Footwear Insight

D uring the first two weeks of May, I had the pleasure to attend two conferences, the National Shoe Retailers Association Leadership Conference in Charlotte followed by the Running Industry Association's Runchella in Chicago. Both associations are supported by brick-and-mortar retailers and just as importantly, the brands that support them. I found the presentations, conversations and take-aways from these meetings so valuable. It's an exchange in real time, discussing the challenges and opportunities that both specialty channels face right now. Ideas and inspirations are valuable takeaways from events such as these. As a recent Wall Street Journal article points out, "a new study suggests that when employees from one company run into employees from another company, creative sparks fly." Such chance meetings "may spark a conversation that leads to a transfer of knowledge or a collaboration." The researchers call it "knowledge spillover." While this was a study that was conducted to explore remote workplace encounters, it certainly is true with the industry conferences, too. This was exemplified at the NSRA Leadership Conference and at Runchella. Friendly atmospheres. Good spirits. Great conversations made possible by people and companies who are there to support each other's businesses. Conversations that let you delve into what's on the minds of your business partners and friends, both on a personal and business note. Taking a few days to experience the collective brain trust in the room is worth every minute. NSRA Leadership Conference We congratulated Jill Snyder, NSRA's 2023 Retailer of the year. We celebrated Rusty Hall and Mephisto, as NSRA's 2023 Vendor of the year. We honored Paul Muller, Karl Toosbuy Founder of Ecco and Bruce Katz, Co-Founder of the Rockport Company, and Founder of e Samuel Hubbard Shoe Company as they were inducted into the NSRA Hall Of Fame (both Karl and Bruce posthumously). One of t he conference's business presentations focused on three retailers' "Reflections On A Career in the Shoe Industry" with Maurice Breton of Comfort One Shoes, Phil Wright of Vernon Powell Shoes and Rick Ravel of Karavel Shoes on the panel. eir engaging comments were based on knowledge and years of experience. What worked, what didn't, and how they built successful businesses. e consensus... hire, motivate and build a cohesive team. Focus on the need to know vs. the process. "People need to know what they are supposed to do," Breton stated matter-of-factly. "When bringing on a new staff and training, coach them one on one. But make sure you do it in private." Staff should be service oriented. ey are sales associates not salespeople. 4 • Footwear Insight ~ May/June 2023 footwearinsight.com LETTER By Jeff Nott, Publisher, Footwear Insight Networking at the Pub Party BBQ. (Clockwise from top left) That's show business; NSRA Gives Back with Soles4Souls at University Park Creative Arts School; Business conversations during exhibit hours; Thought provoking presentations with Q&As. Knowledge Spillover.

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