Task Management Software for Retail Franchises: Innovating Retail Operations

Task management software is important for retail franchises’ day-to-day operations. With the help of task management software, retail headquarters can communicate decisions about store operations to stores through instructions. This can involve deciding which products to mark as discounted, how to set up displays, how to clean the area, and what items to remove from the shelves. 

The essence of retail task management is giving shop teams these instructions, which should clearly outline their tasks and the deadlines for completing them. However, things aren’t always that easy. Tasks are either forgotten or performed wrong, data is lost, and directions are misinterpreted. 

Retail task management software helps retailers digitally organize, assign, monitor, and report on store tasks and procedures. It provides headquarters with insight into store compliance and execution while enabling store teams to operate independently.

What is retail task management software?

Task management software is an application where managers assign, manage, and track tasks assigned to their fellow employees. Regional managers assign tasks or send reminders to other retail franchise managers. It is an innovative software for any manager with a team of service technicians, delivery executives, or sales representatives. 

Every organization looking to streamline processes from task allocation to task completion needs task management software. Having this software in place makes it easier to complete a range of tasks. Let’s look at them. 

• Assign and monitor all tasks, considering dependencies and deadlines. You can even assign tasks a priority.

• A digital checklist facilitates progress visualization and makes it simple to identify when a task is ongoing, pending, or just completed.

• It provides departments with a centralized platform on which teams can easily share and self-allocate tasks, set deadlines, and share progress updates. 

Overall, task management software relieves the burden from a manager’s shoulder and reduces the dependency on assigning tasks manually.  

How does it work?

Here are some easy steps on how task management software works.

1. Easy Task Assignment

Executive task delegation is made simple by the software using a straightforward field form. There are fields for entering data, like:

• Type of task
• Name of the field executive
• Name of the company
• Due date
• Priority and task type

It is simple for managers to see how many tasks their executives are currently working on and to add tasks in bulk for each executive.

2. Add and Edit On The Move

Depending on their bandwidth and availability, field executives and employees, in addition to managers, are free to add, edit, or remove tasks. Executives do not always need permission from their hiring managers or any higher-up in the chain of managers to make minor changes. They can do that on their own.

3. Geo-verified Tasks

Managers can verify with the software whether executives visited the task location. All due to real-time status monitoring. The software makes geo-verification possible, eliminating questions and assisting in the automation of field-driven task attendance marking.

4. Real-time Digital Checklists

Executives receive a digital checklist that makes it easy to see which tasks are finished, on hold, postponed, or left undone. Using this user-friendly checklist, executives can mark tasks as accomplished, enabling managers to be held responsible for their output. Additionally, by analyzing their bandwidth, they can assign tasks appropriately.

What are the key features of task management software?

Task management software comes with a subset of features. The following are the most common features of task management software.

• Planning and scheduling: Task management tools facilitate scheduling and planning by breaking down workflows into manageable tasks, which can be designated as recurring or with deadlines.

• Automation: Automation facilitates the execution of complex task management, adjusting the frequency of team updates, manager approval, and coordination, thus making it an efficient solution for task management systems in many cases.

• Store Audit: This solution evaluates whether the stores maintain their industry standards and are repeatedly reviewed. It does this by allowing timely reports by field supervisors or auditors to determine the retail’s compliance.

• Ticket Tracking: This feature helps track client concerns, ensures they are addressed, and records them to prevent future order mishandling.

• Time Tracking: Time tracking is essential in task management systems to identify bottlenecks and improve resource management, especially for hourly projects. It allows employees or contractors to log their time data.

• Easy UI: The software has unique designs so that companies, despite the challenges of lack of expertise or excessive daily tasks, can employ it by selecting the most suitable features.

• Mobile Access: The system is mobile-friendly, allowing employees to submit and update real-time information on smartphones or tablets, allowing for remote work and requiring only a small gadget.

• Collaboration: A task management system streamlines team collaboration in remote work settings. It allows supervisors to monitor progress, communicate with team members, and answer inquiries about specific tasks, overcoming the challenges of spreadsheets.

• Views: The tasks management software provides flexible views, including Kanban boards, calendars, grid views, lists, Gantt charts, and timelines, which can be adjusted according to individual preferences.

• Demos and team feedback: If the staff does not feel comfortable with the task management software, it may not work well for the team’s project. Most products provide you with demos and interactive environments where you can test the specifications and share your results to measure product suitability.
• Customer Support: Ensure your project’s success with top-notch customer support, ensuring smooth operations in case of software failure. Research provider reviews and plans for detailed services.

It is tough to find software with all the best features at a cost-effective price range. That’s why it is better to select some of the features that suit your business objectives and then start looking for the software. 

