Why am I passionate about this?

As a retail consultant and former executive, I work with retailers like Whole Foods, Best Buy, Tractor Supply, and others across the globe who want to transform and improve their business. Fundamentally, all retail is the same. But how that gets done can separate multi-billion dollar dynasties from “everything must go” banners. I help retailers prioritize their investments and create loyal shoppers. I would do this even if I wasn’t earning a living from it…I guess I'm a retail junkie. We are all shoppers and when people have a great retail experience, it really is memorable. I want more people to have that experience and more workers to feel proud of the work they do. 


I wrote

Retail The Second-Oldest Profession: 7 Timeless Principles to WIN in Retail Today

By Flora Delaney,

Book cover of Retail The Second-Oldest Profession: 7 Timeless Principles to WIN in Retail Today

What is my book about?

This book helps every retailer and small business owner focus on what really matters.

This book is for you if…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping

Flora Delaney Why did I love this book?

A great first read to understand the psychology of shopping and how retail stores use that to their advantage. A good entry whether you want to understand how store design can influence your customers or how you yourself are influenced when you shop. Paco Underhill is highly regarded throughout the retail design industry as being someone who uses “retail anthropology” to study shoppers in their native habitat. Great whether you are a retailer or a shopper. 

By Paco Underhill,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Why We Buy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Synopsis coming soon.......


Book cover of Merchant 101

Flora Delaney Why did I love this book?

Dan Moe is a savvy former buyer and in this book he explains all of the analysis and decision points that good buyers consider. A great basic primer to help new buyers gain skills or experienced buyers hone their instincts. The examples throughout the book make every concept easy. And it’s a short read at ~140 pages.  

By Daniel J. Moe,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Merchant 101 as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

1000 WORD EXCERPT Retail is detail. I don


Book cover of Kmart's Ten Deadly Sins: How Incompetence Tainted An American Icon

Flora Delaney Why did I love this book?

Sometimes the best way to learn how to succeed is to see how others failed. With a chapter to detail each of the 10 deadly sins (Lousy locations or Ignoring store appearance), the book motivates retailers to focus on what matters and how to thrive. Plenty of great examples that unfortunately, still ring true in retailers today. 

By Marcia Layton Turner,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Kmart's Ten Deadly Sins as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An insightful look at how Kmart's management destroyed the company
Kmart's Ten Deadly Sins spins an intriguing tale of the missteps of a retail giant who once had the industry in the palm of its hand and foolishly let it all slip away. This engaging book weaves corporate history in with financial analysis and commentary that leaves the reader with a better sense of where Kmart has been and what its potential is for a turnaround. This first in-depth examination of Kmart clearly identifies and discusses the ten missteps and miscalculations Kmart's CEOs have repeatedly made, including resisting investments in…


Book cover of Kiss Theory Good Bye: Five Proven Ways to Get Extraordinary Results in Any Company

Flora Delaney Why did I love this book?

This book on leadership and management is not retail specific – but it contains the fundamentals of good management that every retail leader needs to master. Bob gives great advice on what to do and how to address issues when you can see your company is not living up to the standards for success. It always motivates me to be a better leader. 

By Bob Prosen,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Kiss Theory Good Bye as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

KISS THEORY GOOD BYE

NEW BUSINESS BOOK GIVES TEXTBOOK THEORY THE BIG KISS OFF!

Business Expert Writes the Playbook on 'How To' Rapidly Increase Performance and Profit in Any Company.

Bob Prosen cuts like a laser through the fog of political correctness and business-as-usual in his new book, Kiss Theory Good Bye: Five Proven Ways to Get Extraordinary Results in Any Company.

Prosen says he's had enough of the business books that tell readers what to do rather than how. "Forget the platitudes and feel-good anecdotes from a few CEOs and business gurus. Get to the point, the how-to details…


Book cover of FYI: For Your Improvement, A Guide for Development and Coaching

Flora Delaney Why did I love this book?

As a retailer, you are often critical in a young person’s career. FYI, gives excellent advice for managers looking to give direct feedback and coaching to their team. With outstanding suggestions for how to write clear feedback and suggested development plans, it is the best resource I know when writing performance reviews. 

By Michael M. Lombardo, Robert W. Eichinger,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked FYI as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Updated forth edition of the 1996 title (see ISBN 0965571203 for further information)


Explore my book 😀

Retail The Second-Oldest Profession: 7 Timeless Principles to WIN in Retail Today

By Flora Delaney,

Book cover of Retail The Second-Oldest Profession: 7 Timeless Principles to WIN in Retail Today

What is my book about?

This book helps every retailer and small business owner focus on what really matters.

This book is for you if you:
*Own your own retail business- and wear many hats
*Manage a team that is always busy - but is not achieving the results you want
*Aspire to a career in retail and want to understand how it all fits together
*Need help developing inexperienced managers and new hires to succeed quickly
*Feel overwhelmed with multiple priorities in your retail operation
*Are a vendor who wants to be a better partner to your retail customers.

Like talking to a smart friend, 74 easy-to-digest topics let's you select the exact issue you want to focus on (pricing, managing, marketing, etc.) and gives you real actions to take to make improvements.

Book cover of Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping
Book cover of Merchant 101
Book cover of Kmart's Ten Deadly Sins: How Incompetence Tainted An American Icon

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Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation

By Lyle Greenfield,

Book cover of Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation

Lyle Greenfield Author Of Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been fascinated by group dynamics, large and small. Why things functioned well, why they didn’t. It’s possible my ability to empathize and use humor as a consensus-builder is the reason I was elected president of a homeowners association, a music production association, and even an agricultural group. Books were not particularly involved in this fascination! But in recent years, experiencing the breakdown of civility and trust in our political and cultural discourse, I’ve taken a more analytical view of the dynamics. These books, in their very different ways, have taught me lessons about life, understanding those with different beliefs, and finding ways to connect and move forward. 

Lyle's book list on restoring your belief in human possibility

What is my book about?

We’ve all experienced the overwhelming level of political and social divisiveness in our country. This invisible “virus” of negativity is, in part, the result of the name-calling and heated rhetoric that has become commonplace among commentators and elected leaders alike. 

My book provides a clear perspective on the historical and modern-day causes of our nation's divisive state. It then proposes easy-to-understand solutions—an action plan for our elected leaders and citizens as well. Rather than a scholarly treatment of a complex topic, the book challenges us to take the obvious steps required of those living in a free democracy. And it…

Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation

By Lyle Greenfield,

What is this book about?

Lyle Greenfield's "Uniting the States of America―A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation" is a work of nonfiction and opinion. Incorporating the lessons of history and the ideas and wisdom of many, it is intended as both an educational resource and a call-to-action for citizens concerned about the politically and culturally divided state of our Union. A situation that has raised alarm for the very future of our democracy.

First, the book clearly identifies the causes of what has become a national crisis of belief in and love for our country. How the divisiveness and hostility rampant in our political…


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