You’ve identified a technology that could reduce shrink, improve speed of service, or enhance the customer experience - but without leadership support, it won’t move forward.
Executives are being asked to prioritize only what moves the needle, and even critical upgrades are competing for time, budget, and attention. If the business case isn’t crystal clear or the rollout seems risky or disruptive, great ideas will get caught in approval purgatory.
That’s a real problem when your teams are already stretched thin and the current systems are holding you back.
The Solution
To get your rollout approved, you need to make the value obvious; not just for IT, but for the whole business.
That means:
- Showing how the tech supports real goals like faster checkout, better inventory accuracy, and fewer service calls
- Laying out a simple plan that avoids store disruption
- Backing your idea with data and cross-team input
The Action Plan: 4 Steps to Win Executive Support
Here are four steps - pulled directly from the Rollout Readiness Framework - to help you get leadership on board quickly, avoid common rollout delays, and keep your project moving forward.
1. Bring in Other Teams Early
Loop in Ops, Loss Prevention, Marketing, and others who will benefit from the upgrade. A shared proposal with support from multiple departments carries more weight than one coming from a single team.
→ For example: If a new camera system reduces theft and helps track store traffic, get both LP and Marketing on board.
2. Show the Plan
Don’t just pitch the idea; show how it’ll be rolled out. Will it start with a pilot? How long will it take? How will you keep stores running smoothly during installation? A clear timeline builds trust and makes the rollout feel doable.
→ Pro tip: Work with IT upfront to make sure the tech fits with existing systems.
3. Come Prepared with Options
Cost is always a concern. Be ready with vendor comparisons, examples from other retailers, and an explanation of why you chose this specific solution. This shows you’ve done the work, not just followed the latest trend.
→ Bonus: Point to results from similar brands to help leaders see the upside.
4. Make the Value Crystal Clear
Skip the buzzwords. Focus on real outcomes: faster service, less downtime, fewer lost sales. If the current setup is causing delays or extra labor, show how this new tech will fix it - and what that’s worth.
→ Tip: Quantify the cost of inaction. What happens if you don’t make the change?
The Bottom Line
Getting approval for a rollout isn’t just about pushing a request; it’s about connecting the dots. The clearer you make the path from investment to results, the more likely your project is to get the green light.
Get the step-by-step guide to planning smoother tech rollouts.
Download Chapter 1 of the Rollout Readiness Framework below to build a technology rollout plan your leadership team can say yes to.
