Telaid Tech Connect

Today we're speaking with Keith Aubele, founder of Nav1gate Group, about the retail cyclone and how it's driving retailers to massive growth or failure. We explore the unprecedented conditions creating this retail cyclone and how leaders are taking action to reduce the impact and leveraging technology to future-proof their approaches. Keith also outlines the challenges that LP, IT leaders and executives face. Join us as we discuss the conditions retailers face today and, in the future, and the critical technologies that can help them survive and thrive in this challenging environment.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:35] What is the retail cyclone?
• [04:15] What are the impacts of the retail cyclone? What will it mean to the employee experience, customer experience and retail operations?
• [11:05] Which technologies should retailers embrace to enhance their performance in difficult times?
• [15:05] What challenges will asset protection and loss prevention teams face?
• [17:35] What will retail look like in five years? What are some significant changes that could drive us to the next frontier?
• [21:05] What advice would you give loss prevention and IT leaders as they face this cyclone head-on?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Conditions such as labor shortages, increasing logistical costs, escalating inflation and rising fuel costs have come together at a single point in time. They are creating the retail cyclone, a cataclysmic occurrence that will impact retail today, tomorrow and in the future.
• There is excessive cost inflation that retailers will have to pass along to consumers, and executives should prepare for this.
• To reduce theft and ORC, retailers must make themselves a hard target through the use of people, technology and analytics.
• Completely cashier-less stores are going to be the future. When retailers have fewer employees at the point of purchase, they increase the risk for loss.
• Asset protection leaders must begin thinking today about how they will be impacted tomorrow. Within 3 to 5 years, the retailers will have more self-checkout positions than staff positions.
• Frail operations today won't be able to withstand that cyclone. However, it will strengthen the steel of the top competitors that are already planning for worst-case scenarios, putting platforms and processes into place, and scaling back on their number one expense: labor costs.

LINKS MENTIONED

[email protected]

www.nav1gate.com

[email protected]

BIO: Keith Aubele

Keith Aubele CPP, LPP is the founder of the Nav1gate Group. He spent 25 years as a retail senior executive serving a long career at Walmart as the Director of Loss Prevention and then as the Senior Vice President of Loss Prevention & Risk for The Home Depot. Keith and his team led the organizations to the lowest shrink in their histories and improved profitability at both companies. Today, he partners with retailers and solution providers to help drive bottom-line profitability throughout the retail vertical. He is a noted, retail subject matter expert, speaker, author and mentor.

Today we discuss the impacts and importance of sustainable technology purchasing with Annie Bevan, Global Head of Sustainability at Superior Essex Communications.

We explore the importance of sustainability in the built environment and how corporations and leaders are taking action to reduce environmental impact and create more sustainable spaces. Annie also explains how technologies are changing the traditional design of buildings and enabling greater sustainability. Join us as we discuss the importance of sustainable technology purchasing.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:50] What are some key factors or changes in the industry that have been driving the shift and focus on sustainability as it relates to technology?
• [05:00] When it comes to technology, as we look at the sustainability options, what is available in the marketplace?
• [06:15] What type of sustainability goals are companies setting for themselves?
• [09:50] What are some companies that you think are doing a great job when it comes to pursuing sustainability?
• [12:20] What is a practical and simple first step for business leaders who want to bring a sustainable approach to their companies?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• There is a significant focus on the products that go into the buildings and the technologies used to reduce the carbon footprint of built environments.
• 40% of the world's global carbon emissions are due to the built environment. 90% of all human health ailments are due to everyday exposures.
• Leaders are trying to advance sustainability with power over ethernet and other smart building technologies.
• Power over ethernet, communication, cabling, and IoT sensors are changing the way we design buildings.
• Superior Essex knows the carbon impact of every cable they produce and works to reduce the effects at the product level and provide that lower carbon product to the industry.

