Rick Blackshaw’s Post

Why do all #managers from #leading brands #think the same way? 🔻 I've been honored to share the stage with eminent speakers at Première Vision, and here is what I learned: ▶ Jean Pourrat, Sport Division Manager at VEJA, always refers to the WHY for any decision. ▶ Robyn Orrett, Lead Designer of the Lifestyle Division at Rapha, is building the brand at a lifestyle level. ▶ Fengchen wang is owning her unique story at the intersection of Chinese and European culture. ▶ Alexandra Mazzitelli is leading Color & Material at PUMA Group with cultural relevance in mind. 🔻 What can we learn from that? The only way to #succeed is to be #different and #consistent with it. How can we build difference as an #opportunity rather than a risk? Start #small and seek proofs of market. Reach out for #guidance.

Teamwork makes the dream work. I don't care how "cheesy" that sounds, it will always remain so true. Bringing it back to the glory days of my freshman year of high school 😂 my cross-country team won the Minnesota AA Cross-Country Championships, won the Nike Heartland Regionals meet, and advanced to the Nike Cross Nationals meet sponsored by Nike. Nike flew us out for free and gave us over $500+ of free gear. It was epic. Our team was ranked 6th in the nation (but we did not race the greatest) and ended up doing pretty poorly. Apart from all of the successes, our team was completely divided, there was so much drama, and I'm surprised we even did as well as we did. It was one of those situations, where you almost wish your team did badly but got along, versus doing well and everyone is divided from one other. I think this is one of the reasons why I am so passionate about being a team player and creating a team-player environment. It's not fun showing up to work, sport, family event, or whatever it may be, with so much tension and people being upset with each other. Upset with a coworker? Clear the air and speak up about how you feel. Toxic work environment? Find a new career or bring it to management and suggest implementing a change in the workspace. Want a good team environment? First, be a good team player yourself. People can blame others all they want, but we first have to look at ourselves and see what we can do differently. As Michael Jackson says, "I'm starting with the man in the mirror"😉 #teamplayer #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #professionaldevelopment #business #eventprofs

Do it… This would probably sound close to the famous Nike slogan and yes that is also very sound advice. Recently I have been fascinated by the #Forbesquote as it brings to life ideas and thoughts deep within me. It is amazing how my pick of the week is on the concept of #effectiveness and #doing. As we push towards the end of a truly …….(please feel free to add how the year has been for you), it is important like every excellent driver to put three things into perspective; 1. The elements ahead of you. 2. The surrounding ideas and concepts/conditions and 3. The things that lie behind using the rear-view mirror. The new year is some days away and the best time to begin to prepare and plan and consider the necessary arsenals to execute is #now. Organisations would begin in earnest to plan and prepare for retreats and how to get the best for their staff into the new year and what better way than to also #align yourself on how best to maximise your #talent and #productivity beyond your current employment and into the future. The future awaits and it here already. #Reflect with the errors and wins of the months and years gone by and #consider with the realities of now and by all means #prepare for the future with the ideas and visions that exists and don’t. See you at the top! Talent is beautiful and yet not Enough! #Build! #BuildNow!

When I say Nike, three words come in to your mind. Just do it. When I say Reebok… my guess is nothing came to mind. This was one of the impactful exercises that we went through last Thursday when Chatting with Gair Maxwell at the TEC Canada dinner event put on by Deb Milimaka Miles and Ralph Hesje. Brand has been on my mind (and priority list) for the past couple of months, and I’m excited to share what we’ve been working on (including some more shout-outs!). We talked about a number of stories, case studies, and lessons that evening, and I want to leave folks with a couple: 1. The secret is story. It’s simple, but that doesn’t make it easy. People resonate and gravitate to stories. It’s the easiest form of magnetism out there. 2. Behind great brands was a leader with curiousity, courage, vision, and a willingness to take initiative. Without all four, something falls short. 3. Consistent, original, authentic content. It’s like going to the gym. You need to show up consistently. It’s not glamourous work, but it leads to glamourous results. There’s no silver bullets in life of business. Looking forward to digging in to this book and continue #learning!

