chicago and sales

Day two, week two of blogging about my vision. Here is what I see as the initial “user experience” for the retail store of the future which could be ours today. Imagine:

1. You walk into the store and you see almost a dozen “business concierge” seated at a U-shaped bar, like The Genius Bar at Apple. Apple made a great move when they allowed the bar concept to converge with a help desk concept creating a unique hybrid experience where people can ask questions and get the specific help they need to fix or optimize their Apple products. In the case of the Networlding Innovation Center it would allow people to do the same thing.
2. The concierge walks you through an overview of the center, sharing with you the idea that the center is there to provide a hub of “direction and connection,” The direction is all about helping you get a profile on LinkedIn or a Twitter or Facebook account set up . . . or all three. The connection is all about connecting you to ongoing networking groups where like-focused people are ready, willing and able to help you with connecting around new product and service creations. Additionally, there are many coaching services you can choose from to help you either move through a career transition or create a new company.
3. You fill out a profile for the center with answers to a series of questions around the current needs you have for innovating the way you do business or how your are developing your career–business development, career management, networking, coaching support, resource provider selection–these are all services offered by the center.
4. You pick the combination of services you need currenty and also check off those offerings you might consider for the future based on your budget.
5. You also are given a directory of upcoming events in the center that will enable you to meet other potential partners with whom you can collaborate with for business or career growth.

This is just the first experience you will have in the center. You will find it will be a place you will come back to again and again. You will find that you now have a choice for a place to go that is not as loud as a Starbucks and offers facilitated connection and though leadership to help you with your business or career.

Stay tuned for more adventures in The Networlding Center for Innovation and Collaboration.

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