Episode 93 - Retail Project Pioneer and Technology Transformation Leader, Leonie McCarthy

15 Jan

Written By Jane Anderson

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In this episode of The Jane Anderson Show, we explore the world of retail transformation with Leonie McCarthy, a visionary leader in technology-driven innovation. Leonie’s ability to bridge the gap between technology and business goals has made her a trusted advisor and catalyst for change across customer-centric organisations.

Who is Leonie McCarthy?

As the owner of 6R Retail, Leonie brings over 20 years of expertise in implementing transformative solutions like ERP, PIM, PLM, and eCommerce systems. Her work has enhanced operational efficiency and elevated customer experiences. Known for her practical and collaborative leadership style, Leonie empowers teams to view technology as a strategic advantage rather than just a support function.

Building Momentum Through Leadership and Innovation

Leonie’s leadership philosophy is rooted in creating opportunities for teams, fostering collaboration, and aligning technology with overarching business strategies. She emphasises the importance of seeing technology not just as a tool, but as a driver of growth and competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving retail landscape.

Join us as Leonie shares her journey, from navigating complex projects to leading successful organisational change. She discusses how she balances driving innovation with nurturing talent and how retail businesses can adapt to meet shifting customer expectations.

Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode:

The episode begins with Jane Anderson warmly welcoming listeners to the Jane Anderson Show. The podcast is dedicated to exploring the expertise of women in B2B thought leadership consulting and advisory practices, particularly those who operate as solo consultants and are scaling their practices. The show aims to provide an inside look at the workings of these businesses, including client acquisition strategies, success factors, and growth insights.
Jane reflects on 2024 and shares observations about the challenging landscape for speakers and consultants, particularly outside of AI and futurism, which have been in high demand. Despite this, traditional topics like resilience, change, and leadership remain relevant, though competition has increased significantly.
Jane discusses the need for diversification of income streams beyond speaking engagements, highlighting a recent event in Melbourne with Dr. Louise Marla as an example of innovative practices. She notes that tight budgets in 2024 have required businesses to adopt creative and accessible approaches to working with clients, such as hosting public events.
Looking ahead to 2025, Jane identifies a strong focus on return on investment (ROI) as a key trend. Business and CEO confidence are high, but spending decisions are expected to be more deliberate and results-oriented. Jane urges her community to refine their metrics and clearly demonstrate ROI in their materials to stay competitive in the upcoming year.
Jane introduces the guest, Leonie McCarthy, a retail transformation expert and owner of 6R Retail. Leonie is renowned for her expertise in implementing complex technology solutions that deliver tangible business benefits. Her extensive experience spans over two decades, focusing on ERP, PIM, e-commerce, and more. The episode will delve into topics like building momentum, leading change, empowering teams, and leveraging technology beyond its traditional support role.
Leonie shares her journey into consulting, starting with inheriting a business from her mentor. Over time, her practice evolved from a merchandise planning focus to a broader emphasis on project management and team leadership. Operating in both contracting and consulting capacities, she works primarily with retail businesses—a natural progression from her background in fashion retail. Leonie highlights her emphasis on end-to-end processes, helping teams adapt to technological changes while optimizing operational workflows.
Discussing project success, Leonie explains that traditional metrics like scope, time, and budget are only part of the equation. Success is also defined by tangible outcomes aligned with client goals, such as reducing inefficiencies. She shares an example of a client whose ERP implementation aimed to eliminate excessive reliance on Google Sheets for data management. Leonie emphasizes that many businesses rely on a mix of well-functioning systems and inefficient, manual processes, which need to be streamlined for effective results.
Leonie highlights the unique challenges retailers face, including limited tech budgets, diverse supplier relationships, and navigating cultural and logistical complexities. Smaller enterprises often need to maximize existing systems rather than invest in new ones, while balancing sophisticated requirements of major suppliers with the flexibility needed for smaller, emerging partners. Additionally, competing against giants like Amazon, sustainability pressures, and shifting customer expectations create a constant demand for innovation and efficiency in the retail sector.
This section sets the stage for deeper exploration of retail transformation and the strategic insights Leonie will share throughout the episode.
