Not satisfied to be pioneering robots in Milton Keynes, Co-op is also launching a mobile task management system across its network of stores to help its staff become more productive.
Co-op, one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives managing a total of 2,500 outlets and more than 45,000 employees globally, chose MyWork to transform the way store staff run Co-op stores by empowering them with streamlined and intelligent processes.
The Co-op was previously inundated with information from more than 20 back office systems and 70 paper processes, in addition to email communication and staff bulletins. This complexity negatively affected task execution, prioritisation and completion visibility and led to higher operational costs and non-optimised customer service. Co-op sought out the industry leading solution, Reflexis Real-Time Task Manager, to improve the store operation process.
Co-op Work Stream Lead, Dave Tyas, explains: “Co-op has started using Reflexis Real-Time Task Manager on mobile devices to digitise dozens of paper-based jobs by replacing daily and weekly bulletins with targeted colleague communications. Each store colleague now receives a personalised and prioritised activity. If colleagues are unfamiliar with a particular task, guidance can be requested through a “How Do I?” link which provides the step-by-step process for consistent execution across all stores.”
Tyas continues: “We’re excited about moving to the next stage of the project where we will be introducing real-time tasks that can reprioritise activities such as service alerts, low stock alerts as well as delivery arrival notifications to name a few.”
OP Choudary, Managing Director EMEA at Reflexis adds: “Users can attach in-store photos and annotate them before sharing via the system to enhance inter-staff communication and make daily in-store processes more efficient and consistent. The MyWork platform contains all the information needed to complete tasks quickly and to a high standard. This frees up time for helping customers which is important because our recent research shows 63% of UK consumers saying quick and easy access to store colleagues as crucial to the success of their shopping experience. Rather than having to return to the back office, store managers can now complete next-step actions from the shop floor on their mobile device.”
With improved visibility, area managers see critical information on open tasks and overdue projects. This insight allows them to prioritise which stores to visit and which departments to focus on.
The project has been developed in partnership between Reflexis, whose team have a wealth of retail experience, and Co-op store colleagues are giving their feedback and store knowledge to shape the tool.