WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.600 So let's talk retail training. When you really 00:00:02.600 --> 00:00:05.360 look at it, how effective are the methods most 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:07.419 companies are using right now, especially with 00:00:07.419 --> 00:00:09.679 the market changing so fast? A lot of folks, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:12.300 maybe even you, are still leaning on while let's 00:00:12.300 --> 00:00:15.119 call them traditional formats. But are we really 00:00:15.119 --> 00:00:17.300 checking if they work? Today on The Deep Dive, 00:00:17.379 --> 00:00:19.179 we're diving into a pretty compelling argument 00:00:19.179 --> 00:00:21.219 from Multimedia Plus. You probably know the name. 00:00:21.420 --> 00:00:24.859 They're making this strong case about why cartoon 00:00:24.859 --> 00:00:27.140 -style animations might actually be missing the 00:00:27.140 --> 00:00:30.399 mark in retail training, and why real video is, 00:00:30.399 --> 00:00:32.939 well, turning out to be way more powerful. We'll 00:00:32.939 --> 00:00:34.880 even touch on platforms like INCITE, which I 00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:37.539 know many of you use, and how they fit into this. 00:00:37.719 --> 00:00:40.280 Our mission, really, is to unpack what Multimedia 00:00:40.280 --> 00:00:42.759 Plus is saying, go a bit deeper. What does this 00:00:42.759 --> 00:00:45.880 actually mean for you as a retail exec? about 00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:48.219 things like brand alignment, keeping your associates 00:00:48.219 --> 00:00:50.619 and, you know, overall store performance. Let's 00:00:50.619 --> 00:00:53.439 get into it. OK, so let's break down this main 00:00:53.439 --> 00:00:55.719 issue. It's everywhere, right? Companies using 00:00:55.719 --> 00:00:58.159 cartoon animations for training. But Multimedia 00:00:58.159 --> 00:01:00.880 Plus argues pretty forcefully that this approach 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:04.680 is often just out of sync with the actual brand 00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:06.879 experience you're trying to create. I mean, unless 00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:09.159 your brand is genuinely built around animation 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:11.859 or maybe aimed squarely at kids, it creates this 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:14.510 sort of jarring disconnect. Think about it if 00:01:14.510 --> 00:01:17.870 you run, say, a high -end luxury store, a really 00:01:17.870 --> 00:01:19.930 sophisticated experience, and the training looks 00:01:19.930 --> 00:01:22.349 like a Saturday morning cartoon. What's that 00:01:22.349 --> 00:01:24.090 telling your team about professionalism? And 00:01:24.090 --> 00:01:25.870 it's not just about how it looks on the surface. 00:01:26.129 --> 00:01:28.170 Your retail associates, like pretty much everyone 00:01:28.170 --> 00:01:30.709 now, they live in a video first world. Their 00:01:30.709 --> 00:01:32.750 social media, entertainment, how they learn stuff 00:01:32.750 --> 00:01:35.209 online, it's all video. Mostly real people, real 00:01:35.209 --> 00:01:37.450 situations. So when their work training shows 00:01:37.450 --> 00:01:39.450 up with avatars, maybe exaggerated scenarios, 00:01:39.569 --> 00:01:42.069 it just immediately feels disconnected. like 00:01:42.069 --> 00:01:44.650 the real important information they consume everywhere 00:01:44.650 --> 00:01:46.969 else. Yeah. And what's really fascinating, I 00:01:46.969 --> 00:01:51.049 think, is how that specific feeling of disconnection 00:01:51.049 --> 00:01:54.670 hits attention spans and, critically, retention. 00:01:54.930 --> 00:01:57.849 You lose them. Multimedia Plus points out something 00:01:57.849 --> 00:02:00.469 interesting. Cartoons might simplify things, 00:02:00.709 --> 00:02:02.689 make it seem easy, but they can actually reduce 00:02:02.689 --> 00:02:06.290 credibility, almost paradoxically. Like you said, 00:02:06.349 --> 00:02:09.009 imagine training for a complex tech product using 00:02:09.009 --> 00:02:12.590 a cartoon character. It's subtly. maybe unintentionally, 00:02:12.830 --> 00:02:15.009 downplays the seriousness, the expertise needed, 00:02:15.490 --> 00:02:18.210 that lack of authenticity. It chips away at engagement. 00:02:18.949 --> 00:02:20.650 Associates might feel the training isn't quite 00:02:20.650 --> 00:02:23.050 serious enough for their actual complex job. 00:02:23.449 --> 00:02:25.530 It's just so crucial that the training feels 00:02:25.530 --> 00:02:28.569 grounded in the associates day -to -day experience. 