Simone Devereaux
Editorial byline
Simone Devereaux is an editorial byline for The Executive American, with a focus on Main Street Pulse, Consumer Trends, Leadership. Biographical credentials and external profiles are published only after verification.
Learn more about our editorial process and use of automation in our AI & Automation disclosure.
Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
How to Plan a Local Micro-Influencer Campaign: Goals, Vetting, and the Metrics That Prove ROI
Discover how small businesses can leverage local micro-influencers for effective marketing campaigns. This guide covers setting clear goals, vetting creators, and measuring success with key metrics like CPA to prove ROI.
Oct 29, 2026 · 5 min read
Kroger, Sam's Club, or CVS? Matching Your CPG Campaign Goals to the Right Retail Media Network
CPG brands should align their retail media budget with specific campaign goals by understanding the distinct shopper profiles of Kroger, Sam's Club, and CVS. Each network offers unique advantages, from Kroger's discovery-focused diverse audience to Sam's Club's value-driven shoppers and CVS's mission-driven frequent visitors.
Oct 27, 2026 · 5 min read
Evaluating Retail Media Networks: A Budget-Tiered Framework for True Incremental ROI
C-suite executives must evaluate Retail Media Networks (RMNs) beyond retailer-reported ROAS, focusing on true incremental sales and strategic value. A budget-tiered framework guides investment, emphasizing independent measurement and non-media costs for informed decision-making.
Oct 26, 2026 · 5 min read
Five Questions That Reveal Whether Executive Pay Actually Tracks Performance
Evaluating executive compensation requires a disciplined analysis of realized pay outcomes against business results, peer behavior, and shareholder experience to ensure pay is defensible and truly aligned with performance. A structured five-dimension diagnostic helps committees assess if pay moves with company performance, strategic priorities, target rigor, peer comparisons, and shareholder experience.
Oct 26, 2026 · 4 min read
The New Gatekeeper: How Retail and CPG Brands Can Win When AI Curates the Shopping Journey
AI is now a critical gatekeeper in the consumer shopping journey, influencing product discovery and purchase decisions. Retail and CPG brands must optimize their digital assets for algorithms to ensure visibility and preference.
Oct 24, 2026 · 5 min read
How to Decide Whether AI Is Worth It for Your Small Business: A Practical Evaluation Framework
Small businesses often fail at AI adoption due to a lack of structured evaluation, not technological limitations. This article provides a practical, step-by-step framework to assess AI benefits, resource requirements, and risks, enabling informed go/no-go decisions and successful implementation.
Oct 23, 2026 · 6 min read
How a Small Business Can Test a Four-Day Work Week Without Betting the Company on It
Small businesses can test a four-day work week through a structured pilot program of at least three months to gather data on productivity, well-being, and customer satisfaction. This approach allows for an evidence-based decision without committing the entire company.
Oct 22, 2026 · 4 min read
ESOP or Private Equity? How to Choose the Exit That Fits Your Money, Your Role, and Your Legacy
Choosing between an ESOP and a private equity sale involves significant trade-offs regarding financial outcomes, seller involvement, and company legacy. The right exit strategy aligns with your personal goals, financial objectives, and desired future for the business.
Oct 21, 2026 · 5 min read
How to Evaluate a Business Property for Zoning Compliance Before You Sign Anything
Thoroughly evaluating a business property's zoning compliance before signing any lease or purchase agreement is essential to prevent costly delays and legal issues. This article outlines a repeatable, step-by-step framework to ensure your intended business use is permitted and compliant with local ordinances.
Oct 21, 2026 · 6 min read
How to Tell Which Local Economic Development Incentives Your Small Business Can Actually Get
Small businesses can access local economic development incentives by understanding common program types and matching their growth plans to objective criteria like job creation and capital investment. This guide outlines how to identify, qualify for, and apply to these programs by preparing key financial figures and contacting relevant agencies.
Oct 18, 2026 · 5 min read
A Four-Stage Succession Planning Framework Mid-Sized Companies Can Actually Run
Mid-sized companies can implement a pragmatic, four-stage succession planning framework focusing on critical roles, internal talent assessment, development, and regular review. This approach helps build a leadership pipeline without requiring a large corporate HR department.
Oct 15, 2026 · 7 min read
The Convenience Equation: How Speed is Reshaping F&B Strategy
The food and beverage industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by consumer demand for convenience, compelling businesses to innovate products and operations. Success now hinges on balancing speed with quality, transparency, and seamless integration into consumers' dynamic lives.
Oct 7, 2026 · 5 min read
Is a Fractional Executive the Right Move for Your Business? A Decision Guide
The fractional executive model offers growing businesses access to experienced C-suite professionals for strategic leadership on a part-time basis, providing cost-effective expertise without the overhead of a full-time hire. This guide helps businesses assess if this flexible solution aligns with their growth challenges and budget.
Oct 4, 2026 · 5 min read
The C-Store's New Revenue Stream: A Guide to Retail Media Networks
Convenience stores are establishing retail media networks (RMNs) by leveraging their digital assets and first-party data to offer CPG brands targeted advertising opportunities. This model allows brands to influence in-the-moment purchase decisions, creating a powerful new revenue stream for retailers.
Oct 3, 2026 · 4 min read
Aker BP Restructures Leadership to Accelerate Projects with AI-Driven Strategy
Aker BP is restructuring its executive management team, effective January 1, 2027, to accelerate offshore project development and integrate its AI-driven strategy. The new structure aligns leadership with the company's core value chain to streamline operations and enhance collaboration.
Oct 2, 2026 · 3 min read
Interpreting Local Economic Indicators for Small Business Strategy
Small business owners can gain a significant advantage by understanding and utilizing local economic indicators to inform their strategic planning and operational adjustments. This guide outlines how to access key data, interpret its meaning, and apply a framework to translate these insights into actionable business strategies.
Sep 29, 2026 · 5 min read
US Retail Sales Dip as Consumers Feel Inflationary Squeeze
The price of a simple bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with coffee has jumped 38% since 2020, reaching $2.
Aug 30, 2026 · 4 min read
Executive leadership changes: Navigating for growth
Poorly managed CEO transitions are destroying close to $1 trillion in value annually among S&P 1500 companies, impacting countless shareholders and employees, according to Spenglerfox .
Jul 30, 2026 · 3 min read
India Advises Kailash Pilgrims to Secure China Travel Permits
Around 52 Indian pilgrims were recently stranded in Kathmandu, Nepal, a stark consequence of lacking valid Chinese visas and entry permits for the sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, according to The Tim
Jun 28, 2026 · 4 min read
SoftBank eyes stake in TEPCO for Japan's AI energy boom
SoftBank Group, a global tech investment powerhouse, is in talks to acquire a stake in Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO), Japan's largest utility.
Jun 24, 2026 · 2 min read