1-800-FLOWERS' Jim McCann on Community Connections, Investing in Employees, and the Future of Work

Jim McCann, Founder and CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS, shares his story as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and thought leader who turned a single flower shop into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. In this conversation, Jim discusses the importance of community connections in business, and his efforts to adapt his business to the age of AI, and the lessons he learned while writing his self-help book, Lodestar. What is Your Why? Jim explains how his ever-changing why has now become multi-generational; looking forward to the future of his business in a changing work landscape. Investing in Employees Jim talks about the benefits of investing in employees personally and professionally, whether to help them in their current jobs or equipping them for another. Adapting to AI Jim shares some of the lessons he learned from working with Microsoft about helping businesses and workers thrive in the coming age of artificial intelligence. Relationships and Self-Help Jim discusses how writing the Celebrations Pulse newsletter built a community during the pandemic, and how it led to writing his self-help book, Lodestar. Adapting to AI Jim shares some of the lessons he learned from working with Microsoft about helping businesses and workers thrive in the coming age of artificial intelligence. About Jim McCann Jim McCann is an entrepreneur, public speaker and author whose passion is helping people deliver smiles. McCann's belief in the universal need for social connections and interaction led to his founding of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, which he has grown into the world's leading florist and gift shop and Celebrations.com, the leading website for expert party planning content and advice. McCann's willingness to embrace new technologies that help people connect and express themselves, such as 800 phone numbers, the Internet, mobile commerce and social networking, often long before others, has enabled him to stay at the forefront of consumer and social trends. In addition to his roles as Founder and CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. and Chairman of Smile Farms, Jim also serves as Chairman of Worth Media Group, which celebrates organizations and leaders who are using their influence and success to have a positive impact on society.  Jim also serves on a variety of other private and not-for-profit boards and is Vice-Chairman, Lead Independent Director for International Game Technology PLC. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim1800flowers/ https://www.1800flowers.com/  Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners