Today’s retail consumers want more than the best product at the best price. According to the prevailing thinking, if they’re going to spend their hard-earned money, whatever they buy better be environmentally-friendly. Along with that mindset, shoppers also have access to information about a brand’s sustainability record. They can no longer be fooled by feel-good corporate slogans about their “commitment to protecting the planet”. So if retailers want to appeal to consumers who care about…  MORE

Retailers are all-in with the latest technology. They’re automating pricing, inventory management, checkout, and other tasks. And by definition, they’re also reducing the amount of workers on the floor. At the same time, store operations have become more complicated. Online fulfillment and pickup and delivery are now common aspects of retail. It’s all well and good. That is, until both small and large stores see a rise in theft, poor customer service, and lackluster brand…  MORE

If you lead an IT team — or manage someone who leads an IT team — their performance is always your top priority. Yet motivating employees to be more productive can easily cross the line into annoyance, resentment, and ultimately decreased morale. That’s not a good situation when your IT team is a crucial aspect of your competitive advantage. IT leaders must strike the right balance: Keep people excited to go farther while not stepping…  MORE

Executives understand that cutting edge technology and innovative business strategies can only take the enterprise so far. To truly reach your organization’s goals, there must be healthy, cooperative relationships where everyone works closely together for the common good. But in 2023, perhaps no relationship is more crucial than the one between CEO and CTO. The reason is simple: No matter how your enterprise has to adjust to the market from a service or product delivery…  MORE

When we hear about the state of the economy, the stories generally focus on growth, employment numbers, and abstract terms like Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But behind the statistics are the real-world ramifications for employees that are difficult to measure but which affect the economy to a great degree. And near the top of that list is worker burnout. Despite popular perception, the technology sector is not immune to burnout – a condition that creates…  MORE

Until recently, corporate storytelling was solely the responsibility of marketers and branders, as well as sales and communications professionals. But today, IT leaders must also be more effective at persuasive communication. Storytelling allows CIOs and CTOs to effectively convey their perspectives with their partners and other C-level colleagues. As stronger communicators, technology professionals don’t only convince corporate leaders to see their viewpoints – they can influence key business decisions that will affect all areas of…  MORE

When leaders think of digital transformation, many often latch on to the “destination” aspect when it’s mostly comprised of a long journey. And in order to take the proper steps, digital transformation must be a core competency that’s shared among a select team of digital experts. Having the right people steering the ship is important, as digital transformation is about continual improvement. You must always adjust based on ever-changing customer expectations, marketing opportunities, employee skills,…  MORE

If you’re an IT leader, no one needs to remind you about all of the projects on your plate these days. No longer are you solely responsible for managing your team in order to execute technology projects. You’re now required to collaborate with other executives to foster initiatives for their departments. On top if that, you need a solid understanding of sales, buyer behavior, digital marketing – a host of other issues that affect technology…  MORE