Best Buy teams with Accenture to accelerate tech innovation; increase diversity

Best Buy Co. Inc. is teaming with Accenture to advance the retailer’s technology strategy and to add diverse talent to its digital and technology team.

During the next five years, the two companies will work together in the areas of technology strategy, delivery and operations. Specifically, this will include work in data science, information security, product development, technology risk management and user experience design.

The partnership will focus on three key area, including the hiring of 1,000 employees for Best Buy’s digital and technology team. Thirty-percent of the new hires will consist of Black, Latinx, indigenous, and female candidates. Accenture will help recruit, train and hire new talent.

The other key areas include a joint investment by Accenture and Best Buy in technology innovation focused on helping Best Buy create enhanced customer experiences, drive incremental value from its existing operations and accelerate growth in key areas such as health and membership programs.

Also, Accenture will provide Best Buy with access to the consulting firm’s learning and development programs, including its library of online training courses and intensive, 12-week training boot camps for emerging talent.

“Our primary goal is to create the best possible experience for our customers and our employees who serve them directly, and this collaboration will help drive that important work forward,” said Brian Tilzer, Best Buy’s chief digital and technology officer. “We’re excited to work with Accenture to advance technology innovation and build an even stronger technology team at Best Buy.”

Rob Birdsong, managing director at Accenture and the company’s client account lead for Best Buy, said that the two companies are creating “a fluid, reimagined collaboration model that is anchored on shared success, beliefs and ways of working.”

“This new model will help us redefine the way we partner with Best Buy, bringing them the best of Accenture’s skills and capabilities, with a focus on building and growing Best Buy talent,” Birdsong said.