Season 3, Episode 2 of the Family IN Business Podcast
When Ian Rosen decided to return to the family business in 2018, Harry Rosen Inc., Canada’s leading luxury men’s clothing retailer, was only doing 2-4 percent of their business online. In the months before COVID-19 hit, Rosen and his team were creating a thoughtful plan on how to stay relevant in the e-commerce space. When stay-at-home orders shuttered all of Harry Rosen’s retail stores, the launch of their digital platform became trial-by-fire.
How did Harry Rosen Inc. stay relevant to the changing marketplace and to the founder’s family? How did the founder’s legacy become a steadfast value of a successful company? Listen to the grandson of the founder, Ian Rosen share his leadership story as he reflects on what changes and what stays the same over the generations in business.
Show Notes:
Theme: Staying relevant to the family and the marketplace while launching an e-commerce platform
Your host:
Esther Choy, CEO and Chief Story Facilitator of Leadership Story Lab, author of Let the Story Do the Work (HarperCollins Leadership)
Special thanks to:
Ian Rosen, President & Chief Operating Officer at Harry Rosen, KSM ’16
Jennifer Pendergast, Executive Director of John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
Carter Cast, Michael S. and Mary Sue Shannon Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Kellogg School of Management, KSM ‘92
Contact us: familyenterprises@kellogg.northwestern.edu
Key Moments
3:18 Ian Rosen’s introduction to Harry Rosen
4:20 Harry Rosen’s innovative founding with “Ask Harry”
5:18 How the second and third generation join the business
6:13 Ian Rosen’s professional background
7:29 Ian’s career calling: digital consumer strategy
7:54 Choosing to launch an e-commerce business, with Carter Cast
8:54 Understanding your customer, with Carter Cast, and the example of Walmart
9:20 Harry Rosen’s need for an e-commerce
11:59 How e-commerce is different from retail including supply chain demands, with Carter Cast
13:11 Ian’s journey in understanding the family business before launching a digital plan
15:11 The impact of COVID-19 on Harry Rosen
16:37 The go-live approach and understanding the vision
18:09 Understanding the customers’ journey on the website
21:22 The entrepreneurial examples in The Rosen Family
22:45 The integration of “clicks to bricks” and direct-to-consumer omnichannel commerce with Carter Cast
25:56 What are the markers of success
28:42 How did the Rosen family keep the business relevant to the next generation
30:25 Staying relevant to the marketplace, with Jennifer Pendergast
31:31 Three takeaways on leading a new venture within a family business
34:00 Staying true to the original vision of Harry Rosen
Next Episode: 3. Discovering Your Entrepreneurial Niche Within A Family Enterprise: Zack Richner of Arrandale Ventures
Better Every Story
"This is an amazing and insightful post! I hadn’t thought of that so you broadened my perspective. I always appreciate your insight!" - Dan B.
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People forget facts, but they never forget a good story. In her book, Esther Choy shares business storytelling methods, examples and practical tools and templates. It’s your essential leadership storytelling toolkit.
People forget facts, but they never forget a good story. In her book, Esther Choy shares business storytelling methods, examples and practical tools and templates. It’s your essential leadership storytelling toolkit.
