What We Learned at Ideas for Breakfast: Unlocking the Power of Employee Ideas

"That’s a great idea!" - the phrase we heard most at our latest Ideas for Breakfast roundtable. And for good reason.

Bringing together innovation leaders, Sideways 6 customers, and industry peers, this event was all about sharing real-world experiences of unlocking the power of employee ideas. From tackling engagement challenges to measuring business impact, the discussions were insightful, inspiring, and packed with practical takeaways.

If you weren’t in the room this time, don’t worry, we’ve captured some of the key learnings for you below (and we've added a link for you to register your spot at the next breakfast event further down).

Key Takeaways from the Roundtable

1. Setting Expectations from the Ground Up

One of the biggest challenges for idea programs? Ensuring buy-in at all levels, from frontline employees to directors.

Companies that do this well create two-way conversations between leadership and employees. It’s not just about collecting ideas but making sure people understand how they contribute to business success.

One idea from someone early in their Sideways 6 journey at the event was:

All directors take ownership of each transformation pillar, in this case there were four pillars and four directors. They have three-month stints for their individual pillar campaigns - giving them focus, and aligning the ideation with overall business objectives.

Do you want access to the slides from the event? They feature ideation insights from speakers on the day: International Airlines Group (IAG) and Currys.

2. Clear Communication Drives Engagement

A key theme that kept coming up was the role of communication in idea program success.

The most successful companies aren’t just sending out emails; they’re using in-person sessions, video updates, and internal champions to keep momentum going. The more engaging the communication, the higher the participation.

One standout example came from IAG, who introduced a lightbulb in their office that lights up each time an idea is submitted; colour-coded by idea type. A simple yet powerful way to keep employees engaged and motivated.

3. Measuring Impact: More Than Just Financials

For many organisations, the true measure of success in idea programs comes down to financial impact - whether through cost savings, efficiency gains, or revenue growth. While cultural and engagement benefits are valuable in fostering innovation, the most effective programs ensure that great ideas translate into tangible commercial outcomes that drive long-term business success.

Tracking success is critical, but it’s not exclusively about financial returns.

We discussed the wider benefits of idea programs, including sustainability initiatives, time savings, and colleague wellbeing. One business shared how an employee idea not only saved thousands of hours but also improved customer satisfaction.

Currys shared an employee idea about repairing game consoles in-house, which resulted in cost savings and increased customer happiness. A great example of how small ideas can have a huge impact.

Spotlight Moment: Engaging the Frontline

One of the challenges raised was how to capture ideas from employees who don’t use a computer daily, like drivers and frontline workers. A creative solution? QR codes placed on air fresheners in vehicles or in break rooms, allowing easy access to idea submission platforms. Small innovations like this make a big difference in accessibility and engagement.

Attendee Reactions: What People Loved

Beyond the discussions, the real magic came from the shared learning and collaboration in the room.

Some of the feedback included:

• “Loved the shared learning and collaboration.”
• “Hearing real-life examples from other companies that have launched the Ideas platform was so useful.”
• “So much inspiration in one room.”
• “The roundtable discussions were brilliant—really helped hearing from different industries.”
• “Meeting big-name businesses and seeing how they use idea platforms was eye-opening.”

What’s Next? Join the Next Ideas for Breakfast

If you missed this one, don’t worry! Our next Ideas for Breakfast event is in April—but spaces are limited. (Early registration here)

Sean Breza, Head of Sales at Sideways 6, summed it up perfectly:

“The opportunity for different companies and people from different backgrounds to come together and network, and get to know how we do ideation, is invaluable. There's not really one way to get this right—it depends on the company's culture, the audience you want to engage, and the types of ideas. These events are an opportunity to cross-pollinate those best practices between teams.”

🔗 Register your interest for the next event here.

Want to dive deeper into employee idea management?

📥 Download our 2025 Playbook for a comprehensive guide on launching and scaling a successful idea program.

📺 Explore More: Check out our Idea Exchange Webinar Series for expert insights, including the role of AI in idea management.

Final Thoughts

Ideas are everywhere—but success comes from capturing, refining, and implementing them effectively. Ideas for Breakfast was a testament to the power of collaboration and learning from one another.

We can't wait for the next one, hope to see you there!