Podcasts about neiman marcus group

In the never-ending saga of American department stores, Saks Global's acquisition of the Neiman Marcus Group for $2.7 billion will go down in history as one of the most complicated—and consequential—plot points. Lauren and Saks Global C.E.O. Marc Metrick run through the list of complaints against the luxury department store super group, which includes Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman—from issues paying vendors to customer return snafus. And then, Marc outlines why he believes the deal was inevitable, and why it'll be better for the customer in the long run. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we're going to be giving you a front row seat at “Retail's BIG Show”, which is an annual conference held in New York City hosted by the National Retail Federation, or NRF. This gathering of around 40,000 retail industry professionals, vendors, and leaders is one of the largest events of its kind in the world, and creates space for like-minded businessmen and women to network, share ideas, and explore new and exciting emerging technologies. At this year's event Pete had the great opportunity to sit down on stage with a good friend, Joshua Schulman, who recently accepted a new position as CEO of the iconic 169-year old British luxury fashion brand Burberry. Joshua has had an insanely impressive career leading some of the world's most prestigious fashion brands, holding roles like CEO of Michael Kors, CEO and President of Coach, President of Bergdorf Goodman and the Neiman Marcus Group, CEO of Jimmy Choo, EVP at Saint Laurent, and Worldwide Director at Gucci. In their conversation, Pete and Joshua dive deep into the ever-evolving landscape of luxury retail, the power of brand heritage, and how Burberry is navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing market. Joshua's insights into innovation, customer experience, and the future of luxury are both inspiring and thought-provoking. Fledgling and seasoned retailers alike would do well to pay close attention to the unique perspective of this industry giant. Also, stay tuned after our featured conversation with Joshua for a window into Pete's fun-filled travel adventure that nearly rendered him sans socks and absent from the NRF conference. Thanks for tuning in to episode 79. We hope you enjoy it! Did you know that YOU can be on The Nordy Pod? This show isn't just a one-way conversation. We want to hear about what Nordstrom looks like through your eyes. Share your Nordstrom experience, good or bad, by giving us a call and leaving a voicemail at: 206.594.0526, or send an email to nordypodcast@nordstrom.com to be a part of the conversation! And, be sure to follow us on Instagram @thenordypod to stay up to date on new episodes, announcements and more.

Lauren is joined by Sarah Shapiro, Puck's new correspondent and Line Sheet contributor. Prior to joining Puck, Sarah was the author of the must-read industry newsletter, Retail Diary, and before that, she was a buyer at Bloomingdale's. They discuss her fascinating career pivot, plus the news of the week, including how people shopped on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Bernard Arnault's day in court, and what happens after Saks acquires Neiman Marcus Group. Lauren also weighs in on Apple Martin's debutante ball look. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AI itself isn't a goal. In the enterprise, marketers that effectively integrate artificial intelligence into their operations in meaningful ways will start to see the tangible returns that leaders in the space are already realizing. Today we're going to talk about the reality of AI adoption in the enterprise, and how marketers should be thinking about a workplace where humans and AI agents are working together. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Adam Brotman, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Forum3. Adam Brotman is co-founder and co-CEO of Forum3. Previously, he was president, chief experience officer, and co-CEO at J.Crew, where he launched the widely successful J.Crew Rewards program. At Starbucks, he was the inaugural chief digital officer and evp, global retail operations, developing the payment, ordering, and loyalty platform which amassed 60 million members. He has been recognized as one of Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People and CDO Club's CDO of the Year. He serves on the boards of Ruby Tuesday and Cabi, and has held board positions at Neiman Marcus Group and Brooks Running. He is the co-author of AI First, in collaboration with Harvard Business Review, and received his bachelor's degree from UCLA and JD from The University of Washington School of Law. RESOURCES Forum3 website: https://www.forum3.com/ Spok website: https://www.spok.app/ Wix Studio is the ultimate web platform for creative, fast-paced teams at agencies and enterprises—with smart design tools, flexible dev capabilities, full-stack business solutions, multi-site management, advanced AI and fully managed infrastructure. https://www.wix.com/studio Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off. Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price. Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

AI itself isn't a goal. In the enterprise, marketers that effectively integrate artificial intelligence into their operations in meaningful ways will start to see the tangible returns that leaders in the space are already realizing. Today we're going to talk about the reality of AI adoption in the enterprise, and how marketers should be thinking about a workplace where humans and AI agents are working together. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Adam Brotman, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Forum3. Adam Brotman is co-founder and co-CEO of Forum3. Previously, he was president, chief experience officer, and co-CEO at J.Crew, where he launched the widely successful J.Crew Rewards program. At Starbucks, he was the inaugural chief digital officer and evp, global retail operations, developing the payment, ordering, and loyalty platform which amassed 60 million members. He has been recognized as one of Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People and CDO Club's CDO of the Year. He serves on the boards of Ruby Tuesday and Cabi, and has held board positions at Neiman Marcus Group and Brooks Running. He is the co-author of AI First, in collaboration with Harvard Business Review, and received his bachelor's degree from UCLA and JD from The University of Washington School of Law. RESOURCES Forum3 website: https://www.forum3.com/ Spok website: https://www.spok.app/ Wix Studio is the ultimate web platform for creative, fast-paced teams at agencies and enterprises—with smart design tools, flexible dev capabilities, full-stack business solutions, multi-site management, advanced AI and fully managed infrastructure. https://www.wix.com/studio Attend the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region's largest marketing communications conference. Register with the code "Agile" and get 15% off. Register now for HumanX 2025. This AI-focused event which brings some of the most forward-thinking minds in technology together. Register now with the code "HX25p_tab" for $250 off the regular price. Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

“To be a leader, it's high stakes, high rewards.”-Tanya LynchHR professionals regularly have to navigate tough conversations, and sometimes, layoffs.  It's never fun, and it's reality. It's also difficult to get right.   Today's guest shares her wisdom around bringing dignity, respect and civility into the approach.   And the world and the workplace could certainly use more civility in general these days!My guest is Tanya Lynch. Tanya serves as the Vice President, Human Resources for Boingo Wireless. As Head of HR, she leads the people strategy with a focus on optimizing employee engagement through effective talent management and organizational performance systems. With over 20 years of progressive experience, Tanya has previously held senior HR roles with Mouser Electronics and The Neiman Marcus Group. She is committed to shaping the future of wireless connectivity while fostering a positive, creative, and collaborative work environment for all Boingo employees, affectionately known as “Boingoites”.In addition to her work at Boingo, Tanya has also served on the Board for HAKing Innovation, an organization focused on creating confidence and competence in our youth through STEAM programming. Tanya received her BA from San Jose State University, and her MBA from the University of Dallas. She also holds a certificate of Employment Law from Cornell University.In this episode of Talent Management Truths, you'll discover:Wisdom around managing layoffs with dignity and civility for you and those affected   A compelling parallel between corporate leaders and sports coaches What employees need to relearn upon their return to the physical officeLinksTanya Lynch on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latanyamlynch/Are you a Talent leader who is longing for a safe place to bounce ideas off of? In addition to my group programs I work privately with a select few clients as their Talent Management Thought Partner. I will help you, over the next 90 days, create the space, the intention and the strategy to implement an initiative that is CRITICAL to your team. Let's chat and see if there's a fit. Book me online at greenappleconsulting.ca/contact Stay Connected JOIN our free, value-added Community of Peers and Learning! Lisa hosts regular FREE Talent Talks for HR and Talent Management Leaders to expand your network, spark ideas and learn with your peers. We leverage large group discussion and small group breakouts: https://www.greenappleconsulting.ca/TalentTalks Share the Show Like what you've heard? Pretty please with an apple on top - kindly leave me a 5* review so that others can find the show and elevate their impact too! Here are the simple instructions: Launch Apple's Podcast app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the Search icon (on the botton) and search for “Talent Management Truths.” Tap the album art. On the podcast page, tap the Reviews tab. Tap Write a Review at the bottom of this page. Follow me LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mitchell-acc-ctdp-7437636/ Instagram: @greenappleconsulting Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenappleconsulting.ca

Today on our show:Saks acquires Neiman Marcus GroupSpeaking about personalization at The Lead Event in NYCNike is struggling trying to be a tech companyAmazon previews direct from China programAnd finally, The Investor Minute, which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly

On this Live Greatly podcast episode, Kristel Bauer sits down with Steve Dennis, author of LEADERS LEAP: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption.  Kristel and Steve  discuss a new way to view risk and change, keys for innovation, why not changing can be really risky, leadership and management tips to stay relevant and lots more.  Steve has an MBA from Harvard Business School.  He is President of SageBerry Consulting, and prior to founding SageBerry, he was chief strategy officer and SVP, multichannel marketing at the Neiman Marcus Group. Tune in now! Key Takeaways From This Episode  Why not changing can be risky How to understand and wisely embrace risk A mindset shift around change and risk Tips to innovate Leadership and management tips to stay relevant How to think more boldly How beginner's mind can be a huge advantage and how to embrace it About Steve Dennis: Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor, keynote speaker, podcast host, and bestselling author of Remarkable Retail. He has been named a top global retail influencer by multiple organizations, and his thoughts on the future of shopping are regularly shared in his role as a Forbes Senior Contributor, as well as through other media, including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg. As a sought-out keynote speaker, Steve has delivered talks on six continents, sharing his unique perspective on what it takes to reignite customer growth in a world of unrelenting change and shifting consumer preferences. Steve is President of SageBerry Consulting, where he has advised dozens of brands on their growth strategies. Prior to founding Sageberry, he was chief strategy officer and SVP, multichannel marketing at the Neiman Marcus Group. He serves on multiple for profit and non-profit boards. Steve holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics from Tufts University. He lives in Dallas, Texas. ABOUT THE BOOK: LEADERS LEAP: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption On sale: April 23, 2024 ISBN:  ‎978-1637560297 | Publisher: Wonderwell | Format: Hardcover Connect with Steve: Website: https://stevenpdennis.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpdennis/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpdennis/  Order Steve's Book, Leaders Leap: https://stevenpdennis.com/leaders-leap/  About the Host of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer: Kristel Bauer is a corporate wellness expert, popular keynote and TEDx speaker, and the host of top-rated podcast, “Live Greatly,” a show frequently ranked in the top 1% for self-improvement. Kristel is an Integrative Medicine Fellow & Physician Assistant with clinical experience in Integrative Psychiatry, giving her a unique perspective into optimizing mental well-being and attaining a mindset for more happiness and success in the workplace and beyond. Kristel decided to leave clinical practice in 2019 when she founded her wellness platform “Live Greatly” to share her message around well-being and success on a larger scale.  With a mission to support companies and individuals on their journeys for more happiness, success, and well-being, Kristel taps into her unique background in healthcare, business, and media, to provide invaluable insights into high power habits, leadership development, mental well-being, peak performance, resilience, sales, success, wellness at work, and a modern approach to work/life balance. Kristel is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur and she is an influencer in the business and wellness space having been recognized as a Top 10 Social Media Influencer of 2021 in Forbes. A popular speaker on a variety of topics, Kristel has presented to groups at APMP, Bank of America, Commercial Metals Company, General Mills, Northwestern University, Mazda, Santander Bank and many more. She has been featured in Forbes, Forest & Bluff Magazine, Authority Magazine & Podcast Magazine, has contributed to CEOWORLD Magazine & Real Leaders Magazine, and has appeared on ABC 7 Chicago, WGN Daytime Chicago, Fox 4's WDAF-TV's Great Day KC and Ticker News. Kristel lives in the Chicago area with her husband and their 2 children.  She can be booked for speaking engagements worldwide. To Book Kristel as a speaker for your next event, click here. Website: www.livegreatly.co  Follow Kristel Bauer on: Instagram: @livegreatly_co  LinkedIn: Kristel Bauer Twitter: @livegreatly_co Facebook: @livegreatly.co Youtube: Live Greatly, Kristel Bauer To Watch Kristel Bauer's TEDx talk of Redefining Work/Life Balance in a COVID-19 World click here. Click HERE to check out Kristel's corporate wellness and leadership blog Click HERE to check out Kristel's Travel and Wellness Blog Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Always seek the guidance of your physician for any recommendations specific to you or for any questions regarding your specific health, your sleep patterns changes to diet and exercise, or any medical conditions.  Always consult your physician before starting any supplements or new lifestyle programs. All information, views and statements shared on the Live Greatly podcast are purely the opinions of the authors, and are not medical advice or treatment recommendations.  They have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration.  Opinions of guests are their own and Kristel Bauer & this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests.  Neither Kristel Bauer nor this podcast takes responsibility for possible health consequences of a person or persons following the information in this educational content.  Always consult your physician for recommendations specific to you.

