This year, we launched our first Rising Stars of Retail report in the May issue of Inside Retail Australia’s quarterly magazine, a special feature highlighting some of the great under-the-radar talent in the industry from a wide range of departments. Each week, we will publish interviews with the inspiring people listed in the feature, where they reveal what motivates them, the work that they’re most proud of and the challenges that they’ve overcome. This week, we shine a light on Bi
Bianca Tam, transformation manager at designer fashion label, Aje.
You began working at Aje mid-Covid and you quickly took on a major project which you steered. Can you tell me what that experience was like, what the project involved and the lessons you learnt from it?
Starting a new position during a Covid lockdown was a new challenge with little precedence, especially given the nature of my role to influence significant change. I had to be creative in the way I built new relationships, leveraging technology to create meaningful connections and being extremely diligent in identifying nuances in business processes and team dynamics.
Embarking on a significant project to implement an ERP solution across most major business areas with multiple integrations to legacy systems was more challenging without face-to-face interaction and the ability to observe the business in a traditional sense, making the discovery process of the project unconventional.
I had to rethink my usual approach to managing a project such as this and be fluid in working with various teams and around obstacles the lockdowns were presenting. We strategically worked with vendors who were agile in their approach and open to feedback throughout the process of scoping and designing a solution remotely. Nearly half of the six-month implementation was conducted remotely and whilst effective, made it even more rewarding to come together face-to-face once we were able to do so.
Key lessons learnt would be to invest time in establishing relationships and get to know your team members when working remotely as these informal interactions can be lost on virtual platforms. Additionally, selecting vendors carefully and understanding how they work in the current environment, under different pressures is key to a successful long term relationship.
What was your first job in retail?
My first job in retail was a casual sales assistant at DISSH when they opened their second retail store many years ago.
Describe a transformation manager’s role and what it involves.
My role as a business transformation manager is extremely dynamic and involves finding a balance in identifying and solving for bottlenecks in business processes through redesign as well as identifying new opportunities to improve efficiency, trade prospects and create new service initiatives. Based on my experience as well as the current landscape in general, the recommendations I make for change projects are usually through a technical lens with the aim to leverage technology to achieve intended outcomes faster and create lasting solutions that can be built upon over time.
Who is your retail hero and why?
I wouldn’t be able to name just one, as depending on the projects I am working on, I take inspiration from different retail leaders. However, I also consider myself extremely fortunate to work alongside some of the most innovative and accomplished retail professionals at the Aje Collective, many of whom are being recognised for their individual and collective professional achievements.
If you could swap jobs with anyone in retail, who would it be and why?
I am always intrigued by people who hold creative roles within the retail space as it is such a contrast to the operational and optimisation focus that my role takes. I would love to experience what being in the shoes of Aje creative director, Edwina Forest would be like day to day. Immersing in the design and production space would be an fascinating experience.
If you could change anything about the retail industry, what would it be?
I can appreciate how far technology has come in retail in general however there is still so far to go in terms of consistent innovation and technical vendors who truly understand the intricacies and humanistic nature of the retail space.
What’s your dream role? What would you like your retail journey to look like?
I am fortunate to feel like I have found my dream role in a business transformation/special projects capacity by combining technology, rewarding outcomes and exposure to a broad scope and the diverse team’s within.
However, my goal would be to continue working with brands who think outside of the box to grow sustainably in this volatile market and are open to using technology to maximise their service offerings and improving efficiency so that they can redirect their resource investment into areas that will enhance and add value to the customer.
Why Bianca is a rising star of retail
Bianca is brilliant! Aside from the fact that she has demonstrated a deep understanding of the Aje business but also the industry as a whole, she is a pleasure to work with. What has impressed me most about Bianca is her ability to get the best out of the people she works with by utilising her outstanding people skills, but also, through the diligence with which she goes about her work.
Technology and change can be overwhelming when combined with pace, but Bianca has created confidence and clarity for all levels of the business by utilising her strengths to simplify and engage. – Georgie Yates, trading director, Aje