In the fast-paced world of retail, it’s easy to miss important trends and signals that are caught in our blind spot. Those hidden challenges and unnoticed risks can catch even the most seasoned leaders off guard. In this episode, Oliver Banks sits down with Carl Boutet, author of the new book BlindSpot, to uncover why these unseen risks occur, their impact on businesses, and how to avoid being caught off-guard. Together, they explore strategies for staying alert while balancing the critical elements of retail success, from customer focus and competitor awareness to operational efficiencies and financial health. Whether you’re navigating technological innovation or operational changes, this conversation will help you sharpen your vision and stay ahead of the curve.
Listen to this episode to discover:
- How to avoid being caught off-guard by the rapidly evolving world of technology.
- What the most important skills to be developing right now are.
- How to learn and adapt, as both an individual and as a company.
Introducing Carl Boutet
Carl Boutet is a distinguished business strategist and advisor with a rich career spanning 25 years across operations, marketing, and strategy.
Based in Canada, Carl is the founder of StudioRx, where he dedicates his expertise to advising retailers, brands, and B2B solution providers, navigating the complexities of the ever-evolving retail landscape. He is a passionate advocate for innovation and meaningful change, actively sharing his insights and knowledge.
Carl’s influence extends to academia, where he serves as an advisor for the McGill University Retail Innovation Lab and lectures on retail innovation at McGill University and the Asian Institute of Technology, MBA School of Management. He is also an accomplished author, having published his first book, “The Great Acceleration” which explores the rapid changes in the retail industry.
His second book, “BlindSpot” delves into the unforeseen challenges and opportunities for retailers considering the rapid evolution of innovation and technology.
Carl Boutet’s dedication to advancing the retail industry makes him a valuable thought leader and educator in the field.
Discover more about Carl, his new book BlindSpot and his company, Studio RX – head on over to StudioRx.world.
You can also find Carl Boutet on LinkedIn.
Listen to other episodes of the Retail Transformation Show.
Carl Boutet has been a guest on the podcast before. In episode 82: The Great Retail Acceleration, amidst the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Carl discusses how the coronavirus outbreak caused a rapid surge forward in technology, working environments, shopping experiences and lifestyle in general.
The ideas from this episode are refined further in episode 134: The Race To Retail Resilience where Carl discusses the longer-term learnings and why we should consider some aspects of the pandemic as a glimpse into the future.
Technology and transformation are often linked (and sometimes confused!). So there are plenty of technology-related episodes in the archives, with timeless lessons and reflection points. Try episode 285: How Technology Is Changing The Role Of People and consider if technologies like AI and robotics are destroying frontline jobs and “dehumanising” organizations or if they herald the next phase of human evolution and help enhance job satisfaction and opportunities.
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