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MAXIMIZING A PRODUCT LAUNCH’S IMPACT WITH SCHEDULING AND ENABLEMENT SYNCHRONIZATION By David Harouche
The arrival of new product in stores is a high-stakes moment. Marketing campaigns are in motion, visual merchandising has been updated, and customer interest is peaking. But too often, these efforts fall short because the associates on the floor haven’t been trained on the new product—or worse, the wrong team is scheduled altogether.
DAVID HAROUCHE Founder and CEO, Multimedia Plus
This disconnect isn’t intentional. It’s the result of how most organizations still separate workforce scheduling from associate training. Each is managed by different teams using different tools, with little coordination between when someone is working and what they’ve been trained to do. The result is inconsistency: a wellpromoted launch met by a team unprepared to engage, educate, and convert customer interest into sales. Retailers are beginning to see the value of closing this gap. By aligning scheduling and enablement strategies, they can ensure that the associates working key shifts— such as a product launch or promotion start—are also the ones who’ve received the relevant training. This creates a more consistent and confident customer experience while also reducing stress on floor teams who might otherwise be scrambling for answers. One approach to achieving this involves linking labor optimization tools with mobile learning and task management platforms. A clear example is the partnership of StoreForce, which manages workforce planning and performance metrics, with Incite, a mobile platform that delivers training and communications to associates. By connecting the two, retailers can ensure that only those associates who have completed new product training are scheduled during high-priority selling windows. Training status becomes a scheduling consideration, not an afterthought.
For store teams, this model is more supportive and realistic. Instead of being expected to review training modules on their own time or in rushed backroom sessions, they receive timely, in-context enablement that connects directly to the work they’re doing that day. Whether it’s a product knowledge refresher, talking points, or setup instructions, the content becomes actionable rather than abstract. It also allows for better accountability. Managers can track training completion before assigning key shifts, ensuring the right people are in place for peak performance. This is especially valuable in environments with high associate turnover or a large part-time workforce, where knowledge gaps can easily form between product cycles. More broadly, this kind of synchronization supports brand consistency across store locations. It reduces reliance on informal communication and personal initiative, which can vary greatly from one team to another. With the right tools in place, every store receives the same playbook—and every associate, regardless of tenure, has access to what they need to succeed. Ultimately, the goal is simple: When the product hits the floor, the right team should be ready to sell it. That means not just being present but being prepared with the confidence, knowledge and tools to create a positive and persuasive customer interaction. Bridging the gap between scheduling and enablement helps ensure that happens not occasionally but every time. David Harouche is the founder and CEO of Multimedia Plus. For more than 20 years, David has developed innovative, technologydriven programs for a broad range of clients, making Multimedia Plus the foremost provider of learning and communications solutions and a resource for market intelligence.
This has implications beyond launch day. When training and scheduling are aligned, it’s easier to sustain knowledge and performance over time. Associates get regular access to relevant content based on their shifts, while store leaders have visibility into who is prepared and who may need follow-up. This eliminates the lag between information delivery and on-the-floor execution.
74 | FM
June/July 2025
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