Trailer: Welcome to Chiefly Digital - fabric Inc.
Trailer: Welcome to Chiefly Digital
Welcome to Chiefly Digital: The Digital Leader’s Guide to Modern Commerce. Host Jay Topper talks to retail execs about how the most cutting-edge companies are navigating the biggest challenges and opportunities in the retail industry.
Hosted by: Jay Topper
Jun 5, 2024
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Episode Description
The world of commerce is undergoing a revolution–it’s never been more exciting to be in retail!
Today’s consumer expects a buying experience that’s nothing short of perfect.
Whether that’s how you market to them, your interactions with them across an ever-growing number of selling channels, or the value you bring at every other stage of their journey, your company’s “digital IQ” has quickly become a new standard that drives growth and loyalty.
No matter where you are on your digital journey, the most forward-thinking organizations are embracing a new role responsible for delivering these connected experiences: The Chief Digital Officer.
Join host Jay Topper, CCO at fabric, and 2x CDO, as he dives into what it takes to help transform a retail organization into a digital powerhouse. This podcast is the CDO’s playbook: a go-to roadmap for defining and driving a transformative shift in modern commerce.
Listen in on conversations with leading CDOs and other retail executives at the forefront of this revolution. They’ll discuss the emergence of the CDO role and how the most cutting-edge leaders are navigating their biggest challenges – and opportunities – in the retail industry today.
Welcome to Chiefly Digital: The Digital Leader’s Guide to Modern Commerce.
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About the Speaker
Jay Topper, Chief Customer Officer at fabric
Jay Topper is the Head of Strategy & Innovation at fabric, Inc., a leading modular and API-first ecommerce and omnichannel OMS platform company. Prior to this role, Jay served as Chief Digital Officer at Chico’s FAS, where he led the company’s Digital First strategy, overseeing technology, customer service, and global supply chain operations. Before Chico’s, Jay was Chief Digital Officer at FTD®, where he played a pivotal role in turning around the company’s floral business, driving a 10x increase in EBITDA within two years. His previous experience includes leadership roles at Vitacost (Kroger) and Rosetta Stone. Jay holds a master’s degree in Telecommunications and Computing Management from NYU and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematical Sciences from the United States Coast Guard Academy. He is also a former Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard and served in the U.S. Army.
Jay Topper:
Jay Topper: Welcome to this edition of Chiefly Digital. I am super pleased to have with me today Rich Lyons. The CEO and founder of Life is Sales and the CEO and founder of Lyons Consulting Group. Rich, thanks for joining me today.
Rich Lyons: Jay, thanks for having me. I've been looking forward to, uh, being on and talking with you, so thank you very much.
Jay Topper: I've been looking forward to it as well. I think we'll get into some, uh, some emotional and social things around leadership and, and being, and bringing our best selves to work every day. My first question out of the gate, I have two of them and they're, why life is sales? I know that has some depth to it. Sure. Uh, cause I've listened to you, but, why, why Life is Sales? What does that mean?
Rich Lyons: Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, I was, I was an engineer, right? So I'm an undergraduate electrical engineer, computer science. Sales was nothing I kind of expected I would get into, to be honest. And, if I were being totally honest, it's, you know, it was beneath me, right? Sales is beneath me, right? You know, I'm going to have a different job, you know, but over time, you know, it's funny, you come out of school. I had a, uh, an internship at General Motors. I'm like, I can't do this. I can't be an engineer. I can't. So then, then you're kind of thrown into, well, what are you going to do? You're going to do consulting or you're going to do technical sales. I ended up in consulting, but. Kind of opened my eyes around sales and I think, you know, we're all selling, you know, that's the short answer for me. I never realized it, but, you know, when I shorted, you know, in my career in consulting and then I went back, uh, to Kellogg and got my MBA and then, you know, became a director of sales and marketing and got, you know, much more in the business development side.
Jay Topper: Welcome to Chiefly Digital. The Digital Leader's Guide to Modern Commerce. I'm Jay Topper, the Chief Customer Officer at fabric. I'm super pleased today to introduce Rich Lyons, the CEO and founder of Life is Sales. Thanks for joining me, Rich.
Rich Lyons: Thanks for having me, Jay. It's great to be here.
Jay Topper: Great to see you again! Let's dive in. What's your take on the evolution of the Chief Digital Officer role?
Rich Lyons: Well, it's fascinating, right? As you know, the role has changed dramatically as companies realize the importance of digital transformation. The CDO is no longer just a tech person; they need to be a strategic leader that drives change across the organization.
Jay Topper: That makes sense! What do you think are key skills a CDO needs today?
Rich Lyons: Absolutely. You need a blend of technical knowledge and soft skills. The ability to communicate effectively with different departments, understand customer needs, and drive innovation is crucial.
Jay Topper: Communication is key! Speaking of communication, how can CDOs better connect with their teams?
Rich Lyons: One way is through active listening. Understanding employee concerns and feedback is vital for building trust.
Jay Topper: Trust is the foundation. How do you think a CDO can foster a culture of innovation?
Rich Lyons: Encourage experimentation! Creating a safe environment where employees feel empowered to take risks can lead to groundbreaking ideas.
Jay Topper: That's a great point, Rich. And what advice would you give someone aspiring to become a CDO?
Rich Lyons: Stay curious! Never stop learning about new technologies and trends in the industry. This will help you stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape.
Jay Topper: Fantastic advice! Thanks for sharing your insights today, Rich. It's been a pleasure.
Rich Lyons: Thank you, Jay! Looking forward to our next conversation.