“Our employees are our most valuable asset”, we’ve heard that a lot over the years, but rarely do retail associates get the same level of attention that the retail consumers do. That, in part, has con… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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“Our employees are our most valuable asset”, we’ve heard that a lot over the years, but rarely do retail associates get the same level of attention that the retail consumers do. That, in part, has contributed to the challenging retail labor market, where acquisition and retention of staff is now taking center stage.  

Labor challenges

The post-pandemic labor challenges have left retailers unable to appropriately staff locations across many retail segments, with the exception of a few select brands who always attract a lot of potential employees. The others have experienced an uphill struggle particularly in areas like QSR who appear to be frequently running drive-thru only with no counter service, with 2 or 3 team members running the window and the kitchen.  

So how did we end up here and what can we do about it? If we dial back the clock a decade or more, in fact even 5 years ago, retailers were reluctant to discuss automation in stores and DCs, because that translated to, “we want to operate with fewer staff” and as a result retailers didn’t invest in automation, including areas which could impact, not only associate efficiency, but also associate experience. My son, who is now a high school senior has been working part-time in the front-end of a regional grocery chain (owned by a multi-national) for the last couple of years. He is squarely in the Gen-Z space where they are never without a device in their hands, and it seems like unless something is digital, they can’t figure it out. Yet, all his HR processes are on paper – a schedule is pinned to the notice board in the breakroom weekly; time off and shift change requests are on paper and need to be signed and handed to a manager; if he forgets to take of photo of the schedule or isn’t in the store that week, he has to call the store and pull a manager away from their duties to check the schedule… these are the associates of the future that retailers need to attract and retain, and this is a competitive market.  

Empower your associates

We need to elevate the associates and engage with them, as we would a consumer. Allow them to interact with corporate systems, like workforce management, using natural language through their channel of choice, because those are the only channels they want to use, whether SMS (unlikely), WhatsApp, SnapChat, or whatever they like to use – send a message asking, “when am I working next?” and receive a message back with their next couple of shifts, or make it easy for them to switch or pick-up shifts by providing tools that allow for simple group interactions rather than self-administered message groups with their buddies. When it comes to automation, we can lift the weight of repetitive, automatable tasks off their shoulders – performing manual temperature probing for food safety, for example – instead, use sensors that will constantly monitor temperatures, and alert for any that are out of the normal range, to ensure that an associate is only engaged when they are needed. The same is true for “Loss Prevention”, which is realistically, passive loss recording. It would be better to move to targeted active loss detection to ensure appropriate use of the limited staffing available. Imagine the amount of labor required, particularly in times of inflation, to perform shelf edge price updates. Electronic shelf labels can automatically update based on price changes in the POS, but also provide a point of engagement in the aisle for consumers and the ability to dynamically change prices based on current promotions or to clear slow movers. These are only a few of the area’s automation can assist with – it’s no longer a taboo subject, automation has become a necessity.  

All these areas can be addressed with the right technologies, to elevate the associate and make it easier to be an employee, while making their jobs easier and more productive. 

Check out how you can enhance your associate’s experience with Cisco

  Check out how you can enhance your associate's experience with Cisco.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

I started my journey of breaking the barriers of women in STEM in my junior year of high school. In December 2013, my media teacher introduced me to the now infamous “Hour of Code.” It was a long, dif… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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I started my journey of breaking the barriers of women in STEM in my junior year of high school. In December 2013, my media teacher introduced me to the now infamous “Hour of Code.” It was a long, difficult hour for me trying to understand the basics of programming. I didn’t really think I was cut out for it, in all honesty, but making the screen do what I told it to for that hour was fascinating. In my senior year, I enrolled in a new course, “AP Computer Science,” to decide if this was the career path I wanted to follow.

Day one of class: I am the only girl in a room full of boys.

Throughout the entirety of obtaining my degree, I was usually the only woman in the room. I spent a lot of time in office hours trying to grasp a concept because I felt alone in class — like I couldn’t turn to my neighbor and ask for their help without feeling judged. For projects, I often worked alone, and when I didn’t, I felt like any input I provided was disregarded. This didn’t make me dislike the content I was learning but instead made me feel discouraged.

