Running a project to innovate your in-store technology is both exciting and stressful. Often success hinges on how well those final stages go, and as the saying goes, ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail’. This is just as true when it comes to preparing for your next technology rollout.
Working with leading retailers to introduce new technology that transforms in-store operations, we know a thing or two about what can be done to maximise the chance of a smooth implementation and the role of the retailer in making this a reality.
Sharing our first-hand experience, here are our top tips to help retail businesses support a seamless technology rollout:
First on the list, is clear and effective communication. Without it, your deployment will be chaotic. Before you jump into planning the logistics of your deployment, prioritise the setting of clear expectations for communication between your project team, internal team, and technology partners.
To build a solid plan for your communication, consider:
When it comes to effectively planning your deployment logistics, there are several things to carefully consider which can impact the cost to your business and the timescale of your deployment.
No matter how robust the plan is or how experienced your implementation partner is, always expect the unexpected. Not every eventuality can be predicted, from delays at customs to supply chain issues, there will always be elements of your implementation plan that are outside of your control.
Even with the most thorough processes and procedures in place, the speed of your deployment could be affected. The key is to be realistic about this and factor in a contingency – both time and budget – so that should anything unforeseen happen, you can navigate it with ease.
Successful in-store adoption hinges on colleagues being properly trained. To empower them to make the best use of your new kit, what resources will be needed?
From user guides to how-to videos and even in-store training sessions, you need to make sure that the right tools to support store colleagues are readily available. This is particularly important to support future training needs as new team members are recruited.
Also, consider who is responsible for conducting the training and producing the required resources. Is this an additional service you require from your technology partner, or will you appoint champions from within your team who will train the wider business? Additionally, at what point will the training be carried out?
With a focus on getting the job done, it’s easy to overlook your post-deployment plan. Don’t just launch and leave your solution, instead think about how you can best support the acceptance of tech in your stores. Continue to work closely with your technology provider who’ll then be on hand to resolve barriers preventing your solution from running effectively.
It’s normal to experience a few teething issues as your business gets to grips with new technology but dealing with these quickly will prevent frustration from building among store colleagues. Establishing an open feedback loop to understand how your store colleagues are getting on with the new solution is a great way to achieve this. Keeping lines of communication open with your in-store teams means you’re quickly able to identify training gaps and put in place a plan to close them.
It’s vital to involve your team and there are lots of benefits to be gained from listening to their feedback. If you don’t work with your teams to support the adoption, you risk user dissatisfaction which could have been avoided. Encourage questions and comments, ideas that could spark improvements to get even more from your investment, and most importantly, make sure your response to feedback is visible.
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By following these expert tips, your business will be well-prepared to support a smooth deployment and maximise the return on your technology investment sooner. If you want to learn more about how we’ve helped retailers like you deploy new solutions that transformed their retail operations, get in touch with our expert team.
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