Focus on: Rethinking Retail

Scanners, e-commerce, private labels, consolidations and, of course, the ubiquitous Wal-Mart are just a few of the shifts in the retail landscape. In this issue, the leaders of Wharton's Baker Retailing Initiative look at some of their research and insights on changes that are reshaping retail. We also explore strategies for better decision making from a recent Wharton conference, the impact of poetry on business, and insights on design from Alessi, one of the leading design houses in Italy.

"Great for worship then! Great for retail now!"

© The New Yorker Collection 1999 Edward Koren from cartoonbank.com. All Rights Reserved.

Thought Leaders
Consolidation, Private Labels Reshape Retail

With manufacturers opening retail stores and retailers launching high-end private label brands, the line between manufacturing and retail is blurring. The leaders of Wharton's Baker Retailing Initiative discuss how the retail landscape is changing and its implications. More

Wharton Fellows
The Hand of Alessi: Turning Common Objects Into Art

How did Alessi transform ordinary espresso machines and lemon squeezers into art objects? And how did it transform its own business from metalworking to trendsetting? One of the company's leaders, who will be speaking at a Wharton Fellows Master Class in September, discusses its approach to design and innovation. More

Conferences
Making Better Decisions

How well is your company doing when it comes to decision making? At a recent conference at Wharton to examine advances in decision making, the leaders of two Wharton executive programs on decision making and strategic thinking offered insights from their research and consulting. More

Advanced Management Program
Poetry and the Art of Effective Business Communication

After an 18-year career at Morgan Stanley and founding three companies, John Barr stepped out of the business world to take the helm of The Poetry Foundation, one of the most influential and well-funded cultural initiatives in the world. In a session at Wharton's Advanced Management Program, he looked across these two worlds to examine how poetry can help managers address ambiguity and understand effective business communication. More

Education à la Carte
Improve Your Shelf Life

We are all in the retail business. We have a certain set of capabilities and experiences that are of value to employers. By continuing to update and improve upon your skill sets, you make yourself more attractive. Wharton Executive Education has a number of upcoming programs that can help you improve your shelf life:

Any comments or suggestions? Please send us your thoughts at execed@wharton.upenn.edu. We want to make every effort to respect your confidence, so please let us know if you don't want us to share them in future issues of Wharton@Work: E-Buzz.

The Off-line Store

© The New Yorker Collection 2000 David Sipress from cartoonbank.com. All Rights Reserved.

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Upcoming Programs:

Implementing Strategy
September 12–16, 2005

Pension Strategy: Designing Resilient Retirement Systems
September 19–21, 2005

Conferences/Events:

The Development of Managerial and Executive Talent
August 31, 2005
The Wharton School

World Business Forum
September 13–14, 2005
New York

Senior Leadership Ethics Seminar
October 21, 2005

World Negotiation Forum
November 8–9, 2005
New York

Wharton Executive Coaching Workshop
January 29–February 3, 2005

Of Special Interest  

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