Skills to take you to the next level
Here’s a look at the classes and info covered at The Workshop at Macy’s.
Identifying the customer
This session will teach you how to use OMNI channel data to help target your customer and become familiar with your competition in the context of your retail partner. You’ll sit with Macy’s own customer research experts, who will present some of the industry-leading research.
Best practices
We’ll explore the merchant-to-merchant relationship through a panel of buying experts, and you’ll develop a firm grasp of the key elements of a successful relationship with your buyer, including how to address fluctuations in the business, and how to anticipate opportunities and manage expectations as a vendor. You’ll learn how to understand the merchant organization structure, how the organization relates to roles and responsibilities within Macy’s, and to fully grasp the merchant decision-making process when sourcing new vendors.
Retail Math 101
This session introduces the calculations and terminology most commonly used for analyzing and understanding a retailer’s business performance. We’ll focus on the formulas that are used to calculate and discuss business results, and are the basis for growing retail vendor relationships. Retail Math 101 opens up a whole new world for many Workshop participants and provides a clearer picture of the business landscape.
Building your brand identity
This session will focus on marketing your brand for the future, taking into account constantly shifting customer expectations and rapidly changing technology. You’ll gain an understanding of how to stay true to your brand’s identity, how to build your brand’s message, how to maximize your online presence and reach, and how to develop content strategies that will engage your target audiences.
Entrepreneurial finance
You’ll learn the basics of financial planning and capital growth strategy from our curriculum partners at Babson College including, how to successfully access capital from a panel of distinguished lenders, as well as how to leverage the Macy’s S.P.U.R Pathways program to fuel growth. Plus, Macy’s experts will teach you key presentation techniques to help you with the all important “Ask.”
Entrepreneurial skills
Get insights from Macy’s pros as they discuss the importance of business relationships, developing high level strategies and how buying decisions are influenced. Plus, our Vendor Pitch Competition will give you experience presenting to top executives and a real life chance to compete for a $100,000 business grant.
E-commerce
Join our digital pop-up and sell your products on our e-commerce platform during the program. This opportunity offers hands-on experience and practical training in onboarding as a vendor with a major retailer like Macy’s, allowing you to reach our diverse customer base and enhance your business skills.