Commerce Innovators

Get to know Matt Gorniak, the tech-savvy CEO of Threekit, a groundbreaking visual commerce platform. Matt takes us through the ins and outs of 3D visualization, AR, and virtual photography. We tackle the challenges that B2B companies face when it comes to visualizing their products and how this impacts the buyer's decision-making process. With Matt's innovative approach, Threekit is helping these businesses bring their products to life and offer customers a more immersive and informed buying experience.

As we approach the future of commerce, we explore how B2B manufacturers can leverage the power of e-commerce to their advantage. Reducing the cost of sale, improving product experience, and meeting the high expectations of Gen Z shoppers - Matt paints a vivid picture of the e-commerce landscape. Be prepared for an insightful ride into the future of visual commerce.

Show Highlights:

• The challenges faced by B2B companies in visualizing their products and their impact on the buyer's decision-making process.

• How Threekit is helping businesses bring their products to life, offering customers a more informed buying experience.

• The importance of a seamless product experience in winning deals and reducing the cost of sales for B2B manufacturers.

• The potential of AI in reducing waste and personalizing customer experiences, especially for luxury brands.

• The use of 3D visualization in both B2B and B2C commerce and its impact on the online customer experience.

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Supporting Resources:

• Learn more at Threekit.com: http://threekit.com/

• For Manufacturers - see how the Threekit B2B Platform can help you deliver a valuable self-service buying experience with visual product configuration and composable architecture: https://www.threekit.com/b2b-manufacturing

• For Retailers - learn how to deliver magical B2C product experience with the composable Threekit Platform which delivers customization and personalization at scale to deliver the perfect visual product experience at the perfect time, no matter the channel: https://www.threekit.com/threekit-for-retail

• Learn more about Threekit with Salesforce: https://www.threekit.com/ecommerce-platform-integration/salesforce-product-configurator

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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.

Unleash the power of video commerce with our latest episode featuring Sophie Abrahamsson, the trailblazing President of the Americas for Bambuser. Sophie offers us an intriguing glimpse into her career, effortlessly drawing the line from her beginnings in communication and political science studies in Italy to leading e-commerce and digital tech at the H&M group in Sweden.

In this conversation, we uncover the critical role of video in retail. Sophie unravels the mysteries of customer loyalty in a smartphone-dominated era and introduces us to the captivating world of storytelling through video. We also take a leap into the future, exploring the myriad ways retailers can leverage video commerce to breathe new life into their customer base. We discuss the potential of video commerce even beyond the retail industry, branching into realms like banking and healthcare. Plug in and join our enlightening journey into the future of e-commerce.

Show Highlights:

• The role of video in retail and how it helps in building customer loyalty in a smartphone-dominated era.

• The impressive conversion rates achieved by incorporating video into the retail experience, contributing to a more conscious way of purchasing and marketing.

• Exploration of the future of retail with video commerce and its potential to breathe new life into a customer base.

• Discussion on the potential of video commerce beyond the retail industry, into sectors like banking and healthcare.

• How businesses can step into the world of video commerce and seize the opportunity to stand out by being early adopters of this technology.

Follow and Review:

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Supporting Resources:

• Sophie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophieabrahamsson/

• Bambuser's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bambuser

• Bambuser's Website: www.bambuser.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.

Listen in as we explore the latest shopping trends with Michelle Grant, the Director of Strategy and Insights for Retail and Consumer Goods at Salesforce. She shares fascinating insights from her recent Connected Shoppers Report, including the shrinking divide between online and offline shopping. As we move beyond viewing e-commerce as a monolithic single site, we delve into the concept of shopping at the edge. The shopping landscape is changing, and Michelle's insights highlight the importance of keeping pace with these trends.

We also dive into the phenomenal growth of messaging app purchases, up by a whopping 227% in the past two years. Live streaming and video commerce are other burgeoning trends, with a 250% growth in people making purchases through a live stream. Listen in as we uncover the changing behaviors of shoppers and how this might affect the retail industry. Whether you're a retailer, marketer, or consumer, this episode is a treasure trove of insights into the evolving world of retail.

