Your team is resistant to change in merchandising plans. How can you convince them of the need to adapt?
Curious about navigating team pushback on new ideas? Share your strategies for persuading a change-resistant team.
Your team is resistant to change in merchandising plans. How can you convince them of the need to adapt?
Curious about navigating team pushback on new ideas? Share your strategies for persuading a change-resistant team.
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Adapting merchandising plans to keep the lettuce green is the name of the merchant game. Dramatically improving overall merchandising performance requires the integration and intensification of opportunistic buying. Opportunistic buying practices always differentiate merchants from traditional "copycat retailers”. Evolving growth merchant teams need to remain intentionally flexible to quickly respond to frequently changing opportunities and trends in the market, adjusting how and what they source, as well as when they source it. Winning Merchants always adapt their merchandising plans to effectively respond to ever-changing customer behavior.
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- I believe it is less about convincing them to change and more about explaining the need for change. We often move so fast, and give direction so quickly, that the reason for change gets lost in the shuffle. Our teams are left to execute a direction, without having a true buy in. Taking a few minutes and “slowing down in order to speed up”, can help people move through a learning curve faster and will be more apt and willing to see how change can be a positive impact.
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First we need to set the goal & do a feasibility study to achieve the result. Now-a-days it is really mandatory to select the process as the competition is high along with inflation. So,if change of process doesn’t help to achieve the goal in long run,then it is not the suitable one.We must focus on the suitable process, not just the new process.If the leader can show the picture that new process is beneficial in the long run,team will understand. But if the leader fails to potray the good side of the new process,it is totally failure of leadership.
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If there is resistant from a team to change for a new plan , they must be explained the reason behind the change by using data and market trends and also explain how it will benefit the team and the company. Also highlights other benefits like increased sales, better customer experiences and how we can stay ahead of competitors with a new plan. Also allow team members for their inputs and feel ownerships of the new plan. Provide training and address any concerns for better understanding. Acknowledge successes from early changes to build confidence and momentum.
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Every human being needs a valid reason to make any changes. It is their behaviour. Give them a case study embedding change points and then request feedback. Do brainstorming sessions and quantity the outcome. Make it participating and transparent. You will see quick adoption using this methodology. Thank you.
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Mike Edwards
Board Observer - Digital and New Business Strategic Advisor | Digital Transformation
(edited)As in all situations that require change. Is critical to develop a strategy based on critical data to outline the opportunities. This has to be a team based approach. Otherwise it will be skepticism throughout the ranks. In addition the core leadership team has to share the vision with a positive view for the company and customer. Then you have to get very specific regarding what the execution plan looks like and how everyone can contribute . Hopefully the right talent is in the right positions to create early wins. In addition the compensation and incentives has to be an alignment with the performance expectations of the strategy.
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One of the key factors to influence decision makers or get people on board with your ideas in merchandising is using data. You can both: - utilize data to prove to change the way things are done by highlighting the weaknesses in your current merchandising plans and how they affect the overall performance - show how your plan is going to solve the problem by calculating the potential performance improvement you're seeking. A full ROI analysis can sometimes be necessary. One of the main objectives of merchandising is improving revenue performance so if you can prove your plan is a great way to do that, you can easily persuade your team.
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Navigating team resistance to new merchandising plans can be challenging but essential for growth. Begin by clearly explaining the benefits and potential impact of the proposed changes on overall business performance. Involve the team in the decision-making process to foster a sense of ownership and address their concerns directly. Provide evidence, such as market research or case studies, to support your proposals. Additionally, offer training sessions to ensure the team is well-equipped to implement new strategies. Celebrate small victories along the way to boost morale and demonstrate the positive outcomes of adaptability. By maintaining open communication and showing empathy, you can gradually win your team's support.
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The only way I've done it. Is to watch the people they will give you the details on where the trend is going. Go fishing. Whatever aesthetic works best for the company you're creating for build within that realm. Old always can become new. Study fabrics, study the aesthetic. Make sure the clothing tells the story. Look to color trends also.. ✌️🏾
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