In this special encore episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Dr. Rebecca Homkes, a globally recognized high-growth strategy expert and author of the acclaimed book Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times. Dr. Homkes, who holds faculty positions at the London Business School and Duke University, shares invaluable insights into how leaders can build resilient and adaptive growth strategies in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.

As retailers continue to navigate turbulent times marked by rapid technological shifts, economic uncertainty, and global disruptions, this episode provides the strategic guidance needed to stay ahead. Dr. Homkes explains why traditional planning methods fall short in volatile environments and advocates for a mindset shift from planning to preparing—focusing on setting directions rather than rigid destinations. She emphasizes the need for businesses to build frameworks that prioritize learning, customer feedback, and agile decision-making.

The conversation includes compelling real-world examples of companies that successfully adapted under pressure, like IKEA’s innovative warehouse strategy born out of necessity and a Scandinavian amusement park that achieved record growth despite pandemic restrictions. Dr. Homkes’ framework for thriving under uncertainty centers on embracing preparation, implementing a forced reset when linear growth stagnates, and maintaining "aligned speed" to balance swift decision-making with strategic coherence.

As geopolitical tensions, technological disruptions like AI, and global economic pressures continue to shape the retail landscape, Dr. Homkes outlines how to identify must-win battles and prioritize actions that drive sustainable growth. She also discusses how leadership dynamics and organizational structures must evolve to support this adaptive mindset.

This episode is essential listening for retail leaders looking to transform volatility into opportunity and position their businesses for long-term success. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform and gain the insights you need to thrive in these unpredictable times.

Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur.  He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. 

Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada’s Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google.  He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.

Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer.  If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael’s cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.

Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.