The Labor Department said today that 206,000 new jobs were created in June and the May jobs number was revised down; wages rose 0.3% last month; stocks, bonds and the British pound all rose today after the Labour Party's resounding victory; Saks Fifth Avenue is buying Neiman Marcus Group.

Noticias Económicas y Financieras Los 14 años de gobierno conservador han terminado en el Reino Unido después de que el Partido Laborista ganara las elecciones generales del país por una abrumadora mayoría, con Keir Starmer como nuevo primer ministro. Ha recibido un importante mandato con 411 escaños de los 650 que tiene el parlamento, consiguiendo 211 escaños en la última votación, según las últimas encuestas a boca de urna. Es un gran cambio para el panorama político británico, que ha lidiado con una década tumultuosa que ha incluido el Brexit, una crisis del coste de la vida tras el COVID y la guerra en Ucrania, así como cuatro primeros ministros conservadores en los últimos cinco años. Las acciones relacionadas con las criptomonedas están bajo presión en las operaciones previas al mercado después de que Bitcoin (BTC-USD) extendiera sus pérdidas por cuarta sesión consecutiva. La criptomoneda más grande ha caído del nivel de $63.000 a alrededor de $54.000 en los últimos días, y la bolsa colapsada Mt. Gox se prepara para distribuir una gran cantidad de BTC a sus acreedores. Un atraco en 2011 se llevó hasta 950K Bitcoins, pero esta semana se realizarán los reembolsos a muchos acreedores, lo que provocó temores de dilución o muchos quieren cobrar sus inversiones recuperadas. El gobierno alemán también acaba de vender miles de bitcoins, que se dice que fueron confiscados en relación con el extinto sitio web de piratería Movie2k. Juntos, más fuertes, podría ser el lema del juego en el negocio del lujo, ya que las tiendas físicas siguen viéndose afectadas por las tendencias del comercio electrónico y la inflación pasa factura a los compradores aspiracionales. Hudson's Bay Co. ha confirmado la compra de Neiman Marcus Group por $2.65B, creando una potencia con $10B en ventas anuales y más de 150 tiendas, incluidas Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5th, Neiman Marcus y Bergdorf Goodman. Como se mencionó anteriormente, Amazon $AMZN adquirirá una participación minoritaria en la empresa combinada, que se llamará Saks Global. Salesforce $CRM es otro inversor minoritario y se espera que ayude con la inteligencia artificial. El informe de empleos de hoy, que se publicará a las 8:30 a. m., hora del este de EE. UU., será muy esperado y probablemente será dispar, ya que se espera que el crecimiento continúe, pero a un ritmo más lento que en los meses anteriores. Los economistas estiman que en junio se agregaron 191 mil nóminas no agrícolas, mientras que la tasa de desempleo se mantuvo estable en el 4%. Como la inflación es el principal foco de atención de la Reserva Federal, los datos de ganancias promedio por hora también serán importantes en el próximo informe. Se espera que aumenten un 0.3% intermensual y un 3.9% interanual, frente al 0.4% intermensual y el 4.1% interanual de mayo, y que la tasa de participación de la fuerza laboral aumente ligeramente hasta el 62.6%. El fundador Jeff Bezos vende casi $5B en acciones de Amazon. Kolanovic de JPMorgan dice que dejará el banco después de una serie de malas decisiones. Actas de la Fed: se necesitan datos más favorables para la confianza inflacionaria.

Los Angeles-based Emily Burnette is a luxury personal and wardrobe stylist with an intuitive ability to dress clients for any occasion. Emily got her start in NYC, working with Neiman Marcus Group, Barneys New York, The RealReal, and Diane von Furstenberg, gaining extensive experience in luxury fashion and high-level client service.Her talents don't stop at personal styling! In the commercial space, Emily has a knack for choosing pieces that bring products to life. Emily's hard work and aspirations have led her to work with clients like Tom Ford, Ugg, and a variety of magazines including Vogue and Marie Claire.  You can see Emily's awesome styling skills on her Instagram or by visiting her website!If you would like to get involved with Focus On Women, you can review sponsorship and contribution options here, as well as become a member here.Remember to stay safe and keep your creative juices flowing!---Tech/Project Management Tools (*these are affiliate links)Buzzsprout*Airtable*17hats*ZoomPodcast Mic*

If the world has changed so much, why have we changed so little? Steve Dennis joins Kevin to discuss seven key leadership mind leaps necessary for effective transformation. These include 1. Crush Your Ego, 2. Wake up, 3. Special, Not Big, 4. Start with Wow, 5. Think Radically, 6. Safe is Risky, and 7. Faster, Faster, Go, Go, Go. From personal experiences and industry examples, Steve highlights the need for agility, differentiation, and bold thinking in today's rapidly changing business landscape. Guest: Name: Steve Dennis Bio: Steve Dennis is the author of "Remarkable Retail" and his latest book, "Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption." He is a strategic advisor, keynote speaker, and podcast host. Named a top global retail influencer by multiple organizations, Steve's insights on the future of shopping are regularly shared as a Forbes Senior Contributor, and through CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg. He is President of SageBerry Consulting, advising brands on growth strategies. Formerly, he was the Chief Strategy Officer and SVP of Multichannel Marketing at Neiman Marcus Group. He serves on multiple boards and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics from Tufts University. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:38 Steve Dennis' Journey 03:18 Career Evolution 06:01 The Concept of Leaps 09:11 Incremental Change vs. Transformation 13:59 First Leap: Crush Your Ego 17:27 Second Leap: Wake Up 21:02 Third Leap: Special, Not Big 24:11 Fourth Leap: Start with Wow 27:36 Fifth Leap: Think Radically 30:45 Sixth Leap: Safe is Risky 33:00 Seventh Leap: Faster, Faster, Go Go Go 37:00 Closing Remarks Quote: "If you're going to transform, you have to change a lot of things."  Resources: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption by Steve Dennis Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim, Renée Mauborgne Steve Dennis Website Steve Dennis LinkedIn Steve Dennis Intro Related Podcasts: Leading Through Disruption with Tony Hunter The Disruption Mindset with Charlene Li Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group   Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we'd be thrilled if you'd let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here's a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes    Podcast Better! Sign up with Libsyn and get up to 2 months free! Use promo code: RLP  

The fashion industry faces its own unique set of ESG and sustainability challenges. Understanding how to communicate complex sustainability challenges to diverse consumer audiences is critical for companies as they progress on their journeys. In this episode, Mike speaks with Ali Mize, an ESG and sustainability expert to learn more about Neiman Marcus Group's approach to sustainability storytelling, and how companies can improve sustainability communication overall.Follow Ali Mize on LinkedIn Check out Neiman Marcus Group's ESG website Follow Mike on LinkedInSubscribe to The Sustainability Communicator LinkedIn newsletterSign up for Hower Impact's ENGAGE newsletterVisit the Hower Impact website.Email Mike at: mike@howerimpact.com

Welcome to Pivot With Purpose, where we dive into the art of career transitions and finding your professional footing. I'm your host Meghan Houle and today I am joined by strategic advisor, keynote speaker, podcast host, and bestselling author of Remarkable Retail and Leaders Leap, Steve Dennis! Steve has been named a top global retail influencer by multiple organizations, and his thoughts on the future of shopping are regularly shared in his role as a Forbes Senior Contributor, as well as through other media, including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg. As a sought-after keynote speaker, Steve has delivered talks on six continents, sharing his unique perspective on what it takes to reignite customer growth in a world of unrelenting change and shifting consumer preferences. Steve is President of SageBerry Consulting, where he has advised dozens of brands on their growth strategies. Prior to founding Sageberry, he was chief strategy officer and SVP, of multichannel marketing at the Neiman Marcus Group. In this episode, I am so excited to share Steve's story of transitioning from the corporate sphere to inspirational leadership. Together we'll talk about Steve's lessons learned, leadership tips, and insights from the dynamic world of retail and luxury brands. Let's get started!Topics Covered:(01:33) Steve's role in strategic advisory for retail consumer brands and his early experiences in retail and understanding consumer behavior.(07:00) Lessons from Steve's time at Sears, dealing with challenging situations during the rise of the internet and e-commerce.(12:30) Steve's pivot to Neiman Marcus and his adaptation to the luxury retail environment.(18:07) The Importance of hiring for soft skills and diversity of experience.(27:11) Why companies fail to act on market trends and the psychological barriers such as fear and ego that keep them stuck.(33:49) Tips for current and aspiring leaders on developing essential skills like vulnerability, empathy, and the importance of building trust within teams.(52:27) The importance of companies being proactive and ready to lead.(54:14) Career advice for those feeling stuck.The business landscape is always rapidly changing, and standing still is the riskiest move of all! As leaders we need to embrace vulnerability, take calculated risks, and foster an environment where trust and innovation can thrive. Want to learn more from Steve? Check out the Remarkable Retail Podcast!Steve's Links: Website: https://stevenpdennis.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpdennisTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/StevenPDennisBuy His Book “Leaders Leap”: https://stevenpdennis.com/leaders-leap/Remarkable Retail Podcast: https://stevenpdennis.com/podcast/Meghan Houle Method Career Community & Recruitment Resources: LinkedIn Meghan Houle Instagram Pivot with Purpose Instagram Book a Call With Meghan Subscribe to the Pivot with Purpose Blog Season 6 Sponsor TripleTen TripleTen's boot camps turbocharge your journey into the world of tech, equipping you with the cutting-edge skills needed for a game-changing career pivot. Ranked at the top of the charts, Tripleten's programs in Software Engineering, Quality Assurance, Business Intelligence Analytics, and Data Science are the ultimate launchpad for your career transformation. Learn more about TripleTen: https://tripleten.com/

