Putting Microphones On The Edges w/ Darren Jackson (Part 1)

What is the future of retail in the age of amazon?

When we talk about innovation, it’s usually technology companies that come to mind.  Whether it be Apple, Google, Tesla or Netflix. I would even put my former company Cree in that category.  Their technology-based products are well known and these are the names we see on the lists of the most innovative companies.  

And when you think about great innovators, who comes to mind?  The people that run these companies. The bigger than life technology visionaries whose product and business ideas have changed industries, and frankly, the world.  We’ve all heard their stories many times.  

But a key principle of Innovators on Tap is that innovation is everywhere and it’s not just about technology.  

This episode is about innovation in traditional brick and mortar retailers.  Innovation led not by a technology visionary, but by an accountant who was able to use the language of numbers to tell a story that helped guide his approach to finding innovative solutions to very real business challenges.  

This accountant is Darren Jackson who was the CFO of Nordstroms, the CFO and then COO of Best Buy, and ultimately the Chairman and CEO of Advance Auto Parts.  When it comes to innovation – these may not be companies that typically come to mind. Yet, like many other businesses, they learned that if you don’t innovate, you die.  In our conversation, we take on the question of how large management driven companies find ways to innovate.

Darren’s story isn’t one of ego or bluster and you will quickly realize just how thoughtful and insightful he is when it comes to innovation or any other topic. And his ideas can be applied in almost any organization.

Please check out the episode in the above link. If you have an opinion on these topics, please feel free to email us through the contact page. The best ideas often stem from the intersection of different points of view. The episode is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you listen to podcasts. Enjoy