A Collaborative Mindset in Highly Pressurized Times, with Kenji Gjovig, Managing Director at Bayfield Consulting

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A Collaborative Mindset in Highly Pressurized Times, with Kenji Gjovig, Managing Director at Bayfield Consulting

Interview

Podcast Details

Title: Unpacking the Digital Shelf | EP231
Duration: 26:12
Listen on: Simplecast

Episode Overview

From his time aboard submarines in the US Navy to decades of work in retail at Sam’s Club, Albertson’s, and now Rite Aid, Kenji Gjovig has spent a lot of time leading in highly pressurized circumstances. It is clear that for brands and retailers to achieve top-line and bottom-line growth in this uncertain economic era, the ability to collaborate at scale is an indispensable skill. Kenji joined the podcast to share decades of experience driving collaborative transformation in resource-constrained times.

Podcast Transcript

Peter Crosby (00:00): Welcome to unpacking the digital shelf where we explore brand manufacturing in the digital age.

Kenji Gjovig (00:58): Hey, thanks for having me. I really appreciate it. It's good to talk to you both.

Peter Crosby (01:01): As I said in the intro, you have spent most of your career in highly pressurized circumstances from a US Navy submarine to US retail in both cases. Thank you for your service.

Kenji Gjovig (01:13): No, thanks for mentioning that. And it's funny you mentioned highly pressurized because being on a submarine is in fact literally a pressurized steel tube. So I've been actually in that environment.

Peter Crosby (01:23): We talk a lot at the DSI about the complicated and ever-changing state of brand and retailer collaboration, and it seems to us that some things are starting to shift in realizing each other's fates are even more tightly intertwined than ever before.

Kenji Gjovig (02:02): I think of collaboration as not just what to do, but about how to do it. It’s really about optimizing the relationship, building trust, and making sure everyone operates efficiently.

Lauren Livak Gilbert (03:25): The environment we're in has forced more collaboration, which hopefully will become a standard moving forward.

Kenji Gjovig (04:12): Brands should approach partnership with retailers from a thought leadership perspective to provide clarity in their communication and help streamline the process.

Peter Crosby (06:04): It seems like that is such an important point—having a clear organizational structure can help in navigating complexities.

Lauren Livak Gilbert (07:15): Knowing who to talk to within the brand is a barrier to collaboration, and addressing that can demystify the process.

Kenji Gjovig (09:54): I've focused on collaborative initiatives that drive trust and transparency, which then improve relationships and lead to better planning and funding outcomes.

Peter Crosby (14:19): What do you think is causing the shifts in interest toward collaborative processes between brands and retailers?

Kenji Gjovig (20:28): In uncertain times, efficiency and collaboration are key. Brands and retailers must buck up and focus on their core value drivers and work together to solve problems.

Peter Crosby (24:55): You have to drive through challenges collaboratively, as you can’t do it alone in a complex environment.

Kenji Gjovig (25:45): I appreciate the time here and the opportunity to share insights from my experiences.