Leonie discusses exciting innovations in the retail industry, including the integration of resale markets into mainstream retail. She highlights technology that estimates resale value at the point of purchase, which adds a layer of complexity for retailers needing to maintain brand quality in secondary markets. This innovation reflects a growing trend of creating communities around reselling, which Leonie finds promising.
Additionally, she comments on Amazon’s expansion into logistics, noting their acquisition of planes and ships to challenge traditional shipping companies. This shift underscores the rapidly evolving landscape in retail and logistics.
Jane prompts Leonie to reflect on her transition from fashion retail to owning and evolving her consulting practice. Leonie shares that one of her biggest challenges was becoming comfortable with the sales process, particularly as it relates to selling her own expertise. Her discomfort with overpromising and fear of disappointing clients have driven her to adopt a measured and realistic approach to client relationships.
She also acknowledges the importance of managing her workload and energy levels, learning to balance the demands of delivering value to clients while avoiding burnout. This has included stepping back to reflect, delegating responsibilities to her team, and appreciating the value of rest and recovery to maintain long-term productivity.
Leonie elaborates on her growing appreciation for rest and reflection. She acknowledges that as a solo operator, time management and prioritization are crucial, especially when resources are limited. Leonie shares a personal quote by Seneca about the importance of using time wisely, which serves as a daily reminder to focus on what matters. This mindset helps her strike a balance between intense work periods and slower, more reflective moments.
Leonie offers advice to women who are starting or growing their consulting practices. She emphasizes staying close to the numbers and metrics, noting that while passion and intuition are important, financial and operational oversight is equally critical. Reflecting on her own past struggles with tasks like tax preparation, she encourages others to tackle avoided responsibilities step by step.
Another key piece of advice is the importance of self-awareness and emotional regulation, which Leonie considers essential for maintaining composure and effectiveness in high-stakes environments. She advises consultants to be the "calmest person in the room" and to focus on what they can control, continually reflecting on their actions and outcomes to improve.
Leonie introduces her book, Momentum, which reflects her expertise in driving alignment, action, and accountability within project teams. She explains that these principles are fundamental to building momentum and ensuring successful change initiatives. The book delves into methods for fostering cross-functional collaboration, which Leonie identifies as a critical yet often underdeveloped capability in many organizations.
Jane celebrates Leonie’s accomplishment, noting how the book embodies the themes of momentum and teamwork that Leonie practices in her work. Leonie expresses gratitude to the team of collaborators who supported her in completing the book, highlighting the collective effort required to bring such a project to fruition.
This section underscores Leonie’s dedication to her craft, her thoughtful approach to consulting, and her contributions to the field of retail transformation and team development.
Leonie reflects on the collaborative effort and diverse expertise involved in bringing her book, Momentum, to life. She acknowledges the many people who contributed to its completion, emphasizing how much she learned from the process. Jane highlights the power of writing a book to share expertise widely, allowing it to reach audiences far beyond the author’s immediate circle.
Leonie shares her belief in the ongoing evolution of knowledge and expertise, suggesting that nothing is ever stagnant and there’s always room for updates and growth. This perspective aligns with her life philosophy, which embraces adaptability and continuous improvement.
Jane praises Leonie for her deep expertise in retail transformation and project management, particularly in the specialized domain of retail projects. She positions Leonie as an inspiring figure for those who may feel too niche or specialized to make a broader impact. Jane challenges the notion that expertise is easily replaceable or unnecessary in the age of Google, affirming Leonie as a powerful example of how unique, in-depth knowledge can be a significant asset.
Leonie’s story underscores the value of embracing a niche and the impact that sharing expertise—through consulting, projects, or writing—can have on others. Her journey serves as motivation for individuals who doubt their ability to contribute meaningfully within specialized domains.
This final section of the transcript ties together key themes from the conversation, emphasizing the importance of sharing expertise, embracing adaptability, and recognizing the value of specialized knowledge. Jane and Leonie’s discussion ends on a motivational note, inspiring professionals to harness their unique skills to make a broader impact in their fields.