It occurred to me that this wasn’t because my ideas were awful, but maybe it was that I was different from most of my classmates since I was a woman. That realization happened in one of my final projects during my last semester, where another woman was in my group. Throughout this project, we were given “admin work” tasks but were not offered any programming contributions. Because of this, we both approached our professor about the situation since the project was graded on team contribution, and our group lead was not providing us with fair opportunities to contribute.

Little did I know this was preparing me for the career I chose to enter. Learning that women were the minority in the technology field gave me a purpose and passion. To add to the challenge, my skills gravitated towards a specialty where women are even more scarce: cyber security.

Being in this field has not been a walk in the park. I’ve been on the receiving end of sexism in the workplace various times. I experienced the trifecta of denied training opportunities, being “mansplained” to, and receiving lesser pay than my male colleagues despite my qualifications. I’ve been talked over in meetings and had male counterparts claim my work as their own. Various times I have thought, “I can’t do this anymore. This fight is getting harder, and I am feeling weaker.” Imposter syndrome has won many days. I’ve even considered leaving the career field entirely.

But then I remembered that change can’t happen if I give up. That’s one less woman in a place where women are already underrepresented. Why should I leave a career I love just because I don’t feel like I belong in the room?

I have had a handful of female colleagues fight with me and for me throughout my career. Here at Cisco, I have an army of women and allies. The resources and support are beyond anything I have experienced since entering the technology workforce. This industry has a long way to go, but I believe Cisco has set an example for what other companies should be doing with respect to inclusivity and belonging. Being a part of Cisco’s Inclusive Communities like Women in Cyber Security and Women of Cisco has provided me with unique opportunities to grow in my career, such as webinars and trainings, networking opportunities, and attending events to celebrate women, all of which show Cisco cares for and supports women in the technology space.

On the days when you feel like you don’t belong, remember that your presence and contributions are making an impact. You are taking on a challenge that has been fought for decades. You belong here. Let’s keep up the good fight for future generations of women so they have a seat at the table.

Ready to make an impact with us? Find an opportunity now!

Subscribe to the We Are Cisco Blog.

  Pursuing a career in cyber security, Threat Hunting Analyst Anna B. experienced challenges being the only woman in the room. See why she never let that stop her.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

When our DevNet team found out about sponsoring API Summit by Kong (or as I like to say “The artist formerly known as Kong Summit”) we jumped at the chance. We are proud to have been be a gorilla spo… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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When our DevNet team found out about sponsoring API Summit by Kong (or as I like to say “The artist formerly known as Kong Summit”) we jumped at the chance. We are proud to have been be a gorilla sponsor to help developers on their journeys towards API-first development in a cloud native world. Even though the event is over; you can still find find all of the sessions exploring topics in security, scalability, and modernization. You’ll also hear real-world success stories with developers, leaders, and visionaries from around the world that provide insights you can carry into your own work.

By watching the replay of API Summit by Kong you’ll be able to:

DISCOVER: Strategies and tactics for ensuring reliable connectivity across APIs, Kubernetes, microservices, and service meshes. 
OPERATE: Hands-on technical workshops, real-world experiences, thought leadership, and exciting Kong product announcements. 
LEARN: Modernize architectures and create business value. Explore how to connect across clouds and beyond. 

Don’t miss these epic sessions. Now available on-demand

As an added bonus our “API Quality and Security” session covers how open source software is being used to drastically improve API quality and security is also available to stream.

Next Steps

Although the staffed virtual booth is closed you can still reach out to us in our community for questions, comments and next steps. After registering you will be able to find our sessions and plenty more to keep you educated and entertained in the on demand section of the event navigation on the left hand side of your screen.

A few important FAQs

Q: How much does it cost?
A: It is 100% free

Q: How do I register, since this event has already taken place?
A: You still need to register to access all the on-demand content.
It’s easy… go to https://konghq.com/events/conferences/api-summit/register-now

Q: I’m having trouble finding the specific session. How can I navigate the catalog?
A: Using a browser search with the session title you should easily be able to find what you need.

Related reading

Why Quality APIs Matter to Your Business

  Explore API-first development in a cloud native world. Dig into topics in API quality and security including, "Automate your own API quality pipelines" and "Secure exposed and third-party APIs." Hear real-world success stories from developers and industry leaders.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Before embarking on a digital transformation, El Camino Health, a Northern California health system, wanted to ensure it had a proper foundation to fully support new digital health solutions. The… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Before embarking on a digital transformation, El Camino Health, a Northern California health system, wanted to ensure it had a proper foundation to fully support new digital health solutions. The best way to make that determination? The HIMSS INFRAM assessment.  

