Stitch Fix’s Post

I’m often asked by early-stage founders, “when did you start thinking about culture at Stitch Fix?” The simple answer: week 1 and it mattered A LOT. I started coming into the office in March 2012 and in my 2nd week, we did a core values exercise. It was amazing. The whole company, which was about 10 people at the time, gathered in the kitchen area and wrote down words that represented: - values they respected. - behaviors and norms that drained their energy and they did not want to see at Stitch Fix. Leadership took these words and, after a few different models, ended up with an amazing rubric for the people we hire, the values that show up in our day-to-day, and the leadership qualities we seek: - People - Bright, Kind, Goal Oriented - Values - Partnership, Integrity, Innovation, Responsibility - Leadership - Learn, Inspire, Act, Trust, Develop Why this worked: - The rubric didn’t have too many words (3 People, 4 Values, 5 Leadership = 12 total). - The leadership team taught classes on the rubric (shout out to the Learning & Development team for making these a success). - The rubric was evergreen i.e. applicable over different phases of growth. The positive outcomes of doing the work early on: - People could opt into a defined culture when deciding to work with us. - Allowed us to be efficient in hiring and firing (definitions made the decisions less ambiguous so we could move with speed). - Enabled us to celebrate great examples of people going above and beyond. Word to the wise: - Talk about your values and often. Embed them in your day-to-day to reinforce the culture. - Revisit your values periodically. The definitions, and sometimes the words themselves, will inevitably evolve over time.

Lenskart's CEO Peyush Bansal has given up his additional role as the chief people officer and has brought in a seasoned professional instead. In February, Aayush Agarwal wrote that Lenskart—and its CEO Bansal—have a people problem. It faced a major challenge in attracting top talent. A former senior employee pegged the firm's middle management's annual attrition at ~50% as of 2021. The managerial style of Bansal has purportedly led to several high-level exits and unfilled senior positions, reported Agarwal. Read the full story by clicking the link in the comments. ------ #TheKen #TheKenArchives #HR #HRCommunity #HRNews #EmployeeExperience #Lenskart

At Stitch, we're always growing, and that's not just about the business. It's about the incredible team we're building. I'm passionate about fostering a diverse and open environment because I truly believe it's what makes us stronger. Different backgrounds, different experiences, different voices – they all make Stitch smarter, more adaptable, and better at what we do. We challenge each other, learn from each other, and build something remarkable together. I'm proud of our progress, but this journey never ends. It's about continuous improvement, openness, and always striving to create a team where everyone feels valued and empowered. I often wish more leaders would share their own journeys in building diverse teams. Transparency helps us all learn and grow. So, to the fantastic Stitch team: let's keep pushing forward, let's keep celebrating our differences, and let's keep building a company we can all be proud of. Looking forward to adding another slide the next go around that gives even more insight into our progress. #Braze #StitchAndBraze #AntiAgency

We’re celebrating #NationalTechnologyDay by spotlighting Angel Newkirk, VP of IT Strategy & Delivery. She helps lead technological innovation for KnitWell Group’s brands – Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant, LOFT, and Talbots. On this day, Angel reflects on how her team’s work is all about delivering technological advancements for the brands and customers.   “One thing I’m most proud of is the IT team we have assembled here at KnitWell Group. We have a great core of leaders who are passionate about technology, our brands, and our customers. We have been through some challenging times together and without a doubt have come out stronger and more focused on the other side.” Angel recaps a couple tech innovations:   “Omni Channel - Over the last year, we have invested in our Omni Channel capabilities for our customers and store associates. From point-of-sale devices and handhelds, to the applications and tools our associates use to engage, collaborate and communicate with our customers.   Rolling out a Clientelling Application - Our brands now have a powerful tool that empowers store associates with real-time product and customer information, a virtual Black Book. This helps the store associate create a full omni experience for the customer in the store.   We have integrated KnitWell brands into our two primary Distribution Centers to leverage the automation, technology, and efficiencies of scale our facilities provide. We are also piloting robotics technology in one distribution center to improve order picking efficiency and accuracy. While not customer facing, this integration and technology innovation have direct impacts on our customers by allowing us to get her the product she loves from the right place at the right time.   I’m proud of contributions from an amazing group of professionals who help KnitWell Group deliver meaningful, growth-oriented solutions for our brands and customers. We are grounded in being good stewards of our investments and putting the customer at the center of everything we do.” Join us! Explore open #IT roles today: KnitWell Group→ https://bit.ly/3viD3Ao Talbots → https://bit.ly/3HsTsW1 #Technology #Innovation #TechnologyDay #Careers  

