Under the direction of Ross Weiner, Visionworks has been able to completely transform store operations, execution and associate engagement across its 750 stores. He drove the selection and implementation of Zipline, which now allows the retailer to put everything — from product line updates to new HR policies and procedures — in the palm of frontline employees’ hands.  
 
Visionworks employees previously relied on email and the company intranet as the main source of communication to field associates. Any time there was a new initiative, a message from headquarters cascaded down through field leaders via email and a big game of telephone. These processes caused field staff to spend 25% or more of their time managing communications. Tracking execution was an even more significant challenge.  

Now, field leaders can easily communicate with associates, assign tasks and know when associates complete those tasks. Likewise, employees have easier access to corporate information and greater transparency into daily and weekly expectations. After implementing Zipline, Ross surveyed 3,000 Visionworks field associates and found that: 

• 91% of all participants save time viewing, searching and delegating communications; 
• 95% said it’s the same or easier to find information; and 
• 91% said it is easier to see exactly what action stores need to take and ensure execution. 

 As part of the Zipline rollout, Ross built out reporting in the company’s business intelligence tool to support field leaders with customized rollup/drill-down reporting to help them better know where and how to follow up. He also is leading a beta test for AI functionality that ingests information and resources to answer employee questions more quickly.