Barbara Farfan

For over a decade, Barbara has been a management and operations consultant to some of the largest retail organizations in the world. Her speaking and consulting clients have included Fortune 500 retailers such as Toys 'R Us, Texaco, Nissan, and ExxonMobil.

Barbara draws heavily from her experience at the Walt Disney World Resort, which is no mickey mouse operation. As a Disney "cast member" (a/k/a happy-peppy-perky polyester-wearing employee), she filled over two dozen positions in park operations, resorts, and human resources. She was chosen for the opening teams of two resorts, two restaurants, and an international training unit called Disney University Customized Programs.

As a Disney University trainer, Barbara conducted corporate orientation and train-the-trainer programs for employees, as well as external programs on corporate culture, brand value, and marketing for international business and education leaders. Other clients who have welcomed Barbara's unique insights and quirky communication style include Citibank International, Price Waterhouse Coopers, the National Franchise Association, and Imperial Oil.

I love this quote from Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop stores:

I want to work for a company that contributes to and is part of the community. I want something not just to invest in. I want something to believe in.

Retailing can be grueling if you don't have the passion for it. As an About.com guide, I hope to use this web medium to reignite some passion within a virtual retail community. If I can inspire retailers to find the best version of themselvs while they build a brilliant career, then I will have created something of true value that I can believe in.