Verizon protects & empowers retail associates with immersive learning

Safety and liability are critical concerns for every company, and Verizon is no different. As the leading wireless carrier in the United States, Verizon offers the latest in smartphone technology through over 1,600 retail locations across the country. But with such high-value, high-demand devices on display, safety threats like smash-and-grab thefts and armed robberies pose a real risk.

For the safety of employees and customers, it’s critical that Verizon store associates know what to do in the event of an armed robbery or smash-and-grab theft. But traditional safety training methods have proven ineffective at equipping employees with the tools and tactics necessary to act quickly and confidently in the face of an active threat.

Having identified safety skills as a critical training initiative ripe for innovation, Verizon partnered with Strivr to deploy an immersive learning solution that would give its 22,000+ frontline employees the hands-on experience they need to recognize, respond to, and mitigate an armed robbery scenario.

Building on existing security camera footage from real in-store robberies, Strivr’s team of curriculum designers and immersive content specialists captured new live action footage for Verizon’s custom Armed Robbery VR training simulation using 360° video cameras and hired actors at one of Verizon’s retail store locations to create a custom Armed Robbery VR training course.

The course consisted of three modules, each simulating an armed attack at various points during a typical workday, with a debrief between sessions to allow learners to reflect on the nuances of a proper response in each scenario.

Verizon deployed Armed Robbery safety training across all 1,600 of its retail store locations with the intention of equipping every frontline employee with the skills, confidence, and hands-on experience they need to safely navigate similar situations in real life.

Out of 22,000+ retail associates, 97% reported feeling more confident and prepared for dangerous situations after completing Strivr's XR training program.

Verizon leadership also noticed a dramatic change in training engagement. “It’s impossible to wear those goggles and not be fully engaged,” said Michael Mason, Senior VP & Chief Security Officer at Verizon. “At the end of the day, that’s going to lead to better outcomes when people ultimately have to face a robbery situation.