Commerce Innovators

Eager to peek into the future of technology in e-commerce? Join us as we, along with Salesforce Evangelist Josh Bir, dissect the evolution of the digital content economy, starting from the humble beginnings of Ajax to the mind-boggling growth of esports and much more.

We explore how the content economy has enabled people to monetize their hobbies and how influencers are becoming an integral part of brands, with Twitch being a prime example. As we discuss the future of tech in e-commerce, we envision a convergence of AI and AR technology. We also go into the intriguing possibilities of dream-reading and therapeutic tech loops. Will we be recording our conversations on sunglasses in the next five years?

Hear what Josh and I have to predict about this thrilling future.

Show Highlights:

• The rise and impact of digital goods, with an in-depth look at YouTube's influence on market trends.

• The shift in paradigm where social media users have become the consumable product.

• The growth and future of the content economy, including the rise of e-sports and platforms like Counter-Strike.

• The potential for tech such as brain scan interpretation, dream-reading, and recording conversations on sunglasses.

Follow and Review:

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Supporting Resources:

• Check out the Salesforce Developer Podcast: https://developer.salesforce.com/podcast

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of e-commerce with Rosemary Okolie, the Director of Strategy and Insights for Retail and Consumer Goods at Salesforce. We begin by scrutinizing the latest e-commerce trends as presented in the Salesforce Q3 Shopping Index, including global online sales stagnation and a 3% increase in US traffic. Get insight into how AI is transforming the e-commerce landscape, reshaping online sales, and redefining customer loyalty in today's digital age.

We also explore how AI's influence is not only shaping the present but also setting the stage for future purchases. Using the Salesforce Q3 Shopping Index as our compass, we observe the global online sales growth and the rising share of repeat buyers. We further explore how the pandemic has shifted shopping strategies and changed consumer behavior. Rosemary provides an analysis of the psychological impacts of the pandemic on our shopping habits and how companies are adapting their strategies to meet changing consumer expectations.

Don't miss out on this discussion on the current state and future of e-commerce!

Show Highlights:

• Analysis of the Salesforce Q3 Shopping Index

• Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on online sales and its role in reshaping customer loyalty in the digital age

• Exploration of the influence of AI on future purchases

• The psychological impacts of the pandemic on shopping habits and how companies are adapting their strategies

• The strategies companies have used to increase market share during the pandemic

• The potential impact of the upcoming peak shopping season and Cyber Week on the Salesforce Q3 Shopping Index numbers

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

• You can find the results of the Q3 Shopping Index Here: https://www.salesforce.com/ca/resources/research-reports/shopping-index/

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

Join us as we explore the phenomenal success of Empower Global with its dynamic duo, Brittany Bullock and Amanda Stewart. Empower Global, a Salesforce Commerce Cloud customer, is an immersive e-commerce platform offering an array of products from Black-owned businesses. Brittany and Amanda share their backgrounds, the spark that led to the creation of Empower Global, their unique business strategies, and what's on the horizon.

Don't miss the fascinating insight into building a Black-owned marketplace and community. Brittany and Amanda share their approach to sourcing brands for the platform, ensuring they align with Empower Global's mission and the onboarding process. They also shed light on their marketing strategies, the transition into a headless architecture, and their collaboration with UPS to create the 12 Days of Deals campaign.

The episode concludes with a look into their two-week shoot highlighting the brand stories of their founders. Get inspired as we discuss how Empower Global is not just a marketplace but also a platform for black communities to share their heritage and stories with the world.

Show Highlights:

• The duo's journey of establishing Empower Global.

• Their strategies for sourcing brands, ensuring alignment with the mission of Empower Global, and facilitating the onboarding of these brands.

• Their marketing strategies, the shift to a headless architecture, and their partnership with UPS.

• The inspiration behind Empower Global and its mission.

• The challenges and learning curves in running a start-up, particularly in the tech and marketing aspects.

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

• If you would like to support black-owned businesses, shop at https://empowerglobal.shop/.

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

In this episode, we chat with Matt Ezyk, Director of E-commerce at Pet Supermarket. We journey through his remarkable transition from the implementation side to the retail side. Hear Matt recount his experiences, the impactful decision to implement BOPUS and ship from store, and how these choices have influenced the business. Join us as we dissect the intriguing concept of loyalty and personalization in an environment where pets are the primary consumers.

Get the inside scoop on how the company skillfully launched its buy online, pick up in-store (BOPUS) program and the resulting ripple effects on customer outreach and deal offerings. We also delve into Pet Supermarket's ingenious pet profile feature, as Matt highlights the potential of customer data for meaningful segmentation and recommendations. Learn about the complexities of managing multiple pet profiles and the challenges in predicting customer behavior in multi-pet households.

