Working in retail or managing a retail store brings its own challenges. While historically, the focus in retail is geared toward reading the market and fulfilling a want or need, today’s success is built on attracting customers and providing an experience that will encourage their return.

Retail culture begins behind the scenes. Whether a large chain store or an independent boutique outlet, some real thought needs to happen in order to send the intended message and attract the perfect customers.

Traditionally, retail culture was based on a hierarchy centered around policies and procedures. A “chain of command” is established with expectations of behavior. Some describe this as a power or role culture more in tune with military command and control. This culture depends on a solid structure with repeatable steps to help the culture move forward to serve its mission.

While this approach supports companies to run with Swiss watch precision, many thought to be forward-thinking companies have adopted a more expansive approach. Their focus is on mentoring and inclusivity, encouraging creativity while staying within the brand’s focus. There’s more of an entrepreneurial environment being fostered.

There is room for both in today’s market. The route taken depends on your approach to meeting your goals. Like many other industries, retail is a dynamic art form that requires structure and openness. Most organizations adopt the military hierarchy as their foundation. This allows ease in systematizing the effective tracking of ROI and other analytics necessary to remain flexible and agile in decision making. With the added layer of the art of business, brands set themselves apart, new and creative ideas emerge, organizations become more community-minded, and thus the humanizing of business blossoms.

This becomes more apparent as diversity and inclusion evolve into an insurance matter. We are in a paradigm shift now that inclusion has been standardized by the International Standards Organization (ISO). Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging are no longer just nice to have. D&I are now imperatives.

While some treat retail jobs as a part-time opportunity to make ends meet, others find their calling in merchandising, marketing, sales, and customer service. As inclusion takes a foothold in companies and organizations across the globe, those called to their particular industries will find themselves embracing a more expanded view of the people’s side of the business. How we treat one another matters.