00:02:29.049 --> 00:02:31.150 That's the key for making it stick, making it 00:02:31.150 --> 00:02:32.889 effective. They need to hear the language they 00:02:32.889 --> 00:02:34.490 use, see environments that look like their store, 00:02:34.669 --> 00:02:36.629 understand the customer expectations you actually 00:02:36.629 --> 00:02:38.849 have. Cartoons, well, they abstract all that, 00:02:38.870 --> 00:02:40.889 don't they? It can make associates feel like, 00:02:40.949 --> 00:02:43.030 okay, this isn't really for me, not for my specific 00:02:43.030 --> 00:02:45.629 store, my specific challenges. If they don't 00:02:45.629 --> 00:02:48.310 see their reality reflected, Why would they internalize 00:02:48.310 --> 00:02:50.930 it? Exactly. And this is where it gets really 00:02:50.930 --> 00:02:53.270 interesting and maybe busts a myth some execs 00:02:53.270 --> 00:02:55.949 might have about video training. The solution 00:02:55.949 --> 00:02:58.830 multimedia plus is talking about. It's not necessarily 00:02:58.830 --> 00:03:01.689 about hiring film crews for big expensive live 00:03:01.689 --> 00:03:04.250 action shoots. They're very clear. Real video 00:03:04.250 --> 00:03:06.990 today doesn't always mean physically filmed content. 00:03:06.990 --> 00:03:09.870 And that really opens things up, especially if 00:03:09.870 --> 00:03:13.110 cost or logistics were barriers before. So what 00:03:13.110 --> 00:03:15.030 does real video look like now? It's actually 00:03:15.030 --> 00:03:17.759 pretty diverse. It could be AI. generated visuals 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:20.740 you know sophisticated AI avatars speaking with 00:03:20.740 --> 00:03:22.879 your brand's voice maybe in digital settings 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:25.479 that look just like your stores but it also includes 00:03:25.479 --> 00:03:28.439 things like remote filming this is huge your 00:03:28.439 --> 00:03:30.759 own people top sellers managers contributing 00:03:30.759 --> 00:03:32.699 real content from their locations using their 00:03:32.699 --> 00:03:34.759 phones sometimes and then you combine all that 00:03:34.759 --> 00:03:37.039 using smart editing tools you get professional 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:39.120 results without that massive traditional production 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:41.620 headache it's much more agile that's a great 00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:43.740 point and connecting that to the bigger picture 00:03:43.740 --> 00:03:46.639 the absolute core INCITE from Multimedia Plus 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:49.759 isn't how it was made filmed AI whatever the 00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:52.419 key question is does it feel real and relevant 00:03:52.419 --> 00:03:54.680 to the associate watching it that's the litmus 00:03:54.680 --> 00:03:58.300 test these newer tools they genuinely let brands 00:03:58.300 --> 00:04:00.879 even huge ones with thousands of stores create 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:03.860 high -quality training video that's fast flexible 00:04:03.860 --> 00:04:06.400 and cost -effective it sort of democratizes creating 00:04:06.400 --> 00:04:08.919 really impactful authentic content you can react 00:04:08.919 --> 00:04:11.520 faster to new products market shifts get relevant 00:04:11.520 --> 00:04:13.659 info out quickly without waiting months for a 00:04:13.659 --> 00:04:16.379 big production OK, so we've got this shift towards 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:19.139 real video enabled by new tech. What does this 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:21.500 actually mean for store performance? Why should 00:04:21.500 --> 00:04:23.480 a retail leader really care about this shift? 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:25.300 Right, that's the bottom line question. How does 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:27.939 this real video actually grab people, make the 00:04:27.939 --> 00:04:30.779 learning stick, and lead to better results on 00:04:30.779 --> 00:04:33.829 the floor? Multimedia Plus highlights a few key 00:04:33.829 --> 00:04:36.430 things. It directly models the behavior you want 00:04:36.430 --> 00:04:39.230 to see, it reinforces the right brand tone, and 00:04:39.230 --> 00:04:41.170 it aligns the internal culture with the customer 00:04:41.170 --> 00:04:44.110 experience. Think about a specific product demo 00:04:44.110 --> 00:04:46.589 showing exactly how to sell that key feature. 