Avanti West Coast has introduced a pioneering initiative that utilises technology to capture and develop employee ideas – marking a first for the rail industry.
Titled ‘Ignite a Change’ the program provides employees with an innovative technology platform to submit suggestions to improve the business and customer experience.
Working with Sideways 6, an idea management software company, the intercity operator launched an online platform for the initiative – where all staff can share their proposals to address a specific business challenge – offering a unique way for them to interact on ideas.
The cloud-based technology, which is accessed on the web or via an app, has been integrated with tools already used by Avanti West Coast staff.
Powered by AI, the idea management software puts together similar ideas and suggests related topics – helping employees to collaborate and refine submissions. It also automates the process of capturing, reviewing and acting on suggestions. This means every idea is acknowledged.
Using existing online platforms, including Microsoft Teams, to engage directly with staff about their proposed solutions, the initiative is a unique approach by the train operator and a first for the rail industry.
Available to all employees, Ignite a Change enables company-wide collaboration and is designed to bring more people into the ideas process by giving them the opportunity to view, comment or engage with suggestions.
Proposals that will soon be implemented include giving staff the ability to apologise and resolve customer problems on the spot, as well as improving onboard announcements.
Anita Brown, head of innovation and engagement at Avanti West Coast, said: “Our people have amazing ideas to improve how we deliver our service. Ignite a Change is about helping our staff to make those happen.
“The initiative has given us a brilliant opportunity to partner with Sideways 6 to do something pioneering for the rail industry. We’ve created a simple, user-friendly platform where anyone can quickly share their suggestions. By harnessing the ideas of our staff in this way, we can make a significant and far-reaching impact on the customer experience across the West Coast and beyond.”
Simon Dance, CEO of Sideways 6’s parent company Interact Software, commented: “Partnering with Avanti West Coast on this initiative has been a brilliant opportunity to bring the power of employee ideas to the forefront of the rail industry. At Interact, we believe that when organisations truly listen to their people, innovation follows.
“With Sideways 6 employee ideas sit at the heart of that belief, helping companies capture ideas at scale and turn them into meaningful outcomes. By combining our employee ideas technology with the tools Avanti’s teams already use every day, we’re proud to support a more open, collaborative culture where every employee has a voice, and every suggestion has the potential to drive real impact.”
Image credit: Avanti West Coast
