Marvin OnumonuAvanti West Coast has launched a new scheme to encourage employees to submit ideas for improving the business and customer experience.
The ‘Ignite a Change’ programme uses an online platform developed with Sideways 6, an idea management software company.
It lets staff put forward suggestions to solve business challenges, with the system grouping similar ideas and suggesting related topics so employees can work together on proposals.
The cloud-based software works on the web or app and has been integrated with tools already in use by Avanti West Coast staff, including Microsoft Teams.
The idea management software uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help automate submitting, reviewing and acting on suggestions, ensuring every idea is acknowledged.
The scheme is open to all staff, who can view, comment on or vote on proposals.
Some of the first ideas set to be rolled out include allowing employees to apologise and resolve customer issues on the spot, and improving announcements on board.
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.”
Brown added: “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, said: “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.”
Dance added: “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.”
