Gaining Associate Buy-In for Warehouse Automation and Process Changes

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 -   / bruce-strahan-8b831   Zachary Hess -   / zachary-hess-3b800b118   Argon & Co | Website - https://www.argonandco.com/en/ Thank you for listening to this episode of Unboxing Fulfillment – The Modern Ecommerce Order Fulfillment Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe to keep up with the latest insights on B2C fulfillment. #logistics #supplychain #fulfillment #ecommerce #B2C