In episode 31 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer discusses IT system and user errors, exploring the common mistakes and their impacts on businesses. He provides insights on how organizations can mitigate these errors through user-friendly design, comprehensive training programs, and implementing safeguards.

Tune in to learn about successful strategies for reducing user errors and improving efficiency.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:15] User errors in IT systems.

[00:07:37] Practical steps to reduce errors.

[00:11:01] System errors and user errors.

QUOTES

• “Investing in user-friendly system design is crucial. So your users must be able to be comfortable or it should be intuitive and provide clear feedback from everyone to whoever is selecting the system.”
• “Sometimes misconfiguring system settings, whether it's from the, you know, the complexity of the system, These type of errors can lead to data loss, security breaches, operational disruptions, which can be costly for a business.”
• “So you got to make sure on the system side that you're protected in terms of infrastructure from any sort of virus.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Kevin Spencer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/

WEBSITE

Rod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/

In episode 30 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer interviews Stewart Townsend, CEO of Podcast Hawk, as he shares his journey from selling steel to founding a podcast SaaS product, offering valuable insights into the podcasting and SaaS sectors.

Tune in as they discuss the importance of time management, personal passions like car shows, and reflections on life and work balance.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:28] From Steel Sales to Podcasting.

[00:04:46] Podcasting and Lead Generation Strategies.

[00:08:53] Importance of Using a Calendar.

[00:14:33] Legacy and Impact.

[00:16:38] Art and Collectibles Hobby.

[00:20:05] Charity Car Show Achievement.

[00:24:19] Taking Risks and Breaking Boundaries.

QUOTES

• "I'm not designed to be very good at investments or making decisions at that time of life. And then for the last sort of five or six years, I've got my own consultancy working with smaller software companies, helping them grow sales teams.” - Stewart Townsend
• "There's no point in working 89 hours a day if you could do it in three. Don't feel guilty. You can do it in three. Just work. Do it in three. Get on with it." - Stewart Townsend

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Kevin Spencer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/

Stewart Townsend

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewarttownsend

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcasthawk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewarttownsend/

WEBSITE

Rod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/

Stewart Townsend: https://stewarttownsend.com/

Podcast Hawk: https://podcasthawk.com/

In episode 28 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer interviews Robert Gerov, president of Robert Gerov Media (RGM), as he shares his journey from humble beginnings to building a successful business in lead generation. They discuss the importance of lead generation in today's digital marketing landscape, the impact of AI on the industry, and the personal touch that sets businesses apart.

Tune in to learn about the future of lead generation, the challenges Robert has faced in his career, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:33] College Degree Dilemma.

[00:07:06] Misconceptions in Digital Marketing.

[00:13:00] AI Impact on Future Jobs.

[00:15:39] AI in Customer Service.

[00:18:56] Family and Hobbies.

[00:24:46] Lead Generation and Tracking Advice.

QUOTES

• “We take full responsibility and we make sure that everything is functioning the way it should be and progressing the way it should be on a very uptrend.” - Robert Gerov
• “We always want to make sure that we have a balance in terms of personal and work balance because that's how we keep the stress away because we can get stressed out at work. And then we have things that we enjoy that takes that out of us. And, you know, I think a lot of people should take that message of being, have that balanced work-life going.” - Kevin Spencer
• "Lead generation is not so complicated. But one thing that people tend to overcomplicate is tracking. Tracking should always remain simple. Find a simple, dynamic number insertion tool, like CallRail, for example, that can keep track of where your leads are coming from, keywords, sources, campaigns, et cetera, all in one place, so that whatever you're doing, you already know where your money is best spent." - Robert Gerov

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Kevin Spencer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/

Robert Gerov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobertGerovMedia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rgerov/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertgerov/

WEBSITE

Rod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/

Robert Gerov Media: https://robertgerov.com/

In episode 28 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer delves into the evolution of point of sale (POS) computer technology in the retail and hospitality industry. He highlights the importance of POS systems in making transactions smooth and efficient, from the days of the cash register to the current self-service era.

Tune in to learn more about this pivotal aspect of business operations.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01:07] Evolution of Point of Sale.

[00:07:00] Evolution of POS Systems.

[00:10:45] Exciting Time for PX Technology.

QUOTES

• "Now inventory could be tracked in real-time, sales data could be analyzed, and understanding customer behavior and the overall customer experience improved significantly. It was indeed a game changer."
• “Let's not forget about the role of data analytics. Pure systems gather a wealth of data that has to crunch and drive business decision-making, you know, from inventory management to personal marketing campaigns, because there's so much in terms of that device has to hold a database, whether it's on the cloud or sometimes it's local on the device.”
• “So having a device that can handle all this technology is really where you want to choose the correct partner. And at the end of the day, there are so many devices out there, so many manufacturers of devices, you got to pick the one that fits. your operations.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Kevin Spencer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/

WEBSITE

Rod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/

In episode 27 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer interviews Cindy Maricle from Abundant Living Naturally to discuss her journey from medical technology to natural wellness support using essential oils. Cindy shares her personal experience of finding natural solutions to health issues and the importance of knowing the source of essential oils for therapeutic results.

Tune in as they dive into the trends in the natural wellness industry and the future of holistic health.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:02:00] Natural Wellness and Essential Oils.