Welcome to episode #933 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #933. Let's dive deep into the transformative insights of Steve Dennis - a strategic advisor, retail leadership expert, and bestselling author. Steve's latest book, Leaders Leap - Transforming Your Company At The Speed Of Disruption, dissects why so many transformations fail and reveals what leaders must do to keep their organizations relevant in an ever-evolving landscape. With a diverse career that includes c-suite roles at two Fortune 500 companies and his current position as President of SageBerry Consulting, Steve brings a wealth of experience to the table. First he was at Sears and then Neiman Marcus Group, where he pioneered customer insight, loyalty, and omnichannel marketing strategies, making him a sought-after voice in retail innovation. Steve underscores the urgency for leaders to aim higher and move faster to navigate a world of abundant choice and zero friction. He argues that being remarkable is not just about standing out but creating an emotional connection with customers. In an era where technology has leveled the playing field, businesses must differentiate themselves and offer value beyond price. Steve stresses the need for agility in leadership, urging leaders to understand the factors impacting their business and respond swiftly to volatility. He warns against the trap of incrementalism and highlights the importance of creating a sense of urgency and embracing change. Steve's insights are not just theoretical - they are grounded in his extensive practical experience and are vital for any leader looking to thrive in today's fast-paced business environment. He is also a Forbes senior contributor and co-host of the Remarkable Retail podcast, which amplifies the themes of his first book, Remarkable Retail - How To Win And Keep Customers In The Age Of Disruption. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 1:03:30. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. Check out ThinkersOne. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Steve Dennis. Leaders Leap - Transforming Your Company At The Speed Of Disruption. Remarkable Retail - How To Win And Keep Customers In The Age Of Disruption. Remarkable Retail Podcast. Follow Steve on X. Follow Steve on Instagram. Follow Steve on LinkedIn. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'. Takeaways Being remarkable is about creating a distance between your brand and the competition, and making an emotional connection with customers. Leaders need to aim higher and move faster in order to stay relevant and avoid becoming irrelevant or extinct. Technology enables access to information and substitutes, making it crucial for businesses to differentiate themselves and provide value beyond price. Leaders must understand the factors that impact their business and be agile in responding to a volatile and uncertain environment. Creating a sense of urgency and embracing change are essential for driving innovation and staying ahead of disruption. Success anomalies can be misleading and it is important to analyze them critically and not draw general conclusions from them. Attracting and inspiring talent is crucial for the success of a company, and it is important for leaders to create a culture that values and leverages the unique gifts of their employees. Brands taking a stance on social and political issues can be a complex and risky endeavor, and leaders need to carefully consider the impact on their customers and stakeholders. Physical retail still has a role in a digital world, particularly for experiential and social shopping experiences, but it needs to evolve and provide unique value to customers. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Background 02:49 - The Power of Being Remarkable 06:04 - Aiming Higher and Moving Faster 08:55 - Navigating a Volatile Business Environment 13:03 - The Role of Technology in Driving Innovation 28:48 - Analyzing Success Anomalies 30:39 - Self-Reflection and Adaptability for Leaders 39:21 - Attracting and Inspiring Talent 44:03 - Navigating Brands and Social Issues 49:20 - The Role of Acquisitions 51:08 - The Evolving Role of Physical Retail

Elyce Arons is the founder and CEO of Frances Valentine, a New York-based luxury apparel and accessories company. Frances Valentine celebrates the power of personal style through clothes and accessories that boost your mood and tell a story.   A 35-year fashion veteran, Elyce famously chased her passion for fashion all the way from Kansas to New York City alongside her best friend, Kate, and co-founded Kate Spade in 1993. Elyce shepherded the company from inception to international success, growing it into one of the most iconic brands in modern fashion history—and was instrumental in its 2006 sale to Neiman Marcus Group. In 2016, Elyce, Kate, and Andy Spade launched Frances Valentine as an evolution of their joyful style aesthetic; a brand with heart, soul, and a story to tell.   Interviewed by Kate Doerge.

Send us a Text Message.“Practicing being intentional is not something we can turn on or off on a day to day basis; it is something we have to exercise in the small day to day decisions that we make and the small setbacks we experience.”Parul Somani is not your average life leadership speaker and coach—she's a powerhouse dedicated to empowering individuals, teams, and businesses to thrive. With her authentic storytelling, actionable insights, and thought-provoking questions, Parul has inspired leaders at Fortune 100 companies like Oracle and Neiman Marcus Group. In this episode, we dive into her approach to embracing change and operating from a place of intent. Her insights are both inspiring and practical. Don't miss this engaging conversation!Connect with Parul:Parul SomaniParul Somani (@pdsomani) • Instagram photos and videosParul Somani - Silver LiningsParul Somani - San Francisco Bay Area | Professional Profile | LinkedInSupport the Show.Visit the Have A Seat website for more conversations or Have A Seat with me and register to be a guest at: www.haveaseatconversations.com.Thanks for listening!

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.  I'm inviting Steve Dennis, a long-time social media friend to the show. Steve is a strategic advisor, keynote speaker, podcast host, and the bestselling author of his previous book, Remarkable Retail. He has been named a top global retail influencer by multiple organizations and his thoughts on the future of shopping are regularly shared in his role as a Forbes Senior Contributor. He is the president and founder of Sage Berry Consulting, but prior to that, he was Chief Strategy Officer and SVP of Multichannel Marketing at the Neiman Marcus Group. He serves on multiple nonprofit boards and has a new book out, Leaders Leap.   THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… leaders seeking insights on navigating industry disruption and fostering innovation in their organizations.   TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE… making incremental changes is a risky strategy in this day and age and the organizations that don't adapt to the accelerating pace of change risk falling behind in competitiveness. Steve explores how to get ahead.    Key takeaways:  How to prepare for “leaps” and drive powerful innovation.  How to embrace discomfort and manage fear around change.  The role of ego in limiting innovation.  Why it's important to incorporate both bold leaps and incremental changes based on an industry's disruption levels   WHAT I LOVE MOST… change can be really scary. Steve shares some great reminders on how fear often precedes the greatest innovations.    Running Time: 31:16   Subscribe on iTunes   Find Tiffani Online: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn   Find Steve Online: Website  LinkedIn    Steve's Book:  Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption

Darcy Penick's career has come full circle. Starting in fashion as an assistant buyer for Neiman Marcus and then buyer for Bergdorf Goodman, she is now the head of technology and product for Neiman Marcus Group and president of Bergdorf Goodman. And, adding to the list of iconic fashion companies she's worked for, Darcy also led teams at Saks Fifth Avenue and was the CMO and later CEO of ShopBop, undoubtedly cementing her impact on the fashion and retail industry. In this interview, we talk about taking the time to learn important skills at the start of your career, how Darcy found her way into the fashion world, and how she's leaving her mark on a legacy brand. Don't miss this episode of Claim Your Confidence where we discuss:Finding your pace in your early career and what Darcy has learned from reflecting on her first positionsDarcy's experiences at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, ShopBop, and Bergdorf Goodman and her insights on leading a teamLuck, timing, and the power that comes with taking charge and saying yesWitnessing the development of fashion and retail careers with the rise of the tech industry and online shoppingUnderstanding Bergdorf Goodman's brand image and how Darcy is honoring that history while modernizing the company for today's fast-paced marketsFind Darcy Penick:www.neimanmarcusgroup.com/Darcy-PenickLinkedIn: Darcy PenickFollow Lydia:www.lydiafenet.comIG: @lydiafenetLinkedIn: Lydia FenetIf you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts. To stay up to date with Claim Your Confidence and get all the behind-the-scenes content, you can follow us on Instagram and on YouTube. Recorded at The Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.Thank you for listening.

In the final instalment of Monocle on Design's partnership with Copenhagen International Fashion Fair (CIFF), we broadcast from the heart of its 62nd edition in our pop-up studio. To assess the growing strength of Copenhagen as a fashion capital, we wrap our series with CIFF with a packed line-up, including Bruce Pask, senior editorial director at Neiman Marcus Group; Celine Aagaard, founder, CEO and creative director of Envelope1976; and Rebekka Bay, creative director at Marimekko.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's Retail Daily Minute, we delve into three significant headlines that are shaping the retail landscape. First up, Ikea celebrates a successful fiscal year with over $6.3 billion in sales by introducing price reductions on numerous products and rewarding its employees with a $54.5 million bonus. This move is part of Ikea's 'New Lower Price' initiative, reflecting the company's dedication to affordability and its response to consumer budget constraints. Additionally, Ikea's strategic shift in its loyalty program emphasizes a focus on everyday low pricing, supporting its expansive growth plan which includes opening new stores and pickup locations.The second headline highlights Neiman Marcus Group's decision to reject a $3 billion acquisition offer from Saks Fifth Avenue, with ongoing negotiations for a potential merger expected to conclude in 2024. This merger, likely to draw federal antitrust scrutiny, comes amid Neiman Marcus Group's restructuring efforts following their emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.Lastly, we discuss Syrup Tech Inc., a startup revolutionizing the fashion retail sector with AI-driven inventory management. Having raised $17.5 million in a funding round led by Accel, Syrup Tech's valuation nears $100 million. This innovative AI technology, which helps retailers like Reformation efficiently manage stock levels, is set to expand the startup's workforce significantly, further showcasing the impact of AI in transforming retail operations.Stay tuned to Retail Daily Minute by OmniTalk for the latest insights and developments in the retail industry.

In this episode, join host Amanda Hsieh as she sits down with the dynamic Jonathan Hall, the Director of Belonging for Neiman Marcus Group. Get ready to be inspired as Jonathan takes us on a journey through the organization's rich history, deeply rooted in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) since its inception, and infused with an unwavering pioneering spirit. Belonging, as Jonathan eloquently explains, centers around Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, resonating with our innate desire for genuine connections, visibility, and appreciation. As part of his role, he is actively spearheading NMG's strategies to foster a culture of belonging and drive workforce diversity, workplace equity, and marketplace inclusion. One of their corporate goals is to increase racial diversity in leadership roles, aiming for 21% by 2025 and 28% by 2030. To achieve this, Jonathan has implemented inclusive hiring best practices, which involve diverse interview panels, candidate slates, and partnerships with professional organizations to expand the pool of talent. But the impact doesn't stop there! Jonathan also collaborates with merchandising and spend management teams to increase support for diverse-owned brands and businesses. Through their supplier diversity program, they track progress and continuously enhance their commitment to inclusivity. Throughout the episode, Amanda and Jonathan explore the essence of 'leading with love' in the DEIB space. They delve into the three key stakeholders driving their efforts: associates, customers, and brand partners, unveiling best practices tailored to each group. In a thought-provoking discussion, they debunk concerns about establishing DEIB metrics and benchmarks, emphasizing how these measurements are essential for driving meaningful change. Let the wisdom of Amanda and Jonathan ignite your passion for making a positive impact in the world. Happy listening! Unlock the world of sustainability and join the ESG Decoded Podcast community! Make sure to subscribe to be notified of new episodes on your favorite streaming platforms, YouTube, and our social channels (linked below). Get ready for thrilling new episodes that will ignite your passion for positive change. Tune in, engage, and let's decode ESG together! If you're eager to learn more and empower your organization with valuable resources, don't miss these resource links: Neiman Marcus Group Power of One People Report - Gain insights into NMG's dedication to DEIB through their comprehensive report: https://www.neimanmarcusgroup.com/People-report-2022 Neiman Marcus Group 2022 ESG Report - Explore NMG's 2022 ESG journey, highlighting their commitment to sustainability and inclusivity: https://www.neimanmarcusgroup.com/ESG-report-2022 "Bias Interrupted: Creating Inclusion for Real and for Good" by Joan C. Williams - A must-read book that sheds light on creating a truly inclusive environment: https://biasinterrupters.org/book/

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) is a commonly used term in the cannabis industry, encompassing brands and dispensaries. When it comes to luxury purchases, the entire experience and the emotions it evokes play a crucial role in evaluating customer satisfaction. Luxury brands can command premium prices due to their positioning and the inherent value associated with their products. While the cannabis industry is gradually moving towards establishing such premium price points, it requires a deep understanding of exceeding expectations at every customer touch point.Implementing and refining these strategic principles is a valuable endeavor. However, it presents significant challenges, including current marketing restrictions, limited capital resources, and the complex nature of establishing a consistent national brand identity in a market that operates on a localized basis.Applying and developing these strategic principles is a valuable undertaking but comes as a steep uphill challenge.This week we sit down with David Goubert, CEO of Ayr Wellness, to discuss the following:How AYR  is applying  luxury retail principlesImplementing realignment strategy and why certain assets didn't fitKey touchpoints in the customer journeyWhere Opportunities are in cannabis via marketing$AYRWFAbout:  David GoubertDavid Goubert is President and CEO of Ayr Wellness and is responsible for overseeing the Company's operational and commercial functions, including production, supply chain, retail, wholesale and marketing.Mr. Goubert joined Ayr from Neiman Marcus Group, one of the largest multi-brand retailers in the United States, where he helped lead the company through a transformation into one of the strongest retailers in the country. Most recently, he served as NMG's President and Chief Customer Officer, where he was responsible for the full P&L of the Neiman Marcus brand as well as all customer touchpoints.Prior to joining Neiman Marcus, Mr. Goubert spent 20 years at LVMH, the world's leading luxury consumer-products company. At LVMH, David served in a variety of capacities, including Senior Vice President of LVMH's Starboard Cruise Services subsidiary and 15 years leading manufacturing, supply chain, retail and general management at the company's flagship Louis Vuitton brand. Guest Links:LinkedInAyr Wellness: LinkedIn & TwitterFollow us: Our Links.At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Sign up for our playbook here:

