Retail Intelligence in Action — Microsoft | Episode 2, part 1

A Limited Series with Ron Thurston

In this episode of Retail Intelligence in Action, host Ron Thurston takes listeners inside the Microsoft Experience Center in New York City to explore what frontline work looks like when AI is applied with intention, empathy, and clarity.

This conversation brings AI out of theory and onto the sales floor — where technology and humanity meet in real time.

Ron is joined by frontline leaders and associates from Microsoft to show how tools like Microsoft Teams, Copilot, and Viva are transforming communication, simplifying operations, and reducing burnout for teams across retail, healthcare, and hospitality.

Rather than focusing on “future promises,” this episode highlights what’s already happening today: AI helping frontline teams save time, reduce friction, and gain confidence — without complexity or disruption.

You’ll hear powerful, human examples of how Copilot supports people of all skill levels, how one source of truth can serve multigenerational and multilingual teams, and why starting small is often the smartest path to adoption.

This episode reinforces a simple but powerful idea:

Technology alone doesn’t transform work — people do.

And when the right tools are placed in the hands of the frontline, everything changes.

Key themes include:

1. How AI supports frontline teams without replacing them
2. Why clarity and simplicity matter more than perfection
3. How Copilot gives time back to managers and associates
4. The role of community, trust, and pride in frontline work
5. Why AI adoption must be human-centered to succeed

The future of frontline work isn’t coming.

It’s already here — and it’s human-powered.

🎙️ Featuring frontline insights from Microsoft

1. 📍 Recorded at the Microsoft Experience Center, NYC