With Brett Newstead, Director Sales, ANZ, Zebra Technologies
1. Many organisations today are experiencing extended onboarding times. What do you believe is the main reason for that, and what impact can this challenge have on workforce productivity and employee retention?
The growing complexity of technology integration significantly contributes to the extended onboarding times that are being witnessed across different industries. As employees must master both their core job tasks and the accompanying technology, the learning curve can significantly delay how quickly they can hit the ground running and become fully productive members of the team.
We see this impacting workforce productivity by extending the learning curve, during which it’s traditionally expected to see less outputs from employees. Furthermore, it can also potentially lead to higher turnover rates and pose a risk to employee retention, as frustrated newcomers may question their contributions and job satisfaction.
Around 30% of APAC employees are likely to change employers in the next 12 months, and 44% believe the skills required for their jobs will undergo significant changes within the next year, though only 48% have a clear sense of how, according to research by PwC; It seems clear that the need to maintain employee engagement and foster job confidence is stronger than ever.
To address this, organisations can focus on user-friendly, on-the-job training methods leveraging wearable technology such as wearable computers, especially Android-powered ones. As these devices can essentially show – or audibly tell – them where to go and what to do next, they don’t necessarily need a large screen for direction, and can get up to speed quickly, reaching full productivity faster, reducing onboarding times, and helping improve employee retention.
This can be specifically helpful for front-line workers, as they usually work in fast-paced industries that have little time between learning a new skill and mastering the new technology to execute their tasks
2. How can wearable technology simplify user training and onboarding processes for workers in industries like warehousing, distribution, and retail?
In the recent 2023 Global Shopper Study from Zebra, three-quarters of retail decision-makers said reskilling or upskilling current employees is a challenge. However, wearable technology holds tremendous potential in simplifying user training and onboarding processes for workers in retail and other industries such as warehousing and distribution.
Technologies such as wearable computers offer several advantages in streamlining training. From hands-free guidance that allows front-line workers to intuitively receive instructions without having to look away from their tasks to devices and scroll through screens or select complex Functional menu buttons. The immediate interaction of wearables enhance efficiency and safety, reduce the learning curve, and ensure that employees can adapt quickly to their roles.
Leveraging the Android Operating system on wearables ensure that the applications can deliver full functionality and technical support teams to quickly configure, update security patches and support the users effectively. For example, empowering employees to quickly and accurately access information with wearbale devices powered by Android, can connect associates for better communication, provide actionable data and accelerate onboarding.
As industries continue to evolve, wearable tech is becoming an indispensable tool for effective training and onboarding processes.
3. What role does wearable technology play in improving the efficiency and safety of front-line workers within industries such as warehousing and logistics?
These devices offer hands-free operation, granting workers instant access to real-time data and guidance to streamline processes and reduce the risk of errors. One great example of this type of tool are ring scanners. Whether working at the warehouse or in front-of-house retail, efficiency often takes a hit when employees must put down an item to perform a task and get distracted as a consequence. So, by equipping workers with ring scanners that can easily be worn on their fingers, they can effortlessly keep their focus on the items they’re handling without having to let go of their gear. This can provide improvements in worker productivity as they can perform their tasks seamlessly and without interruptions, leading to enhanced overall performance.
Incorporating data capture capabilities, these devices can also provide insights into worker activities and performance, enabling instant feedback for process optimisation and enhanced operational efficiency. While the first generation of devices have typically used barcode scanning for data capture more advanced wearable devices with RFID are emerging offering seamless data capture and driving more visibility and efficiency to operations.
When it comes to safety, wearables that leverage features like hazard alerts, proximity warnings, and quick communication in emergencies are great to ensure a secure working environment. Together, these capabilities are used to promote worker well-being and safety in diverse environments, from warehouses to retail, or even outdoor events.
4. How do you envision the future of workforce training evolving with the integration of wearable technology, and what industries do you believe will benefit the most from these advancements? Can you provide examples of potential innovations on the horizon?
The integration of wearable technology is reshaping the future of workforce training, promising innovative approaches that can benefit many industries. But I can see high-touch sectors such as manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics, and even retail, really leading and benefiting from this transformation. As they demand hands-on training and strict safety adherence, wearable-driven training solutions are ideal to help them pave the way for a more efficient, skilled, and secure workforce.
It’s fair to assume that these industries already grasp the need to modernise and invest in new innovations. According to Zebra’s Warehousing Vision Study, nearly nine in 10 warehouse operators agree they must implement new technology to be competitive in the on-demand economy, with 80% confirming the pandemic has prompted them to evolve and modernise more quickly.
Looking into the future, they’re turning their focus and spending considerably toward technologies that support workforce augmentation and workflow automation. For example, the use of wearables, mobile printers, and rugged tablets will increase in the next few years, along with autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and radio frequency identification (RFID), that can help enhance supply chain productivity.
But that’s not all. A multitude of exciting innovations are also helping revolutionise workforce training. One of them is integrating wearable devices with AI algorithms to craft personalised learning paths for employees. These paths dynamically adapt based on individual progress, ensuring that each worker receives tailored training that precisely matches their skill development needs. This personalisation not only enhances learning efficiency but also promotes skill retention.
Lastly, advanced wearables that facilitate remote assistance and realistic simulators are also changing the way companies train their staff, especially in the era of hybrid workforces. This means that remote experts can provide real-time guidance and support to on-site workers, significantly improving knowledge sharing and problem-solving. Moreover, wearables can serve as highly realistic simulators for various professions, allowing professionals like surgeons to practise intricate procedures in a virtual, risk-free environment. These innovations expand the potential of wearable technology in workforce training, delivering tailored, immersive, and data-driven approaches to skill development and onboarding.
