Next Level Leadership
In times of uncertainty, it can be really tempting to look back to what has worked before. Reviewing and replaying the pristine strategy set in place 5 years ago may not be the best use of management’s time. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is people that drive change in a crisis.
Having the right people, with an empowering leadership, is always the way forward. Culture is more powerful than strategy.
With the vaccine rollout going incredibly well, a feeling of hope and anticipation is fuelling the re-opening of the non-essential shops on the UK high streets today.
This is a huge moment for the retail industry, as this will indicate just how ‘permanent’ consumer habits have changed.
Whereas 5 years ago, e-commerce was seen as maybe a ‘nice to have’ function for business, today it has quickly become a vital player in any successful business model. Online capabilities have been drastically accelerated because of the pandemic - this wasn’t part of the original strategy.
Next Plc, ran by the perennial Lord Simon Wolfson, has become the bellwether UK clothing retailer, with 500 shops geographically spread across the UK. It is known for being reliable and ‘a safe bet’. They have recently gone under the radar, in typically understated fashion.