Lots of companies are talking about innovation and some are actually doing something about it.

In July, as reported in BusinessWeek, IBM hosted an Innovation Jam with 100,000 customers, consultants and employees. A couple of 72-hour, online brainstorming sessions focused on finding new technology ideas that the company could convert into business builders. All people had to do was log and add their thoughts to an endless stream of suggestions in the areas of transportation, health, the environment and commerce.

A month later, the most promising concepts will be posted on the site and everyone will be invited back to pick the best ones. CEO Sam Palmisano has promised to invest $100 million to develop the winners.

This is such a good idea that certainly other companies will copy it. Maybe they won’t have the sophisticated infrastructure to manage such a massive event, but the technology doesn’t really matter. The beauty of the program is that it actively engages employees in the company’s mission.

After all is said and done, even if IBM doesn’t have a single idea worth pursuing (I bet it will) the effort will be a success because it will have demonstrated to its workforce that it is serious about innovation and that everyone can participate.

In the future, the companies that are best able to harness the ideas and passion of their employees will be the ones that drive innovation. It is rarely senior management that develops the big ideas. Their job is to find foster an environment that allows others to. And with today’s technology that is easier than emptying a Suggestion Box.