In Episode 80 of “The Trusted Advisor,” the RSPA’s Jim Roddy catches up with executive, board advisor, author, and podcaster Ron Thurston about his firsthand view of the changing retail landscape. Thurston is in the midst of a year-long tour called “Retail in America,” driving across the United States in an Airstream trailer to discover unsung retail heroes. Thurston shares his IT-related lessons learned during his travels, winning strategies for selling to retailers, and the future of brick-and-mortar stores for leading brands as well as SMB retailers. 

Keep up with Thurston and his “Retail in America” Tour through his website (www.retailpride.com), podcast, LinkedIn and Instagram. 

“The Trusted Advisor,” powered by the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA), is an award-winning content series designed specifically for retail IT VARs and software developers. Our goal is to educate you on the topics of leadership, management, hiring, sales, and other small business best practices. For more insights, visit the RSPA blog at www.GoRSPA.org.  

Watch Episode 80 now: 

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Jim Roddy is the President and CEO of the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA). He has been active in the retail IT channel since 1998, including 11 years as the President of Business Solutions Magazine, six years as an RSPA board member, one term as RSPA Chairman of the Board, and several years as a business coach for VARs, ISVs, and MSPs. Jim has been recognized as one of the world’s Top 100 Retail Influencers by RETHINK Retail, a Leading CannaTech Influencer by The CannaTech Group, and is regularly requested to speak at industry conferences on SMB best practices. He is author of two books – The Walk-On Method To Career & Business Success and Hire Like You Just Beat Cancer – and is host of the award-winning RSPA Trusted Advisor podcast. For more information, contact JRoddy@GoRSPA.org.