HBR IdeaCastWhat Retail Legend Ron Johnson Learned from Apple’s Success and JCPenney’s Failure
Sep 29, 2026 · 32 min
How do you know when to trust your previous experience in a transformation environment, and how do you know when to listen, observe, and adapt? Ron Johnson helped create the Apple Store and transform Target into a design-forward retailer. But when he brought his approach to JCPenney, his transformation failed. He explains why leaders shouldn't rely too heavily on data when they're trying to create…