HIMSS INFRAM (Infrastructure Adoption Model) helps healthcare organizations assess and benchmark their IT infrastructure capabilities and maturity. By identifying areas of strength and weakness, the framework offers health systems a roadmap to optimize their network to better support patient care and achieve their strategic goals. Regularly scheduled reassessments can then track progress over time. 

In the case of El Camino Health, the gap assessment led to a three-year network modernization plan to boost switching, routing, and wireless capabilities. These upgrades were needed to handle anticipated heavier data traffic and workloads from next-generation solutions such as real-time tracking systems and wayfinding technology. 

The results of the HIMSS INFRAM assessment validated El Camino Health’s return on recent technology investments and will lead to better digital experience for staff and patients. 

To learn more about El Camino Health and the value of the HIMSS INFRAM assessment for their organization, read this HealthcareIT News article.  

  See how the HIMSS INFRAM assessment validated El Camino Health’s return on recent technology investments and led to better digital experience for staff and patients.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

It’s October 3rd! You know what that means? It’s CX Day – a global celebration focused on organizations, individuals, customers, and partners at the heart of better customer experiences. We proudly sp… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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It’s October 3rd! You know what that means? It’s CX Day – a global celebration focused on organizations, individuals, customers, and partners at the heart of better customer experiences. We proudly sponsor the Customer Experience Professionals Association’s (CXPA) CX Day celebration and leverage it to showcase our partners! Why? Because good CX doesn’t just happen. It requires consistent leadership support for intentional work led by dedicated, skilled CX professionals, including our valued partners!

The Power of Partnership

Here are just a few examples of our partners delivering great CX:

Watch how Cisco CX and partner Logicalis in Brazil delivered results and increased customer loyalty.
Discover how partner Mastersystem in Indonesia partnered with Cisco CX to build its lifecycle motion to strengthen relationships with and drive business outcomes for its customers.
Learn how partner executives from Global BT in the UK, CDW in the US, and Data#3 in Australia set the gold standard for customer success together with Cisco CX.

You want more? We will give you more! Listen to our CX Partner Perspectives Podcast and hear from partner and Cisco executives in these quick, insightful, and fun interviews. You can choose from more than 25 episodes to learn how partners deliver exceptional customer experiences with Cisco CX, including:

Episode 22: CX Customer Success Story with Choctaw Nation
Episode 24: Delivering ROI through visibility, flexibility, and adaptability with NTT
Episode 27: The CX “Revolution” with TD Synnex

Check out Alistair Wildman’s (SVP/General Manager of Cisco Customer Experience) CX Day blog for more CX success stories.

Cisco CX & Partners Are Greater Together

Register now to join our Live Digital Broadcast at Cisco Partner Summit 2023 in Miami Beach, FL, Nov. 7-8, 2023, for more innovation, collaboration, and opportunities to be Greater Together.

As we celebrate CX Day, we celebrate YOU, our valued partners! Thank you for everything you do to deliver exceptional customer experiences.

For more information, check out SuccessHub

We’d love to hear what you think. Ask a Question, Comment Below, and Stay Connected with #CiscoPartners on social!

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Many Cisco partners have achieved outstanding success selling managed Meraki-based services to their SMB customers in support of fast and dependable connectivity. But did you know that Meraki also… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Many Cisco partners have achieved outstanding success selling managed Meraki-based services to their SMB customers in support of fast and dependable connectivity. But did you know that Meraki also provides a versatile platform that partners can harness to enhance security and safety for their customers, leveraging AI, the Meraki open API, and Meraki Marketplace? There is growing opportunity to deploy smart workspace solutions that address physical security and environmental insights.

The new Cisco Powered Meraki Intelligent Workspace specialization brings industry-leading cameras and sensors backed by expert management and powerful data software to deliver video surveillance, environmental sensors, and business analytics to business customers.  Intelligent Workspace services allow providers to create as-a-service offers that help prevent theft, enhance safety, increase sustainability, and optimize resource management. By integrating intelligent workspace with the cloud, these transformative services enable businesses to solve problems today and prepare for challenges tomorrow.

