Q: Let’s start at the top. What exactly is the Ideas-to-Action Process™?
Rick Tucci:
It’s a fast, structured method that empowers frontline teams to identify problems, prioritize ideas, and deliver real results—usually in 60 days or less. This time-bound focus is critical. We’ve found that the longer teams deliberate, the more energy is lost. That’s especially true for frontline teams who are juggling daily work while volunteering for change initiatives. The Ideas-to-Action Process™ builds momentum from the first meeting.
But what truly makes the process different is that it’s employee-powered—meaning the people closest to the work lead the change. It’s not dependent on highly trained experts. It doesn’t require lengthy upfront training. And because it’s built on a sprint model, it delivers rapid results that build confidence in team members and earn the trust of sponsoring leaders.
Q: Why did you create this process? What gap were you trying to fill?
Rick Tucci:
In a word—frustration. I kept seeing leaders who genuinely wanted employee engagement, but the methods they used were too slow, too complex, or too disconnected from the people doing the work. So, we built a process that moves faster, focuses energy, and turns engagement into execution.
The big idea is this:
Motivation to change is perishable, so allowing teams to quickly share what they already know about a problem and potential solutions gets the energy flowing. Then, equipping teams to quickly sort, prioritize, and align on the most actionable ideas becomes critical. That alignment creates the foundation for generating quick wins. When teams experience success early, they gain confidence and build trust.
Q: How does the process actually work? What are the steps?
Rick Tucci:
The Ideas-to-Action Process™ operates in five simple steps, all designed to build momentum fast and put employees in the lead. Here’s how it works:
- Align and Target
It starts with leaders identifying strategic goals where employee ideas can truly make a difference. Then it’s about clearly defining the “why” and framing the challenge—so the teams know where to focus their energy.
- Launch Teams and Unleash Ideas!
Bring together the people closest to the work into small action teams with clearly defined charters. Spark team energy by sharing ideas right from the start through structured brainstorming that ensures every voice is captured.
- Identify and Prioritize Actionable Ideas
Next, teams use a simple filter to generate quick wins. The goal isn’t to boil the ocean—it’s to build confidence and momentum by focusing on high-impact, doable ideas.
- Activate Action Champions and Execute
A hallmark of the process is asking every team member to take on the role of an “idea champion” responsible for leading a priority idea into action. The process combines team inspiration with individual accountability—and provides a mechanism for escalating barriers—so execution stays on track.
- Measure Results and Celebrate Success
As results come in, the Ideas-to-Action Process™ guides employees to track and measure the impact of the team’s actions—and coaches leaders to recognize progress, share wins, and value the team’s journey. It’s designed to go beyond a pat on the back—the goal is to whet the appetite for more.
Q: And how is this different from other improvement processes?
Rick Tucci:
Most improvement frameworks simply don’t align to the realities of frontline work. They’re just not responsive to the fast pace and time constraints on the frontlines. Instead, the Ideas-to-Action Process™ is built for speed, simplicity, and the generation of quick wins. It’s a repeatable process that’s been used across industries and scaled in real time.
One of my favorite examples is a food distribution company that used this exact process to close a $22 million profit gap—not by cutting staff, but by engaging employees across the organization to apply their local experience, know-how, and creativity to the challenge, guided by the 60-day Ideas-to-Action Process™.
Q: Can this work in any kind of organization?
Rick Tucci:
Absolutely. We’ve delivered the process to hundreds of organizations—large and small—from industry to government, healthcare to nonprofits. All it requires is for leaders to make the leap of faith in the potential of their people on the frontlines. It’s not about persuading employees to change—it’s about making them part of the process. When leaders are willing to trust their people and give them the tools to lead, amazing results follow.
It’s a truth worth repeating for leaders: the best consultants you can hire are already on your payroll. You just need a reliable process for unlocking their potential.
Q: What’s coming next in the series?
Rick Tucci:
In our next blog post, we’ll share the full case study of that food service team I mentioned—a frontline success story that shows the entire process in action. Stay tuned for :
“Inside the Ideas-to-Action Process™: How Teams Deliver Breakthrough Results in Just 60 Days.”
Take the Next Step
This is Issue 3 of the Ideas to Action Q&A Series with author Rick Tucci—a chapter-by-chapter journey through the mindset, method, and results of employee-powered innovation.
- Missed Issue 2? Read it here.Ideas to Action Q&A Series Issue 2: Leadership Foundations for Igniting Employee-Powered Innovation
- Ready to try it yourself? Get the book on Amazon.
- Explore solutions for putting Ideas-to-Action to work: www.ideastoactionplatform.com