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) is a commonly used term in the cannabis industry, encompassing brands and dispensaries. When it comes to luxury purchases, the entire experience and the emotions it evokes play a crucial role in evaluating customer satisfaction. Luxury brands can command premium prices due to their positioning and the inherent value associated with their products. While the cannabis industry is gradually moving towards establishing such premium price points, it requires a deep understanding of exceeding expectations at every customer touch point.Implementing and refining these strategic principles is a valuable endeavor. However, it presents significant challenges, including current marketing restrictions, limited capital resources, and the complex nature of establishing a consistent national brand identity in a market that operates on a localized basis.Applying and developing these strategic principles is a valuable undertaking but comes as a steep uphill challenge.This week we sit down with David Goubert, CEO of Ayr Wellness, to discuss the following:How AYR  is applying  luxury retail principlesImplementing realignment strategy and why certain assets didn't fitKey touchpoints in the customer journeyWhere Opportunities are in cannabis via marketing$AYRWFAbout:  David GoubertDavid Goubert is President and CEO of Ayr Wellness and is responsible for overseeing the Company's operational and commercial functions, including production, supply chain, retail, wholesale and marketing.Mr. Goubert joined Ayr from Neiman Marcus Group, one of the largest multi-brand retailers in the United States, where he helped lead the company through a transformation into one of the strongest retailers in the country. Most recently, he served as NMG's President and Chief Customer Officer, where he was responsible for the full P&L of the Neiman Marcus brand as well as all customer touchpoints.Prior to joining Neiman Marcus, Mr. Goubert spent 20 years at LVMH, the world's leading luxury consumer-products company. At LVMH, David served in a variety of capacities, including Senior Vice President of LVMH's Starboard Cruise Services subsidiary and 15 years leading manufacturing, supply chain, retail and general management at the company's flagship Louis Vuitton brand. Guest Links:LinkedInAyr Wellness: LinkedIn & TwitterFollow us: Our Links.At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Sign up for our playbook here:

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) is a commonly used term in the cannabis industry, encompassing brands and dispensaries. When it comes to luxury purchases, the entire experience and the emotions it evokes play a crucial role in evaluating customer satisfaction. Luxury brands can command premium prices due to their positioning and the inherent value associated with their products. While the cannabis industry is gradually moving towards establishing such premium price points, it requires a deep understanding of exceeding expectations at every customer touch point.Implementing and refining these strategic principles is a valuable endeavor. However, it presents significant challenges, including current marketing restrictions, limited capital resources, and the complex nature of establishing a consistent national brand identity in a market that operates on a localized basis.Applying and developing these strategic principles is a valuable undertaking but comes as a steep uphill challenge.This week we sit down with David Goubert, CEO of Ayr Wellness, to discuss the following:How AYR  is applying  luxury retail principlesImplementing realignment strategy and why certain assets didn't fitKey touchpoints in the customer journeyWhere Opportunities are in cannabis via marketing$AYRWFAbout:  David GoubertDavid Goubert is President and CEO of Ayr Wellness and is responsible for overseeing the Company's operational and commercial functions, including production, supply chain, retail, wholesale and marketing.Mr. Goubert joined Ayr from Neiman Marcus Group, one of the largest multi-brand retailers in the United States, where he helped lead the company through a transformation into one of the strongest retailers in the country. Most recently, he served as NMG's President and Chief Customer Officer, where he was responsible for the full P&L of the Neiman Marcus brand as well as all customer touchpoints.Prior to joining Neiman Marcus, Mr. Goubert spent 20 years at LVMH, the world's leading luxury consumer-products company. At LVMH, David served in a variety of capacities, including Senior Vice President of LVMH's Starboard Cruise Services subsidiary and 15 years leading manufacturing, supply chain, retail and general management at the company's flagship Louis Vuitton brand. Guest Links:LinkedInAyr Wellness: LinkedIn & TwitterFollow us: Our Links.At Eighth Revolution (8th Rev), we provide services from capital to cannabinoid and everything in between in the cannabinoid industry.8th Revolution Cannabinoid Playbook is an Industry-leading report covering the entire cannabis supply chain The Dime is a top 5% most shared  global podcast The Dime is a top 50 Cannabis Podcast Sign up for our playbook here:

What are the biggest obstacles to successful change initiatives?Amanda Schmoldt has the expertise and experience that only comes from successfully leading change management initiatives at some of the most respected brands in the world like USAA and Neiman Marcus. Not only is she the President of the Association of Change Management Professionals, but she's also the Senior Director of Change and Transformation Enablement at Halo Branded Solutions. Customer Experience Management (CXM) and Change Management (CM) are kindred spirits and have a lot in common.We explore the intersection of both professions as well as some other practical advice for leaders such as:

Sarah Davis is the Founder and President of FASHIONPHILE, the leading resale platform for pre-owned, ultra-luxury accessoriesBack in 1999, Sarah realized that luxury handbags and accessories maintained their value on the secondary market better than just about any other category, so she started selling handbags on eBay to make some extra cash.From what began as a startup operation in Sarah's house, grew into a 30,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Carlsbad, California, and brick-and-mortar showrooms across the country. Under Sarah's innovative leadership, Fashionphile is paving the path to revolutionize not just re-commerce, but the entire retail industry with a 2019 investment and minority stake in Fashionphile from global retailer Neiman Marcus Group. The strategic partnership makes Neiman Marcus the first major luxury retailer to expand into the pre-owned market, a move that includes the opening of physical Fashionphile Selling Studios inside Neiman Marcus locations nationwide.In our episode, Sarah discusses the significance of taking action, regardless of how small it is, in order to start a business. She also shares a step-by-step approach to how you can stop overthinking and start taking action to see results.Sarah walks us through how she decided to go all into her business despite being a recent law school grad and getting a lot of pushback from her family and friends. Sarah's journey is incredibly impressive, she talks about how she self-funded the business for many years, how she structured her partnership with her brother-in-law, and how focusing on each customer was really the marketing engine for her business and helped them grow to multi-million dollars in revenue. We also talk about how to find your passion and your edge, and how that could be your biggest competitive advantage when starting a business, and so much more.* Businesses grow through iteration; you don't have to create something perfect the first time around! [03:44]* Experiences from Sarah's childhood that helped to cultivate her entrepreneurial spirit. [05:26]* The career path that Sarah was pursuing prior to founding Fashionphile. [08:00]* Where the initial inspiration for Fashionphile came from. [11:24]* The interaction that catalyzed the growth of Sarah's small eBay business into the leading luxury resale platform it is today. [19:24]* Backlash that Sarah received for her decision to not become a lawyer. [24:34]* What made Sarah stand strong in her decision to follow her dreams with Fashionphile despite what the people around her were telling her. [26:00]* An overview of the evolution of Fashionphile over the past 20 years. [30:51]* How Sarah's business partnership with her brother-in-law, Ben, came about and why it has been such a success. [38:11]* The funding strategy that Sarah and Ben chose for Fashionphile. [48:47]* What Sarah has loved about being an entrepreneur. [56:00]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya's seed cycling bundle. * Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10.Follow Sarah:* Website: https://www.fashionphile.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashionphile/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elyce Arons is the founder and CEO of Frances Valentine, a New York-based luxury apparel and accessories company. Frances Valentine celebrates the power of personal style through clothes and accessories that boost your mood and tell a story. A 35-year fashion veteran, Elyce knows a thing or two about business and style. She famously chased her passion for fashion all the way from Kansas to New York City alongside her best friend, Kate, and co-founded Kate Spade in 1993. Elyce shepherded the company from inception to international success, growing it into one of the most iconic brands in modern fashion history—and was instrumental in its 2006 sale to Neiman Marcus Group. In 2016, Elyce, Kate, and Andy Spade launched Frances Valentine as an evolution of their joyful style aesthetic; a brand with heart, soul, and a story to tell. Here's what you're going to learn from Elyce: How to be scrappy in the initial stages of building your business. How to properly identify your customers' needs. How and where to source for capital when starting your business. How to build wholesale partnerships. How she's managed to grow her business in a turbulent economy. Get 5-Min Growth Playbooks Weekly HERE Explore Membership HERE

When Elyce Arons met Kate Spade, then Kate Brosnahan, at 18 years old, the two quickly became friends over a shared interest in journalism. But they moved to New York after college and realized a greater passion for the fashion industry. That led the duo, plus Andy Spade and Pamela Bell, to become the founding partners of Kate Spade, in January 1993.  After eventually selling Kate Spade to Neiman Marcus Group in 2006, Arons and Kate Spade realized they hadn't lost the desire to create and design. Thus, in 2016, they launched Frances Valentine, starting with shoes and handbags. Since then, Frances Valentine has built a growing business by focusing on often overlooked demographics: boomers and Gen X.  "When [Kate and I] started Kate Spade, we were 29 and 30 years old. We were at a time in our lives where we were young professionals, and the products we made were targeted to women like us. But when we started Frances Valentine, we were missing things in the market that we wanted." Arons said on the latest episode of The Glossy Podcast. "I thought, 'We've done this before. I know we can do this again.' So we started by making beautiful [shoe] designs at great prices, with good quality." Though Frances Valentine initially began selling apparel as an homage to Kate Spade, it realized the great demand and soon released a full apparel line to complement its accessories. Apparel has grown to become the brand's No. 1 product category. Now, Frances Valentine has its sights on expansion, most recently entering the home decor and beauty categories. As it slowly works toward becoming a premier lifestyle brand, it also plans to open more physical store locations.