LINKS MENTIONED

[email protected]

blog.telaid.com/blog

BIO: Annie Bevan

Annie Bevan is a sustainability professional with over 17 years of experience working with organizations to develop ESG frameworks, develop company-wide sustainable action plans and achieve various sustainable product certifications. She is widely regarded in the industry as an expert in sustainability program development, environmental, social governance and third-party verification. In her role as the Global Head of Sustainability, she oversees the market-leading Superior Essex sustainability program, working to collaborate and accelerate the company's sustainability platform through engagement with both customers and suppliers. She has been instrumental in developing SPSX's new Mission Next Vision 2030 program. She is driven by a passion for creating positive change through collaboration and is inspired by the interconnectivity of all things in both nature and business.

Today we discuss the use of data analytics and understanding the true omnichannel experience for customers with Tracy Benaman, VP of Retail Sales of Deep North, an expert in retail operations and data analytics. She explains how retailers and QSRs are using video analytics to inform real-time decision making that improves employee efficiency and customer service. Join us as we discuss how AI is transforming retail stores and QSRs and their ability to drive sales in real time, return the greatest ROI and achieve their strategic objectives.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:15] How have retail stores and QSRs transformed over the years?
• [03:50] Have there been any specific changes to consumer behavior that are driving the need for deeper analytics?
• [05:00] Now that retailers and QSR operators are armed with extensive data, what are the clear use cases?
• [11:30] What is Deep North's capability in this space related to the use cases and driving ROI?
• [13:41] What does the analytics space look like five years from now?
• [16:11] What is the advice for IT professionals looking to roll out a deeper level of analytics at their company?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• QSRs use this solution for three main things: speed, productivity, and service timing. Predictive analytics allow managers to make better real-time decisions to improve performance.
• Retailers are becoming more informed with data analytics; they now have information about the customers in their physical stores which they didn't have in the past.
• Retailers can validate their payroll dollars, associates and manage their store operation teams effectively by using video analytics and monitoring the data behind it. Also, groceries and warehouses use this technology to monitor their operations for safety issues.
• Deep North works with existing cameras and can use a simple VPN connection to upload video to the cloud. The system can be deployed within a few weeks.
• Artificial Intelligence and processed data will enable completely smart stores in a matter of a few years.

LINKS MENTIONED:

www.deepnorth.com

www.telaid.com

[email protected]

[email protected]

BIO: Tracy Benaman

Tracy Benaman has led retail operations for 26 years with 5 different apparel brands including Gap Inc., American Eagle, Polo Ralph Lauren, Ashley Stewart and NY & Company. In addition, Tracy spent two years consulting for Claris Solutions heading up the store operational practice working with a variety of retailers to improve sales, productivity and ultimately profit. Most recently, Tracy led the client engagement team at Alliance Data Card Services, working with over 80 clients to improve customer engagement.

Tracy is recognized in the industry as a team leader with the ability to identify key behavioral changes that directly impact sales and profit. Tracy's operational business improvement approach works with all levels of the organization resulting in successful tactical and strategic approaches.

Today's episode is about UVD sanitation technology, its evolution in various industries, and how it's becoming a part of our daily lives. Owner and Founder of Gallo Medical Company, Christine Gallo joins us to discuss advancements in UVD technology and the factors associated with successful deployment. Christine explores the growing applications of UVD sanitation technology across multiple industries and how businesses are using this technology to protect their employees during the Covid pandemic. Join us as we explore the applications for UVD sanitation technologies in hospitality, dining, education and other environments.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:56] How has the UVD industry transformed over the years?
• [03:22] What are some emerging UVD technologies and what are the applications for businesses?
• [05:10] What are some real-life examples of how UV sanitation is being used today?
• [07:07] What makes UVD different than traditional sanitation methods?
• [09:10] What are some of the critical success factors associated with successful deployment?
• [11:54] What will UVD technologies look like in 5+ years?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• UV technology took off over the past few decades, primarily in healthcare, but has expanded to other industries during the pandemic. New products have evolved over the past two years to meet changing demand.
• Gallo Medical Company offers a high-end UV sanitation robot that, when deployed in a room, prevents harmful pathogens from reproducing.
• UV technology is typically used when there are no people in the room. However, there is a new technology called Far-UV that is safe for use in occupied spaces.
• UVD technology offers an additional precaution when used in collaboration with traditional sanitation methods. The use of UVD also demonstrates employers' proactive stance on providing a safer, healthier environment to employees during the Covid.
• Over the next five years, UV technology will be more entrenched in our daily lives, from sanitizing vehicles to restrooms and elevators.

