{"id":3163,"date":"2017-09-26T11:30:17","date_gmt":"2017-09-26T14:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alicewonders.ws\/blog\/2017\/09\/26\/retail-innovation-pitch-your-ideas\/"},"modified":"2017-09-26T11:30:17","modified_gmt":"2017-09-26T14:30:17","slug":"retail-innovation-pitch-your-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alicewonders.ws\/blog\/en\/2017\/09\/26\/retail-innovation-pitch-your-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Retail innovation: learn how to pitch your ideas to your boss!"},"content":{"rendered":"

The exponential speed at which technology advances can spark all kinds of insights into new ways to improve our work, or transformative ways to generate even more value for the company we work for. This holds true for driven professionals in every field \u2014 including when it comes to retail innovation.<\/p>\n

That’s why, in this post, we’ve put together a series of tips on how to get organized and pitch your ideas to your boss. We’ll go over the key points your presentation needs to include so you can truly propose something new to your manager.<\/p>\n

Ready? Let’s dive in!<\/p>\n

Gather information before anything else<\/h2>\n

When you learn about a new technology or trend in your market, it’s understandable to get excited about all the benefits the idea could bring to your organization. To avoid misunderstandings, keep that enthusiasm in check and make sure you understand the innovation inside and out.<\/p>\n

There’s no point in scheduling a meeting with your boss just to explain that augmented reality<\/a> is amazing and already used in hit apps and games if you don’t understand how this technology can be useful at the point of sale. That’s just one example, but whatever idea you see potential in for retail, you need to gather as much information as possible.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, pay close attention to the benefits it can bring and how they connect to the company’s goals. Try to see things from your boss’s perspective and think about how this innovation will bring in more revenue for the business or make employees’ day-to-day work more productive. That’s the kind of information that really matters to a decision-maker.<\/p>\n

Estimate the costs<\/h2>\n

Now that you have a clear understanding of the idea and how it can catch your boss’s attention, analyze the costs involved in the project. In some cases, especially with bolder initiatives, the company has to allocate its own creative resources to arrive at custom solutions. However, this type of resource is quite rare inside companies.<\/p>\n

Developing a holographic assistant<\/a> that captures the public’s interest with interactive features, for example, can be a fairly complex undertaking.<\/p>\n

That’s why it’s important to evaluate the expenses related to development \u2014 when applicable \u2014 and implementation. Also check whether part of the team will need to be assigned to the project or whether implementation will be outsourced.<\/p>\n

As for the materials involved, find out whether you’ll need to pay for software licenses, equipment rentals, maintenance contracts or other similar expenses. A cost report is crucial for your manager to determine whether a project is feasible.<\/p>\n

Show how the company can achieve meaningful results<\/h2>\n

The best way to convince someone to adopt a new solution or idea is by demonstrating its transformative potential. However, any claims you make along those lines need to be backed by data, not hunches or assumptions.<\/p>\n

So if you want to propose something like installing a kiosk<\/a> in the physical store to bring a bit of a digital experience to visitors, make an effort to find out what results it will help the company achieve. Try to answer questions such as:<\/p>\n