Unstoppable Force: Valuable Lessons from Michael Jordan and NikeMichael Jordan and Nike's Air Jordan brand have dominated the sports and fashion world for decades, leaving a lasting impact on culture and innovation. As we reflect on their success, let's extract valuable lessons for our own careers and businesses:1. *Embrace failure*: Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, but that didn't stop him from becoming a legend. Remember, setbacks are opportunities for growth!2. *Take risks*: Nike's bold move to partner with Jordan, despite his initial "banned" status, paid off in a big way. Don't be afraid to challenge the status quo and take calculated risks!3. *Innovate and adapt*: The Air Jordan brand continuously pushes boundaries in design, technology, and marketing, staying ahead of the curve. Stay curious, stay innovative!4. *Build strong partnerships*: The Jordan-Nike partnership is a masterclass in collaboration, demonstrating the power of shared vision and mutual support. Nurture your professional relationships!5. *Stay hungry, stay humble*: Michael Jordan's relentless drive and humility have been key to his enduring success. Remember to stay grounded and keep pushing yourself to new heights!6. *Brand yourself*: The Air Jordan brand is synonymous with excellence and style. Develop your personal brand, showcasing your unique strengths and values!7. *Think globally*: The Air Jordan brand has transcended borders, becoming a cultural phenomenon worldwide. Embrace diversity and think internationally in your endeavors! Let's apply these lessons to our own careers and businesses, striving for greatness and making a lasting impact! #MichaelJordan #Nike #AirJordan #SuccessLessons #Innovation #Partnerships #PersonalBranding #GlobalThinking

Having worked for adidas for 15 years, I have never really shared what I stand for outside of the /// world. And probably not done it enough inside either. Well, it's never too late to share. As a leader, I am motivated by the growth and success of my team members and those we impact. Creating the environment for success is so important and it should be multifaceted. Watching an individual grow as a person and an employee to become a strong operator, great communicator, more strategic and mutually supportive in order to enhance collaboration is very satisfying and should be your goal. By default, this will always drive more productivity, improved sales, happier team members and a winning team. One of the factors in this would be to build a team that is diverse in thought, background, experiences and approach but with a shared goal that aligns to the overall why of the team. “It's amazing what you can accomplish when you do not care who gets the credit” - Harry Truman Unfortunately in business today, many individuals want to take the credit. We should 100% call people out who have done outstanding work but most importantly, as I mentioned earlier, we have to set the environment for outstanding work to be done. Setting this environment is also team effort that we all need to subscribe to. No one is the custodian of good ideas. Whether you are the newest or the most experienced member of the team, there should be equal opportunity to shine and be the one who's idea is driven to execution. Driving that idea is a team effort with the relevant individual being called out as being the trigger for the success but the team should be called out for executing it. In addition, if that idea doesn't work, we fail fast and adjust. Equally, we learn from that failure and become better because of it. Having this approach means that our experiences informs our decision and ideas, but they shouldn't limit them to the formulaic and uninspiring. The collective diverse team should see to that! Looking at some of the successful people who I have had the pleasure of having in my teams over the years is my biggest 'work life' reward. I hope my approach has influenced those individuals and I look forward to either working with them again in the future or working for them :-) In summary - Let your team know what your 'why' is Create the environment to succeed Give people your time and guidance and space to learn Listen to the team, understand the challenges and ask questions

Last night's Golden Globes hype reminded me of something I meant to write about before, prompted by one of the nominees: the movie "Air" - the true story based on Nike's signing of Michael Jordan. It's a story about recognizing talent in its early stages, about collaboration, about accessibility, about forecasting, about the #bettertogether that comes from bringing visionaries, exceptional people and products together. Nearly 40 years later, Air Jordans are still an essential piece of Nike's branding and foundation. It's earned billions for Jordan, and many more billions for Nike. And as importantly, it brought these shoes - this product - to the masses in the same way we've seen other products go viral - for the sheer accessibility and lifestyle choices it offered. The road to today's range of Air Jordans wasn't a smooth one - it was full of good tension. (That's why they made a movie about it!) It's not a tech story. But it's got a lot of the elements that make up exceptional tech successes: talent, vision, hard work, commitment to a mission, persuasion, value propositions, fall-and-get-upness, great messaging, and more. It's hard not to love a great success story. Oh, and what happened to Air at the Golden Globes? Let's just say the real story is the winner. #disruption #futureof #successstories #leadership #entrepreneurs ___________________________ Scott Hamilton Roman Zelichenko, JD Lynn Greenberg Chris Roberts Horst Gallo Swapna Abraham Vini Valverde Brian Friedman Ben Cross, SCRP Robert Brezosky Jr Bill Mulholland SCRP, GMS Andrew Walker Ben Heller Anupam Singhal Nitzan Yudan Tanya Mariottini, GMS-T Bill Graebel Ashli Aldrich, GPHR Erik Eccles Kerwin Guillermo Maura Carey, SCRP Bob Rosing Klaus Siegmann Sam Stoddard Hong Kim Chris Kline Brendan Ryan Daniela Santangelo Deb Convery, SPHR, GMS-T Kristin Nevarez Michael Cadden, MBA, SGMS-T Edwin B Cohen Kyle D'Souza Darren Gibson