Join us as we sit down with Parul Somani, a leading life leadership speaker and coach. In this candid and inspiring conversation, Parul shares her journey of self-empowerment, intentional living, and overcoming adversity. From surviving cancer to her thoughts on reincarnation, Parul's unique perspective is sure to leave you motivated and uplifted. Her empowering message has made her a sought after speaker and coach by leading organizations including Oracle, Bain & Co., Neiman Marcus Group, Harvard, and Stanford. With her authentic storytelling, powerful frameworks, and actionable insights, Parul helps individuals and businesses thrive in change. As an invited member of the Forbes Coaches Council, her insights have been featured in Thrive Global, Everyday Health, The South Asian Times, and various podcasts on professional and personal growth. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a leading expert on life leadership and personal growth and gain insights that can help you take your own life to the next level. Please support this podcast by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kitrpod GUEST LINKS: Parul Somani,'s Website: https://www.parulsomani.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdsomani LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdsomani Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/pdsomani Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesigningSilverLinings SOCIAL MEDIA: Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitrpodPodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/moofacestvTavares's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moofaces Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/moofacestv

Featuring: Steve Dennis is a consultant, keynote speaker and author focused on retail growth and innovation. He has been named a top global retail influencer by multiple organizations. His thoughts on the future of shopping are regularly shared in his role as a Forbes Senior Contributor. Steve's best-selling book-- "Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption"-- was released in a completely revised and expanded 2nd edition last year. He is also the host of the Remarkable Retail podcast.   During a 30-year career as a senior executive at two Fortune 500 retailers–and more recently as a strategic advisor–Steve has worked with dozens of retail, consumer, luxury and social impact brands to inspire, catalyze and design their journey to remarkable results.   As a sought-out keynote speaker, Steve has delivered talks on six continents, sharing his unique perspective on what it takes to reignite customer growth in a world of constant change and shifting consumer preferences. Steve is currently the President of SageBerry Consulting. Prior to founding SageBerry, he was the chief strategy officer and SVP of multichannel marketing for the Neiman Marcus Group. Steve received his MBA from Harvard and a BA from Tufts University.   Show Highlights:  In this episode, guest Steve Dennis chats with Kristin about Steve's latest book, Remarkable Retail, and the overarching state of retail today. Steve has a wealth of experience in the space, and we are delighted to have had him on the show. A major facet of the new book is the ‘8 Essentials of Remarkable Retail' framework, crafting what's necessary to adapt to an ever-changing landscape.    In the show, you will learn about how major retailers performed crisis innovation quickly. The retail space had to pivot dramatically during COVID, and many chose not to innovate or did so too late. Companies that pivoted early, like Tractor Supply, Best Buy, and Target, are strategically overcoming similar problems that have closed many big box retailers in the last few years. One learning lesson is that consistent innovation is the key to being in front of market trends, often equaling success. Kristin and Steve also dive into what success looks like for a retailer in today's market, inventory glut and what the future holds for companies in this space.    RELATED LINKS Steve's website - stevenpdennis.com Steve's LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/stevenpdennis Steve's newest book, Remarkable Retail - stevenpdennis.com/remarkable-retail Kristin on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/kcarpediem/ Verde Brand Communications - VerdePR.com

As the chief people and belonging officer at Neiman Marcus Group, Eric Severson oversees all of the aspects of the organization that impact people, both internally and externally.  Eric takes us from his start in the industry, at ten, working in his father's retail shop, to Macy's, Gap and more. His tips on team building and talent retention, leveling the playing field and operating with inclusion in all aspects of business are as actionable as they are insightful. The bottom line is, you can't just talk the talk anymore. You have to walk the walk. And that means developing real, measurable programs, investing in them and holding yourself accountable. It has to be fully integrated in what you do, or modern consumers will look the other way.  We learn that what Eric is after, this overall sense of belonging for all stakeholders, is an ongoing process, one that we must work at and fine tune over time. Listen to hear his insightful perspective on the current place (and future) of diversity, the environment, and important other social programs in the future of retail.  Learn more at retailgetsreal.com.

Recorded on 05/09/22 Cowen's Retail, New Platforms, & Luxury Analyst Oliver Chen speaks with Geoffroy van Raemdonck, CEO of Neiman Marcus Group. Discussion is focused around the transformation of the Neiman Marcus business to integrate digital touch points throughout the shopping experience and engage with the younger luxury consumer. We also release this episode in conjunction with Pride month to help bring increased awareness on diversity and inclusion strategies among CEOs. For Disclosures, click here bit.ly/3cPHkNW

The episode starts with a detailed look at the saga between Elon Musk and Twitter. At the time of recording, Elon had rejected an offer to join Twitter's board and was holding an almost 10% stake in the social platform. Next, a look at the Etsy seller strike over the craft marketplace's increases to its take rate. Is this a classic example of a dominant platform squeezing its producers or does Etsy need this increased revenue to spend on platform improvements? The show closes with a look at luxury fashion platform Farfetch making a $200 million investment into luxury department store owners Neiman Marcus Group. 00:00 - Subscribe and fight big tech! 00:37 - The Elon Twitter takeover 17:56 - Etsy sellers on strike 26:48 - Farfetch invests in Neiman Marcus Originally Aired: 04/12/22 #Farfetch #ElonTwitter #TwitterBuyout

“I think it's terribly dangerous for an artist to fulfill other people's expectations. If you feel safe in the area that you're working in, you're not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you're capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don't feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you're just about in the right place to do something exciting.”—  David Bowie,  David Bowie: The Last Five Years On the 1st anniversary of the release of the revised and expanded 2nd edition of Steve's best-selling book Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption--which confusingly is also the 2nd anniversary of the 1st edition's release--we celebrate its success and impact with our very special guest Forrester Research VP & Principal Analyst Sucharita Kodali.  Sucharita is not only one of retail's top thought leaders, but she was our very first guest on the podcast back in September of 2022 and she graciously wrote the Foreword to Remarkable Retail's 2nd edition.We unpack some of the key lessons from the book and take stock of Steve and Sucharita's predictive prowess. We also wonder aloud about whether there is complacency setting in among too many retailers, if a "collapse of the unremarkable middle" is inevitable and whether certain oft talked about "innovations" are victims of the hype cycle. But first examine the retail news of the week that caught our attention, including trying to be glass is half full on JC Penney's new strategy to "love the customers that love us." We then move on to marvel at Shein's stratospheric $100 billion valuation, before weighing in on whether the Neiman Marcus Group's new partnership is rather Farfetched (see what we did there?). We close with our take on what to make of Walmart's bold moves to deal with trucking shortages.  Note: The John Oliver "This Week Tonight" segment referenced in the episode can be found here.And don't forget to check out our bonus episode recapping this year's Shoptalk conference, recorded live from high above the Vegas Strip.  About SucharitaSucharita serves digital business strategy professionals. She is an expert on eCommerce, omnichannel retail, consumer behavior, and trends in the online shopping space. She is also an authority on technology developments that affect the online commerce industry and vendors that facilitate online marketing and merchandising.In her research, Sucharita covers such consumer-oriented topics as eCommerce forecasting and trends, merchandising best practices, conversion optimization, and social computing in the retail world. She has also authored "The State Of Retailing Online," a joint study conducted annually with NRF.Prior to Forrester, Sucharita was the director of marketing at Saks Fifth Avenue, where she managed the customer acquisition, retention, and market research efforts for the $2 billion luxury retailer's online channel. Prior to Saks, she held management positions at Toys R Us, where she was a merchant in the Babies R Us division and a store manager in one of the company's largest toy stores. She also worked for the Walt Disney Company, where she developed and managed marketing plans for new business initiatives, including the Disney Stores, the Disney Cruise Line, and Club Disney.Additionally, she was involved in the expansion of Cap Cities/ABC properties, specifically ESPN Zone, ESPN Magazine, and the Go.com network. She has written two nonfiction books and has contributed to BusinessWeek Online.Sucharita holds a B.A. in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. About UsSteve Dennis is an advisor, keynote speaker and author on strategic growth and business innovation. You can learn more about Steve on his       website.    The expanded and revised edition of his bestselling book  Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption is now available at  Amazon or just about anywhere else books are sold. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a      Forbes senior contributor and on       Twitter and       LinkedIn. You can also check out his speaker "sizzle" reel      here.Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast,       The Voice of Retail, plus  Global E-Commerce Tech Talks  ,      The Food Professor  with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext!  You can learn more about Michael   here  or on     LinkedIn. Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue,  his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Tonight, Drama and Dee cover The Masters, Jack Harlow's chart-topping song, Elon's dunk on Bezos, Robinhood's plunge, Farfetch's new investment, Amazon's returns problem, Walmart's new job listing, teen's opinions on the global market, America's best and worst WFH cities, superstar concerts for the few, and Shanghai's new crackdown. Timeline of What Was Discussed: Will Tiger Woods ever win again? (1:57)  Is Jack Harlow rap's savior?  (11:54)  Ad Break: Lo Siento. (20:26)  Are you jumping on the Elon Musk train? (22:24)  What is going over at Robinhood?! (29:32)  Farfetch is helping Neiman Marcus get back with the times. (33:31)  Amazon has a returns problem. (35:57)  So, you want to make $110,000 a year? (40:31)  Group Chat loves lists. (43:34)  The CRAZY market for outlandish private shows. (48:53)  Will the citizens of China revolt? (53:51)  Group Chat Shout Outs. (1:00:38)  Related Links/Products Mentioned  Masters 2022: Tiger Woods adds element of joy to his game for his career's final act  Jack Harlow Dropped His New Song, "First Class," And Twitter Can't Handle It  Use code GROUPCHAT20 at Lo Siento for 20% off your next order!  Tesla CEO Elon Musk is now $100BILLION richer than Jeff Bezos  Goldman Says Sell Robinhood After 84% Plunge From Record  Farfetch invests up to $200M in Neiman Marcus Group  How Amazon plans to fix its massive returns problem  Walmart will pay up to $110,000 for long-haul drivers  Teens worried about the economy are still spending on Nike and Lululemon  These are the 10 best and worst states for working from home  The Lavish Top-Secret World of Private Gigs  ‘They are going to starve to death': Shanghai residents in lockdown with ‘no end in sight'  Connect with Group Chat! Watch The Pod #1 Newsletter In The World For The Gram Tweet With Us Exclusive Facebook Content We're @groupchatpod on Snapchat

Tonight, Drama and Dee cover The Masters, Jack Harlow's chart-topping song, Elon's dunk on Bezos, Robinhood's plunge, Farfetch's new investment, Amazon's returns problem, Walmart's new job listing, teen's opinions on the global market, America's best and worst WFH cities, superstar concerts for the few, and Shanghai's new crackdown. Timeline of What Was Discussed: Will Tiger Woods ever win again? (1:57)  Is Jack Harlow rap's savior?  (11:54)  Ad Break: Lo Siento. (20:26)  Are you jumping on the Elon Musk train? (22:24)  What is going over at Robinhood?! (29:32)  Farfetch is helping Neiman Marcus get back with the times. (33:31)  Amazon has a returns problem. (35:57)  So, you want to make $110,000 a year? (40:31)  Group Chat loves lists. (43:34)  The CRAZY market for outlandish private shows. (48:53)  Will the citizens of China revolt? (53:51)  Group Chat Shout Outs. (1:00:38)  Related Links/Products Mentioned  Masters 2022: Tiger Woods adds element of joy to his game for his career's final act  Jack Harlow Dropped His New Song, "First Class," And Twitter Can't Handle It  Use code GROUPCHAT20 at Lo Siento for 20% off your next order!  Tesla CEO Elon Musk is now $100BILLION richer than Jeff Bezos  Goldman Says Sell Robinhood After 84% Plunge From Record  Farfetch invests up to $200M in Neiman Marcus Group  How Amazon plans to fix its massive returns problem  Walmart will pay up to $110,000 for long-haul drivers  Teens worried about the economy are still spending on Nike and Lululemon  These are the 10 best and worst states for working from home  The Lavish Top-Secret World of Private Gigs  ‘They are going to starve to death': Shanghai residents in lockdown with ‘no end in sight'  Connect with Group Chat! Watch The Pod #1 Newsletter In The World For The Gram Tweet With Us Exclusive Facebook Content We're @groupchatpod on Snapchat

US stocks fell Tuesday. Plus, Farfetch is taking a $200 million stake in Neiman Marcus Group, Manhattan real estate isn't slowing down, and Shein has big plans.

US stocks fell Tuesday. Plus, Farfetch is taking a $200 million stake in Neiman Marcus Group, Manhattan real estate isn't slowing down, and Shein has big plans.

