First Friday has secured a contract with Budgens to deliver the change management component of a new EPOS project. First Friday was selected for its retail expertise and proven track record of supporting change at some of Britain’s most successful retail organisations. At Budgens, First Friday will be involved in the EPOS change management strategy, developing bespoke training materials, creating a comprehensive communication programme and the delivery of training to a varied set of business users.

Budgens has over 6000 staff, and changes at the checkout will ultimately affect the whole organisation. Employees affected by the new system range from cashiers, through to store management teams and the head office trading and finance departments. All of these different groups will need to know what the new technology will mean to them and how it will add value to their specific jobs. First Friday will play a key role in delivering relevant information to a broad range of business areas.

“If you can create a hunger and desire for new systems long before you deliver them it makes the product so much more valued when it arrives” says Mark Trevorrow, IT Director at Budgens.

“First Friday is the right company to cultivate the attitude of change. We need an organisation that can spread enthusiasm about the project and help it seem real to people from all business areas” continues Mark Trevorrow. “In my experience, IT projects are only partly about the software and the hardware. IT departments need to look at educating people on how new solutions will help them do their jobs more effectively. That’s why Budgens have engaged First Friday. We looked for a firm that understood retail, understood business change and most importantly was able to communicate the benefits of change to users” concludes Mark Trevorrow.

First Friday will immediately commence work with Budgens and will continue to work with the retailer through the entire project.

“Budgens is a smart organisation that understands how to motivate employees at every level of the business. We are pleased to be working with them on a bespoke programme that will support a positive return on a significant IT investment” says Robin Turner Managing Director at First Friday.