In the early days of launching our business, we found ourselves venturing into uncharted territory, surrounded by uncertainties and unfamiliar challenges. The decision to embark on this journey was fueled by a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful impact, even though the path ahead seemed uncertain. Fast forward three years, and the narrative has transformed. What began as a solo venture has evolved into a thriving team of five individuals, united by a shared passion for innovation and a commitment to projects that make a tangible difference. Together, we've not only weathered the storms of uncertainty but have emerged stronger and more resilient. The heartbeat of our success lies in our emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. We've cultivated a culture where each team member is not just an employee but a valued contributor—a dreamer and a believer in the transformative power of our projects. This collective spirit propels us forward, driving us to tackle challenges head-on and turn ambitious ideas into reality. As we continue to work on exciting projects that extend beyond the realms of the known, the spirit of innovation and collaboration remains our guiding force. We are not just building a business; we are crafting a narrative of positive change. Super proud of our recent work! Shout out to the whole Kallure team #teamwork #dreamers #doers.

In the early days of launching my business, I found myself stepping into uncharted territory, surrounded by uncertainties and unfamiliar challenges. The decision to embark on this journey was fueled by a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful impact, even though the path ahead seemed uncertain. Fast forward three years, and the narrative has transformed. What began as a solo venture has evolved into a thriving team of five individuals, united by a shared passion for innovation and a commitment to projects that make a tangible difference. Together, we've not only weathered the storms of uncertainty but have emerged stronger and more resilient. The heartbeat of our success lies in our emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. We've cultivated a culture where each team member is not just an employee but a valued contributor—a dreamer and a believer in the transformative power of our projects. This collective spirit propels us forward, driving us to tackle challenges head-on and turn ambitious ideas into reality. Crucial to this journey is Head of Talent and Partnerships at Kallure, Jay Ajayi. His presence brings a sense of assurance and confidence that we are indeed moving in the right direction. The synergy between us has proven invaluable, creating a dynamic partnership that complements our strengths and propels the business to new heights. As we continue to work on exciting projects that extend beyond the realms of the known, the spirit of innovation and collaboration remains our guiding force. We are not just building a business; we are crafting a narrative of positive change. Super proud of our recent work! Shout out to the whole Kallure team #teamwork #dreamers #doers

Chapter 3: **Adidas HQ Chronicles: A Triumph in Market Leadership 🚀👟** Reflecting on my impactful journey with Adidas unveils a thrilling narrative of conquering markets and achieving unprecedented success. 🌟 **📈 Market Domination Achieved:** Engineered a strategic surge in market share, orchestrating initiatives that propelled Adidas to new heights. Witnessing the brand's ascension to dominance was both exhilarating and rewarding. #MarketMilestone **🌍 Global Impact, United Teams:** Led cross-functional collaborations that reshaped our market approach, leaving an indelible mark on our global presence. Every success was a testament to the power of a united team driving toward a shared vision. #GlobalLeadership **🚀 Innovation Redefined:** Pioneered cutting-edge design projects that not only turned heads but redefined industry standards. Innovation was not just a goal; it was the core force driving our market breakthroughs. #InnovationPioneer **🔍 Consumer Insights Mastery:** Decoded consumer behavior, shaping strategies that resonated globally. It was a journey beyond products, crafting experiences that not only met but exceeded consumer expectations. #ConsumerCentricSuccess As I reminisce about the past chapters, the legacy of conquering markets and breaking barriers with Adidas fills me with pride. Here's to the achievements of yesterday and the limitless possibilities of tomorrow! 🏹💼 #AdidasSuccessStory #MarketLeadership #InnovationJourney #NextLevelAchievements 🌐✨ Christine Barth-Darkow Sabine Maren Ederer Andrea Loeffler Barbara Tacchini FABIO DI IORIO Adolfo Haendler Gustavo Sant'Anna Barbara Lechner Dave Thomas Cristina Garcia Loriente Alice Testi Tiffany Thorp Antje Birkel Joaquin Moya Compes Jordi Closa Sybille Baumann Sharon Thompson Daniela Kraft Fiona Johnson