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:49.500 or handling a tricky customer return with real 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:52.279 empathy shown, or even just a visual merchandising 00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:54.779 guide, step by step. Realistic video gives that 00:04:54.779 --> 00:04:57.579 context. It shows the ideal way. It doesn't just 00:04:57.579 --> 00:04:59.839 tell. That kind of learning is just stickier, 00:05:00.100 --> 00:05:02.500 more memorable, and way more actionable for associates 00:05:02.500 --> 00:05:05.209 because it looks like their world. Yeah, absolutely. 00:05:05.290 --> 00:05:07.009 And it's also about meeting them where they are, 00:05:07.069 --> 00:05:09.050 isn't it? Making training feel as current as 00:05:09.050 --> 00:05:10.990 everything else they interact with. Your teams 00:05:10.990 --> 00:05:12.870 are already consuming stuff that looks like training 00:05:12.870 --> 00:05:15.329 every single day on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube 00:05:15.329 --> 00:05:18.610 shorts, quick tips, how to's, insights. They're 00:05:18.610 --> 00:05:21.350 learning constantly in this short, focused human 00:05:21.350 --> 00:05:24.569 video format. And multimedia plus really handles 00:05:24.569 --> 00:05:27.209 this point. If your internal training doesn't 00:05:27.209 --> 00:05:30.689 have that same feel short, clear, direct, real, 00:05:31.029 --> 00:05:33.910 it risks being seen as outdated or out of touch. 00:05:34.329 --> 00:05:36.889 Associates, especially younger ones, want immediate 00:05:36.889 --> 00:05:39.129 applicable insight. They want the why just as 00:05:39.129 --> 00:05:41.550 much as the how. Why this product? Why this process? 00:05:41.629 --> 00:05:43.930 Video is just uniquely good at delivering that 00:05:43.930 --> 00:05:45.889 whole picture quickly, memorably in the format 00:05:45.889 --> 00:05:47.930 they already prefer. And there's another layer 00:05:47.930 --> 00:05:51.230 here which is fascinating how this real video 00:05:51.230 --> 00:05:54.079 approach actually strengthens your brand from 00:05:54.079 --> 00:05:56.259 the inside. Your training shouldn't feel separate. 00:05:56.439 --> 00:05:58.019 It should feel like just another part of the 00:05:58.019 --> 00:06:00.899 overall store experience, consistent, intentional, 00:06:01.259 --> 00:06:02.759 visually aligned with everything else you do. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:05.180 It's culture building. Imagine your brand is 00:06:05.180 --> 00:06:08.180 all about vibrant personal service. If the training 00:06:08.180 --> 00:06:11.000 videos consistently show real associates nailing 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:14.139 that vibe in real store situations, That reinforces 00:06:14.139 --> 00:06:16.699 it constantly. So using real video consistently, 00:06:16.980 --> 00:06:19.439 it helps embed your brand's tone, your environment. 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:22.360 It builds internal culture and sharpens customer 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:25.259 -facing performance. Massively important. And 00:06:25.259 --> 00:06:27.660 when the content feels like it's theirs, it reflects 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:29.839 their world, maybe even features people they 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:32.839 know, embodies their brand. Multimedia Plus says 00:06:32.839 --> 00:06:35.639 it significantly increases engagement and ownership. 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:38.399 Training stops being just a task they have to 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:40.639 do. It becomes part of their professional identity. 00:06:40.839 --> 00:06:43.019 They're more invested in living up to those standards 00:06:43.019 --> 00:06:45.100 because they see it demonstrated authentically. 00:06:45.459 --> 00:06:48.459 OK, so this shift to real video is powerful and 00:06:48.459 --> 00:06:50.240 it gets even more practical when you bring in 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:52.779 modern platforms. This is where something like 00:06:52.779 --> 00:06:55.319 INCITE comes into play, which again, many of 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:57.860 you are probably familiar with. Multimedia Plus 00:06:57.860 --> 00:07:00.360 points out how platforms like INCITE do more 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:03.259 than just, you know, push content out. They actually 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:05.939 elevate the whole training function for retail. 