On this episode, host Austin Feagins, Senior Director of Customer Solutions at Amware Fulfillment, is joined by Bruce Strahan, Partner at Argon & Co, and Zachary Hess, Consultant at Argon & Co. They discuss the importance of associate engagement in the lead up to and launch of new warehouse process changes, including automation.  

Key Takeaways:

(02:24) Labor issues are a common challenge for companies, leading to an interest in automation.

(03:07) Automation is often a solution, but understanding and optimizing baseline processes is crucial before implementing it.

(05:33) A common mistake companies make is rushing acceptance testing during go-lives.

(06:02) Proper training on new systems is essential for successful implementation.

(09:18) Associate buy-in is critical when introducing new technology; it can be facilitated through gamification.  Argon uses a process they call “game day” to stress test new system in an interesting way for associates.

(10:13) Game days stress test operations and engage associates in new processes or software.

(14:03) Individual engagement of associates is key to a successful rollout of new processes or tools.

(17:00) Management's understanding and engagement with new technology are as important as that of associates.

(19:57) International expansion requires considering local labor issues and the propensity for automation.

(22:18) The future of B2C fulfillment will likely see increased comfort with automation and third-party logistics.

Resources Mentioned:

Bruce Strahan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-strahan-8b831/

Zachary Hess - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-hess-3b800b118/

Argon & Co | Website - https://www.argonandco.com/en/

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