Fortune 200 Consumer Electronics Retailer
Operational Excellence through Training
Challenge
In order to meet business demand for seamless communication and quick, data-driven decision making, this retailer identified a need for increased skills training and a common operational framework between the critical merchandising function and its cross-functional partners.
Solution
Working across all functions and levels, Infinitive identified skills and process gaps in current operations, reviewed best practices and defined the knowledge and skills requirements for successful retail associates. Infinitive partnered with the retailer to develop and deliver a set of core competency classes to cross-functional teams. These initial workshops included training on financial and business acumen, supply chain fundamentals, assortment planning and vendor negotiations. Infinitive designed and developed subsequent training to address specific needs by department.
Training evaluations were utilized to quantify the business impact; measure knowledge transfer, class and facilitator effectiveness, the appropriateness of content and timing; and to identify additional training needs.
Results
The retailer's cross-functional teams now posses the essential baseline knowledge, common framework and skill sets needed to communicate and operate efficiently. Importantly, all training was completed prior to the key planning season, meaning employees were better equipped to handle the installation of new technology and more advanced and automated approaches for merchandising, inventory and financial practices. With a common understanding of retail best practices across functions, the company has laid the foundation for ongoing success and greatly increased the likelihood for speedy adoption of future transformation initiatives.
