is priceless in itself.