Welcome to Reimagining Company Culture, a series discussing emerging trends and priorities shaping the future of workplace culture and employee wellbeing. We highlight thought leaders who are constantly evolving their strategy and can provide insight to folks about how to address new business challenges.  AllVoices is on a mission to create safe, happy, and healthy workplaces for all, and we're excited to learn from experts who share our mission.In this episode of Reimagining Company Culture, we're chatting with Eric Severson, Chief People & Belonging Officer at Neiman Marcus Group. For more than two decades, Eric has built evidence-based systems to manage talent and drive organizational performance, enabling companies to differentiate their employment brands and drive competitive advantage through talent.  Tune in to learn Eric's thoughts on reframing The Great Resignation with associate needs, changing your talent acquisition strategy over the past year, equity-driven leadership, and more!About AllVoicesIn today's workforce, people often don't feel empowered to speak up and voice their opinions about workplace issues, including harassment, bias, and other culture issues. This prevents company leadership from making necessary changes, and prevents people from feeling fulfilled, recognized, and included at work. At AllVoices, we want to change that by providing a completely safe, anonymous way for people to report issues directly to company leaders. This allows company leadership real transparency into what's happening in their companies—and the motivation to address issues quickly. Our goal is to help create safer, more inclusive companies.

Sustainability is no longer optional. Environmental concerns have exponentially grown over the past few years resulting in sustainability increasingly becoming a deciding purchasing factor for customers — both fueling brand loyalty and determining spending habits. Shoppers want sustainable products, and heightened competition has put pressure on brands and retailers to respond by championing the causes that matter most to their customers. Engaging in the sustainability conversation for many multi-brand retailers has meant adding curated “edits” of items created with more sustainable materials and methods o their sites and expanding additional services that cater to the circular economy.  Multi-brand retailers occupy a unique position in that they sit between producers and consumers. As ‘gatekeepers,' how can retailers go beyond curated edits to accelerate industry-wide change and raise sustainability standards across the industry by using their power to encourage the development and manufacturing of more sustainable products? How can they use their influence and interactions with consumers to promote mindful consumption and end-of-use strategies How can multi-brand retailers go beyond curated “edits” to accelerate industry-wide sustainable change? In this episode of Crash Course Fashion, hear SFF founder Brittany Sierra in conversation with Ali Mize, Director of ESG, Belonging, & Corporate Philanthropy of Neiman Marcus Group, to discuss how retailers can use their power and influence to encourage the development and manufacturing of more sustainable products while promoting mindful consumption and end-of-use strategies.

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I'm your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from one of the most popular Remarkable Retail podcast of our third season, where my podcast partner & best selling author Steve Denis and I host a blockbuster panel featuring three of the most experienced and insightful veterans of the luxury world: Karen Katz (former President & CEO of the Neiman Marcus Group, Steve Sadove (former Chairman and CEO of Saks) and Oliver Chen (Managing director and senior equity research analyst at Cowen and Company). We cover a lot of territory, first trying to align on a working definition of what "luxury" really means today and how luxury was evolving pre-COVID. Then we shift into what's next, including our dream team's quick takes on luxury re-commerce, the role of the in-store experience, the importance of multi-brand retail (online and off), sustainability, exclusivity, storytelling and more. We wrap up getting everyone's view on why it's so hard for legacy brands to innovate and  whether .com spin-outs make any sense at all. Thanks for tuning into today's episode of The Voice of Retail.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss out on the latest episodes, industry news, and insights. If you enjoyed  this episode please consider leaving a rating and review, as it really helps us grow so that we can continue getting amazing guests on the show. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you're looking for more content, or want to chat  follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co! Until next time, stay safe and have a great week! Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast,       The Voice of Retail, plus        Global E-Commerce Tech Talks  and       The Food Professor  with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.  You can learn more about Michael       here  or on       LinkedIn. 

This week we've got a blockbuster panel featuring three of the most experienced and insightful veterans of the luxury world: Karen Katz (former President & CEO of the Neiman Marcus Group, Steve Sadove (former Chairman and CEO of Saks) and Oliver Chen (Managing director and senior equity research analyst at Cowen and Company). We cover a lot of territory, first trying to align on a working definition of what "luxury" really means today and how luxury was evolving pre-COVID. Then we shift into what's next, including our dream team's quick takes on luxury re-commerce, the role of the in-store experience, the importance of multi-brand retail (online and off), sustainability, exclusivity, storytelling and more. We wrap up getting everyone's view on why it's so hard for legacy brands to innovate and  whether .com spin-outs make any sense at all.But first we open up with the top retail stories that caught our attention this past week, with a big focus on what we can take away from Black Friday and Cyber Monday performance as the threat of Omicron looms, more profitless prosperity from Allbirds as they report their first quarterly earnings as a public company, and Amazon's rise to parcel delivery supremacy. About Karen KatzKatz, who is a graduate of the University of Texas, is the former chief executive, president and director of the Neiman Marcus Group. She stepped down from the role in January 2019. Since 2014 she has also been on the board of directors at Under Armour.Katz has worked in a number of key executive and leadership roles at Neiman Marcus since joining the group as a merchandise manager in 1985. Most recently she has leveraged Neiman Marcus' brick and mortar assets to launch an omni-channel strategy that includes merging planning and buying teams for all departments and integrating customers' online and in-store experiences with in-store apps and personalised web dashboards.Under Katz, Neiman Marcus acquired luxury e-commerce site MyTheresa.com, the Munich-based luxury e-tailer. She also expanded MyTheresa's e-commerce offerings to bolster the Neiman Marcus omni-channel strategy and oversaw the opening of the retailer's first New York City flagship in 2018, a seven-story retail project situated in the Hudson Yards in Manhattan's far West Side. About Steve SadoveBetween 2002 and 2013, Mr. Sadove held positions of increasing responsibility with Saks Incorporated, serving as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2013.Prior to joining Saks, Mr. Sadove built a distinguished marketing and consumer products career spanning more than 25 years and held senior positions at companies including General Foods (now Kraft) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company as President of Clairol. He led Clairol to become the number one hair care business in the United States, relaunched the Herbal Essences brand into a $700 million business and completed the sale of the beauty care business to Procter & Gamble. Mr. Sadove is also a founding partner of JW Levin Management Partners, a private equity firm.Mr. Sadove is a former Chair of the National Retail Federation and serves as an advisor to Mastercard. He serves on numerous community and civic boards including Hamilton College as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and AmeriCares. About Oliver ChenOliver Chen has joined Cowen and Company's Equity Research department as a Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst. He covers over 30 stocks in the Retail & Luxury Sectors.Oliver is a graduate of Georgetown University, The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is a CFA Charterholder. He also serves on the PhD Retail Research Review committee at the Wharton School's Jay H. Baker Retailing Center. Mr. Chen was recognized in the Wharton School's “40 Under 40” brightest stars alumni list in 2017.Most recently, Mr. Chen was recognized on the 2018 and 2017 Institutional Investor All-America Research team as a top analyst in the retailing/department stores & specialty softlines sector. Mr. Chen was also selected as a preeminent retail influencer as he was named to the National Retail Federation (NRF) Foundation's “2019 List of People Shaping Retail's Future.” Considered an “industry expert,” Mr. Chen frequently appears as a speaker/panelist at key industry events.Steve Dennis is an advisor, keynote speaker and author on strategic growth and business innovation. You can learn more about Steve on his       website.    The expanded and revised edition of his bestselling book  Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption is now available at  Amazon or just about anywhere else books are sold. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a      Forbes senior contributor and on       Twitter and       LinkedIn. You can also check out his speaker "sizzle" reel      here.Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast,       The Voice of Retail, plus  Global E-Commerce Tech Talks  ,      The Food Professor  with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext!  You can learn more about Michael   here  or on     LinkedIn. Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue,  his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Tim Heis has been named the next President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Dallas. Most recently Heis was at Neiman Marcus Group, where he served as Vice President of Transformation. Prior to that, he led growth strategy at Bath and Body Works, part of L Brands, and helped the brand achieve multiple years of industry-leading growth and profitability. Heis began his career at Deloitte Consulting in the Strategy and Operations practice, where he specialized in retail and growth strategies.

In this episode, we share two lines of questioning you can use to become a more strategic thinker. We use Spanx as the case study to illustrate both schools of thought.PART ILook for solutions, not problems.When she wanted to find manufacturers to make her prototype of her shape wear, all she could find was men making hosiery.She, her mother, and her friends personally testing the garments. This was innovative at the time, as the industry did not test products with people. Blakely's research revealed that the industry had previously been using the same size waistband for all hosiery products to cut costs, and a rubber cord was inserted into the waistband. For her product development, Blakely created different waistbands to suit different-sized consumersRuthlessly prioritizeShe wasn't going to go door to door like she did selling fax machines. She knew she needed to get into department stores.Blakely had a meeting with Neiman Marcus Group, at which she changed into the product in the ladies restroom in the presence of the buyer to prove the benefits of her innovation.[9] Blakely's product was sold in seven Neiman Marcus stores as a result of the meeting;Spending time in the stores where your product lives will not only let you pull sneaky marketing maneuvers, but it will also let you learn directly from customers about what's missing in your market.Do some research and find out what podcasts, television shows, publications, social media platforms, and events your target demographic is into. Sara's top media priority was Oprah, so she sent the TV mogul a gift basket of Spanx to get her attention. Don't be shy about sending samples of your product to your favorite podcasters, Instagram celebs, or journalists in the hopes that they want to review it.In 2017, Sara invited her friends to take pictures of themselves skiing in Spanx. In your notebook, label a page “(Kinda) Crazy Marketing Tactics.” Come up with at least 10 out-of-the-box marketing ideasBe Willing to Take Risks.Sara decided to patent Spanx early.  Use Packaging to Stand outSpanx's packaging shone in bright red—and the color alone subsequently became a form of advertising. For inspiration, go on a recon mission to the types of stores that might carry your product. Take a good long look around. What packaging trends do you see? More importantly, what do you not see at all? Write your observations down and look for a packaging niche you can filListen to and Recruit Others' Perspective.She met Laurie Ann Goldman at the Saks Fifth Avenue in Atlanta in 2001, while she was on maternity leave from her employer at the time, Coca-Cola. Goldman was specifically looking for a Spanx product, and the pair exchanged contact details—Goldman became the CEO of Spanx in 2002.Goldman crafted a business model for the company based on lessons she learned during her 10-year stint at Coke: thinking big, starting small, and scaling fast. She advised her team at SPANX to focus on product quality over profit margins. Free Yourself from Execution.Just 2 weeks ago, founder Sara Blakely sold a majority stake in Spanx to Blackstone, valued at $1.2 BilionPART 2Question 1: Why should I care about this problem?Market opportunity: The number of women was on the increaseQuestion 2: What does success look like?Question 3: How might I solve this problem?Question 4: How should I actually solve the problem?Question 5: How can I take action?

