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September 15, 2009

Why Smart People Ignore The Future

History is littered with examples of smart people ignoring future trends. Politicians, military figures, trade associations and certainly businesses have all at one time or another, not only failed to see the writing on the wall... they didn't even look for it.
September 9, 2009

The Road To Remarkable: 10 Steps to Standing Out

It's never been more important for retailers to be remarkable and yet few really are. For many, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary rests in their ability to innovate beyond their current concept. Then and only then do they stand a chance of being remarkable. Here, we follow a creative framework to unlock possible means of differentiating.
August 31, 2009

It’s Not About The Widget!

What makes great retailers great? Not their widgets...that's for sure.
August 21, 2009

Help Me Do The Right Thing!

By Doug Stephens You’ve likely seen the relentless stream of news articles and blogs lately touting the “new consumer mindset”.  Terms like “post-consumerism”, “belt-tightening”, “frugal chic” […]
August 14, 2009

Your Customers Are Not Fortune Tellers

Basing your store's future and long-term strategy based on what your customers thinks today is perilous. The customer is not a link to the future - they're a link to the past and present only. It's up to you to determine the future for them.
August 8, 2009

7 Years for 7 Reasons: The Decline of the Power Center

From its inception as a commercial real estate concept in the 1980’s, the long-term viability of the power center has been a topic of running debate. Many have wondered how something so aesthetically displeasing could possibly survive the test of time. And while they may be ugly, the decline of the power center will have much less to do with aesthetics and much more to do with powerful social and economic forces beyond their walls.
August 2, 2009

The Tyranny of Selection: How Much is Too Much?

How much is too much? When does choice become a burden instead of a benefit and how can retailers help customers find solutions that are personalized, while simplifying the decision making process. In this exclusive article preview, Dr. Kyle Murray examines the issues facing consumers and retailers alike as they navigate an ever deepening sea of products and services.
July 25, 2009

3 Big Ideas for Business Sustainability

The final installment in our live blog series from the Summer Institute in Sustainability 2009 at the University of British Columbia.
July 24, 2009

Business Case Be Damned!

Businesses routinely make decisions without adequate research or planning. Why is then that we need exhaustive business cases for sustainability plans in our businesses? Justin K. Lacey opens the question up in this live report from the Summer Institute in Sustainability conference.