HBR IdeaCast The CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods on Becoming a Gun Control Advocate
Oct 8, 2019
Ed Stack, CEO of Dick's Sporting Goods and author of "It's How We Play the Game," made waves by halting the sale of assault rifles after the Parkland shooting. He shares the emotional journey from tragedy to advocacy, emphasizing corporate responsibility. Despite backlash and revenue hits, Stack highlights strategic pivots towards youth sports and community involvement. He passionately discusses the need for rational gun reform in a polarized climate and illustrates how focusing on unique retail experiences can drive business success.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Parkland's Impact
- Ed Stack's decision to take further action on gun control stemmed from the Parkland school shooting.
- Witnessing the survivors and hearing parents' stories deeply affected him.
Focus on Assault Rifles
- Ed Stack's concern wasn't about guns in general, but specifically assault-style rifles.
- He believes these military-derived weapons shouldn't be available for civilian use.
Management Buy-in
- After Parkland, Ed Stack drafted a response and presented it to the management team.
- The team agreed to take a stand on gun control.
