Frontline Fridays with Ron Thurston

Empowering retail teams with purpose takes more than good intentions. 😌

Chris Freeman, SVP Store Operations at Michaels, says brand values must come with "batteries included." Not just stated, but actively demonstrated. ➡️ 🎯

For Chris, that means approaching opportunities and obstacles from a servant mindset. With over 30 years in retail, from asset protection to custom framing manufacturing, Chris has a knack for solving complex operational challenges while fostering a culture where all team members can be connected to the company's purpose. ❤️‍🔥

At Michaels, he spearheaded “Makers Like Me,” an initiative supporting team members with special abilities, and he advocates for workforce models that offer store employees meaningful career paths.

In this episode of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS, Chris will join Ron Thurston to share lessons from his unique, purpose-driven path.

They'll dig into:

▪️ Practical ways to pass on servant leadership principles to your frontline teams ▪️ Strategies to ensure your team not only hears but lives your brand's core values ▪️ How to help your staff find real purpose in their work, boosting engagement and reducing turnover ▪️ Insights on shifting workforce models to open up career paths and strengthen team commitment

Curiosity isn’t just a leadership buzzword — it’s a strategy. 🧠✨

The most successful leaders know that curiosity is their greatest tool for navigating challenges and sparking innovation. But how do you go beyond simply encouraging questions to actually "operationalizing" curiosity within your teams? 💡

That’s exactly what Karrie Helm, Senior Director of Stores at EVEREVE, has mastered.

For Karrie, curiosity isn’t just about asking more questions — it’s about embedding a mindset of exploration, learning, and problem-solving into the very fabric of her store teams’ daily operations. 🔍✨

In this episode of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS, Karrie will join Ron Thurston to unpack how operationalizing curiosity can unlock potential, inspire growth, and drive tangible business results. If you're ready to learn how to make curiosity a competitive edge, this is the conversation you won’t want to miss. 🚀

Karrie and Ron will dig into:

▪️ Karrie's concept of “operationalizing curiosity” and how it drives innovation ▪️ How to tackle problems creatively and collaboratively while adapting to change ▪️ Ways to foster a culture where team members feel valued and motivated to contribute new ideas

Can a retailer truly understand its diverse customer bases without embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles into its core business strategies? 🌐 ❤️‍🔥

The research offers an emphatic "NO." — Companies that embrace diverse leadership aren't just more profitable — they're 33% more likely to outperform their peers in key metrics of success. (McKinsey, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2023)

While many retail orgs have committed to DEI as part of their customer strategy, just a few have succeeded in creating fully inclusive work environments.

Some retails leaders are making big moves to improve that.

🎙️ In this episode of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS, host Ron Thurston welcomes Michelle Emery, former Vice President of DEI - Colleague & Customer at Macy's, to share her insights on implementing effective DEI strategies in retail organizations.

Michelle brings over 30 years of retail experience, where she has led DEI initiatives that boost both employee welfare and customer satisfaction.

By embedding inclusivity throughout the organization, her approach not only nurtures diverse teams but also propels business success.

In this candid discussion, Michelle and Ron will delve into:

▪️ Strategies to overcome common barriers and misconceptions that hinder DEI efforts in retail orgs

▪️ Practical approaches to integrating DEI into hiring processes and customer interactions

▪️ The roles of mentorship and allyship in building a business culture where every employee feels valued

Michelle’s approach to DEI isn't just about compliance; it's about leveraging diversity as a key driver of innovation and operational excellence in retail.

The "future store?" It's already here. As new tech emerges and consumer behaviors evolve, the call for new systems and strategies in retail ops has never been louder. 🗣️ Store pilot projects, the experimental heartbeat of retail innovation, are more crucial than ever. 🔬 They enable retailers to navigate through the complexities of change, ensuring that adaptation is not just reactive but proactive and strategic. 🎙️ In this episode of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS, Ron Thurston turns the spotlight on the art and science of piloting new store initiatives. Join Ron as he dives deep with special guest Michael A. Saldaña, Senior Retail Operations Manager at UNTUCKit, whose journey from store manager to operations maestro has been marked by innovation and a passion for people. They'll explore the intricacies of launching successful pilot projects, from the drawing board to real-world application, including: ▪️ Selecting the right locations and formats ▪️ Engaging employees and leveraging their feedback for project refinement ▪️ KPIs that guide project evaluation and the decision-making process for scaling successes Whether you're a seasoned retail leader or an aspiring manager, this episode promises valuable insights into executing flawless pilot projects that pave the way for operational excellence. 🎯

If you’re a retail leader who thrived under the guidance of a great career mentor, consider yourself lucky. Today’s ambitious industry professionals really want a mentor, but can’t seem to find one. 🔎🍀 In a recent survey of 3,000 professionals 🗣️ 76% said they think "people with mentors are happier at their current jobs than those without." But only 37% said they have one. 🪜 Are you that game-changing career mentor someone is missing? Retail veteran, executive coach, and author Laura Ravo says the act of mentorship isn’t just a role to play, it’s a legacy to leave. And it’s time for more retail and hospitality leaders to step up. ❤️‍🔥 In Episode 08 of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS, host Ron Thurston and Laura Ravo will unpack what it takes to be an effective career mentor for ambitious retail professionals. They’ll dig into: ▪️ The growing gap in mentor-mentee relationships ▪️ What’s stopping some leaders from stepping up ▪️ Qualities of a great mentor and how to cultivate them ▪️ What to do if you’re still looking for your own mentor