In the Club by Club Colors Salescast

In the inaugural episode of Season 5 with In The Club powered by Club Colors, we interview Celeste Risimini-Johnson, Chief Merchandise and Operations Officer at Barnes & Noble College. We discuss Celeste's inspirations and motivations for pursuing a career in retail and merchandising, as well as her role in supporting the academic success of students. The conversation touches on the importance of understanding the consumer, staying ahead of trends, and creating engaging experiences for customers. Celeste shares insights into the process of merchandising and the balance between core products and innovation. She also highlights the significance of effective leadership and mentorship in driving success in the retail industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Understanding the consumer is crucial in the retail industry. By focusing on the mission and purpose of the brand, retailers can make informed decisions that support the success of their customers.

Balancing core products and innovation is key to staying relevant in the market. By offering a mix of traditional and trendy items, retailers can cater to different consumer preferences and drive sales.

Effective leadership involves understanding and motivating each team member individually. By recognizing that different people have different motivations and working styles, leaders can create a positive and productive work environment.

Merchandising is a science that involves strategic placement and visual appeal. By carefully curating the store layout and product assortment, retailers can guide customers and create an engaging shopping experience.

Collaboration and partnerships with vendors and other brands can bring excitement and innovation to the retail space. By leveraging these relationships, retailers can offer unique products and experiences that resonate with their customers.

QUOTES
"Every decision we make, every product we purchase, every strategy we put in place is, is it going to support the student, whether it be academically, socially, just drive their success."

"You have to be the editor for them. You can't be everything for everyone, but you have to be able to answer that."

"Finding a career that bridges your natural skills and passions makes it a more rewarding experience."

"You have to find a way to answer your customer's questions and provide a solution that addresses why they're talking to you to begin with."

"Creating experiences is key in the retail industry. By hosting events and engaging with customers, retailers can build strong connections and drive customer loyalty."

Connect and learn more about Celeste Risimini-Johnson.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/celeste-risimini-johnson-7a47773/

If you enjoyed this episode of In the Club Podcast with Club Colors, please leave us a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com/

In the inaugural episode of Season 5 with In The Club powered by Club Colors, as we delve deep into the world of higher education branding, innovation, and campus culture. Hosted by Giancarlo Amador, Myra Haley, Adam Stoczynski, and Chris Jaeger, this season promises to offer engaging roundtable discussions with thought leaders and innovators in the higher education landscape. From marketing strategies to sustainability efforts, join us for insightful conversations that inspire and inform.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The upcoming season of "In the Club" will focus heavily on higher education, featuring organic conversations and roundtable discussions with passionate experts.

Guests are encouraged to share their unique perspectives and stories, whether they are involved in marketing, leadership roles, or campus initiatives.

The podcast aims to highlight the diverse messages and missions within higher education branding, including academic achievements, campus events, and community building.

The show provides guests with a behind-the-scenes tour of the host's facilities, offering an immersive experience and fostering creativity and collaboration.

Expect episodes to cover topics beyond promotional products, exploring diverse interests and passions of the hosts while staying rooted in the realm of branding and innovation.

QUOTES

"At the end of the day, we're looking for interesting conversations, looking for thought leaders, innovators..."

"If you can tell a good story, we want you on here."

"Your day is going to be filled mentally, physically. You're going to leave here with this awe inspiring feeling."

"We've done it a handful of times over the last couple of years and every single time we have a licensing director come through, it is such an inspiring day."

If you enjoyed this episode of In the Club Podcast with Club Colors, please leave us a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com/

In this episode of In The Club powered by Club Colors, John Morris, AdamStoczynski, and Myra Haley are joined by Derick Robertson, Director of Retail Services at Georgia Southern University, who shares his passion for developing a memorable student experience. Derick details the importance of actively listening to what university students have to say and the significance of keeping up with changing trends. He shares how partnerships, such as the one with Club Colors, have played a crucial role in promoting their brand identity and creating impactful marketing solutions. The discussion also navigates through his career journey, going back to college for a master's degree, managing staff, and the excitement and challenges brought about by the NIL rules in college athletics.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Prioritize the Student Experience: Derick emphasizes the importance of focusing on the student experience to create a vibrant and engaging campus atmosphere.
Adaptability and Innovation: College retail needs to evolve with changing times. Derick discusses how being adaptable and open to new ideas is crucial for success.
Experiential Marketing: Learn how Georgia Southern University leverages student influencers, commitment boxes, and other experiential marketing techniques to enhance brand engagement.
Building Partnerships: Explore the significance of building partnerships with vendors and sponsors who contribute valuable ideas and collaborate in creating memorable experiences.
Inclusive Branding: Derick shares the evolution of commitment boxes, making them inclusive for students from various disciplines, fostering a sense of unity and pride in the university.

QUOTES

"In college retail, we have been doing the same thing for years. Times are changing, students are changing. It's my job to find new things and meet the students where they're at."
"Every campus is unique, even when they share similar qualities. Everyone gets the same treatment, the same interactions, but the conversations might look very different."
"College is all about experience. If you can create that experiential place for students to want to be, then you're well ahead of anybody else."
"The brands that college is all about experience. It's a hundred percent about experience. Why did you choose to come to our school? Because I wanted the experience."

