Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 42 | Page 25

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ROI tends to limit the horizon: you either hit the target, or you kill the project. There need to be other metrics that help us move towards success,” he said. Retailers, he believes, must also accept that the talent they need for Digital Transformation cannot all be recruited into traditional, in-house roles. He said: “We live in a world where it’s sexier to work in a fast-moving start-up or build your own than it is to go and work for a legacy retailer. To access the highly talented TRENDING engineers in this space, of which there is a shortage, you need to outsource. You need to create a culture which allows you to combine internal and external resources and get them working together.” Happy employees, happy customers Successful retailers will go where their customer wants them to be. That means breaking down internal silos and using technology at every stage of the business to ensure a seamless, integrated experience for employees and customers alike. In the Aruba study, retailer workers said they saw a rise in productivity (72%), well- being (62%) and the ability to differentiate against the competition (59%) as a direct impact of digital workplace technology. Gerri Hinkel, Director of Solutions Marketing for Aruba, said: “The future of retail is all about experiences – for shoppers, associates and IT. Shoppers are driven not only by product, but are making choices on where they shop by how easy that retailer makes their life. Gerri Hinkel, Director of Solutions Marketing for Aruba www.intelligentcio.com “The retailers who will succeed will make those experiences simple, smart and personalised, but to get there, they must be bold in making technology investments and fearless as they innovate their store of the future.” n INTELLIGENTCIO 25