Yet, for many retailers, executing corporate directives across multiple locations is a slow, frustrating, and error-prone process.As former district managers, ThinkTime Founder Joel Livet and President Doug Spiron experienced this firsthand. They saw how outdated, manual processes slowed down execution, left room for inconsistency, and created inefficiencies that impacted revenue.Retail needed a better way to manage execution in an era where teams were being asked to do more with fewer resources. That realization led to ThinkTime, a digital solution designed to streamline workflows, improve communication, and provide real-time visibility into execution. A digital workplace where key retail functions (task management, store visits, communication and support) have been centralized into a one-stop solution in both we band mobile.
Retailers today are expected to operate with leaner teams, both at the home office and store levels, while still delivering on customer expectations and business goals. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Retail is among the industries most a ected by labor shortages, with businesses struggling to hire and retain staff . (uschamber.com)
Compounding this challenge is the fact that many in-store employees have less experience, which increases the risk of execution inconsistencies, compliance issues, and operational inefficiencies. Without the right systems in place, store teams often work reactively, rather than proactively, leading to:
- Inefficient manual processes consume valuable time.
- A lack of visibility into execution status and compliance.
- Communication breakdowns between corporate, field leadership, and store teams.
In this environment, a digital execution tool isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential.
During their time in the field, Livet and Spiron saw the same challenges that are still prevalent in retail today:
- Inconsistent Execution: Every store interpreted directives differently, leading to variability in implementation.
- Communication Gaps: Home office messaging often failed to reach the right people at the right time.
- Inefficient Follow-Ups: Without digital tracking, managers had to physically visit stores or rely on unreliable reporting.
The inefficiencies of manual execution waste time, create operational confusion and compliance risks, and lead to lost sales opportunities. Retailers can’t afford that kind of friction, especially in an industry moving as fast as retail.
Livet and Spiron knew that solving these challenges required a digital-first approach.ThinkTime was built to:
- Standardize Processes: Ensure consistency across all stores by providing a structured, digital workflow with 360-degree visibility and communication capabilities.
- Improve Communication: Surgically deliver real-time directives directly to store teams, in a personalized fashion eliminating delays and confusion.
- Enable Real-Time Monitoring: Give leadership instant visibility into data showing store execution and compliance.
The goal was simple: Help retailers do more with less - efficiently, accurately, and at scale.
Retailers that have adopted ThinkTime have seen measurable improvements in efficiency and profitability. Studies show that:
- Digitization Reduces Labor Costs: Retailers using automation and digital task management tools see a significant decrease in time spent on manual processes. (insights.samsung.com)
- Real-Time Visibility Drives Compliance: Companies leveraging real-time reporting have improved task completion rates, reducing execution failures.
- Automation Enhances Customer Experience: Retailers implementing self-service and digital signage solutions have seen increased efficiency and customer satisfaction. (insights.samsung.com)
By transitioning from manual execution to a digital platform, retailers gain better control, greater efficiency, and improved execution consistency - resulting in higher revenue and lower operational costs.
Livet and Spiron’s experience in the field highlighted the urgent need for a modern execution solution in Retail. The challenges they faced - labor shortages, inefficient workflows, and inconsistent execution, are more pressing today than ever before. ThinkTime was built tosolve these problems, giving Retailers the tools to manage execution with precision, even in a resource-constrained environment. By embracing digital solutions, Retailers can streamline workflows, improve communication, and ensure that critical initiatives are executed e ectively, without adding more to already overburdened teams.