Innovation can be an architect of transformation, helping to build bridges from aspiration to accomplishment. A single misstep, however, and the entire structure can come tumbling down. With that in mind, how can leaders ensure their teams feel safe to take a chance, share their out-of-the-box ideas, and weigh up the risk versus the reward when it comes to innovation? In this episode, we’re talking all about this tricky topic with Andy Laudato, chief operating officer at the Vitamin Shoppe. In addition to his leadership role, Andy is also a published author, who has brought his 20 years of experience as a CIO to create a collection of lessons learned – and mistakes made – in the tech industry in his book, Fostering Innovation, How to Build an Amazing IT Team. Later in the episode, we connect with the recent insights shared by Andy on personalization and omnichannel, delving into practical steps for creating a supportive environment and nurturing a culture built around the three pillars Vitamin Shoppe lives by: quality, expertise and innovation. Listen to learn: •Why creating a culture of psychological safety is so important in retail and CPG. •How The Vitamin Shoppe approaches personalization initiatives catering to its diverse customer base. •How innovation extends beyond technology to products, processes, and the supply chain. •How The Vitamin Shoppe builds a culture of quality, expertise, and innovation. •The Vitamin Shoppe’s plans for AI-driven one-to-one personalization. •How The Vitamin Shoppe is balancing both front-end and back-end enhancements for a smooth customer experience. •Why failure is a valuable learning experience – sometimes more so than success. •Why Q1 is a more important time of year than Q4 for the Vitamin Shoppe. •How the Vitamin Shoppe shows its ongoing commitment to evolving technology for an integrated shopping experience.