Welcome to Wholesale Is Not Dead The podcast dedicated to you favourite fashion stores evolution. On the occasion of Paris Fashion Week, Tranoï, Paris Fashion Week Trade show Partner, invited us to the Palais de Tokyo, where the trade show takes place 4 days with a strong selection of emerging and contemporary designers, to meet exciting international retailers and buyers.   In this episode, we meet a wholesale specialist of the North American market, Mrs Ellen Scherer. Former consultant at the buying office Lambert+Associates, she was in charge for 15 years of the account Neiman Marcus Group. Now, Ellen has decided to launch her own activity call Gray Matters. She explained us why and talk about the evolution of the buying offices facing the growth of instagram's influence. https://www.tranoi.com/ www.marsbranding.com The Wholesale Is Not Dead podcast is produced by Mars Branding Agency. If you like fashion, wholesale and podcast, please go to apple, subscribe and give us a note. info@marsbranding.com   

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 25, 2021) – A national leader with more than 25 years of experience at some of the country's leading institutions has been selected as the University of Kentucky's next vice president for institutional diversity. Katrice A. Albert, Ph.D., will begin her duties as vice president for institutional diversity on Sept. 27, according to an announcement from UK President Eli Capilouto. Highlights of Albert's career in leading diversity and education efforts include: Serving as the top diversity officer and a senior executive at Louisiana State University and the University of Minnesota system as well as the NCAA, where she also led Human Resources. Authoring two volumes of work around issues of race, racial equity and mental health. She is the author of a forthcoming work on leadership in intercollegiate athletics. Serving on the editorial board of the Journal of Community Engagement. Albert also has been published in other academic journals related to psychology, counseling and development. Teaching graduate-level courses in multicultural counseling, the politics of race and gender, and serving as an adjunct faculty member in education at LSU. Consulting with some of the leading governmental, civic, religious, private, public and nonprofit sector institutions throughout the country on issues of diversity, development and strategy. Clients have included: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, American Red Cross, the Neiman Marcus Group and the Universities of Notre Dame, Nebraska, West Florida and Central Florida. On this edition of ‘Behind the Blue', UK Chief Communications Officer Jay Blanton talks with Albert about what she's looking forward to in joining UK, particularly at this moment, as the institution is engaged in a broad-based and expansive effort around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). You can read more about UK's DEI efforts here: https://dei.uky.edu/. You can read Capilouto's message to the campus about Albert here. "Behind the Blue" is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK's latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university. For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show's blog page. To discover what's wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

DELIVERING ECOMMERCE is a weekly podcast & live-stream hosted by me, Chris Parsons. Along with industry experts around the globe and my 20 years plus in retail, we tell our stories and have some fun along the way. This week I have had the pleasure of interviewing Steve Dennis  Keynote Speaker | Bestselling Author of "Remarkable Retail" | Strategic Advisor | Senior Forbes Contributor | Podcast HostCheck out Steve Dennis book Remarkable Retail: How to Win and Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption  https://amzn.to/3xjhlrzSteve Dennis https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpdennis/Chris Parsons https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisaparsons/Delivering eCommerce website https://deliveringecommerce.buzzsprout.com/Delivering eCommerce on https://open.spotify.com/show/5Gn8f63iFMkzzvXfkW0gHp?si=aDFNKWp4Q_m2we_YnldtbQ&dl_branch=1Steve Dennis Bio:Steve Dennis is a consultant, keynote speaker and author focused on retail growth and innovation. He has been named a top global retail influencer by multiple organizations and his thoughts on the future of shopping are regularly shared in his role as a Forbes Senior Contributor. Steve's best-selling book-- "Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption"--has just been released in completely revised and expanded 2nd edition. He is also the host of the Remarkable Retail podcast.During a 30 year career as a senior executive at two Fortune 500 retailers–and more recently as a strategic advisor–Steve has worked with dozens of retail, consumer, luxury and social impact brands to inspire, catalyze and design their journey to remarkable results.As a sought-out keynote speaker, Steve has delivered talks on six continents, sharing his unique perspective on what it takes to reignite customer growth in a world of constant change and shifting consumer preferences.He has contributed commentary to Bloomberg/Business Week, the BBC, CNBC, CNN, the Harvard Business Review and the Wall Street Journal, among many others.Steve is currently the President of SageBerry Consulting. Prior to founding SageBerry, he was the chief strategy officer and SVP, multichannel marketing for the Neiman Marcus Group.Steve received his MBA from Harvard and a BA from Tufts University.

This week our guest is fashion resale pioneer Sarah Davis, the Founder, President & CCO of Fashionphile, the leading purveyor of preowned ultra-luxury accessories. We learn all about Fashionphile's 20+ year journey from scrappy boot-strapped start-up to its break-through partnership with Neiman Marcus. Along the way we learn the ins-and-outs of retail recommerce, what's driving its growth, how COVID affected its evolution and what it will take for all the various resale models to succeed in the future. In addition, we discover Fashionphile's remarkable track record of year-over-year growth and--brace yourself--profitability, as well as plans to add 10 more Neiman Marcus locations by early next year.Then we wrap up the episode with our fast-paced weekly segment  “Remarkable or Forgettable?” where we give our hot takes on retail headlines, and deem them wow-worthy, best ignored or somewhere in between. This week's big stories include earnings from other resale brands ThredUp, Poshmark and the RealReal, as well as Canada Goose. Victoria Secret spin-out and prospects for a revival, JC Penney's updated prospects. Sarah DavisAs the very first ultra-luxury re-commerce brand of its kind, FASHIONPHILE is the brainchild of Founder and President, Sarah Davis. Like most of the brands we love best, FASHIONPHILE began in 1999, with little more than a good idea. In 2006, Sarah introduced business partner & CEO Ben Hemminger, who evolved the brand by expanding the collection and presenting it to a larger market. Over 20 years later, FASHIONPHILE is now one of the world’s top resellers of pre-owned luxury and the exclusive re-commerce partner of Neiman Marcus.In the words of Geoffroy van Raemdonck, CEO of Neiman Marcus Group, “FASHIONPHILE’s hyper-focus on curating high-quality supply and providing best-in-class shopping experiences makes it the ideal partner.”When Neiman Marcus calls you ideal, you blush and just, well, let it in.Steve Dennis is an advisor, keynote speaker and author on strategic growth and business innovation. You can learn more about Steve on his       website.    The expanded and revised edition of his bestselling book  Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption is now available at  Amazon or just about anywhere else books are sold. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a      Forbes senior contributor and on       Twitter and       LinkedIn. You can also check out his speaker "sizzle" reel      here.Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast,       The Voice of Retail, plus        Global E-Commerce Tech Talks  and       The Food Professor  with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.  You can learn more about Michael       here  or on       LinkedIn. 

“Luck is hard work and opportunity meeting.” – Sashee Chandran This week on the Gooder Podcast, I had the pleasure of talking with Sashee Chandran, the founder and CEO of Tea Drops. We discuss the historical colonial influence in American tea culture and how her diverse background has encouraged her to create something new: Tea Drops. We also learn about the tea category shaking innovation of Tea Drops' products and some of the trends her brand is leveraging. Along the way, we get to hear the inspirational story of a diligent and humble entrepreneur who transforms the traditional way of enjoying tea. In this episode we learn: - About the history and inspiration of Tea Drops. - The surprising A-ha moment of her product idea. - About her go-to-market alternate channel strategy, and why it worked.  - Where Sashee’s passion and drive for risk-taking come from. - What Tea Drop's give-back program has been doing to tackle the global water crisis. - Diana and Sashee's personal stories about their love for tea and how tea has helped them connect to their loved ones. About Sashee Chandran: Sashee Chandran is the founder and CEO of Tea Drops, which creates bagless whole leaf teas using a patented process — shedding about 15% less waste than traditional tea bag packaging. Tea Drops has become a favorite among new and experienced tea drinkers alike, launching innovative tea experiences that merge flavorful blends, food art and edgy design. Tea Drops an omnichannel brand, selling D2C and also available in 1,500 retailers — loved by Oprah Magazine, Chrissy Teigen, and former first lady Michelle Obama. Sashee is a 1st Place $20K Women Founders Network pitch winner, 1st Place $100K Tory Burch Fellow Grant winner, and the 1st place $50K PepsiCo WomanMade Challenge winner. She has also raised over $3.5M in VC funding for Tea Drops. Guests Social Media Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasheechandran/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sasheechandran/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sasheec Email: sashee@myteadrop.com Website: https://www.myteadrop.com/ Show Resources: Loose leaf tea is tea that does not come pre-packaged in tea bags. Because the leaves are not crammed into a tea bag, the tea maintains a higher quality and aroma while offering the best possible health benefits. eBay Inc. is an American multinational e-commerce corporation based in San Jose, California, that facilitates consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer sales through its website. eBay was founded by Pierre Omidyar in 1995, and became a notable success story of the dot-com bubble.  Bubble tea is a tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s. It most commonly consists of tea accompanied by chewy tapioca balls, but it can be made with other toppings as well. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is an agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce that issues patents to inventors and businesses for their inventions, and trademark registration for product and intellectual property identification. Tory Burch Foundation competition Designed to provide women entrepreneurs with the tools and platform necessary to grow their business. 8Greens is an effervescent dietary supplement tablet, packed with enough superfoods to give your healthy diet a green boost.  United Natural Foods, Inc. is a Providence, R.I.-based natural and organic food company. It is the largest publicly traded wholesale distributor of health and specialty food in the United States and Canada. UNFI is Whole Foods Market's main supplier, with their traffic making up over a third of its revenue in 2018. Nordstrom, Inc. is an American luxury department store chain. Founded in 1901 by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin, it originated as a shoe store and evolved into a full-line retailer with departments for clothing, footwear, handbags, jewelry, accessories, cosmetics, and fragrances.  Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., originally Neiman-Marcus, is an American chain of luxury department stores owned by the Neiman Marcus Group, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The Thirst Project is a non-profit organization whose aim is to bring safe drinking water to communities around the world where it is not immediately available. The Thirst Project collects money and builds wells all across the continent of Africa where villages do not have immediate drinking water. Episode Sponsor - Retail Voodoo: A creative marketing firm specializing in growing, fixing and reinventing brands in the food, beverage, wellness and fitness industry. If your natural brand is in need of positioning, package design or marketing activation, we’re here to help. You can find more information at www.retail-voodoo.com

We speak to Steve Dennis, author of 'Remarkable Retail How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption'. Steve gives us an overview of the retail industry; the impacts of shopping mall oversupply, lack of diversified shopping experiences and the evolution of e-commerce. Steve also takes us through 'The 8 Essentials of Remarkable Retail', a framework that guides brands in the design of enduring, highly profitable and intensely customer-centric growth strategies. **ABOUT STEVE DENNIS** Steve Dennis is a leading global retail influencer, keynote speaker & consultant, Senior Forbes Contributor, and bestselling author, ‘Remarkable Retail' Steve Dennis is a consultant, keynote speaker and author focused on retail growth and innovation. He has been named a top global retail influencer by multiple organizations and his thoughts on the future of shopping are regularly shared in his role as a Forbes Senior Contributor. His new best-selling book is "Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Digital Disruption" and he is the host of the Remarkable Retail podcast. During a 30 year career as a senior executive at two Fortune 500 retailers–and more recently as a strategic advisor–Steve has worked with dozens of retail, consumer, luxury and social impact brands to inspire, catalyze and design their journey to remarkable results. As a sought-out keynote speaker, Steve has delivered talks on six continents, sharing his unique perspective on what it takes to reignite customer growth in a world of constant change and shifting consumer preferences. He has contributed commentary to Bloomberg/Business Week, the BBC, CNBC, CNN, the Harvard Business Review and the Wall Street Journal, among many others. Steve is currently the President of SageBerry Consulting. Prior to founding SageBerry, he was the chief strategy officer and SVP, multichannel marketing for the Neiman Marcus Group. Steve received his MBA from Harvard and a BA from Tufts University. **FOLLOW STEVE** stevenpdennis.com twitter.com/stevenpdennis www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpdennis/ ------------------------------------------------------- **FOLLOW US** INSTAGRAM - www.instagram.com/activeintworld TWITTER - twitter.com/ActiveIntlUK LINKEDIN - www.linkedin.com/company/active-international-uk KARIM - twitter.com/karimkanji PODCAST WEBSITE - www.thewhatsnextpodcast.com

Paving the path to revolutionize not just re-commerce, but the entire retail industry, Fashionphile announced an investment and minority stake from global retailer Neiman Marcus Group. The strategic partnership makes Neiman Marcus the first major luxury retailer to expand into the pre-owned market, a move that will include the opening of physical Fashionphile selling studios inside Neiman Marcus locations across the country. Sarah Davis is the  Founder, President and fashion technology pioneer who invented the re-commerce category when it comes to luxury handbags and accessories with the start of her company Fashionphile, and she shares her experience launching the largest online platform for buying and selling ultra-luxury handbags and accessories (first as an eBay incubator), the lessons she's learned as the leader of a company that just celebrated its 20-year anniversary this year, and the future of retail and its intersections with innovative authentication technology and sustainability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Dennis is a consultant, keynote speaker, author, and podcast host focused on retail growth and innovation. He has been named a top global retail influencer by multiple organizations and his thoughts on the future of shopping are regularly shared in his role as a Forbes Senior Contributor. Steve's best-selling book-- "Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption"--will be released in a completely revised and expanded 2nd edition this Spring. Steve is currently the President of SageBerry Consulting. Prior to founding SageBerry, he was the chief strategy officer and SVP, multichannel marketing for the Neiman Marcus Group. Today, we talk about the 6 major changes COVID-19 brought to the retail world, and what they mean for local small business owners.

