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/stevenpdennis
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/StevenPDennis
Buy His Book “Leaders Leap”: https://stevenpdennis.com/leaders-leap/
Remarkable Retail Podcast: https://stevenpdennis.com/podcast/

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