DIGITAL DIALOGUE
Slowing Down the Game O
ur recent article “The Evolution of the LP Professional” seemed to stoke embers to flames for both LP practitioners and solution providers as we peered into the future of an industry that is rapidly transforming. There were many discussions on social media, many comments and questions during the annual LP Magazine editorial board meeting, and many suggestions for additional topics on the subject. We also received questions and requests from LP departments holding team meetings and group discussions across the country as our teams explore the possibilities—and the consequences—of a world in motion. Clearly it is a subject that holds great interest.
By Jacque Brittain, LPC Brittain is editorial director, digital, for LP Magazine. Formerly a director of learning design and certification, Brittain managed the development of the LPC and LPQ certification programs in collaboration with the Loss Prevention Foundation. Prior to that he was vice president of operations for the industry’s largest executive search and consulting firm. In his thirty-plus years in the LP industry, he has helped build and enhance many learning initiatives and provided career counseling for thousands of industry professionals. Brittain can be reached at jacb@lpportal.com or by phone at 704-246-3143.
The NFL for LPMs
Let’s look at a simple analogy to find the answers. When college football players first enter the National Football League, they are moving from an environment where they’ve always been the best player on the field to one that is dominated by
We’ve seen some of the industry’s newest, as well as some of our most seasoned leaders, involved in all types of meetings, programs, and projects intended to improve our collective resources and move the industry forward. But what they all had in common was the desire and flexibility to continue learning. They’ve learned to slow down the game by staying current and informed. When you see a 30-year industry leader discussing information technology and Omni-channel retailing, you quickly understand why they’ve been a leader for 30 years.
Hitting Home
But if we are truly honest with ourselves, we also recognize that what’s fueling the fire is also striking much closer to home. Retail is a business that’s had its peaks and valleys, and one that’s been in a constant state of reinvention. As the needs and expectations of retail and the retail customer redefine our roles and responsibilities, it opens the doors to many exciting opportunities, but also opens our eyes to many unknowns. Perhaps the most obvious would be, “Where do I fit in?” When we ask, “What we can expect LP to look like in the future,” we’re also asking, “What are the possibilities for my own future?” We’re considering how our role might change, but we’re also contemplating how that might impact our lives and our livelihood. We see the train coming, and we know that change in some form is inevitable. What we all want to know is that when the train pulls away from our station, we’re still on board. We may be sitting in a different seat than we expected, but we want to make sure that we’re still along for the ride. Change has always been an important part of retail. However, some of these changes seem to be coming very quickly. In many ways we can see that retail is reaching a critical mass, and there will soon be an explosion of changes. Some have already started, some are right around the corner, and others may be beyond our current field of vision. But it’s clear that it’s coming. We know that we have to respond. We realize that we can’t just close our eyes, cross our fingers, hold our breath, and hope for the best. We have to evolve to stay relevant. But sometimes it’s difficult to find the best path. It’s not good enough just to respond—we have to respond correctly. And when facing that inevitability, what do we do?
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elite athletes. Skills and abilities are put to the test in the face of change; and scouts, analysts, and later coaches, must not only evaluate the player’s raw talents, but also their capability to adjust to the pace of the game. Everyone is strong. Everyone is fast. Everyone is talented. In light of what is typically the greatest challenge that they will
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2014
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