Steve Dennis is a consultant, keynote speaker and author focused on retail growth and innovation. He has been named a top global retail influencer by multiple organizations and his thoughts on the future of shopping are regularly shared in his role as a Forbes Senior Contributor. Steve's best-selling book-- "Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption"--will be released in a completely revised and expanded 2nd edition this Spring. He is also the host of the Remarkable Retail podcast. During a 30 year career as a senior executive at two Fortune 500 retailers–and more recently as a strategic advisor–Steve has worked with dozens of retail, consumer, luxury and social impact brands to inspire, catalyze and design their journey to remarkable results. As a sought-out keynote speaker, Steve has delivered talks on six continents, sharing his unique perspective on what it takes to reignite customer growth in a world of constant change and shifting consumer preferences. He has contributed commentary to Bloomberg/Business Week, the BBC, CNBC, CNN, the Harvard Business Review and the Wall Street Journal, among many others. Steve is currently the President of SageBerry Consulting. Prior to founding SageBerry, he was the chief strategy officer and SVP, multichannel marketing for the Neiman Marcus Group. Steve received his MBA from Harvard and a BA from Tufts University. Learn more: LinkedIn | Steve P Dennis Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design Executive Producer:Fashion Consort Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

Sydney Price is an award-winning executive and the Founder and CEO at The Knew Purpose, a conscious leadership company with the vision to advance sustainability, social impact, and innovation in business. She is a dynamic force at designing, developing, and implementing sustainability and social impact programs while creating new revenue channels and profitability for companies. Sydney is recognized as a catalyst in business transformation for her abilities to intertwine purpose, business, and social impact and, as a result, has been awarded “Most Influential Women” by CEO Connection, 2015. As an ICF certified coach and inspirational facilitator, Sydney continues to take her experiences to the next level by empowering other leaders, businesses, universities, non-profits, and social entrepreneurs. Previously, as SVP of Social Impact at Kate Spade & Company (KSC), Sydney strategically developed, implemented, and led a new, profitable commercial channel within KSC value chain and built a women-focused international Social Enterprise Supplier Model in Rwanda. Sydney's innovative model was awarded “Best Economic Empowerment Program” from the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2015 and was studied and endorsed by Georgetown University in 2017. Prior to this role, she was SVP of Direct to Consumer and Global Merchandising at KSC and held multiple leadership positions at Neiman Marcus Group. Through The Knew Purpose, Sydney works with leaders, companies and communities to create a better world.  Learn more: LinkedIn | The Knew Purpose Hosted by: Christopher Lacy, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design Produced by: Joshua Williams, Assistant Professor, Parsons School of Design Executive Producer:Fashion Consort Follow the podcast on Instagram: @RetailRevolutionPodcast

Zach sits down with Eric Severson, EVP & Chief People Officer at Neiman Marcus Group and Dr. Katrice Albert, Executive Vice President of Culture, Innovation and Inclusion at S2A Solutions to chat about Neiman Marcus and their journey to be a more equitable and inclusive place to work. Check the links in the show notes to connect with them and to read Dr. Albert's book! Struggling with your Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) work? Kanarys—a Black-founded company—has your back. Regardless of where you are on your DEI journey, we arm you with the insights you need now to take action now. From audits to assessments to data-informed strategy, we'd love to be the partner you have been looking for. Email stacey@kanarys.com or learn more at https://www.kanarys.com/employer Dr. Albert and Eric are both on LinkedIn - stay connected. Find out more about Dr. Albert's book "Racial Battle Fatigue in Higher Education" on Amazon. You can follow Neiman Marcus Group on LinkedIn. Neiman Marcus itself is on Twitter and IG. S2A Solutions can be found on LinkedIn.

On this podcast Laura Brady joins Byron to discuss her fast growing international luxury real estate auction firm Concierge Auctions and how the industry is adapting today. As the president Laura is responsible for leading the company and it’s aggressive growth. In only eight years, she drove the firm to a billion dollars in sales and placement on Inc. Magazine’s list of the fastest-growing companies in America. Laura’s knowledge of high-net-worth clientele and her insight into the luxury real estate market have led her to be profiled by CNBC Money, Bloomberg, the Today Show, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, among others. She has been named “One of the 100 most influential people in real estate” by Inman News for the past three years. While Laura has a keen eye for branding and design, she is also a numbers wiz. These dueling traits led the Neiman Marcus Group to select her as a top corporate recruit from the University of Texas at Austin when she was only 20 years old. But inevitably, a lifelong love of real estate drew her in. After a quick stint of rising to be one of the top-selling luxury agents in the country, Laura was one of few who foresaw the pending market decline and wasn’t afraid to take action. She founded Concierge Auctions and has been revolutionizing the industry since. Other credentials include being a wife and mother to three daughters. Connect with Laura: https://www.conciergeauctions.com/ May 2020 webinars for agents: https://blocktalknow.squarespace.com/ Subscribe to Byron Lazine YouTube: http://bit.ly/sub2byronlazine 5AM Call Sign-up: https://www.5amcall.com/ 5AM SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-5amcall Connect with Byron: Website: https://www.byronlazine.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ByronLazine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byronlazine/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/byronlazine YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/byron... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/byronlazine The Real Word: https://www.youtube.com/channel/there... Real Estate | One+Company: oneandcompany.com Marketing | Company Cubed: companycubed.com Subscribe to Byron’s newsletter: byronlazine.com/subscribe

This week we are joined by guest Carrie Tharp. Carrie is the Vice President of Retail & Consumer at Google Cloud, where she is responsible for creating and executing Google Cloud’s global product, partner, and go-to-market strategy in the Retail industry. Prior to joining Google Cloud, Carrie was at The Neiman Marcus Group where she served as Chief Digital & Marketing Officer and was responsible for all aspects of its e-commerce business across Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call and Horchow brands Join us as we explore Etsy's migration to Google Cloud, the evolution of personalization and privacy, and what it's like to transition from a legacy retail brand to a top 5 tech company. Hosted by Julia Raymond Researched, written and produced by Gabriella Bock Edited by Trenton Waller

Mr. Burton M. Tansky, also known as Burt, is Senior Advisor with Marvin Traub Associates since 2017. Mr. Tansky served as the Managing Director of Marvin Traub Associates, Inc. Mr. Tansky served as the Chief Executive Officer and President at NMGP LLC. He was the Chief Executive Officer at Bergdorf Goodman.com, LLC. He served as the Chief Executive Officer and President at NM Financial Services Inc., Worth Avenue Leasing Company and Neiman Marcus Holdings, Inc. Mr. Tansky was the CEO of Neiman Marcus Group from 2004 to 2010.

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova. This week, I feature Steven Dennis on the show.  Steve is the president of SageBerry Consulting, a strategic advisory firm focused on innovation and growth strategy for retail, luxury, and social impact brands. Prior to SageBerry, Steve was SVP, Strategy and Multi-channel Marketing, for the Neiman Marcus Group and earlier in his career, he held senior leadership positions with Sears including Chief Strategy Officer and VP of Multi-channel Integration. THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… sellers, retailers, and e-commerce marketers. TODAY’S MAIN MESSAGE… It’s true - some retailers are getting left behind, which means there is no shortage of store closings. Yet, even with the volume of closures, some retailers are actually growing and opening new retail storefronts. Why is that? Those that are thriving are becoming much more experiential, customer focused and have a clear, differentiated value proposition. If you want to make sure you are not left behind, ask yourself if you are fundamentally customer-centric and if you truly understand how your customers’ behaviors are changing. You’d have to be living under a rock to not realize that there has to be innovation for retail across the board. Today, technology is “a must-have, not a nice-to-have.” You must look at your customer beyond their demographic descriptions or other generic data points.  Assess how and where your customers are influenced. Go beyond the single transaction to build relationships and create a lifelong customer. Notice how the customer buys and shops, and view those interactions separately.  WHAT I LOVE MOST… We finally have the truth behind the adage, “retail is dead!” It’s not - mostly. As much as people want to believe this blanket-statement, it’s just not true. Yes, the digital download market has disrupted a few key players, but the markets that have focused on customer data and experiential shopping are going strong.  Running time: 36:10 Subscribe on iTunes Find Tiffani on social: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn   Find Steven on social: SageBerry Consulting LinkedIn Twitter      

Scott Emmons is the Head of Digital Innovation Lab for the Neiman Marcus Group. Scott built the Neiman Marcus Group Innovation Lab, also known as iLab, and is responsible for leading the organization in evaluating, designing, testing and piloting cutting-edge technologies and applications for luxury retail. Scott is working on BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) initiatives, as well as Wi-Fi/Local and Wide Area Network infrastructures, mobility, and digital signage initiatives. These innovation projects include the amazing MemoMi Memory Mirror, beautiful 4K touch table look-books, beacon enabled holiday passes, intelligent mobile phone charging stations and gorgeous digital directories for Bergdorf Goodman. Here are the highlights of my conversation with our guest: Getting to know Scott --- what usually consumes his day and how a Harley Davison and a pool fills the little free time he has left from time to time. From starting out as a contractor, to becoming an associate and then an Enterprise Architect, Scott shares the path that led him to head the Digital Innovation Lab at Neiman Marcus. Scott shares how exposure, being a nerd, his love of having a good problem and being an early adapter had inspired him to be in field of innovation. The biggest challenge he is seeing in the retail industry: understanding what the next generation of customer looks like and their preferences and trying to build something for them. Giving the sales associates iPhones and how this huge change of strategy impacted their business as communications improved between associate and customer transforming interactions. Scott also discusses why they opted for iOS rather than Android. Scott’s definition of an omni-channel approach which is basically, not thinking about individual channels but where the customer is at and where the customer wants to be, and then providing that channel. The channels where the biggest of their revenues come from and the pain points which Scott feels that the industry is having challenges catching up to. Innovation is important and Scott emphasizes how equally important it is to collaborate with his associates across the business and get out of the store to see what the customer is doing versus staying in the lab to provide the solution for the real customer problems. His advice for those who are thinking of moving to digital adoption and the initial actions that they should focus their early efforts on. Why Scott thinks that augment and virtual reality is the most realistic next hot thing and how it integrates and ties in the field of retail. The processes they go through, from funneling of idea to requesting funding for full roll out, in implementing innovative experiments and projects and the metrics associated for them to gauge ROI. Scott’s projected breakthroughs and the things he thinks have promising potentials. Rapid Fire Questions: Would you put more emphasis on the idea or the execution? How would you weigh each of them and why? I would not put more emphasis on either but the idea has to be good to be worth doing and the execution has to be flawless. It has to be a 50/50 weight for this to work in my world. What is your biggest learning lesson on your journey so far? What the customer wants is what’s the most important thing and the only way you are going to learn that is to get out in the stores and interact with the customers and associates. What is your favorite business book? Innovation Engine by Jatin Desai What is your favorite mobile app resource? Flipboard What is your favorite app and why? Quartz What is the coolest thing that you are working on right now that you want everyone to know about? You’ll know about it in six weeks or so.