Don't miss out on this comprehensive insight into the world of e-commerce in the pet industry!

Show Highlights:

• The implementation of BOPUS (Buy Online Pick up in-store) and ship from store strategies.

• Conversation on improving customer experience and fulfillment efficiency in the pet industry through innovations like BOPUS and product display pages.

• Deep dive into Pet Supermarket's pet profile feature, and how customer data can be used for segmentation and recommendations.

• How to manage multiple pet profiles and predict customer behavior in multi-pet households for personalized marketing.

• The potential of AI in shaping the future of e-commerce in the pet industry, with a focus on search optimization.

• Pet Supermarket's plans for boosting SEO, site speed, and innovative plans for the future.

• The necessary cultural shifts to transform into an omni-retailer and the impact of online sales becoming store sales.

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

• If you need something for your pets checkout: https://www.petsupermarket.com/

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

Prepare for a conversation with our guest, Roy Avidor, the dynamic CEO and co-founder of Cymbio, as he illuminates the path that led him to entrepreneurship. He opens up about the genesis of Cymbio, a platform designed to disrupt the e-commerce sphere with its innovative marketplace and dropship automation. Roy delves into the functionality of Cymbio, explaining how it simplifies the act of selling across varying platforms, from traditional marketplaces and retailers to emerging arenas like social commerce and the Metaverse.

We then discuss the burgeoning field of social commerce, unpacking its significance for brands in the contemporary digital ecosystem. As we explore the impact of Cymbio's technology in decentralizing commerce, Roy provides insights into the benefits of dropshipping and marketplace models for brands and retailers. Get ready for a comprehensive understanding of the latest e-commerce trends and glean insights on how your brand can harness this evolving landscape.

Show Highlights:

• The integration of Cymbio with PIMs and other tech stacks.

• The rising field of social commerce and its significance for brands in the digital ecosystem.

• The benefits of dropshipping and marketplace models for brands and retailers.

• The trend towards dropshipping and social commerce and the benefits it brings to both retailers and brands.

• The importance of brands being discoverable and sellable on social platforms.

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

• Checkout Cymbio: https://www.cym.bio/

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

Listen in as we welcome Sana Remekie, the CEO of Conscia.ai, a trailblazing company that has introduced the industry's first digital experience orchestration platform. Sana shares her tech romance story and her journey from being a technical consultant to co-founding a revolutionary company with her husband. Get inspired as we explore how Conscia tackles the problem of disparate data sources and content silos by providing a platform relevant to customers at the right time.

Uncover the intricacies of Conscia's DX Graph and DX Engine as Sana walks us through how these innovative solutions address the challenge of disconnected data sources and content silos. We also discuss the future of Conscia and how it can help businesses improve their customer engagement and retention. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to stay ahead in the e-commerce industry.

Show Highlights:

• Exploration of Conscia's DX Graph and DX Engine.

• Case study of Desium, a satisfied Conscia client.

• Discussion on Conscia's approach to product information management and its groundbreaking taxonomy feature.

• Insights into the future of Conscia and its potential to redefine customer engagement and retention in the e-commerce industry.

• Exploration of Conscia's AI-powered product information management.

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

To Find Out More About Conscia, Check Out These Links:

• https://conscia.ai/

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/conscia/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sana-remekie/

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

Meet Eva Wang, the powerhouse behind Firework's groundbreaking approach to video commerce. Her eclectic journey from the world of investment banking to her current role as the Global Head of Commerce and Partnerships makes for a fascinating narrative. Uncovering the unique international perspective that she brings to the table, we embark on a deep exploration of the transformative role technology continues to play in establishing genuine connections between brands and their consumers.

In this episode, Eva shares her thoughts on how video is revolutionizing content creation and what this means for brands in a rapidly evolving landscape. She also talks about how leading brands are utilizing video and digital showrooms to offer customers a boutique-like experience and the potential impact on client loyalty and referrals. Additionally, she shares her thoughts on the financial aspects of using video to drive sales.

Don't miss this riveting conversation, packed with insights and innovation!

Show Highlights:

• How Firework is using technology to establish genuine connections between brands and consumers, with a focus on authenticity.

• Generative AI's role in revolutionizing content creation and the implications for brands.

• The blend of human involvement and AI is crucial for maintaining discovery and novelty in content creation.

• How brands are utilizing video and digital showrooms to offer customers a boutique-like experience.

• The financial aspects of using video to drive sales.