Best Task Management Software for Retail Franchises

Here is the list of some factors to consider when choosing a task management software:

1. How can it help project scheduling?

Look for task management software that updates projects in real time. This will ensure that everything is moving forward as planned and that no balls are lost in the process. Throughout the project, the most effective collaboration management systems let you plan, assign, and track tasks and get updates on their completion.

2. Does it collaborate with you in the same manner as you do?

Task management software provides collaboration functionality, allowing team members to coordinate to set a common direction and objectives. Tool selection depends on the communication style, and if necessary, be ready to make it clear to the software companies while discussing the home features.

3. In what ways does it support project structure?

The best task management software should be structured, flexible, and allow for project breakdown into phases with subtasks. It should be as adaptable as your team, as every project presents unique challenges.

4. How well does it work with the other tools you use?

Your company is already familiar with a number of these tools. Think about how the software will work with current ones. Usually, the software sales representative needs to ask a few questions to find out this information. 

5. Is the layout simple and captivating?

Choose user-friendly project management software with dashboards and graphics to help the team learn new tools and technologies. These interfaces are less intimidating than bulky Excel spreadsheets and emails, making them more familiar to team members.

6. How simple is it to share data and collaborate?

Project management is highly collaborative work that requires communication between teams and businesses. Make sure the project management software you choose enables you to keep in touch with team members, clients, and other relevant stakeholders by sharing regular updates and information.

7. Is there a free trial available from the Task Management Software provider?

Trying it out is one of the best ways to determine whether project management software is appropriate for your business. A good system typically offers a free trial period to demonstrate its value. Feel free to try out a few more systems. Then, observe what your group has to say about each one. 

It is essential to ask questions before investing in any software so that you can choose the right tool to maximize productivity and profitability. Considering all the factors you need in a task management software will narrow down the options and you can easily make the choice. 

Implementing task management software in retail franchises

After selecting the appropriate software, you need to consider how to use it. List the new software’s requirements and desirable features. Create a system of scores based on your needs, rank the vendors who meet your requirements, and select the best one for you.

• Create a sense of urgency: Focus on the problems the new software will solve and their current impact on the business.

• Construct a group to provide guidance: Name a person within the company to assist with and respond to questions regarding the new software.

• Enhance your tactical plan and vision: Create a thorough plan for retiring outdated processes and putting the software into use.

• Find your champions: Identify well-known and influential individuals within the company who can inspire others to embrace the new tool by spreading their enthusiasm.

• Eliminate any barriers to activity: Find out if there are any concerns or challenges that employees have with using the tool and work to resolve them.

• Create quick wins frequently and early: Highlight the early successes that the new software has made possible through channels of business communication.

• Keep the momentum going: Reward team members who consistently use the product and work with the vendor to develop and modify the program to better suit users’ needs.
• Make changes and connect them to your company’s culture: Make sure the software is deeply embedded in the company culture and the workflow of the end users.

It is essential to understand that retail is a highly competitive industry, and challenges will arise while business owners ensure implementation in all retail franchises. That’s why it is essential to find a vendor that will help businesses implement the solutions easily. 

Maximizing the benefits of task management software

Follow the steps below to get your business team on board with the new project management software.

1. Explain the benefits

Before introducing new software to your team, provide a compelling reason for the change, explaining its benefits such as goal achievement, time savings, reduced mistakes, improved collaboration, improved performance, and addressing any concerns or inquiries.

2. Provide training and support.

The new software can be overwhelming to your staff due to unfamiliar features. Prevent this challenge by providing repetitive guidance and reinforcement with manuals, webinars, online tutorials, FAQs, and coaching. Set up a feedback loop with your team so they can address their challenges and suggestions about using the new program.

3. Encourage feedback and participation.

Engaging your team in adopting new software, valuing their input while providing a feedback loop, and acknowledging their efforts and achievements along the way can build a culture of positivity, collaboration and ownership that will ultimately accelerate their adoption and productivity. 

4. Monitor and evaluate

Finally, measure the new software’s impact on staff output and contentment. Review metrics such as training completion rates and user feedback. Consider the pros and cons, and present the results to the group. Acknowledge any achievements and address gaps that need to be filled. Be sure to focus on missteps, consider salient strengths, and put the right individual in the right situation. 

As a project manager, you know the importance of tracking your team’s activities, due dates, and progress. So, ensure that you explain the same to the other retail franchises. Training and support is one of the important ways to enhance the rate of software adoption. 

Conclusion

Project management software can greatly benefit individuals and teams by improving productivity and streamlining processes. It increases accountability and transparency and provides the tools needed to improve project planning, tracking, and execution.

Implementing project management software can dramatically change your business model and increase business productivity. Discover the benefits of project management software and help your team maximize its potential.