Does change make you uncomfortable?
In merchandising, change and uncertainty are a given.
The consumer doesn’t stand still, and we need to keep evolving to remain their first choice.
Trends change, and business strategies need to adapt to that.
Sometimes the entire organization needs to change (drastically).
But dealing with change can be difficult: sometimes the reasons are not clear, sometimes the new direction feels uncomfortable, or you need to let go of the familiar.
Two things have helped me to navigate such difficult periods, as a person and as a merchant.
1️⃣ Understand your strengths
What gives me confidence in times of change is understanding my strengths and skills. I know that no matter what else is happening around me, I can depend on them to help me be my best in any situation.
Example: when I landed in a new position without clear ownership, I was miserable for three weeks. It was the first time I experienced this, and I didn’t know how to deal with it.
After some time, I decided to focus on what I was good at and tried to apply that to my new role. I organized, simplified, and prioritized. Going back to my strengths made me feel capable again, and it helped me to push through the uncertainty to deliver quality work.
2️⃣ Take control where you can
Strategic changes or company reorganizations are often driven by the need to take a fresh approach to the product you are selling or to serve customers in a new way.
The new strategy should indicate the general direction, but it’s rare that all the little details are decided. Instead, they are left to figure out along the way.
I believe that this is your chance:
To influence the process.
To impact the result.
To take ownership.
Chances are, that your function has a big role in some part of the product journey. That is where you can take control.
Example: product merchandising is closely involved with consumer trends, so we need to be on top of the change and help to carry it out into the wider company.
This proximity gives me confidence! It means I will have the opportunity to influence the new direction, as we put the strategy into practice.
Going through change and uncertainty remains hard, but understanding my strengths and taking control where I can helps me feel more at ease, as much as that is possible.
How do you deal with change?
PS. Did this make you think? Reach out to me!
I am a product merchant in sports & fashion retail, an advocate for personal growth and an introvert finding how to thrive professionally.
I'm happy to have a conversation, share my experiences and pass on the tools I've found to deal with different situations. I'm always looking to learn from like-minded people, so I'd love to hear back from you.