In this week’s episode of the SIMPLE brand podcast, I talk with Joel Bines, author of The Metail Economy: 6 Strategies For Transforming Your Business to Thrive in the Me-Centric Consumer Revolution!We’re at a point in time today where consumers are armed with more information, more technology, more access to alternatives than at any point in history. And all this power has pretty much inverted the traditional power dynamics in the retailer-to-consumer relationship. Basically, your customers are now in charge. And they expect a lot more from you. And if you want to survive and thrive in this new economy, then you have to recognize, embrace and adhere to new consumer demands. That can feel pretty intimidating.And that's why I was happy to talk with Joel Bines this week.  Joel co-leads the Global Retail Practice at AlixPartners. He’s a frequent contributor to major media outlets like NPR, CNBC, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal. And he’s now officially a published author. Joel’s first book is out this week! - The Metail Economy: 6 Strategies for Transforming Your Business to Thrive in the Me-Centric Consumer Revolution. Joel and I talk about this new retail industry power shift where the consumers are essentially now in charge. But thankfully, Joel shares his methods that brands can use to connect with the Me-centric consumer and thrive in this new world. RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODEJoel's book: The Metail Economy: 6 Strategies for Transforming Your Business to Thrive in the Me-Centric Consumer RevolutionThe Metail Economy siteAlixPartners