There are probably four levels of communication systems:
- Phone, fax and post – Can be friendly and its slowness means that stores are not overwhelmed with tasks and information but is slow, expensive and reduces business agility.
- Email only – Vast improvement in speed of communication but is uncontrollable. Tasks and information for stores proliferate at an alarming rate and it is hard to see who has done what.
- Email with an information only intranet – As per email but with the added advantage of ensuring that everyone can findto up to date information.
- Full store communication system – Systems which manage tasks in stores, collate feedback and ensure access to the right information. Our store communication system RAPID falls into this category.
There is a general trend over time for retailers to be moving up these levels. The speed of movement depends on the size of the retailer, the level of central control exerted by head office, the propensity towards the use of systems and the complexity of the product sold.
Which approach is right for your business at the moment?