Connect and learn more about Derick Robertson.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/derick-robertson-52aa921b8/

If you enjoyed this episode of In the Club Podcast with Club Colors, please leave us a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com/

In this episode of In The Club powered by Club Colors, John Morris is joined by Christina Brady, the CEO/Co-founder of Luster, a conversational intelligence platform. Christina, a sales revenue creation expert, shares her journey from a financial planner to a successful salesperson at Groupon, highlighting the pivotal moments that led to the creation of Luster. The conversation explores the revolutionary impact of AI-driven role play sales conversations and simulations in sales training, emphasizing the critical need for effective practice. Additionally, they delve into the intricacies of branding, the power of authenticity, and leveraging LinkedIn for social selling. Christina's unique background in theater and arts shapes her content creation approach, with authenticity being the driving force behind her success. The episode also provides a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and rewards of being a podcast host and unveils Christina's mission to highlight and elevate iconic women in tech through her podcast, "Taking the Lead." Overall, the discussion showcases how AI can enhance human capabilities in sales and touches on various aspects of branding, authenticity, and podcasting in the tech industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The importance of focusing on strengths and outsourcing weaknesses for individual and team success.
Christina's transition from a sales role to becoming the CEO and Co-founder of Luster, a stealth-mode AI-driven sales training company.
The discipline to focus on function over form and the secret sauce of highlighting domain expertise in building a successful product.
Christina's decision-making process: quick and passionate with a focus on learning from mistakes.
The concept of "buy versus build" applied to skills and the importance of surrounding oneself with brilliant individuals to fill gaps.
The revolutionary impact of Luster in providing a solution for effective sales practice at scale through AI-driven simulations.
Importance of Branding: Explore the significance of branding in the go-to-market strategy and how it shapes the way people perceive and engage with a brand.
LinkedIn as a Social Selling Tool: Delve into the debate about whether utilizing LinkedIn for social selling should be a key performance indicator (KPI) and the various perspectives on this matter.
Authenticity in Social Media: Learn why authenticity is crucial in content creation, and how it can be a force for good in both personal and business contexts.
Empowering Women in Tech: Gain insights into Christina's mission to change the face of tech from an equity standpoint, featuring the iconic women of tech and providing them with a platform to be seen and heard.

QUOTES

"AI should make you a better you so you can be more creative. That is it. And how do I use this incredible technology to enhance the human being and not replace the human being."
"Perfect practice is the ability to say, 'I'm about to hop on a negotiation call with a chief technical officer. You get one shot. But guess what? With Luster, you get as many as you need.'"

Connect and learn more about Christina Brady.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinapbrady/

If you enjoyed this episode of In the Club Podcast with Club Colors, please leave us a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com/

In the inaugural episode of Season 4 with In The Club powered by Club Colors, we dive into the dynamic world of university licensing and business development with special guests Richard Fairchild and Abby Hirschberg from the University of Utah. We explore the world of brand culture from the evolution of sports team uniforms to the power of gratitude in personal growth, into the importance of differentiation, innovation, and meaningful connections in the brand landscape. Discover the unexpected insights from Abby's fascination with the Donner Party and the unique perspective Richard gained while listening to Gladiator. Get ready for a rollercoaster of brand experiences and personal stories that highlight the exceptional nature of the University of Utah.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Brand culture sets a brand apart and aligns with its goals.
Incremental sales can be achieved through innovative variations in product offerings.
Gratitude journaling can be a powerful tool for personal growth and resilience.
The Donner Party serves as a captivating historical analogy for survival and prioritization.
Experiences, such as tailgates, contribute to the vibrant and spirited culture at the University of Utah.

QUOTES

"When it comes to brand culture, first and foremost, it's something that sets you apart from the other brands."
"Incremental sales. Is that what you're calling it? Have you coined that phrase?"
"Gratitude is such a powerful thing. It's amazing how it can change your mindset."
"I'm in the 18 hundreds, you guys. I'm in the Donner Party era."
"The best thing about the University of Utah is the people on our campus. This campus attracts the best type of people."

Connect and learn more about Richard Fairchild and Abby Hirschberg.
Richard’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardfairchild/
Abby’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-hirshberg-2674092a0/

If you enjoyed this episode of In the Club Podcast with Club Colors, please leave us a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com/

In the inaugural episode of Season 4 with In The Club powered by Club Colors, we dive into the dynamic world of university licensing and business development with special guests Richard Fairchild and Abby Hirschberg from the University of Utah. Discover the power dynamics of licensing, the importance of collaboration, and exciting initiatives like the Cotopaxi collection and Under Armour partnerships.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Licensing holds significant power, deciding who gets a license for a university and approving/disapproving artwork.
Building foundational relationships with the licensing team is crucial to avoid project disapprovals.
Collaboration with well-known brands like Cotopaxi creates excitement and boosts university representation.
Innovations like the USS Salt Lake City football uniform highlight the meticulous planning and collaboration involved.

QUOTES

"Licensing holds a lot of the power, deciding who gets a license for your university and approving/disapproving artwork."
"The licensing team is the middle point to ensure everyone, including athletics and the campus store, is on the same page."
"It's about creating experiences and relationships that mean something to individuals."
"The licensing team serves as a connector, bridging different parts of the campus together."

Connect and learn more about Richard Fairchild and Abby Hirschberg.
Richard’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardfairchild/
Abby’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-hirshberg-2674092a0/

If you enjoyed this episode of In the Club Podcast with Club Colors, please leave us a review on your favorite podcasting platform!

Club Colors: https://www.clubcolors.com/