Knot Standard’s Post

As we gear up for a new year, taking the time to align on strategy, goals, and expectations with our team and clients is essential. In Black Squad, we’ve been fortunate to work closely with Wolfson Brands to build a collaborative approach that brings our team and client into a truly unified front. This past month, we sat down with Wolfson Brands to plan our way forward. With Matthew Cole and Scott Dingwall’s leadership, and the entire Black Squad’s dedication, we’ve planned out our strategy with a focus on clarity, commitment, and shared objectives. A special thanks to Matt, Scott, and everyone on the team—you all made this process enjoyable, insightful, and highly productive. We know that setting goals is about more than numbers—it’s about creating a shared vision. Defining key performance indicators (KPIs) for the year ahead with Wolfson Brands has given us all a clear understanding of the value we aim to deliver. Working together to refine these KPIs ensures that our milestones are not only achievable but genuinely meaningful for both sides. At Black Squad, we believe that collaboration is the fuel for growth. By investing time in our partnership with Wolfson Brands, we’re not just sharing work—we’re sharing purpose. This alignment builds trust and clarity, empowering everyone involved to make quick, impactful decisions, knowing that we’re all heading in the same direction. This plan couldn’t have come together without the input, dedication, and collaboration from our entire team. I’m truly grateful for the collective effort that Matt Cole, Scott Dingwall, and the Black Squad team brought to the table. Each contribution played a role in setting up this strong foundation for the year ahead.

Join retail CEO Brad Wolansky, known for his leadership at Dover Saddlery, Yankee Candle, and more, as he reveals the power of continuous product innovation—'spaghetti throwing.' Learn proven tactics for developing and launching new products, and avoid common pitfalls, in this fast-paced, engaging keynote at our upcoming Retail Summit. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to transform your retail strategy - https://lnkd.in/e_UgJ_-Y #RetailSummit #GDSGroup #GDSSummit

Shape the Future of Retail at D-Congress 2025! This March, over 3,500 innovators and decision-makers will gather in Gothenburg for Northern Europe’s largest retail event. Join us to explore cutting-edge solutions, connect with industry leaders, and gain insights that will transform your business. Discover the Strategies Behind Retail’s Success 🔥 On stage, top leaders from Sweden’s most influential retail companies will share their vision and strategies for innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Hear from key names driving Swedish retail and meet the minds shaping its global future. A Hub for Innovation and Growth 🔥 With a sold-out exhibition featuring 100+ top suppliers, D-Congress is your chance to experience the latest solutions powering retail’s transformation. This Year’s Theme: Bridging Borders – Building Futures Dive into how internationalization and collaboration are shaping retail’s evolution in a fast-changing global market. Don’t miss the opportunity to lead the retail revolution. Tickets are selling fast – secure yours now: https://lnkd.in/g_grYkt2.

And We're Back! The energy last week at NRF ’25 was unmatched, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have been part of such inspiring conversations! Our leadership team had the privilege of connecting one-on-one with incredible people and teams, exploring ways we might work together to transform the retail industry—one store at a time. We also shared an exclusive preview of the next evolution of our industry-leading platforms and solutions, which we’ll be officially announcing in the days and weeks ahead. To everyone we met at NRF—thank you for sharing your time and insights with us. And if we weren't able to connect, we’d love to do that soon. Start A Conversation! https://lnkd.in/gB_Mub52 _____ Emil Martinez, Mark A. Shake, Rafael Renno, Jim Perry, Mellissa Diersing, Patrick Maturo, Bob Ferraro, John McIntyre, Marcus Lennon, Len Wierzbicki, Joey Harrison, Ryan Manus, Jeff Bowers, Jeff Kees, Michael Graen, Conversations On Retail, Matt Fifer #RetailTechnology #Automation #RetailInnovation #RetailSolutions #AIinRetail #OperationalExcellence #CustomerExperience #EfficiencyMatters #FutureOfRetail #BusinessGrowth #DigitalTransformation #InnovateToWin #RetailSuccess #SmartAutomation #Innovation #ShelfScanning #DataDrivenInsights #PlanogramCompliance #PricingIntegrity #HazardMitigation

