Startup Idea: Integrated Communication Platform for Retail Operations

Startup idea to develop a software solution aimed at improving communication between management and workers in a retail corporation setting. The platform would include sharing daily sales data, scheduled events, employee schedules, with added features for tracking absences, days off and carry out comparisons to previous years' sales. Accessible from anywhere, this program aims to reduce misinformation and improve morale.

I work as an associate for a $10 billion/year retail corporation that is located in various countries (USA, Canada, and Northern Europe). Previously, I retired from a school district that placed a high emphasis on technology from teaching and management of daily operations. It was an adjustment to return to what seemed liked a different era in operations.

As of now communication between management and workers is inefficient. If you are scheduled to work in the morning, then you are more aware of what is happening. This information ranges from previous day's sales, goals for sales, and a comparison to last year's sales. Also, any upcoming employee events are announced. If you are not at the meeting, then you receive 2nd or 3rd hand information which may not be 100% accurate or no info at all. Management tried to be inform employees who missed the meeting by writing sales data on a CHALKBOARD and events on a calendar, but this only lasted for a few weeks. I know this was time consuming.

An ideal solution would be for a software program that could communicate daily data comparisons with employee news and events. Also, the weekly schedule needs to be included. Mistakes are made when employees copy down their times. A login for each employee would be beneficial for tracking sick days, vacation days or other days off, individual days off. Also, the program needs to be accessible from anywhere.

A program like this would improve communication and even moral. Employees get frustrated when schedules are copied incorrectly and when they miss out on fun events or hear unintential information that is incorrect due to third hand information.

I really appreciate the company's attempt at sharing financial information, but only a few people hear these facts from management. When I started working for this retailer, and told HR that I did not receive my schedule in my email, and I was told that they did not have the software for this, I knew I was in technology wasteland and have not made any other suggestions.