Innovative. Practical. Actionable.
With decades of experience operating consumer-facing businesses, we empower leaders and retail businesses with time-tested tools and techniques to activate your strategies.
Our approach is aimed at creating real results.
DECADES OF EXPERIENCE AT WELL-KNOWN, GLOBAL BRANDS
Our Focus Areas
Executing
Strategies
For Brands and Retailers
We bring you practical tools and straightforward techniques that turn your vision into actions that everyone on your team can follow and execute.
It’s about making strategy work for you in the real world, moving beyond just dreaming big to getting things done.
Welcome to practical, actionable success.
Think of us when:
You’re ready to translate ambitious goals into actionable plans.
You're focused on getting your entire team moving in the same direction for real impact.
You’re ready to scale business to the next level with clear communication, roadmaps, and operational processes.
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Strategy Houses
Quality Framework
OKRs
Operational plans
Communication decks
Digital Marketing and Media Planning
Insights and Analytics Plans
Omnichannel Experience Optimization
Innovation brainstorming
Personalized Coaching
For Retail & Brand Executives
We provide tailored mentoring and guidance to nurture the heart of effective leadership.
It's about creating a culture of collaboration and inspiring teams to achieve tangible results.
Let's work together to power your leadership to build high-performing teams that deliver big results.
Think of us when:
You want to cultivate leaders who inspire, motivate, and drive positive change.
You’re focused on developing leadership capabilities that resonate on a personal and organizational level.
You aim to enhance your leadership approach to foster a culture of innovation and resilience.
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People leadership
Empowering autonomous teams
Employee development
Executive communication
Effective collaboration
Communication and persuasion
Career development
Active
Advisory
For Retail Software Vendors
Accelerate growth with insider perspectives.
By diving deep into the retailer's needs and perspectives, we help you refine your products and sharpen your messaging.
Let’s bridge the gap between your technology and their real-world needs, enhancing your offerings for the retail market.
Think of us when:
You need expert retail advice tailored to your unique value proposition.
You’re looking for a partner in refining and executing your offering in a way that will best resonate with your retailer decision makers.
You seek hands-on guidance to accelerate growth and navigate challenges.
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Product feature brainstorming and design
Pitch deck feedback
Strategic planning for key sales meetings
Talk tracks and collateral focusing on areas like retailer terminology, value, and incrementality.
Sales Calls - Expert in the Room
Webinars
Public speaking
“Kevin is one of the brightest minds in the industry. He combines his deep operating experience with a knowledge of current trends and practices. The result is a modern approach to unlocking growth for an organization. We brought Kevin in to provide a fresh perspective on our Retail, Digital, and B2B strategies. He rolled up his sleeves and led our business leaders in an iterative process to identify and focus on what really matters for our customers. We are already seeing the impact of this engagement. Our leaders are focused and confident. Our customers are happier. Our business results are improving. I highly recommend utilizing Kevin as an agent of change who will benefit your organization.”
Testimonials
Jeff
Gottlieb
President
Music & Arts
“Kevin's exceptional understanding of the retail landscape and insider perspective were invaluable in guiding our product and sales teams to a deeper comprehension of retailer requirements. His passion for our product, coupled with his esteemed reputation in the retail industry, significantly elevated our brand's value and understanding among retailers, driving meaningful connections and engagement. Kevin greatly contributed to our success.”
Larry
Freed
Former CEO
Foresee Results
“I want to extend our gratitude to Kevin for taking the headache out of trying to figure out how to articulate Avanti's messaging. We have worked with several firms and also struggled internally to land on the best way to describe how our company solves business issues, but were never able to articulate in a way that addressed the needs of our customers. Working with Kevin, within a few sessions, we were able to distill our messaging in a way that really resonates with our prospective customers. The process was iterative and inclusive. Now, we can get the messaging out that will help us grow our business!”
Evelyn
Milani
President
Avanti
Recruitment Solutions
"Kevin's skill in driving clarity in highly matrixed environments is nothing short of exceptional. He excels at setting clear objectives and expectations, ensuring that every team member understands their role and how it contributes to the broader organizational goals. Under Kevin's leadership, our team consistently achieved remarkable results, thanks to his strategic thinking and open, effective communication.”
Peter
Doyle
Director, Consumer x Marketplace
Nike
“Kevin is naturally gifted executive coach who has the benefit of years of experience leading in large, complex organizations.
