Shifting Mindsets In The Tech Era - Executive Roundtable: Q4 2023

Rethinking Leadership: The Pitfalls of Centralization in Nurturing Retail Innovation

I challenge the broadly accepted notion that centralization is beneficial for innovation in retail and brand companies. Centralizing decision-making processes often hinders creativity and flexibility, while effective leadership in today's business landscape involves decentralization. CEOs play a crucial role in fostering innovation by ensuring individuals understand and take charge of their respective business units and processes. Innovation is a product of combining technologies, insightful thinking, and business models, rather than relying solely on single big bang advancements like AI. The focus should be on how these technologies are used in combination with other tools and strategies to engage consumers. I also question the establishment of centralized innovation departments in complex organizations and advocate instead for empowering individuals with accountability for their areas, fostering a more diverse and effective innovative environment.

Aurelian Lis

CEO, Dermalogica, a subsidiary of Unilever Prestige

LEADERSHIP IN FOCUS: DISPELLING COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

07/06/2024 20:08:26

Observers forget that leaders by their nature have developed the ability to be strong and often charismatic communicators. It is critical for leaders to communicate strategic intent and vision, but too often people are enamored by what leaders say.

The true measure of effective leadership in a challenging business climate is based on the ability to deliver strong outcomes, as measured by innovation, market growth, financial performance, and talent retention and acquisition. Effective leaders are those who captain their organizations to be highly productive and deliver strong outcomes that go beyond the halo effect of leadership.

Rich Pirrotta

Group CEO, Synergy Logistics Synergy North America, Providers of SnapFulfil WMS

Shahin Kohan, a seasoned and trusted technologist, businessman and advisor, is on a mission to catalyze the potential of people and organizations through the power of technology. Three decades of experience working across industries has granted him the knowledge, resources and perspective to effectively create solutions to problems of any size, and ultimately help others make their impact on the world. His companies, including AIMS360, the leader of fashion technology, and Kumo Technology, a pioneering workflow innovation and software development company focused on the private lending industry, allow him to achieve that goal. A proud American immigrant raised amidst the struggle of Tehran, Iran in the 70s, his inspiring journey of possibility, persistence and passion fuels his deep appreciation and endeavor to make technology more accessible, human and powerful for all.

In 1953 Peter Drucker wrote, “The purpose of business is to create and keep a customer.” In today’s business landscape, many leaders have lost sight of this, instead reacting, and responding to the many exogenous social, environmental, political, and viral moments impacting society. The creation and retention of a customer comes from innovation and marketing. Innovation comes from within but relies on the voice of the customer to guide us. Marketing must resonate with the customer to convey the unique value proposition of the product we are selling. Innovation and marketing not focused on the creation and retention of customers distract us from the true purpose of our companies’ existence.

Ken O’Brien

CEO, Gemini Shippers

Leadership in Focus: Dispelling Common Misconceptions

LEADERSHIP IN FOCUS: DISPELLING COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

07/06/2024 20:08:26

Empowering Innovation in Traditional Mindsets

As an entrepreneurial leader in a large corporation focused on AI, CV, ML, and edge computing in retail, my primary challenge has been fostering a shift in mindset among traditional retailers towards embracing innovation. My strategy involves aligning the integration of advanced technology with the company's long-term vision, emphasizing the necessity and benefits of adapting to a rapidly evolving retail landscape. I initiate open dialogues with retail stakeholders, explaining how technological advancements could enhance efficiency and customer experience. Through strategic pilot programs, we continue to demonstrate the tangible benefits of these technologies, gradually overcoming skepticism. This approach has propelled our technological advancements and played a crucial role in transforming the traditional retail mindset, making them more receptive to future innovations and maintaining the company's competitive edge in a dynamic market.

Yevgeni Tsirulnik

SVP of Innovation and Incubation, Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions

Retail Reshaped: Shifting Mindsets in the Tech Era

07/06/2024 20:08:26