NEW YORK—There’s a new agility mandate for all businesses, brands and leaders brought on by rapid global and digital change, and it’s transforming the way we work. Top thinkers and doers in the new world of work and business are redefining retail, health care and service. To succeed, business leaders need to be alert, nimble and smart.

That’s the thinking behind “WORKSmart – Leadership Tactics for Transformative Times,” the theme of the 12th annual Vision Monday Global Leadership Summit. Early-bird registration opens today for the live event, to be held Wednesday, March 14 at the Times Center here, just prior to Vision Expo East that week.

“Most leaders in the market recognize today that new trends and new forms of competition can emerge overnight, creating opportunity for those who can spot it and move quickly,” explained Marge Axelrad, SVP, editorial director of Vision Monday. “But how does a company ‘pivot’? VM Summit attendees will be inspired to rethink their own organizations and gain fresh perspectives on how to grow their business. Eyewear and eyecare companies, large or small, must be receptive to new ideas and nimble enough to act fast. A fresh approach to decision making is essential, a smarter way of working.”

The Summit attracts senior industry executives, optical retailers, leading eyecare professionals, suppliers and key opinion leaders from the worldwide optical industry. It has become the place for face-to-face networking, a dynamic exchange of ideas, and thought-provoking discussion. The 2018 WORKSmart program will bring together inspiring speakers from outside the realm of optical and leaders from within, to explore what’s impacting decision-making now and in the near future.

Summit attendees will learn about ways the new consumer is driving change, approaching purchasing and their own and family’s health care with a different mindset. Speakers will discuss ways to be agile. How can leaders guide their organizations in creating a culture of innovation? How can leaders build agile organizations? How are work environments changing to meet the requirements of today’s workforce? How can legacy companies change to engage consumers and their own generational work teams?

In addition, WORKSmart will examine transformative retail technology. How can retailers respond to “the Amazon effect”? What are the smart brands doing to engage consumers? What new models rule the branding world? How do retailers appeal to today’s consumers who live in hyperconnected, omni-channel world? And, WORKSmart will tackle transformative healthcare technology, such as telemedicine. Is this a game changer for optical and vision care?

Early-bird registration starts today. Further program and speaker details will be posted soon.

The 2017 VM Summit Premier Sponsor is Essilor; the Signature Sponsor is Alcon; and the Supporting Sponsor is VSP.