The Fresh Market’s Fall. How this once great company became a shell of itself, from the inside. I worked for The Fresh Market (TFM) for more than 14 years. Even though I have been away for over 6 years, I kept up with what was going on with the company. I also had many co-workers still working there. The… Read more »
Are Call Aheads Really Effective for Successful Retail Technology Deployments?
Have you ever heard the saying “Never let your boss be surprised”? Well, it is a saying that has served me well throughout my career. To me it simply means that great communication is the key to success. Everyone knows that communication is important when executing projects, but this is especially true for retail technology… Read more »
How to Properly Set Up and Run a Successful Retail Technology Deployment Help Desk
As the project leader you’ve designed and planned your complex retail technology deployment down to the last detail. You have perfected your equipment configurations and installation script. You’ve performed your call aheads and trained your Deployment Technicians. You have worked and reworked your deployment schedule and received sign-off from Store Operations. You’ve even developed a… Read more »
Key Considerations for Developing Your Retail Technology Deployment Scope Definition
It seems like a no-brainer that you must clearly define scope when working on your retail technology deployment. I’m constantly surprised at how many retailers do not take the time to fully define up front. At best, retailers usually define which stores are included. When the deployments must be completed. A very general overview of… Read more »
Why Not Designing Your Technology Deployments Drives Techs Crazy
Some of the things that happen when you don’t, and they all cost you money!! You’ve known this time was coming for a long time. You thought about it for months, maybe years. The old equipment the users in your stores are using is getting old. It is now out of warranty. The costs of keeping it going is becoming a… Read more »
How Site Surveys & Installation Reviews Can Reduce Risk for Your Retail Technology Deployment
How Site Surveys & Installation Reviews Can Reduce Risk for Your Retail Technology Deployment One of the best ways to reduce risks for your retail technology deployments is to make sure you know all the various aspects of each of the stores in your portfolio. There are few things worse than sending a pallet… Read more »
Why You Must Design Your Retail Technology Deployments—Not Just Plan Them
Why You Must Design Your Retail Technology Deployments—Not Just Plan Them Plan vs Design Webster’s dictionary defines Plan as “to arrange a method or scheme beforehand for any work, enterprise, or proceeding”. Webster defines Design as “to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to be executed), especially to plan the… Read more »
Defining Resources Required for a Successful Retail Technology Deployment
Defining Resources Required for a Successful Retail Technology Deployment You know that old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”? Well, I say “It takes an army to have a successful Retail Technology Deployment”. It can be staggering the number of people that need to be involved in even a seemingly small… Read more »
Key Considerations for Developing Your Retail Technology Deployment Scope Definition
Key Considerations for Developing Your Retail Technology Deployment Scope Definition It seems like a no-brainer that you must clearly define scope when working on your retail technology deployment. I’m constantly surprised at how many retailers do not take the time to fully define up front. At best, retailers usually define which stores are included… Read more »
How to Conduct Retail Technology Deployment Design Workshops
How to Conduct Retail Technology Deployment Design Workshops When preparing for your retail technology deployments, a great way to facilitate and organize the development of the Deployment Design is to conduct a Design Workshop with the core Project Team. Either, an experienced Deployment Designer can be brought in to facilitate the discussion and fully document… Read more »