The Retailer Winter Edition 2023

WI NT ER 202 3

9

Right from the start More than half of retail workers say they receive no formal training, evenwhen they can access the tools they need. The short-term or seasonal nature of some retail work is not a reason to not invest in training. As the old saying goes – don’t ask, ‘What happens if I train them and they leave?’, ask ‘What if I don’t train them and they stay?’ Retail staff want to learn, but they need support to do so. Technology can help to lower the training and development costs for organisations. For example, Microsoft Viva Learning is a central ised training hub that sits in Microsoft Teams to help retail staff more seamlessly integrate learning and skills development into their day. Technology solutions such as this make it easy for store associates to access learning materials and share and discuss the content in digital communication channels.

By equipping frontline workers with the right technology this year, they can be freed from lengthy operational processes, be better con nected to the culture and leadership of your organisation, and better supported with the skills needed to deliver theirwork. This needn’t require significant new investment – indeed many of these features are either already included in the technology retailers have in place, or represent minor add-ons. But together they can help to create happier, better-informed andmore empowered frontline retail colleagues – the recipe for standout service in 2023.

Olaf Akkerman microsoft.com/en-gb/industry/retail/ microsoft-cloud-for-retail