Retail Gets Real · with Jerry O’Brien · November 6, 2017 · 20 min
Summary
This episode makes a compelling case for retail as a dynamic and rewarding career path, particularly for digital natives. Jerry O'Brien from Kohl's Center for Retailing Excellence discusses how to reframe retail careers, highlighting opportunities in data analytics, supply chain, technology, and customer experience. It offers insights for ecommerce operators looking to attract and retain top talent by showcasing the innovative and multifaceted aspects of the modern retail industry.
Key takeaways
Leverage the digital fluency of younger generations by highlighting tech-driven roles within retail, such as data analytics, supply chain management, and technology integration.
Actively address misconceptions about retail careers by emphasizing innovation, continuous learning, and diverse opportunities for professional growth beyond traditional sales.
Develop partnerships with universities and implement programs like internships and case competitions to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world retail applications.
Showcase diverse career trajectories within your organization to demonstrate advancement opportunities and specialized roles for talent acquisition and retention.
Cultivate a culture that values passion, adaptability, and a customer-centric mindset, as these are crucial traits for success in the evolving retail landscape.
As director of Kohl’s Center for Retailing Excellence, Jerry O’Brien helps open the eyes of college students to the immense opportunities in retail for building fulfilling careers. His job is easier now, he says, because having grown up as digital natives helps today’s students see themselves fitting into the retail industry. On this episode, O’Brien discusses how he helps shape the retail career conversation.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Leverage the digital fluency of younger generations by highlighting tech-driven roles within retail, such as data analytics, supply chain management, and technology integration.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Actively address misconceptions about retail careers by emphasizing innovation, continuous learning, and diverse opportunities for professional growth beyond traditional sales.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Develop partnerships with universities and implement programs like internships and case competitions to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world retail applications.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Showcase diverse career trajectories within your organization to demonstrate advancement opportunities and specialized roles for talent acquisition and retention.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Cultivate a culture that values passion, adaptability, and a customer-centric mindset, as these are crucial traits for success in the evolving retail landscape.
