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2021 Staff Pitch Competition
Pitch Your Big Idea
For over 20 years, AARP has conducted an annual employee survey as part of our commitment to building a better organization. In 2020, AARP scored high in areas like meaningfulness, diversity and inclusion, and innovation, but we know that there are more opportunities for us to continue to elevate.
Inspired by the employee feedback survey, AARP Innovation Labs is pleased to present the 3rd Annual AARP Virtual Staff Pitch event on Wednesday, June 30th.
The winner will be selected through audience vote and will receive recognition points, the opportunity to elevate and refine their idea (including a one-week dedicated Idea Sprint), and an opportunity to present to AARP’s leadership team.
This Year's Challenge Statement:
“How might we enable employees to work at their full potential while improving cross business unit communication across the Enterprise?”
Applications are now closed. The finalists will be notified during the week of June 7th.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In our third year, the Staff Pitch Competition is a virtual competition that allows AARP staff to present an idea that is poised to solve a challenge supported by CEO, Jo Ann Jenkins.
AARP Staff. Contractors or interns are not eligible at this time.
- Application Opens: May 3rd, 2021
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Application Deadline: June 1st, 2021*
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Finalists Announced: The week of June 7th, 2021
- Finalists Coaching & Refinement: June 7th – June 25th, 2021
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Virtual Competition: June 30th, 2021
**Please note the application deadline has been extended by one week.
The finalists will be selected by a cross-enterprise selection committee. The list of finalists will be announced the week of June 7th.
Each finalist will be provided with a wealth of resources, including Design Thinking coaching to refine the idea, multiple pitch practice and refinement sessions, and presentation creation support.
The winner will be selected through audience polling. All staff audience members will have the opportunity to cast their winning votes.
The pitch winner will receive:
- Recognition Points
- The opportunity to elevate and refine their idea
- Innovation training and access to startup practices and experiences
- A full dedicated idea Sprint week
- An opportunity to present final findings and outcomes to the leadership team
Of course! Here’s an idea that comes from Senior Advisor of Startup Programming, Sheila Collins:
To foster cross department communication and fresh thinking, new employees are assigned to a 3 month project with a cross functional team- their role would be to address a strategic problem submitted by business unit/team.
Please reach out to hello@aarpinnovationlabs.org with any questions you may have!