The Ideas to Action origin story
How a simple insight sparked a movement in employee-powered innovation.
More than 35 years ago, on a sweltering July day in Tokyo, I set out to unlock the secrets of Japanese quality. Inside a windowless conference room, I discovered a remarkable approach to continuous improvement and innovation driven entirely by employee ideas.
That experience sparked a fundamental question: could this approach be adapted for other cultures without taking years to learn? It began my quest for a simpler, faster, more effective way to empower employees as drivers of change — not merely passengers along for the ride.
That quest led to the Ideas-to-Action Process™—and a suite of practical solutions that help leaders unlock frontline ideas and rapidly transform that wisdom into measurable results without adding layers of bureaucracy, training, or expense.
From frustration to breakthrough
Back in the U.S., I worked to implement TQM, Six Sigma, and Lean methods. Yet these initiatives consistently stalled at the front lines. Complex training and cumbersome processes weren’t connecting with the people doing the work.
Then a comment from a Toyota supervisor echoed in my mind: “Your workers have ideas, and they are not afraid to speak up. The difference is that we make it easy for our team members to share ideas because we recognize their profit potential.”
His words cut through the noise. It wasn’t about complex systems or massive investments. It was about leaders committing to a simple truth: people invest in what they own, not what’s merely rented to them. The answer was to start where the energy already exists—with employees and their ideas.
Five foundational leadership beliefs that fuel
employee-powered innovation
Across 35+ years and more than 500 change initiatives, we identified five foundational leadership beliefs essential for unlocking the power of employee ideas:
Start Where the Energy Is
Tap into your employees’ natural motivation to improve their work and see a direct impact by seeking their ideas on issues that matter to them and align with strategic goals.
Empower Effective Action
Give teams the tools and authority to take immediate action on their solutions.
Embrace Simplicity
Avoid complex methods and jargon. Use intuitive tools and processes that everyone can understand.
Prioritize Speed to Results
Design for quick wins. Break down projects into short sprints with clear milestones.
Make the Leap of Faith
Trust in the collective genius of your workforce. Create a safe space for ideas to surface and flourish.
The Ideas-to-Action Process
Speed, simplicity & results
Fueled by five foundational leadership beliefs, the Ideas-to-Action Process gives leaders a practical, repeatable way to unlock frontline ideas and transform them into measurable results — without lengthy training or expensive consultants.
Teams of 5–8 people. Simple tools any leader can facilitate. 60-day sprints with clear milestones and quick wins that sustain momentum. Organizations across industries have documented an average 10x ROI and 90% initiative success rates by putting the pocess to work.
What Change Leaders say about
the Ideas-to-Action Process
“The Ideas-to-Action Process is the way to make change happen faster with the best consultants already on your payroll—your frontline employees!”
~ John Biedry, Executive Leader and Ideas-to-Action Process Champion,
Nike, ServiceMaster, USPS, and Waste Management