Delisting: A Strategic Pivot for Focus 🎯 The business landscape constantly evolves, and sometimes bold moves are necessary to maintain momentum. Superdry's recent announcement to delist from the London Stock Exchange exemplifies such a strategy. Julian Dunkerton, CEO and co-founder, elucidates the rationale behind this decision, highlighting a turn towards refocusing efforts and rejuvenating the core of Superdry's offerings. In high-stakes environments, critical choices often pave the way for change. Dunkerton's tactical approach is poised to streamline operations and solidify the brand's identity, unfettered by the public market's pressing demands. This move isn't just about simplification; it's about harnessing agility and fostering innovation with precision. As businesses straddle various generations in the workforce, delisting like Superdry's can provide valuable lessons in adaptive leadership. The drive towards high performance through concentrated initiatives may very well spark a trend, reshaping the fabric of corporate strategies. For fellow HR professionals, Dunkerton's decision prompts a significant question - how can we mirror this focus in our recruitment and leadership methods to amplify results? #StrategicHR #LeadershipFocus #AdaptiveBusiness

Thought leadership isn't just about ideas; it's about impact. At Liger, we've seen firsthand how elevating our experts in trade publications, interviews, and more has transformed our brand. Case in point: By showcasing our thought leaders beyond our website, we've gained industry recognition and credibility. Applying for awards led to two significant wins and shined a spotlight on our company. The result? Not only did our experts receive well-deserved accolades, but our brand was also recognized among competitors. It's a testament to the power of thought leadership in building brand recognition and trust. #ThoughtLeadership

Bold Ambitions and Big Energy. This is how I ended 2024—and how i’m starting 2025. I feel ready to embrace the incredible opportunities that lie ahead. There’s something (yes, maybe cliché) invigorating about stepping into a new year. For me, it’s about channelling that fresh energy into bold plans and meaningful action. This year, I’m leading the charge on change and improvement across Boohoo Group PLC . The mission is clear: we need to get back to our very best. As global leaders, we must deliver the strongest propositions to our consumers in the most engaging, innovative, and efficient ways possible.   I lead by example in embracing opportunities and had the privilege of kicking off 2025 by speaking at the National Retail Federation Big Show in New York. NRF is the epicenter of retail innovation and forward-thinking leadership, and it’s always an honour to be part of the conversation. Being surrounded by brilliant minds and transformative ideas is both humbling and inspiring, reaffirming the incredible opportunities we have to lead, evolve, and shape the future of retail.   I also wanted to share the results of yesterday’s General Meeting. Once again, our shareholders have spoken. They overwhelmingly voted against the resolution to disrupt our business. This provides our Board with a clear mandate to continue the work of creating and maximising value for all shareholders. As we step forward into this new year, we must now put this disruption and distraction behind us. Our focus is on what matters most - getting back to our best.   I’m excited about what’s to come. We’ll make 2025 a year to remember—fuelled by our bold ambition and big energy.   #Leadership #NRF2025 #RetailInnovation #BoohooGroup #Debenhams #NewYearEnergy #BoldAmbitions Debenhams PrettyLittleThing.com boohoo boohooMAN.com karenmillen

The Global Retail Conference 2025 is the ultimate destination for networking with the best and brightest in the retail industry. 🤝 Connect with global innovators, industry leaders, and peers to exchange ideas and forge valuable partnerships. ⠀ Collaboration is the key to staying ahead in retail’s rapidly changing landscape. Don’t miss your chance to expand your network and take your business to new heights. 🌍 ⠀ 👉 Register today and start building connections! 🌐 globalretailconference.com ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #retailnetworking #globalretailconference #retailevent2025 #industryleaders

🌟 Asticom in the News: FINEX celebrates sustainability, diversity, and digitalization in 56th Annual Conference 🌟 Our President & CEO, Mharicar Castillo-Reyes, shared her thoughts as the Co-Chair of this year’s FINEX Week 2024 Committee at the recently concluded 56th FINEX Conference! Reflecting on the event, she shared: “This year’s FINEX Conference has been the result of months of preparation, driven by a clear mission: to provide not just ideas, but a platform for actionable insights. Early in the planning process, we realized that sustainability, diversity, and digitalization are not separate trends but are closely intertwined. By addressing them together, we aim to empower Filipino businesses to foster transformative growth in a rapidly evolving global economy.” 📲 Check out the full article for more insights: https://bit.ly/3Ak0xrF #Asticom #FINEX2024 #Leadership #Innovation #Sustainability #Diversity #DigitalTransformation

🎥 Life at Modaxo - in video! In the third of our video series, business leaders discuss how long-term stability is a fundamental part of the Modaxo culture. 🎥 🔍 Find out more at https://lnkd.in/e4u6mUjd #BusinessLeaders #ControlYourFuture #mergersandacquisitions #LifeatModaxo