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

• Learn more about Firework here: https://firework.com/ and our partnership here: https://firework.com/salesforce-commerce-cloud-partnership/

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

Listen in as we journey through the exciting world of headless commerce with our Commerce Cloud Composable Evangelist, James Semple. In this discussion, we chart the evolution of headless commerce from its first wave of technical teams cobbling together solutions to its current, much deeper fourth wave of companies. We examine how the rise of composable commerce and technologies like GPT has fundamentally changed the landscape and what this could mean for the future of retail.

We discuss the potential of headless commerce in creating more personalized retail experiences, the challenges and potential of composable strategies, and how retailers are rethinking their strategies post-COVID. We also look at the role of store associates in this new retail landscape, the implications of Gen Z's engagement with commerce, and the lessons to be learned from the reported 50% failure rate of composable projects.

It's an enlightening conversation packed with ideas, solutions, and visions for the future of e-commerce.

Show Highlights:

• The four waves of headless commerce, from its beginnings with technical teams piecing together solutions to its present state with many companies adopting it.

• The transformative impact of technologies like GPT on the commerce sector.

• The future of retail and how headless commerce can lead to more personalized retail experiences.

• The challenges and potential of composable strategies in the retail sector.

• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on retail strategies, the changing role of store associates, and Gen Z's engagement with commerce.

• The high failure rate of composable projects and the importance of careful and calculated decision-making in such projects.

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

Join us as we chat with Shantenu Agarwal, VP of Strategy at Soul Machines, who enlightens us about the fascinating role of avatars in personal assistance. Shantenu shares his unique journey of applying technology to the human experience, underlining the importance of empathy and trust in forging meaningful connections. We further explore the exciting world of AI and avatars and how they are employed to create more personal interactions between companies and customers

Get ready for an in-depth discussion on the concept of real-time digital interactions. We take a close look at how Soul Machines' platform combines graphics and a digital brain to generate digital people representing brands. Shantenu talks about training these digital personas to behave in a friendly and helpful way, using interaction and gestures to build trust and create a worthwhile user experience.

Shantenu also shares his thoughts on the advantages and potential challenges of using digital personas. We examine how lifelike digital personas can embody characters and create genuine experiences for brands and their customers and the potential of creating real-time engagement with digital characters. Tune in and get ready for a conversation that explores the new frontiers of technology, branding, and customer engagement.

Show Highlights:

• Deep dive into Soul Machines' platform that combines advanced graphics with a digital brain to create lifelike digital personas for brands.

• Examination of the increasing trend of digital personas, their role in building trust and engagement with audiences, and the potential challenges and advantages associated with their use.

• A detailed exploration of the role of AI and avatars in personal assistance, including the use of large language models to facilitate more natural interactions.

• Examination of the concept of real-time digital interactions and how they differ from deep fakes and videos, providing better engagement and trust-building opportunities.

• The creation of lifelike digital personas for brands, their potential to enhance user experience, and the exciting prospect of real-time engagement with digital characters.

• Insight into how digital personas are being used in the entertainment industry and their potential to create an immersive and engaging experience for customers.

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

• www.soulmachines.com

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

Ever wondered how to successfully navigate the complex world of B2B and B2G buying? This episode promises to provide illuminating insights on this very topic. Our guest is Kim Brown, CMO of Darley, a manufacturing company that serves national heroes and has successfully transformed its B2B and B2G buying experience. Kim shares her expertise on the evolving landscape of B2B and B2G buying, the role of Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and the future of e-commerce adoption.

Technology and its effects on the future of business is a major focus of our conversation. We explore the rise of digital natives in leadership positions, new workplace security regulations, and how these are reshaping online transactions. Kim shares how Darley has leveraged tech-enabled digital experiences, editorial content, direct mail, and CRM to facilitate large, complex business transactions and deliver unparalleled customer experiences. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand how technology is revolutionizing business and the complexities of B2B and B2G buying.

Show Highlights:

• Role of millennials in decision-making and the impact of inclusive innovation frameworks in businesses.

• Importance of Salesforce CRM and PIM in maintaining complex customer relationships, particularly when dealing with entities like the Department of Defense.

• Insight into the complexities of B2B and B2G buying experiences and the significance of native integrations and emotional facets of these transactions.

• The impact of technology in reshaping businesses, including the rise of digital natives in leadership roles, changes in workplace security regulations, and the role of marketing, branding, and public relations.

• Showcase of how Darley leverages a well-honed tech stack, digital experiences, editorial content, and CRM to facilitate large business transactions and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

• The importance of creating a diverse and inclusive workforce in data and technology fields and the need for ethical considerations in data usage and AI development.

Follow and Review:

We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

• Darley: Global Manufacturer & Distributor for Today's Heroes: https://www.darley.com/

• Kimberly Brown | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-weisensee-brown/

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.