Canadian Retail CEO asks: who will be the Last Retailer Standing in 2013?
Retail executive sheds new light on the vital relationship between leadership style and successful business strategy
TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - As the Canadian retail industry looks to offset the influx of foreign retailers entering the market as well as adapt to the opportunities to extend the customer experience through online retailing and social media, a new book by Canadian retail executive George Minakakis takes a fresh view of the approach managers will need to take to help their brands compete and stay relevant in 2013. Surprisingly, the book's author claims that the key to market relevancy is internal leadership and maintaining a strong corporate culture.
Last Retailer Standing: Relevant Leadership, Relevant Brand is required reading for middle and senior management. It provides aspiring leaders with proven leadership models to develop differentiated and sustainable businesses. Written by Canadian retail executive George Minakakis, Last Retailer Standing is an inside look at how retailers struggle with the same issues: Relevant leadership and brand relevance. The book examines how brands such as Ford, Amazon.ca, Lululemon and Hudson's Bay Company have changed the game by adopting new strategies designed to create success for their brand.
"Brands constantly struggle with the challenge of remaining relevant within an ever-changing industry, said Minakakis, a former retail executive with Luxottica Group, the Italian-based sunglass manufacturer and retailer. "I wrote Last Retailer Standing to help empower a new generation of managers with fresh strategies to retain relevancy. Canadian retailers are at a critical point in their evolution, as a result of online strategies related to e-commerce and highly interactive social media channels," says Minakakis. "Canadian retail brands need to adopt a strategy that embraces change and develop a new kind approach to customer engagement."
The book also explains the importance of sustaining relevant brand cultures. Minakakis highlights Corporate and Personal Social Responsibility as two essential elements amplified by the growing need for social media initiatives within the overall strategy.
A recognized leader within the retail industry, George Minakakis has global experience as a senior executive in China, Hong Kong, the USA and Canada as well as in Australia, Hawaii, Guam and Europe. He is the former general manager, Canada and CEO, Greater China, for eyewear retailer Luxottica Group. Originally from Montreal and currently residing in the Greater Toronto Area, Minakakis understands the importance of building the Canadian retail industry. Presently, he acts as a coach, mentor and investor to entrepreneurs on Python's Pit, a local version of Dragon's Den in the GTA region.
During his 17-year tenure with Luxottica Group, George was responsible for the Canadian division of LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sunglass Hut and Licensed Brands. His role as CEO in the Greater China area, including Hong Kong, was to manage the expansion of Luxottica's Premium brand LensCrafters. He also served as Vice Chair of the board for the Gift of Sight Foundation as well as a director and President of the Vision Council of Canada.
Last Retailer Standing is available at Chapters Indigo, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play and Friesen Press. Pricing ranges from $11.99 - $24.99 and it is available in both hard cover and soft cover and as an eBook. For more information about Last Retailer Standing, please go to www.georgeminakakis.com or visit the Facebook Page.
SOURCE: George Minakakis
Media Contact Information
Candace HUNTLY, CASACOM
Phone: (416) 944-2145 / Email: [email protected]
Share this article