In this conversation, Ken Ohashi, CEO of Brooks Brothers, shares his career journey from Accenture to leading one of America's oldest apparel brands. He discusses the importance of recognizing one's strengths, the pivotal moments in his career, and the challenges he faced during the turnaround of Brooks Brothers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Ohashi emphasizes the significance of leadership, communication, and cultural change in navigating the complexities of running a historic brand. In this conversation, Ken Ohashi discusses his journey as CEO of Brooks Brothers, focusing on the importance of establishing a strong corporate culture, driving change, and aligning organizational goals. He shares insights on navigating challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, the significance of creative strategy and trend spotting, and the role of human connection in business. Ohashi also emphasizes the integration of AI in retail, the evolving influence of media and brand ambassadors, and the power of serendipity in achieving success. He concludes with thoughts on cultivating The CodeBreaker Mindset™ to navigate complexities in leadership.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction and Purpose of the Conversation
(00:32) Ken Ohashi's Career Journey
(09:38) Transitioning to Brooks Brothers CEO
(13:07) Navigating Challenges as CEO
(17:54) Changing Organizational Culture and Processes
(20:22) Establishing Corporate Culture and Values
(22:24) Aligning Organizational Goals and Incentives
(24:40) The Pivot
(28:21) Understanding Trends and Human Connection in Business
(30:48) The Role of Outliers in Innovation
(33:19) Integrating AI in Retail
(35:52) Skills for the Future in a Tech-Driven World
(39:56) Choosing Brand Ambassadors and Their Impact
(51:36) Overcoming Personal and Professional Challenges
(50:12) Cultivating The CodeBreaker Mindset™
Thank you for tuning in to The CodeBreaker Mindset™.
Visit www.chitranawbatt.com for more.