What Liverpool Dept Store Achieved by Both Humanizing and Digitizing their Organization

In an era where technology plays an increasingly dominant role and companies are being told ‘digitise or die’. Is there still a role for human talent?

And if so, for how long?

From major advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, to the growing use of self-service platforms at retail, where do people fit into Industry 4.0?

Can machines and bots do it all?  If they can – is this the future vision that we aspire to?

Today I’m speaking with  Dr. Stephen Patton, who’s visionary view of the future of industry includes vital roles for both man and machine.

As Regional Director of Asian Sourcing for Liverpool Department Stores, Stephen played a pivotal role in helping his company navigate through the pandemic, thanks to his adept management of his supply chain.

Early on, he foresaw how the pandemic could potentially escalate beyond Asia.  This led him to make strategic decisions that resulted in Liverpool having the right inventory at the right time, when some their competitors did not.

Stephen attributes Liverpool’s success to the strength of its Human Resources, and by using technology to empower those people so they can do even better work.