Editorial

On one level, keeping momentum of new initiatives fresh is having a way to provide at least the content and skills needed to support the initiative. Technology helps us automate and ensure that new people are brought into the fold of what we believe and value. Another critical part is having visible senior management support…

When we decide to develop any program it always begins with a need brought to us by the retailers themselves.  We get a sense of the target audience and general challenges and then go to work with national and North American retail research and sometimes even include European and Asian retailers. The underlying leadership foundation…

I was walking to a client training session this week which was held in a massive convention center complex.  Along the way I noticed some signs for another meeting with another client’s name.  There were people streaming into a ballroom when someone I know recognized me and said ‘Hi!”.  We exchanged pleasantries and then they…

When we facilitate sessions where we know that there will be a number of seasoned managers and leaders, we often start by asking how long people have been in their current position.  We follow up by asking if they think ‘they’re done?’ or ‘why are you still in training?’  Most times they laugh but they…

After more than 40 years of working with retailers and retail leaders themes about what works and what doesn’t emerge.  We believe that motivation is actually an outcome of good leadership.  While cheering people on or being energetic or enthusiastic is helpful, the affects are short-lived. When leaders focus more on building their team’s competence to…

Those who are intentional achieve more.  We know this is true.  Why?  Our daily To-Do lists are full and constantly being buffeted by new priorities someone else adds or that appear out of nowhere from the dynamic business envirnonment called retail.  What we’ve observed as a best practice is that multiunit managers and others who…

Our goal with clients is to help build interpersonal skills in their merchant and store teams that drive results.  We do not have a goal to make clients ‘consultant-dependent’. As a multi-national company we serve a broad variety of retailers from mom and pop to retailers known around the world.  So when a client asks…

One of our clients asked for some help in sharing that they are hiring.  Here are the details. Bob’s Stores is a northeast regional retailer of branded apparel and footwear headquartered in Meriden, Connecticut. We are currently conducting a search for some super talented Buyers, Associate Buyers, Planners and Allocators. If you know anyone who…

Since more and more of our retail clients have extended their global reach through either licensing and/or company-store expansion outside the US, translation of programs is becoming more important.  Translation doesn’t simply mean just converting English to Mandarin or French-Canadian, it means making sure that the meaning in that country is culturally appropriate.  We use…

Sorry for no recent posts.  Hurricane Sandy did exactly what was forecasted to the east coast.  The town where our main offices are has a curfew and personally many of our team’s homes are still without power.  It’s amazing how your life changes without the ability to charge your electronics or get internet service!  Back when things…