The Power of the Ping: Inside a Vetted Network at the Retail Tech Media Nexus

New York City often feels like the center of the professional universe, but rarely does it feel as genuinely connected as it did last night at The Madison Lounge. As an active participant and board member of the Retail Tech Media Nexus group, founded by Dominick Miserandino, I was privileged to attend a special, intimate event. It […]

The Great Unlearning: How Executives Become Sponges in the Age of Unprecedented Uncertainty

For decades, executive leadership was based on pattern recognition. Leaders excelled by observing predictable cycles—market downturns, product lifecycles, and established geopolitical norms—and applying proven playbooks. Today, that model is obsolete. The modern executive faces a barrage of never-before-seen challenges: simultaneous supply chain fragility, rapid interest rate shifts, and the accelerating, ambiguous impact of generative AI. The […]

The CEO of You: Why Your Personal Brand is Your Only Permanent Safety Net

In the past three years, stability has become a myth. Mass layoffs, industry shutdowns, and the rapid obsolescence of skills due to AI have demonstrated one harsh truth: the corporate safety net has been shredded. The professional landscape is no longer about loyalty to a company; it’s a free agent economy where your career trajectory depends entirely […]

Starbucks Holds More in Gift Cards Than About 3500 U.S. Banks Combined

It’s not every day a coffee company finds itself mentioned in the same breath as America’s banking system — but then again, Starbucks isn’t your average coffee company. At the close of fiscal 2024, Starbucks reported a stored-value card liability of $1.78 billion — money customers have already paid the company for drinks they haven’t […]

Beyond the Algorithm: My Take on Navigating Retail, Tech and Media’s Toughest Challenges

In almost every boardroom, the conversation inevitably turns to AI. But as a leader, I’ve found that the most pressing issues we face in the Retail, Tech and Media industries are far more fundamental. They’re about money, talent, and audience, and they demand a strategic playbook that goes beyond just implementing the latest tech. Here’s […]

The Media Executive Leadership’s New Playbook: Navigating AI, Trust, and Revenue in a Shifting Landscape

By Dan Macuga The corner office of a media company today is less about managing established empires and more about navigating a sea of technological disruption, shifting consumer behaviors, and an eroding trust landscape. For Executive Leadership in this sector, the traditional playbooks are obsolete, and the demand for strategic counsel has never been higher. […]

Takeaways from Panel Session: The View from the Register – Scaling Without Losing Connection with the Customer

There’s a funny thing about the cash register. It’s supposed to be the most boring part of retail—the beep, the swipe, the receipt you’ll lose in ten seconds. But really, it’s the moment of truth. It’s the handshake between a brand and a customer. It’s where efficiency meets expectation, and increasingly, where technology collides with […]

Relationships Matter: My Late-Career Revelation on the True Foundation of Success

Life has a way of delivering profound lessons when you least expect them. I recently celebrated my birthday down on Lake Powell – truly one of the most incredible places to escape and recharge. Upon re-entering civilization and regaining service, I was genuinely humbled by the flood of messages, calls, and well wishes that came […]

Relationships Matter: My Late-Career Revelation on the True Foundation of Success

Life has a way of delivering profound lessons when you least expect them. I recently celebrated my birthday down on Lake Powell – truly one of the most incredible places to escape and recharge. Upon re-entering civilization and regaining service, I was genuinely humbled by the flood of messages, calls, and well wishes that came […]

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