Security is paramount for SMBs, with a staggering 66 percent reporting incidents within the past year. And with the video-surveillance-as-a-service (VSaaS) market forecast to reach US$4.7 billion by 2025 and growing at a 16 percent CAGR, the opportunity for Cisco MSP partners is larger than ever.  However, the opportunity extends beyond video surveillance and even video as a service. Think about increasing your recurring revenue and profitability by providing Cisco Powered Intelligent Workspace experiences that leverage Meraki cameras, environmental sensors, and the broad ecosystem of Meraki third-party application providers.

Build on your customers’ managed Meraki-based network environments

How can you provide these outcomes to your customers? Simply add Meraki MV smart cameras and Meraki sensors to existing Cisco Meraki deployments with a few clicks in the Meraki dashboard. Smart cameras and environmental sensors can help SMBs keep their employees and customers safer, and their offices smarter and more secure. Expanding your managed service portfolio to include managed offers with Meraki MV smart cameras and sensors to deliver a seamless workplace intelligence solution as a service, fully managed through a cloud-based dashboard or portal integration.

Delivering born-in-the-cloud innovation

Cloud-based Meraki cameras and sensors simplify deployment with network transmission for video and sensor feeds. This eliminates the need for local servers or digital video recorders (DVRs) to passively store data.

The cloud-based approach also enables the Meraki Marketplace, which offers a range of third-party ecosystem partner applications. These partners leverage the Meraki open API to integrate their solutions in areas such as hybrid work, safe environments, smart spaces, and more.

These applications can be seamlessly integrated into your managed service offering, enhancing its distinctiveness, and expanding revenue opportunities

Deliver smarter work experiences by leveraging machine learning

Effectively, Meraki MV cameras serve as advanced visual sensors, harnessing the capabilities of machine learning and computer vision. They provide invaluable insights into the behavior of individuals and vehicles within physical spaces, unlocking a wide range of potential use cases, including:

Personalized shopping experience: One retail client wanted to enhance the shopping experience through customized digital signage. It deployed Meraki MV cameras to monitor shoppers, using age and gender recognition to tailor digital signage content. The outcome? Improved customer experiences, increased revenue, and more comprehensive analysis of customer foot traffic and demographics.
Efficient curbside pickup: Another customer streamlined curbside pickup services by leveraging Meraki MV cameras to reduce customer wait times. These cameras detect customer arrival and match license plate number to order, triggering a Webex notification to alert employees to the waiting customer.
Mask compliance enforcement: Another application involved using Meraki MV cameras to identify individuals not wearing masks. This system automatically sends a Webex alert, accompanied by a snapshot, to security personnel for prompt follow-up.

By harnessing the power of machine learning built into Meraki MV cameras and sensors, your customers can achieve a level of visibility into their workspaces previously unattainable. This includes applying AI to gain insights and receiving real-time alerts based on camera and sensor data.

Offer Day 0, 1, and 2 services

Cisco partners can enhance their offerings with Day 0 project scoping and Day 1 installation services. If needed, Meraki Marketplace provides access to licensed camera and sensor installers, eliminating the need for partners to develop in-house installation capabilities.  Additionally open APIs and computer vision app integrations provide greater automation and machine learning to further innovate and deliver intelligent experiences.

Ongoing Day 2 services depend on partner and customer preferences. Some customers seek continuous management with 24/7 monitoring through the Meraki Vision Portal. Others prefer private data access, where partners provide training, troubleshooting, maintenance, and uptime monitoring, tailored to customer needs.

Cisco MSP partners integrating Meraki into their practices have significant opportunities to upsell Meraki cameras and sensors, creating Intelligent Workspaces that address security and safety needs while increasing recurring revenue and differentiating their managed services. Only Cisco offers this level of service innovation and margin opportunity for our MSP partners.

Curious to learn more? Contact your Partner Account Manager or visit the Cisco Powered Services Specializations. Check out the portfolio overview for the latest on the Cisco Powered Intelligent Workspace.

Learn more about Cisco Partner Managed Services here!

We’d love to hear what you think. Ask a Question, Comment Below, and Stay Connected with #CiscoPartners on social!

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