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:09.560 Specifically, INCITE focuses on delivering mobile 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:12.449 -first training video to every associate, right 00:07:12.449 --> 00:07:14.790 there in their pocket. Which means training is 00:07:14.790 --> 00:07:16.790 there when and where they need it, maybe a quiet 00:07:16.790 --> 00:07:18.709 moment on the floor, on their commute, whatever. 00:07:18.930 --> 00:07:21.149 It fits how they use their devices already, removes 00:07:21.149 --> 00:07:22.829 that friction. It's bringing the learning to 00:07:22.829 --> 00:07:25.110 them, not making them chase it down. Exactly. 00:07:25.550 --> 00:07:28.170 And beyond just easy delivery, INCITE offers 00:07:28.170 --> 00:07:30.449 these smarter data -driven tools that give you 00:07:30.449 --> 00:07:33.939 real, measurable results. It lets you track engagement 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:36.259 precisely, you see who watched what, not just 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:38.240 who clicked play, but who finished, how they 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:40.660 interacted, that's key. But then it goes further, 00:07:40.899 --> 00:07:43.079 you get embedded knowledge checks to actually 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:45.500 assess comprehension, giving immediate feedback 00:07:45.500 --> 00:07:48.240 to the associate and, crucially, data back to 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:51.220 you. And maybe the most powerful part, it lets 00:07:51.220 --> 00:07:54.019 you use data to drive coaching all in real time. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:57.180 For retail leaders, that's huge. You get insights 00:07:57.180 --> 00:07:59.300 into effectiveness now, not three months later. 00:07:59.560 --> 00:08:01.180 You can see who needs help, where the message 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:03.740 isn't landing, and intervene quickly. And that 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:05.959 real -time data, combined with how flexible video 00:08:05.959 --> 00:08:08.740 is, allows for incredible tailoring. Multimedia 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:11.819 Plus is spot on. Retail is too fast and too complex 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:14.399 for one -size -fits -all training. It just is. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:16.639 You've got different regions, products, customer 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:19.240 types, constant new campaigns. Video, through 00:08:19.240 --> 00:08:21.220 platforms like INCITE, lets you customize messages 00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:24.139 fast. Target specific roles, regions, even individuals 00:08:24.139 --> 00:08:26.220 who need a specific skill boost. You're not just 00:08:26.220 --> 00:08:28.139 blasting everyone with the same thing. You're 00:08:28.139 --> 00:08:30.319 personalizing learning at scale, making sure 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:32.980 it's relevant, timely, and deliver it in a way 00:08:32.980 --> 00:08:35.279 that actually works. So wrapping this up, the 00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:37.539 core takeaway from Multimedia Plus seems pretty 00:08:37.539 --> 00:08:40.450 clear, and it definitely makes you think. Cartoon 00:08:40.450 --> 00:08:42.750 -style content may grab attention, but it doesn't 00:08:42.750 --> 00:08:45.870 build confidence. It might be easy, but it doesn't 00:08:45.870 --> 00:08:48.049 deliver where it counts. Right. And the power 00:08:48.049 --> 00:08:51.309 of real video, whether it's filmed in your store 00:08:51.309 --> 00:08:53.870 with your team or generated smartly with AI, 00:08:54.350 --> 00:08:58.149 it's modern, scalable, and above all, relevant. 00:08:58.750 --> 00:09:01.090 Relevant to your associates, relevant to your 00:09:01.090 --> 00:09:03.840 brand, relevant to your customers. So thinking 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:05.779 about everything we've discussed, all these insights 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:08.899 on moving from maybe generic animation to authentic 00:09:08.899 --> 00:09:11.600 real video, how could embracing that strategy 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:13.899 truly change your brand, your internal culture, 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:16.259 your customer experience, maybe even your bottom 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:17.899 line, something definitely worth considering.