Stitch

We’re celebrating #NationalTechnologyDay by spotlighting Angel Newkirk, VP of IT Strategy & Delivery. She helps lead technological innovation for KnitWell Group’s brands – Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant, LOFT, and Talbots. On this day, Angel reflects on how her team’s work is all about delivering technological advancements for the brands and customers.   "One thing I’m most proud of is the IT team we have assembled here at KnitWell Group. We have a great core of leaders who are passionate about technology, our brands, and our customers. We have been through some challenging times together and without a doubt have come out stronger and more focused on the other side.” Angel recaps a couple tech innovations:   “Omni Channel - Over the last year, we have invested in our Omni Channel capabilities for our customers and store associates. From point-of-sale devices and handhelds, to the applications and tools our associates use to engage, collaborate and communicate with our customers.   Rolling out a Clientelling Application - Our brands now have a powerful tool that empowers store associates with real-time product and customer information, a virtual Black Book. This helps the store associate create a full omni experience for the customer in the store.   We have integrated KnitWell brands into our two primary Distribution Centers to leverage the automation, technology, and efficiencies of scale our facilities provide. We are also piloting robotics technology in one distribution center to improve order picking efficiency and accuracy. While not customer facing, this integration and technology innovation have direct impacts on our customers by allowing us to get her the product she loves from the right place at the right time.   I’m proud of contributions from an amazing group of professionals who help KnitWell Group deliver meaningful, growth-oriented solutions for our brands and customers. We are grounded in being good stewards of our investments and putting the customer at the center of everything we do.”   Join us! Explore open #IT roles today → https://bit.ly/3viD3Ao #Technology #Innovation #TechnologyDay #Careers 

Venus CEO Blames Economic Woes for Layoffs, Underscoring Retail Industry Challenges https://lnkd.in/gR9MVF3T The CEO of Venus has cited economic woes as the reason for recent layoffs, underscoring the challenges faced by the retail industry. With changing consumer behaviors and the rise of e-commerce, companies like Venus must adapt to survive. #retailindustry #economic #adaptordie Global Retail Outlook Magazine

Great leadership insights for everyone in this podcast from an absolute rockstar. I got to learn a lot working with Christina Cubeta and she hits on a variety of topics in this episode. Worth a listen!

#rue21 I am both sad and angry by the recent news of rue21 abruptly closing its doors and terminating all its employees without warning. This decision not only impacts individuals but disrupts a legacy that deserved a better ending. (could say more on this, but that's a post for a different day perhaps!) I'm late to commenting on rue21s bankruptcy, because I just haven't had the right words to express myself. To be honest, I still don't, instead I'll take the time to advocate for my former colleagues and friends who are now navigating this mess both personally and professionally. Former rue21 employees are incredibly talented, resilient, and passionate individuals. They are dedicated and some of the hardest working individuals you could ever ask for. They gave their all to keep rue21 alive- even amongst the constant leadership turnover of CEOs, VPs and Directors that would come in and radically change direction- they kept their heads down, worked intense days (and nights) without raises because they cared. They cared about each other, making an impact and cared about preserving the pride they once felt working at rue21. If you are in a position of recruitment and hiring, I urge you to consider these talented individuals for opportunities within your organization. You would be lucky to have any past rue21 employee on your team! #rue21 #bankruptcy #rue21bankruptcy #ruecrew #openforwork #unemployed #passion