In an event that cleverly merged the excitement of a music festival with the seriousness of technology training, SpartanNash recently held its inaugural IT Training Palooza. This three-day event took place from September 23-25, in Byron Center, Michigan, and attracted nearly 300 associates from across the country. Set against a vibrant backdrop and accompanied by live music, the Palooza focused on fostering community and enhancing skills in the rapidly evolving sphere of IT.
Masiar Tayebi, EVP and Chief Strategy and Information Officer, spoke candidly about the inspiration behind this immersive event. The idea was born from engagement feedback gathered through surveys, where associates expressed a clear desire for more interactive and community-driven training. “We have to carve out time as a community of contributors to come together as a group and make it fun,” Tayebi commented. The Palooza was not just about imparting knowledge but about creating an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration.
The agenda for the event was expansive and covered a wide array of topics, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, automation, time management, and supply chain innovations. Over the course of 15 hours, participants rotated between six different training stages, allowing for a comprehensive and dynamic learning experience. Tayebi emphasized the value of direct engagement with industry leaders, stating, “We’re bringing together these leading-edge tech companies,” including Microsoft, Snowflake, and BMC, to facilitate valuable training sessions tailored to the grocery sector.
A key highlight of the event was the interactive sessions with SpartanNash’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT). Each member dedicated an hour to engage intimately with small groups of associates, sharing insights about their visions and future strategies. This format allowed for a two-way dialogue, where associates could voice their thoughts and questions directly to their leaders, fostering a deeper connection between management and staff.
The event’s kickoff was lively, featuring a performance by SpartanNash’s own in-house band, humorously named “Out of Office.” CEO Tony Sarsam made a poignant address, stressing the need for customer-focused innovation within SpartanNash’s IT organization. He underscored the importance of doing things remarkably well to thrive in a competitive, low-margin industry: “We have to take our role and be proud of the fact that we are the guardian, we are the servant to the servant of the customer. No one’s going to do better than we do, and we don’t want to outsource that.”
In addition to the training and knowledge share, SpartanNash took the opportunity to contribute to the local community, presenting a donation aimed at fostering future IT talent through a partnership with Bravo LT, a nonprofit organization. This aligns with the company’s vision to nurture the next generation of technology professionals in West Michigan, addressing a critical need within the IT field.
This IT Training Palooza embodies a significant step for SpartanNash as it not only elevates the skills of its associates but also builds a strong sense of community among them. With 17,000 individuals in its workforce, SpartanNash is committed to its dual operations in food wholesale and grocery retail, which includes 147 stores across several states. The event reaffirmed the company’s position as a key player in the food and consumables retail space, solidifying its ranking as one of Progressive Grocer’s Top 100 retailers in North America for 2024.
As the retail landscape continues to change, initiatives like the IT Training Palooza will be crucial in equipping employees with the skills they need to adapt and excel. By investing in training and fostering a collaborative environment, SpartanNash is poised not only to improve its operational efficiency but also to enhance the overall customer experience—a strategic necessity in today’s market.
