Discover how Google Workspace Frontline can revolutionise retail
Spring is a busy time for retailers, with holidays, changing weather trends, and new product lines all driving customer traffic.
Despite the welcomed sales increase, the surge in footfall and online sales places significant strain on many aspects of businesses, making it critical for all departments to be well connected.
This is where Google Workspace Frontline (FLW) comes in.
Frontline is designed to connect different aspects of a business using Google's suite of cloud-based, easy-to-use, highly effective apps while simultaneously improving collaboration and efficiency. The launch of Frontline was originally to give front-line workers the collaboration and communication tools to stay connected within their business during lockdown. However, it has gone from strength to strength since, opening the door for significant changes in the retail industry.
What obstacle does Google Workspace Frontline tackle?
The run-up to busy periods sees the introduction of many seasonal products, all expected to be in high demand both in-store and online.
The challenge for retail businesses occurs when it comes to ensuring the correct stock is available to customers in the right location to maximise sales.
For example, if previous data has suggested that online is forecasted to hold the majority of sales, but an influx of in-store purchases exceeds expectations, a stock issue could arise. Store managers will seek to acquire more stock, but legacy systems can not always facilitate this. The manager will have to contact head office, who will process the request and pass it on to warehouse staff, who will then liaise with distribution to arrange delivery within their busy schedule. All of which has the potential to cause dissatisfaction for the customer.
How does FLW solve this?
Google Workspace Frontline incorporates Google services such as Docs, Sheets, and Gmail into the business setting, whether it's within a warehouse, shop floor or elsewhere within the organisation. Having access to these tools provides clear channels of communication and gives the ability for teams to collaborate on projects to streamline workflows.
By adopting & implementing Google Workspace Frontline across the entirety of the business, communication is immediately improved.
For example, a centralised spreadsheet could be created in Google Sheets by the head office team and made accessible to stores. This would allow for simple data collection of real-time stock levels, which could then be relayed to warehouse and distribution staff to rectify stock levels and satisfy customer demand.
If stock issues arose, the Gmail and Chat functionality of Workspace is an excellent way for store managers to quickly communicate with the relevant colleagues to address the problem within minutes.
Using FLW to better understand inventory won’t just benefit employees but also customers. Data can be shared with consumers, allowing them to see live stock levels before travelling to stores. It also opens the business up to boosting sales further via click+collect and ordering in-store.
How else can Google Workspace Frontline support your Retail business?
Google Workspace Frontline goes beyond logistics. A unified technology platform offers substantial advantages in staff training and communication.
Onboarding and Training: During busy seasons, training new staff can be challenging. FLW allows you to create a central hub with standardised training materials. This ensures a smooth onboarding process and empowers new hires with easy access to resources.
Effective Communication: Changes in business practices need to be clearly communicated across the entire organisation. Google Workspace Frontline provides a central platform to keep everyone informed with the latest comms.
How has Google Workspace Frontline helped businesses in the past?
When looking at the positive effects of FLW on a business, DFS is a great example.
Over a time period, DFS acquired three related brands (Sofa Workshop, Sofology, and Dwell). However, each brand used its own existing systems, making cross-brand communication difficult, especially when dealing with confidential documents.
They were also operating with different aspects of the business (Head office, warehouses and distribution centres), but they weren’t on a centralised system, so communication was slow. Workers in different departments had different needs, so it was essential to establish what these needs were and address them.
DFS were keen to establish one communication channel so workers in every role could see and feel part of the process. They wanted a cultural change by moving most of their business online through Workspace Frontline.
This was a vindicated decision, with COVID-19 forcing similar businesses to transition. DFS had already established their online presence, so it avoided a reactive scramble and was able to provide transparent communications throughout the pandemic. This not only helped business operations but gave workers a level of security and certainty.
The transition to FLW also drastically increased collaboration across the entirety of the DFS Group, speeding up communication response time with a more streamlined business model from head office right through to instore.
To read more about how Netpremacy helped DFS stay connected, click here
FLW won’t just change how your business runs, but it will inspire a culture change. It allows those working in your stores to benefit from digital acceleration, creating a unified approach and making all colleagues feel a part of the business, closing the gap to departments, despite location, timezone and nature of the job role.
If you want to find out more about Google Workspace Frontline, contact our dedicated Workspace team today!
