Inside the Envelope

A new era in business is bringing fresh flavor to Kohl's. As traditional retailers struggle to keep their doors open, Kohl's executives are trying something radically different: a grocery partnership with Aldi. In March of 2018, the department store announced it would team up with Aldi to offer grocery sales in 10 of its locations. "The key priority we have as a company is to drive traffic," Kevin Mansell, the chief executive of Kohl's said in a Thursday earnings call. "We're focused on traffic-driving retailers: Groceries, supermarket chains, they drive a lot of traffic. We're finally on a path where we're getting more [shoppers]." In an age of online shopping, brick-and-mortar businesses have to hustle to make their company more relevant to consumers. Kohl's has experimented with lighter inventory, smaller stores, and more streamlined partnerships with companies like Under Armour and Amazon. Other retail giants have

Life is full of good opportunities. Good books to read, good events to attend, good projects to pioneer. But good things can knock us off track in pursuing the very best. What does "the best" look like in your leadership? It means doing what you are uniquely called to do in the style that is distinct to your personality, position, and organizational DNA. Living "the best" in leadership means that your most important job isn't to manage the budget, to develop new products, or even to lead your team. Your most important task is to continually cast vision. The subtle tension every leader will face is the reality of mission drift. Mission drift happens when we are pulled off of our message or our mission, whether intentionally or accidentally. This can be an irresistible force that results in loss of momentum or a crisis of identity, so strategic leaders build in measures to continually recalibrate. If you don't prioritize vision casting,

The most expensive deal in baseball history was finalized this February in a casino . The Phillies pursued outfielder Bryce Harper for months, introducing him to some of Philadelphia's finest, sweet talking him in the high-backed gold leather booths of the ARIA resort in Las Vegas, and ultimately offering him the most expensive deal in baseball history ($330 million over 13 years). At age 26, Harper signed the longest contract in baseball history. In a casino that radiates the fragrance of mid-century Hollywood, the showmanship of the atmosphere embodied the glamour of the agreement. It was an epic conversion. Just Sign on the Dotted Line Sale-closing conversations can be nerve-wracking and nuanced. No matter how impressed people seem during your presentation, there's no telling whether they will postpone or look elsewhere. After wooing your customer, it's time to take the plunge and ask for a commitment. Here are a few keys to make this step eas

Life is compromise. If you want to work successfully in teams, at some point you will face conflict. In one instance, you may be the manager correcting a team member. In other cases, you may need to "lead up" by disagreeing with a superior. Either way, successful communication includes the ability to navigate conflict while putting people before the problem. Here are four ways to prioritize relationship while politely disagreeing. 1. Don't Blurt When you hear an incorrect statement, do you immediately or forcefully disagree? How's that working for you? Before you speak, consider how important it is to voice your opinion. Weigh the risks of speaking out versus the risks of staying silent. If you feel compelled to share, consider when and where is best. What context would be most appropriate or what channel would provide the least threatening avenue for your listener? Discussing issues privately (face-to-face) is ideal for minimizing tensio

In a recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Research, scholars found that longer deadlines can be a detriment to workers . The study asked volunteers at a local community center to answer a short survey about retirement planning. One group was given seven days to access the online survey, while another group had 14 days to respond. Results showed that, though the 14-day group gave more thoughtful responses, they were more likely to procrastinate or skip the assignment. A second study revealed longer deadlines affected outcomes on tax filings. In this research, a short deadline group received their "lost" W-2 tax form later (closer to the filing deadline) and had less time to complete their taxes. Despite the setback, the short-deadline group spent less money than their peers to get the same job done via tax professionals or self-help software. Beat Those "Last Mile" Blues Do you struggle to take projects across the finish line in an

Personalized mail is a special commodity these days, especially something that looks smart or sophisticated. And everyone agrees that there's a huge difference between a typed letter on a bland white page and one aligned smartly on a beautifully designed letterhead. While many view letterhead as an afterthought, it's time to raise the standard! A sharp letterhead can communicate proficiency, increase response rates, and make your communication more memorable. As you craft a unique, professional look, here are some elements to help you cement your image without overplaying your hand: 1. Embrace Simplicity One of the guiding principles of letterhead design is to make it flow simply. While it's important that your letterhead looks and feels great in the hand, it should still play second fiddle to the communication itself. If designs are too bold, you run the risk of competing with the page content to demand reader attention. When in doubt, simple is b

32-year-old Amy Alabaster had recently been named VP in her company as a successful New York sales executive. She had friends, a wonderful marriage, and many professional accomplishments. But one day, the weight of her responsibilities came roaring in as she awoke on a bench outside a West Village restaurant. Alabaster later learned that she had fainted on a flight of stairs and her blood pressure was so low EMTs could hardly move her. Though she considered herself happy and healthy, doctors uncovered her problem with one simple question: "Would you say that you deal with a lot of stress?" Amy said this unraveled the real issue: "I had never been asked this question before. Like so many other companies, mine had downsized after the economic pitfalls of 2008 and I had absorbed many responsibilities after the layoffs. I thought incessantly about work. I talked about it all the time. I couldn't turn off, ever. I checked emails and my blackberry const