LINKS MENTIONED:

www.gallomedicalcompany.com

www.telaid.com

[email protected]

BIO:

Christine Gallo is the founder of Gallo Medical Company LLC and has been developing emerging technology products for Long Term Care and the Acute market for over a decade. Gallo Medical is a mission-driven company, whose goal is to deliver products and solutions to create safer environments for employees, customers, patients, caregivers and families.

Today's episode is all about operations technology (OT). Guests James Snook and Doug Sparkes join us to discuss the role operations technology plays in a company's success and advancement. How does IT play a role in the implementation and maintenance of these operations technologies? In this episode, we also talk about five key myths and realities of integrating new operations technologies into a business. Join us as we discuss how businesses can use OT to achieve critical business, operational, and sustainability objectives.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [03:10] What is OT, how is it different than IT, and how does it play a role in improving operations?
• [05:30] The key myths and realities of using IoT as it relates to operations technology.
• [12:47] Goals to consider when proposing a new IoT strategy.
• [15:54] What role does NuOz play in IoT and OT systems?
• [21:00] What are some key trends in the integration of business, operations, and sustainability?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• With so many companies deploying IoT devices in their facilities, IT teams are under a lot of pressure to simply add these devices to the network. However, they are also challenged to maintain the security and performance of the network.
• Implementing smart technology in a retail setting is not as simple as it sounds. It requires smart training to complement the smart technology, which should be easy to understand and integrate into the day-to-day operations.
• NuOz specializes in infrastructure and security needs from IoT and OT systems. OT systems have unique standards, languages, and protocols. NuOz is focused on implementing and harmonizing these systems in a very secure manner so businesses can connect systems and manage their data.

LINKS MENTIONED:

www.nuoz.com

www.telaid.com

[email protected]

[email protected]

BIO:

James Snook, NuOz Retail Leadership 24 years in retail technology leadership, including 22 years with Starbucks, 10 Years of consulting & investing, serving on boards for social & environmental impact. Father of 4 sons native in cryptos and blockchains and a professional goat wrangler.

Doug is a retail operations veteran with 37 years of experience in energy management at Costco Wholesale. Doug is an expert at procuring, implementing, and managing equipment related to lighting, HVAC, refrigeration, solar, and Operational Technology networking (OT). Doug is currently on the board of advisors at NuOz.

Anand Muralidaran is the Global Business Development Head for Retail at NVIDIA and today we will be addressing how retailers are working to digitalize the customer experience. Retailers constantly adapt in order to best serve their customers. Available resources such as smart cameras, algorithms, and heat mapping are helping companies like NVIDIA reimagine the traditional retail experience while enhancing customer experience, loyalty, and engagement. Tune into today's episode as we discuss what retail will look like in five years and how companies are experimenting with these possibilities.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [06:02] What does it mean to digitalize the physical customer experience?
• [08:46] Why smart cameras are an important tool for retailers to collect real-time data on customers.
• [13:18] Anand explains the driving factors behind the autonomous check-out process and experience that many retailers are investing in.
• [22:11] Will brick and mortar be relevant in five years?
• [30:00] Inception is a Nvidia program that helps startup companies access resources to build their digital platform.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Retailers are using technology to craft a customized in-store experience based on customer footprints.
• In-store services and supportive associates can enhance customer experience, loyalty, and engagement.
• In an omniverse world, retailers can experiment in the virtual world at a fraction of the cost before building a massive warehouse.
• Nvidia is focused on the holistic transformation of the retail landscape.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Anand Muralidaran's Linkedin

[email protected]

BIO:

Anand Muralidaran, Global BD Head - Retail, CPG and QSRs, NVIDIA

Anand is the Global Business Development Head for Retail at NVIDIA, brings 25 years of valuable experience consulting, partnering and delivering strategic and transformative value to F1000 Retailers across the globe. He has had the privilege of working across a variety of Retailers including Walmart, Target, Petco, Best Buy, Williams Sonoma, and Sephora.

