Insurance provider Manulife distributed its Life Saving Pots in Singapore in November. On the surface, the pots look like conventional plant pots, decorated with traditional Chinese designs. However, the paint is infused with permethrin, a non-toxic mosquito repellent. Mosquitoes are significant carriers of diseases (such as Zika and dengue), and are especially populous in Singapore, often breeding in pools of water collected in plant pots. Manulife employees distributed the first 80 pots to senior communities (which are especially vulnerable to disease-carrying mosquitoes), and then ran a competition on its Facebook page to give away others.

For anyone spearheading a corporate responsibility initiative, this innovation should give you bucket loads (!) of inspiration. The Life Saving Pots program has a more tangible impact than if the company simply donated money to a nonprofit. It addresses a specific issue facing a very specific ‘customer’ group, and delivers its solution right to those most affected. Even better, the pots are handmade by one of Singapore’s last-surviving wood-fired kilns, so it supports local artisans.

Could it be improved? Absolutely! Why only 80 pots? If they are as impactful as Manulife claims, why aren’t they distributing 10,000 of them? Or could they start selling them to consumers (perhaps with a supporting Buy One Give One business model)? Indeed, we couldn’t help but be reminded of Volvo’s Life Paint, which not only won multiple Cannes Lions awards in 2015,  but is also still available to purchase. And there’s the final takeaway: successful innovation is about remixing and reapplying existing ideas to new contexts. Your next winning initiative could be right in front of you!

Watch the video here and tell us what you think!