The list of questions is a lengthy one. If a ceo does not have a passion for the customer, his or her tenure may be short-lived. Today's ceo has to be customer-centric. They have to understand that retailing is not just about location, buying merchandise and inventory control. It's the entire shopping experience, with the customer sitting squarely in the center.
Customers are in control, and the mantra of 'shop any time, anywhere' is rewriting the rules.
Although retail executives in the past have touted their commitment to customers, insiders say those vows were frequently more rhetoric than reality. In large companies especially, the push to reduce operational costs and to hit the numbers expected by Wall Street took precedence. Today, though, industry experts claim that knowing customers, catering to them and giving outstanding service must be top priorities. You really have to look at what motivates people. If they're motivated by understanding customers and by meeting their needs, then you continue probing the candidate's skills.