[00:07:37] Trends in the Industry.

[00:10:15] Integrity of Essential Oils

[00:16:37] Live Blood Cell Analysis.

[00:20:56] Neutralizing Lactic Acid in Muscles.

QUOTES

• “I have a lot of passion because I have found there are ways that you can support your body naturally to do what it's designed to do, which is heal itself. Not always, but often we can avoid unnecessary interventions.” - Cindy Maricle
• "You just need to really find a company you trust. And so that's what I do. I educate. I love to help people know what to do for themselves." - Cindy Maricle
• "One of my favorite quotes is the definition of success is the continual progressive movement towards a worthy ideal. I kind of didn't quote it correctly, but it's when you don't quit, but you continue to make progress towards a goal. That is an ideal that you want to trade your life for, and for me, I want to empower people to feel better, look better, and live better naturally." - Cindy Maricle

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Kevin Spencer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/

Cindy Maricle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindy.maricle/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindy.maricle

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-maricle/

WEBSITE

Rod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/

Cindy Maricle: https://cindymaricle.com/

In episode 26 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer interviews Ram Venkataraman, CEO of Kibo Commerce, to discuss his journey in the retail and hospitality industry. Ram discusses his background, experience, and the transformation he led at Kibo during the COVID-19 pandemic.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:03:20] Building Things was Fascinating.

[00:04:36] Platform-Based Businesses.

[00:08:40] Embracing Composable Commerce Strategy.

[00:12:30] Embracing Client Obsession for Success.

[00:16:11] Core Product Solutions.

[00:19:13] Optimizing Fulfillment Logistics.

[00:24:16] Work-Life Balance Insights.

[00:25:44] Measuring Success Through Mentoring.

QUOTES

• "So as an individual and as a business, I think one of the key things for us is that curiosity, learning new things, trying new things, obviously being in the software business, you have to constantly innovate.” - Ram Venkataraman
• "And it's not an easy thing today to be successful without a lot of effort, without a lot of feedback around you to really get the right feedback to improve yourself and improve yourself as an organization." - Ram Venkataraman

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Kevin Spencer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/

Ram Venkataraman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramvenkataraman/

WEBSITE

Rod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/

Kibo Commerce: https://kibocommerce.com/

In episode 25 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer delves into the world of electronic shelf labels (ESLs) and explores their impact on the retail and hospitality industry. From improving operational efficiency to enhancing the customer experience, ESLs offer a range of benefits for retailers. Kevin discusses the challenges and potential returns on investment associated with implementing ESLs, as well as innovative applications and future trends in the retail landscape.

Tune in to learn how this evolving technology is shaping the retail landscape!

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:31] Evolution of Electronic Shelf Labels.

[00:08:32] ESLs Enhancing Stock Management.

[00:11:01] Implementing New Technology Strategies.

QUOTES

• “Since ESLs can be updated remotely and automatically, retailers can change prices and promotions across all their stores in their chain, or even a single store, and save time and resources compared to manually changing the paper tags.”
• “You want to utilize your resources much better for stocking or something else that can add more value. This is how you analyze the cost of paper, the cost of labor, and the cost of inefficiencies with price queries by customers, because the labor wasn't changing in time. You want to make sure that the valued experience of the customer is always there. And this is definitely a big, big, big advantage. I can imagine how much time and effort it would save, especially store employees.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Kevin Spencer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/

WEBSITE

Rod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/

In episode 24 of Retail Checks and Balances, Kevin Spencer discusses the importance of leading for the long haul and mastering the art of delegation for leadership longevity. He shares personal experiences and insights on how leaders can sustain their effectiveness over time, emphasizing the impact of delegation on business success and stability.

Tune in to explore the challenges and pitfalls leaders face in delegation and the significance of longevity in leadership.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:43] Leading for the Long Haul.

[00:08:03] Delegation as a Leader's Superpower.

[00:13:46] The Importance of Delegation.

In this episode, Kevin Spencer highlights common challenges that leaders face when it comes to delegation, such as relinquishing control, trust issues, and the fear of losing relevance. However, he stresses the significance of overcoming these obstacles to allow team members to utilize their skills and talents effectively.

Furthermore, Kevin discusses the importance of providing ongoing support and feedback to team members to ensure they have the necessary resources and tools to succeed in their delegated roles. By clearly communicating expectations and desired outcomes, leaders can empower their team members to use their creativity and initiative to achieve goals.

QUOTES

• “Sometimes we realize as leaders that, our business cannot function without us. And that's not a good thing. In my experience, I've seen leaders get severely ill and then the business starts to fail or leaders pass on and then there's no more business. From my perspective, I don't want to be ever in that position because I want my legacy to live on.”
• “The power of delegation of authority and the anatomy of it, it's really about trust. You gotta, people are going to make mistakes and even if they do, we have to guide them along the lines of those mistakes.”
• “It's very essential to provide adequate support and the resources to ensure that team members have the tools they need to succeed. And they got to know that they also have to come to you if they're stuck on something or, you know, guide them along the way of finding that method of success.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Kevin Spencer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kspencer007/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinspencer007/

WEBSITE

Rod Plus Solutions: https://rodplussolutions.com/