3M Fuels Innovation by Allowing Employees to Dedicate 15% of Their Time to Pursue New Ideas
9/12/20261 min read
3M, the American multinational conglomerate renowned for its extensive portfolio of over 60,000 products, has implemented its “15% Rule” since 1948 to foster innovation. This policy encourages scientists and engineers to spend up to 15% of their working hours exploring ideas, technologies, and projects of their own choosing.
Over the decades, this dedicated time for innovation has contributed to the development of numerous successful products and technologies, including multi-layer optical films, automotive window treatment films, Cubitron™ abrasive grains, and the iconic Post-it® Notes.
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· 15 percent culture: creativity needs freedom. (n.d.). 3M. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/sustainability-us/stories/full-story/~/creativity-needs-freedom/?storyid=f0214e0a-d1d6-46f5-a197-ada388bf98fd#:~:text=A%20core%20belief%20at%203M%20is%20that,our%20resources%2C%20to%20build%20up%20a%20unique
· 3M [@3M]. (2023, August 25). 3M’s unique 15% Culture encourages employees to set aside a portion of their work time to proactively cultivate and pursue … [Video attached] [Post]. X. https://x.com/3M/status/1691457396361830401
· Our brands. (n.d.). 3M. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_LB/company-mea/our-brands/
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