From Clicks to Conversational Search
Narta
Sector: Retail
Stage: Activation → Operationalisation
Deliverables: Inform session, Design workshop, ecoBuddy working product
We cut product search time in half and put eco-friendly picks front-and-centre with ecoBuddy, a natural-language AI assistant born out of AI Adoption Sprint process.
INTRODUCTIONNARTA unites major appliance and electronics retailers under one buying umbrella. Leadership wanted to expose every team member to generative AI possibilities and fix a nagging pain point: product searches that forced staff (and ultimately shoppers) through layers of filters. We were brought in to educate the workforce, surface high-impact use cases, and stand up a proof of concept that could prove value fast.
VISIONEmbed AI into everyday merchandising decisions—so answers arrive in seconds, not sessions.
Confidently integrate generative AI across the organisation — turning complex product discovery into fast, intuitive search, and equipping every team member to move from filters to answers.
Inform & InspireFrom AI Curiosity to Business-Relevant Clarity
We started with a 90-minute keynote for all staff, grounding generative AI in the realities of retail. Through live demos and real-world examples, we replaced hype with understanding - helping the team see where AI could impact their roles.
Then, in a full-day co-design sprint, we worked with execs and functional leads from Merch, Marketing, Procurement and Data to surface and prioritise AI opportunities worth acting on.
Gave every team member a practical foundation in generative AI—ready to contribute, not just observe.
“Time Under Tension is our generative AI enablement partner. Together … we have managed to rapidly infuse generative AI innovations into several key strategic programs”
Darren Spence
Chief Operating Officer, NARTA
Co-Design Workshop
From Awareness to Practical Capability
With priorities clear, we shifted focus to upskilling. We delivered hands-on AI training modules designed to build confidence, sharpen prompting instincts, and help every employee see where AI fits into their daily workflows. The training wasn't generic - it was grounded in retail realities and NARTA-specific tools.
From Sticky Search to Smart Conversations in Two Weeks
Pilot & Scale
Engineered and deployed a working prototype in 14 days - now cutting search time and surfacing sustainable choices by default.
One idea stood out: product search was clunky, filter-heavy, and inefficient. We responded by building ecoBuddy, a natural-language assistant that helps users find the right product fast. It answers everyday queries (“quiet 8kg washer under $800”), compares SKUs, and recommends energy-smart picks by default. Built in under two weeks, it now supports NARTA’s internal merchandising workflows and pilots on three member sites.
We launched a working, on-brand AI assistant in record time - cutting product search time and boosting relevance.
SOLUTIONWe designed and delivered an AI Adoption Sprint that brought every NARTA team member into the fold - building foundational awareness, aligning leaders on high-value use cases, and shipping a working AI prototype in weeks. The process combined targeted education, hands-on prompting drills, and a co-design workshop that shaped NARTA’s first generative product. The outcome: faster search, smarter decisions, and a clear path from curiosity to capability.
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