What do you do if your boss is out of touch with the merchandising industry?

1 Assess Gently

Before jumping to conclusions, it's important to assess whether your boss is truly out of touch with the merchandising industry. Consider if their strategies might be rooted in experience or a different perspective. Start by observing the outcomes of their decisions. If sales are declining or stock is not moving as expected, these could be indicators that their approach might need updating. Approach the topic with sensitivity; open a dialogue by asking questions about their strategies and sharing your observations without being confrontational.

2 Stay Informed

To bring value to any discussion about merchandising strategies, you must stay informed about the latest industry trends. This means regularly reading trade publications, attending webinars, and networking with other professionals in the field. By doing so, you'll gain insights into what's working for others and what might be applied to your situation. When presenting these findings to your boss, do so with concrete examples and a clear narrative of how these trends can benefit your specific business.

3 Propose Tactfully

Once you're armed with knowledge, propose new merchandising ideas tactfully. Presenting your suggestions as potential tests or experiments can make them more palatable. Use data from your research to back up your proposals and demonstrate how they could lead to improved performance. Remember, the goal is not to undermine your boss but to be seen as a proactive team player who is contributing to the success of the business.

4 Educate Diplomatically

If there's a significant knowledge gap, consider educating your boss diplomatically. Offer to organize training sessions or workshops that focus on current merchandising best practices. You could also recommend industry events that may be beneficial. Frame these opportunities as ways to stay competitive and ensure the business's success, which is a common goal you both share.

5 Align Objectives

It's essential to ensure that any new merchandising strategies align with the overall objectives of the business. Discuss with your boss how modern merchandising practices can help achieve these goals. For instance, if the objective is to increase foot traffic, show how an updated visual merchandising strategy can draw more customers into the store. Alignment with business objectives will make your suggestions more compelling.

6 Navigate Politics

Lastly, be mindful of office politics when dealing with a boss who may be out of touch. It's important not to alienate or embarrass them. Instead, build alliances with colleagues who share your perspective and can support your initiatives. When proposing changes, do so as a group when possible, and always keep the focus on how these changes will benefit the company as a whole.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?