The Innovation Imperative

Nothing is what it was. Nothing is as it seems. And nobody really "knows" anything. One thing is for sure, though - that at a time of cutthroat competition and incessant disruption, retailers and suppliers have to bring their “A-game” every hour of every day, innovating constantly as they seek both relevance and resonance. That's just the starting premise for MorningNewsBeat "Content Guy" Kevin Coupe, as he offers a compelling perspective and real-world examples of the enormous challenges facing every retailer and supplier, how to navigate the deadly shoals of 2018-style competition. Kevin’s presentation is laced with what he calls "serious levity,” focusing on the need to act strategically, move swiftly, think differently, and take “big swings” … all of which he believes are absolutely necessary to survive in a fast-changing, revolutionary business environment.

There is almost no business that cannot be improved by the creation of a central narrative that speaks to employees, customers and suppliers, clearly defining the image and priorities of the company.   But most companies don’t know how to tell a story, which inhibits their ability to create common touch points that can animate the business and propel innovation.

In this presentation, based on the new business book that he co-authored with Michael Sansolo, Kevin Coupe uses examples from movies ranging from “Molly's Game” to “I,Tonya” to help audiences learn how to shape a core narrative and then communicate it throughout their organizations.   Entertaining and engaging, this presentation is designed to change the way people think about the way they approach branding, customer service, and even the nature of leadership.

Nothing is what it was. Nothing is as it seems. And nobody really "knows" anything. That's the starting premise for MorningNewsBeat "Content Guy" Kevin Coupe, as he offers a compelling perspective and real-world examples, laced with what he calls "serious levity," designed to get business audiences to act strategically rather than tactically and think differently about their organizations, customers, challenges and goals.

Twenty-first century change often has the effect of giving business leaders - even the most forward-looking ones - a kind of intellectual whiplash. Just when you think you've figured out where things are going - what works and what doesn't - something happens to challenge your thinking and turn preconceptions into misconceptions.

Tom Furphy - formerly of Wegmans and Amazon.com (where he developed the CPG business) and now the founder and CEO of Seattle-based Consumer Equity Partners, and Kevin Coupe, "Content Guy" for MorningNewsBeat.com and co-author of THE BIG PICTURE: Essential Business Lessons from the Movies, engage in a far-reaching and provocative dialogue about where traditional retailing is heading, what can be learned from e-commerce successes, how to compete in the new environment, and how to understand the new consumer.

(Note: “The Innovation Conversation” is available both as a presentation and as a day-long interactive consulting service. Contact us for details.)

Retailing is a tough, grinding journey … and the road map keeps changing. Think of MorningNewsBeat.com "Content Guy" Kevin Coupe as a human version of satellite navigation, offering real-time guidance, suggestions, warnings and routes. He can help you through competitive jams, potholes and detours, with ideas that are relevant whether you're working in the trenches or just trying to improve your understanding of retailing from the outside. The rules are simple, common sense and easily applied … and based on his new book, Retail Rules! 52 Ways To Achieve Retail Success.