In 2024, I found myself at an unexpected career transition and needed to better articulate my personal brand and highlight my achievements, and I took advantage of his expertise as a career coach.
Kevin took me through a process that helped me identify some of my core skills and strengths, and realize how I've been building on those for years. His outside perspective to my career journey helped me better see the essence of what I bring to my work: a skilled problem solver, who takes calculated risks and like to drive change. The process developed over a few sessions which gave me time to reflect and react to his suggestions.”
Andy Kennemer
VP, Advisory Board Member | Chief Digital & Marketing Officer
Ex-GSK, Abercrombie & Fitch
"Some of the most valuable feedback in your business is how your ideal persona in your ideal customer profile segment reacts to your messaging. The challenging part is how to get that feedback, straight and constructive. Kevin Ertell is unique in my experience in that he has lived on the other side of the table and can think like your customer and is not afraid to give you the kind of feedback you need to hone your message and get to the point in a way that can be heard. In the end, this is some of the most valuable time I have spent with a consultant because you stop wasting time of your own and the time of the other people in your most important conversations."
Jeff
Buck
CEO
Robling
“Kevin was a force multiplier in every deal that I worked with him at ForeSee. His ability to be trusted advisor and expert voice in the room completely changed the conversation. Sales cycles that we had been in for months prior to Kevin joining immediately accelerated the moment he sat in the room and said, “this technology works”. Kevin’s ability to craft the message in a way that spoke directly to the retail marketers we were selling to was a game changer. Our conversion rate on deals he was involved with went from 22% to over 55%. His impact is felt immediately.”
Gavin Hewitt
Former CEO
Foresee Results
“Kevin is a natural leader with a talent for motivating others. He thinks outside the box and helps teams simplify complex ideas into actionable plans. His positive approach and enthusiasm are infectious and inspired me and my team to achieve greater results. Kevin is a visionary who can unite teams and the organization, keeping them focused on success.”
Kalpu
Clark
VP, Marketing & Digtial
Griot’s Garage
“Kevin is an outstanding advisor, coach, and mentor. Sessions with him provide a space to have a focused conversation with authentic advice, positive reinforcement, and tangible considerations. A big differentiator between an elite advisor like Kevin and those “other guys” is his mindset and intentions. Kevin truly cares about the betterment of people and brings that passion and focus to his work. He has helped me many times in my career journey to see another perspective and to try a new way of solving a problem. He has helped give a perspective to support managing and improving interpersonal relationships with teammates. Excellent coach and advocate for people and the customer at the core.”
Kristine
Polzin
Product Owner
Wolverine Worldwide
“Working with Kevin as my career coach has been an invaluable experience as I continue to grow as a leader and expand the business. His guidance has provided me with strategies to manage effectively. Kevin’s insights, such as the “monkey cage” approach and OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) are tools that have strengthened accountability and focus within my team.
Kevin’s coaching has helped me develop as a leader, allowing me to better understand and motivate the people I work with. His experience and depth of knowledge amaze me in every session. He always has new perspectives to tackle my challenges.
I’m incredibly grateful for Kevin’s support and highly recommend him to anyone seeking to enhance their leadership skills and grow their business.”
Eliza Donaghy
Partner
Donastar Enterprises
“Kevin is an extraordinary executive coach who goes far beyond traditional mentorship. During my career transition, he has proven to be an invaluable partner in helping me unlock my personal brand and value proposition.
What truly sets Kevin apart is his unique approach to coaching. He is deeply thoughtful and genuinely curious, asking probing questions that consistently push me to think more deeply. Each coaching session inevitably leads a pivotal "aha" moments that transform my professional understanding. His ability to listen is remarkable - he makes you feel not just heard, but truly important.
Kevin combines empathy with practical wisdom. He proactively checks in, remembering details of our previous conversations, which demonstrates his genuine care. While he offers insights and advice, he does so with kindness and compassion, creating a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.
As a leadership development expert, Kevin doesn't just provide generic guidance. He helps leaders like myself articulate our unique value, navigate complex career transitions, and develop authentic leadership styles. His strategic frameworks, combined with his deeply human approach, make him an exceptional coach.
If you're seeking a guide who will challenge you, support you, and help you unlock your full potential, Kevin is the executive coach you need.”
Natalie Brown
SVP, Brand and Performance Marketing
Ex-Grandin Road, Sur La Table
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