A lifelong learner, he never wastes an opportunity to learn, adapt and shape the trends that are evolving in the Retail industry.

In this episode, we discuss how companies are transitioning from capex investments in technology to hardware as a service. Today's guest, Paul Metzheiser, is a managing partner at TAMCO where he focuses on revenue generation and business development for the company. Paul has worked closely with security integrator leadership teams for nearly thirty years. Tune in as he shares insights on the speed, flexibility and scalability enabled by hardware as a service.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:14] Why has the industry bought and sold the same way for so long and is it a good business model?
• [03:57] COVID has been a catalyst for how businesses have adapted their hybrid work models and technologies.
• [05:00] Explore the benefits for businesses that adopt a hybrid business model.
• [07:57] Paul shares advice with IT buyers about how they can deliver the case from shifting from hardware ownership to hardware as a service.
• [10:02] Moving forward, how will the technology landscape change?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Consumers are starting to invest in services rather than ownership because the economics of ownership are not in their favor.
• Hardware as a service gives organizations the ability to scale quicker and to adopt and maximize technologies more quickly, lending more flexibility and more control over solutions.
• Businesses and customers are really starting to see the benefits of hybrid business models.
• As-a-service offerings are becoming the new norm for service providers.
• The future of integrated technology will bring consumers more innovation within the as-a-service offerings that are offered.

LINKS MENTIONED:

www.tamcocorp.com [email protected] www.telaid.com [email protected]

BIO:

Paul Metzheiser is a managing partner at TAMCO and focuses on revenue generation and business development for the company. TAMCO specializes in helping integrators make a pivot to successfully selling security as a service. Metzheiser works closely with security integrator leadership teams to make the pivot to a service model and build more RMR. A key component to this pivot is the adoption of TAMCO's security as-a-service subscription consumption offering.

Mark Pilkington is a brand expert, entrepreneur, motivationalist, and thought leader. Today we discuss Mark's recent book, Retail Recovery: How Creative Retailers Are Winning in their Post-Apocalyptic World. Mark's book is a survival guide for brands in the semi-post pandemic age, detailing new forces changing how we buy products, experience brands, and giving insights into how retailers can recover and thrive under new conditions. Tune in as we talk about trends in retail during the pandemic, and we dig into some case studies from leaders in the industry.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:30] Mark discusses his most recent book, Retail Recovery: How Creative Retailers Are Winning in their Post-Apocalyptic World.
• [02:30] Why this global pandemic pushed retail over the edge and some emerging trends Mark sees in the industry.
• [3:30] The severity of the pandemic crisis forced a lot of retailers out of business and cleared the deck for new thinking and new creativity, which is why Retail Recovery is an optimistic book.
• [06:10] Notable retail trends include: shifting competitiveness, correct channel management, and retail property conversion.
• [8:22] Mark outlines the reasons why consumers are in control now in a retail setting.
• [11:59] – In the omniverse, the transaction is no longer the critical thing. It's about experience and how to use technology to improve the customer experience.
• [18:35] Mark dives into case studies from leaders in retail like Walmart and Target.
• [23:20] Mark discusses his favorite consumer technologies.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The pandemic accelerated many trends that have already been present in the retail market.
• During the pandemic, retailers have been given the opportunity for new thinking and new creativity, which is why retail will still be able to recover in the end.
• Young consumers are big supporters of major verticals in the retail industry like fashion and beauty but have little wealth to spend.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Website http://markpilkington.net/

BIO:

Mark Pilkington is a brand expert, entrepreneur, motivationalist and thought leader, with the vision to see what the future looks like and the drive to help brands get there. He has been successful in both worlds – the classical consumer brand/retailing world and the dot.com startup world. His 30 years of experience in brand building includes success across multiple categories and on a global basis. He has authored several books including Retail Recovery: How Creative Retailers Are Winning in their Post-Apocalyptic World.

