The Challenges
Clerys is the oldest purpose-built department store in the world, and is regarded as the ‘heart of Dublin’ by many of its residents. In times past Clerys gained a rich heritage that was loved by all, but ravaged by the severe economic times they were forced to cut cost and retrench. This can only take a business part of the way and the challenge was how to rethink their strategy, to reposition and regain its longstanding identity as a true Irish gem.
Recognising the Opportunity
The Executive team recognised they needed to do something and quickly or risk losing an institution steeped in history and reverence. Insight with Passion recognised the need to move quickly and effectively to establish the priorities for the business and channel the limited resources into areas which would deliver the most benefits. An executive offsite was conducted to determine the positioning of the brand, the strategic priorities and the operational goals within these. A plan was constructed to deliver significant benefits within
15 weeks across all four priorities; brand revitalisation, product proposition, people engagement and process efficiency.
The Insight with Passion Effect
The workshop delivered a clear long term and short term road map for the business. A robust transformation plan was then devised to drive the business prior to the critical Christmas trading period.
This involved undertaking a detailed review across all priority areas to understand the exact position of the business and the gap which needed to be bridged to achieve the agreed goals.