Avanti West Coast introduces pioneering initiative for employees to submit ideas
Avanti West Coast introduces pioneering initiative to capture and develop employee ideas in a first for the rail industry.
- 'Ignite a Change’ initiative encourages staff to submit suggestions to improve business
- Unique platform created with software company enables colleagues to share and collaborate on ideas
- Approach to capturing and developing employee ideas is a first for rail industry
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, 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. 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.”
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Contact Information
Notes to editors
About Sideways 6
Sideways 6 is part of Interact Software, a leading employee experience company that helps organisations connect their people, knowledge and ideas. Sideways 6 specialises in employee ideas and innovation management, enabling companies to capture, manage and act on suggestions at scale – directly within the workplace tools employees already use, such as Microsoft Teams and other collaboration platforms.
As part of the wider Interact family, Sideways 6 complements a suite of products designed to improve communication, collaboration and engagement across the employee lifecycle. Together, Interact and Sideways 6 five organisations everything they need to listen to their people, unlock innovation and deliver continuous improvement.
About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward. Avanti West Coast serves key UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow as well as North Wales.
We’re on a mission to be the transport of choice – connecting customers and communities along the West Coast. Our award-winning Pendolino refurbishment programme transformed the UK’s hardest working fleet with all 56 of the iconic trains providing best-in-class comfort.
Our Evero fleet, which offers more seats, improved comfort, and a substantial cut to carbon emissions, was introduced in June 2024 and is the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, serves routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West.
We want to make a positive difference to the people and places we serve – helping to drive economic growth, green travel, and break down barriers. Our efforts to contribute to society and enable people to benefit from the opportunities rail offers through purpose-led initiatives including Feel Good Field Trips and award-winning female driver recruitment campaign has seen us create over £1billion in social value impact.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333