Nigel Waterton leads the sales and marketing efforts for Arcules as Chief Revenue Officer. First, he discusses the shift to cloud-based security systems and the technology trends driving this transition. Then, we look ahead to the impact of the cloud on the future of security. Tune in as Nigel explores how the cloud-based systems can improve visibility into your business and enhance the customer experience.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:10] Nigel explains how the security industry has transformed over the years based on the shift to the cloud.
• [03:45] Fear, uncertainty, and doubt are some challenges retailers face when it comes to migrating to the cloud.
• [06:00] Consider ways the transition to cloud-based systems can improve your business and enhance the customer experience.
• [10:00] What are some key considerations when making the shift from traditional models to a cloud approach?
• [16:40] Look ahead to the impact of cloud on future security use cases and innovation.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Customers are now beginning to see the power of shifting to cloud-based platforms.
• The use of cloud-based solutions allows organizations to maximize data for insights across the organization.
• The ubiquitous nature of the cloud is now becoming so prevalent that the security industry is adapting to that trend.
• Technology is more powerful and intuitive than ever.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Arcules

https://arcules.com/

BIO:

Chief Revenue Officer, Arcules

Nigel Waterton leads the sales and marketing efforts for Arcules as Chief Revenue Officer, calling on his 22 years of experience building and managing large, high-growth technology organizations. Waterton joined Arcules from Aronson Security Group, an ADT Commercial Company, where he served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development and led a cross-disciplinary team within the company as well as with ASG's strategic partners to identify the key areas of optimization and innovation needed to deliver value to clients. Over the course of his career, he has held a variety of senior-level sales and leadership roles with well-known brands, including Protection One and RFI Security. Waterton is recognized as an industry leader, has been quoted in numerous print and online publications and has sat on multiple industry councils and advisory boards.

Frank Thomas is a security industry veteran with about 25 years of experience in mechanical engineering, operations, application design and sales. Frank kicks off the podcast highlighting retailers' desire to maximize the value of each technology deployment. He discusses retailers' drive to leverage technology to better understand their customers and gain insights that allow them to be smarter about their business. Frank explores the types of data and analytics generated from video and other security technologies and their value to different functional areas across retail. Tune in as we look ahead at potential market changes impacting the security space.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:05] The most significant challenges retailers face today
• [3:36] Types of data that are crucial to helping businesses run better
• [07:00] How retailers are expanding the ROI on technology by combining previously siloed value propositions for technology usage across functional areas
• [09:10] Critical success factors when deploying technologies
• [12:05] Bridging knowledge of consumer behaviors online and in the physical store
• [17:45] Connectivity: Frank's favorite technology that he uses in everyday life

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Video and sensors, traditionally "owned" by loss prevention, can provide powerful information that can be used across multiple functional areas.
• The fusion of data reveals insights that are critical to better understanding your customers and the business.
• Loss protection leaders need to be engaged with merchandising and operations leaders.
• If businesses can get consumers to buy online pick up in-store, they can gain a lot of valuable data from those transactions.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Frank on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-thomas-78555720/

Email

[email protected]

BIO:

Frank Thomas is a security industry veteran with over 24 years of experience in mechanical engineering, operations, application design and sales. Bosch is at the forefront of IoT design and innovation. From the Building Technologies perspective, the volume of data from a multitude of sensors from visual to audio have created a data rich environment that when combined with semantic artificial intelligence provide the Power to Predict. Bosch is uniquely positioned to provide the Trusted IoT platforms with intelligence from the edge to the center in order to reveal business intelligence to make peoples' lives better.