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Episode 5: Enhancing Retail Excellence: Leveraging Process Improvement Principles for Success

Amine Ayad | May 2024

Featuring Amine Ayad, Head of Retail Engineering & Process Improvement - Academy Sports + Outdoors

In this illuminating episode of BPM RealTalk, host Mark Khabe sits down with Amine Ayad, a seasoned retail industry expert whose extensive experience spans renowned brands like Walmart, Home Depot, and Bed Bath & Beyond among others. Amine offers a treasure trove of insights gleaned from his rich background, diving into the intricacies of process improvement principles within the retail sector. He discusses the top three challenges specific to the industry and underscores the importance of tailoring methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma to suit the unique dynamics of each organisation. He also emphasises the imperative of staying ahead in a rapidly evolving retail landscape, advocating for a strategic balance between addressing current needs and envisioning future trends.

Tune in for a captivating conversation filled with actionable tips and real-world anecdotes!

Amine Ayad

Head of Retail Engineering & Process Improvement

Currently serving as the Head of Retail Engineering & Process Improvement at Academy Sports + Outdoors, Dr. Amine Ayad brings extensive experience from his tenure with renowned retailers such as Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, and Sears, among others. A cross-functional leader, Amine excels in aligning people, processes, and systems with organisational goals to solve complex problems and achieve strategic objectives. He held senior memberships in prestigious organisations such as the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE). As an adjunct professor, Dr. Ayad taught at MBA and Doctoral levels. He has authored several books, including The Inclusive Leader: An Applied Approach to Diversity, Change, and Management, Leading Through Diversity: Transforming Managers Into Effective Leaders, Career Success In The Retail Industry: Actionable Insights to Propel Your Retail Journey and The Inclusive Leader 2.0: An Applied Approach To Diversity, Change, And Management.

Key Highlights:

  • Expert insight into tailoring process improvement principles for the retail sector.
  • Insights into challenges specific to the retail industry, including organisational culture, team dynamics, and resource constraints with practical solutions for addressing them.
  • Proven strategies for securing buy-in and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
  • Real-world examples for stakeholder trust-building and active involvement to drive impactful process improvement.
  • Striking a strategic balance between addressing immediate needs and anticipating future trends.

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Recap: Dive Back into Previous Episodes

BPM RealTalk - Episode 1

In the debut episode of BPM RealTalk, host Mark Khabe converses with Sharon Paulson, Head of Digital Workplace Services at ECH. With over 20 years of experience in BPM, Operational Excellence, and Digital Transformation, Sharon discusses the key challenges faced by the not-for-profit sector, such as funding constraints, regulatory compliance, and workforce shortages.

BPM RealTalk - Episode 2

In this episode of BPM RealTalk, host Mark Khabe talks with Brenda Stonehouse, Manager of Strategy and Innovation at Kawartha Lakes. Brenda shares insights on creating a culture of Continuous Improvement and strategies for maintaining momentum. She discusses the wins, learnings, and the importance of flexibility in the improvement journey.

BPM RealTalk - Episode 3

In the third episode of BPM RealTalk, host Mark Khabe interviews Innes Smith, an expert in operational excellence. Innes discusses securing leadership commitment, differentiating passive and active support, and aligning business pain points with company goals to secure executive buy-in.

BPM RealTalk - Episode 4

In the fourth episode of BPM RealTalk, host Mark Khabe interviews Kersty Christensen, an expert with over 20 years of experience across various sectors. Kersty shares insights on calculating ROI for BPM initiatives in business cost centers, emphasizing that ROI includes role transparency, compliance, and regulatory requirements.

Upcoming Episodes

Get ready for a thrilling lineup! Check out the exciting themes of our upcoming interactions.