SPECS | Ensemble IQ
Helping Retail Leaders Find a New Way Through Industry Disruption
Sterling is your guy.
"It gave them a new way to approach some of the challenges they're facing. If you have the chance to bring Sterling in, don't hesitate. He is definitely the person you want on that stage."
DEENA AMATO MCCOY | PROGRAM DIRECTOR, CHAIN STORE AGE
About SPeCS
Chain Store Age hosts leading retail conferences like SPECS that bring together executives to explore industry trends, innovation, and the future of retail.
Our approach
No Matter What keynote
Post-keynote momentum toolkit
The audience:
Retail executives, leaders, and decision-makers from across the industry
CLIENT CHALLENGES:
Leading through constant disruption
Retail leaders continue to face unprecedented levels of change. Rising material costs, shipping and logistics challenges, labor shortages, and an increasingly competitive talent market have created ongoing pressure for executives and their teams.
Traditional leadership approaches were being tested
The challenges facing the industry weren't simply operational. Leaders were being asked to motivate teams, navigate uncertainty, and drive results while managing circumstances outside of their control.
Many attendees were looking for more than strategies and tactics. They needed a different way of thinking about the obstacles in front of them.
Finding fresh perspectives in a familiar industry
Conference attendees had heard countless presentations about industry trends, market shifts, and business challenges. What was missing was a message that could help leaders think differently—not just about their business problems, but about how they approached growth, discomfort, and uncertainty themselves.
THE RESULTS
A message that expanded how leaders think
Sterling's keynote resonated because it offered more than motivation.
It provided a new lens through which leaders could view the challenges they were already facing.
Instead of focusing solely on external obstacles, attendees were encouraged to examine how they approached discomfort, uncertainty, and growth in their own leadership.
New tools for navigating complex challenges
According to Deena, one of the biggest takeaways was that attendees walked away with "some new tools in the toolbox."
The message helped leaders think outside of their usual patterns and consider solutions from perspectives they may not have previously explored.
For executives facing ongoing disruption, that shift in thinking created immediate value.
Relatable, practical, and applicable
Sterling's personal stories and approach made the message accessible to the audience.
Rather than presenting abstract leadership concepts, he connected growth and resilience to real-world experiences, helping attendees see how the ideas applied directly to their own professional challenges.
The result was a message that felt both personal and practical.
Engagement that continued beyond the keynote
After the session concluded, attendees sought out Sterling to continue the conversation.
Several people approached him personally to thank him for his insights and express interest in staying connected.
Those conversations reinforced that the message had landed—not because people were inspired in the moment, but because they saw how it could apply to challenges they were actively navigating.
A seamless experience from planning to presentation
From the organizer's perspective, the experience was straightforward from start to finish.
The preparation process was organized, efficient, and fully supported, allowing the event team to focus on delivering a successful conference experience.
As Deena described it, everything was prepared "to a tee," creating a partnership that felt effortless and professional throughout the engagement.
"It was a super easy process. Very, very streamlined. Everything was ready to go to a tee."
"Retail leaders didn’t need another reminder that disruption is happening. They live it every day. What they need is a new way to approach the challenges that come with it.”
Our Methodology
Breakthrough cultures drive breakthrough performance. We’ve built a 12 week, 5-step process to identify and solve for root problems to deliver maximum impact before, during and after events.
Growth No Matter what starts here.
Inquire about bringing me into your next event.