Could you tell me about your roles and responsibility in the current organization or the journey you had over the years?

I started with Foot Locker at 27.5 years ago as a part time stock team member. I was big fan of the brand and the athletes that wore some of the most popular sneakers of the 90s. I was part time as I was a college student at the same time. Once I graduated, I moved in a Full-time sales, then AM in a couple of different properties including our first street front store in downtown Toronto before I became a store manager. I was manager for 3 years (rookie of the year and back-to-back manager of the year) before I took a new role at our corporate office at part of the merchant team where I oversaw the distribution of women’s and kids’ product across Canada. I did that role for 15 months but realized my passion was the field leadership and leading people, so I left the office and went back to field where I was made a manager trainer in the top store in country Foot Locker Toronto Eaton Centre. I held that position for 5.5 years before I relocated to Vancouver, BC in the west coast when I was promoted to district manager BC district. I was in that position for 3.5 years and then relocated again back to Toronto to be district manager in my home region for the next 8 years touching almost all stores at open point or another in Ontario. I was promoted to the Director of Customer Experience in Geo Toronto (approximately 65 stores) overseeing all Foot Locker Inc brands and 3 districts (3 District Managers). I have been doing that role for 2.25 years and have excelled in that role in addition to being a leader in our two of our employee resource groups for women and black team members. I am also a coordinator for our L.E.E.D. where I am coordinating community engagement with our grant winners as part of 5-year commitment of investing 250 million dollars into the black community across North America.

In the light of your experience, what are the trends and challenges you’ve witnessed happening in the E-Commerce space?

In the world of E-commerce, the greatest challenges lie in giving the customer the experience they want to have and how they want it. Being able to shop with ease, clarity and speed is extremely important to today’s customer. The the payment and have the product packed and shipped in premium condition and a timely manner. Many businesses do not have those capabilities to deliver that service. Taking the feedback from your customer and analyzing your data must lead to concrete action to evolve your business or you will be left behind. In additional, not focusing enough marketing resources specifically targeted marketing and advertising to connect with the consumer.

What are some of the points of discussion that go on in your leadership panel to mitigate these challenges?

Our priority is how can we elevate technology and how does the experience become more seamless. Finding solutions to give the customer what they want. Reviewing analytics to understand the needs of the customers and what the customer sentiment is.

  ​The evolution of how automation, AI and other forms of technology are important in both brick-and-mortar properties as well as the digital business 

4. How do you see the evolution of the E-Commerce space a few years from now with regard to some of its potential disruptions and transformations?

Finding faster ways to get product to customer. Companies need to focus R & D into adapting new technologies to elevate the customer experience or they will lose customer loyalty and ultimately affect the bottom line. Organizations that are not nimble and flexible will get left behind. Training in change leadership will be critical in making this happen. The evolution of how automation, AI and other forms of technology are important in both brick-and-mortar properties as well as the digital business.

5. What would be the single piece of advice that you could impart to a fellow or aspiring professional in your field?

Have an open mind and be able to effectively communicate to your team by sharing feedback up, down and out leading to a good positive work environment and a clear understanding of the requirements and your career path. This insight is critical in being able to grow and evolve in your career.