Show Highlights:

• What the concept of "shopping at the edge" means.

• The growth in purchases made through messaging apps and live streaming.

• Examination of The Connected Shoppers Report.

• The evolution of physical retail stores, including how they are blending digital experiences, offering space for events, and utilizing in-store experts to enhance customer experiences.

• The need for retailers to have a unified view of their shoppers and merge marketing, commerce, and service functions.

• The potential of generative AI to improve personalization and optimize the customer experience in retail, from providing product inspiration to improving website search experiences, is also discussed.

Download the Salesforce Connected Shoppers Report Here: https://www.salesforce.com/resources/research-reports/connected-shoppers-report/

Follow and Review:

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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.

Could the 2023 holiday shopping season change the game for retailers and consumers alike? Caila Schwartz, a key figure at Salesforce and a maven in the realm of consumer insights and strategy, thinks so. An increase in repeat buyers, the influence of generative AI, and the surprising return of the physical stores - all these factors are set to redefine the holiday shopping experience. Kayla's predictions are not mere conjecture; they are based on the analysis of shopping data from over 1.5 billion global shoppers and consumer sentiment surveys.

There's another burgeoning trend that we navigate with Caila - the resurgence of the resale market. As consumers increasingly lean towards this sector, brands are responding in kind, and the environmental benefits are promising. And where does social media fit into all this? Let's unravel together the future that Caila Schwartz envisions for the world of retail!

Show Highlights:

• The role of generative AI in shaping online sales and predicts an increase in its influence on the retail landscape.

• Exploration of the resale market's growth, with consumers increasingly turning to this avenue for holiday shopping, potentially saving billions of pounds of waste.

• Shift in social media usage for shopping, with increased reliance on social media advertising rather than influencers for driving consumer behavior.

• The significant impact of clear, easy, and reasonable return policies on online orders, with potential risks due to poor return experiences.

• The continued relevance of physical stores in the shopping process, particularly through options like 'buy online, pick up in-store.'

• The potential for AI to improve return experiences, assist customers in making purchase decisions, and identify return fraud.

Follow and Review:

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Supporting Resources:

• 2023 Holiday Shopping Predictions Report: https://www.salesforce.com/blog/holiday-shopping-predictions/

• Consumer Insights Blog: https://www.salesforce.com/blog/author/caila-schwartz/

• Follow Caila on Twitter: @CailaSchwartz

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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 the design of our cities could impact the future of retail? Or how politics could play a role in shaping the next big trends in e-commerce? Nino Bergfeld, director of retail advisory at Salesforce, takes us on an exhilarating journey into the world of retail and e-commerce. As the co-host of the Retail Reality Show, Nino highlights the pressing issues currently at the helm of the retail industry while sharing insightful strategies businesses are employing to optimize their bottom line.

Discover how the triumvirate of mobile pause, self-checkout, and loyalty programs can enhance the customer service experience. Additionally, the concept of mass customization and the potential of slow fashion are brought to light. Nino enlightens us about the evolving ecosystem of reverse logistics, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and partnerships in creating an efficient ecosystem. Tune in to gain some intriguing insights on these topics and more!

Show Highlights:

• Exploration of the concept of the 15-minute city and its implications for retail, including the four key pillars of the store of the future.

• Discussion on the potential of NFTs in revolutionizing customer loyalty and the concept of digital twins in retail.

• Analysis of sustainable fashion and the ecosystem of reverse logistics, examining how businesses can enhance customer service with mobile pause, self-checkout, loyalty programs, and NFTs.

• Examination of current retail innovations and the role of conversational commerce in improving customer service and enhancing business efficiency.

• Insights on how urban cities, store design, and politics play a role in shaping the future of retail.

• Discussion on the challenges of virtual try-on in fashion retail and the future possibilities it presents.

Follow and Review:

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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 for an engaging discussion with Matt Marcotte, executive leader of Global Retail Consumer Goods and Manufacturing Auto and Energy Industry Advisor Teams at Salesforce. Drawing from his vast experience in consumer retail, Matt shares his insights on transforming iconic brands, scaling technology culture, and capitalizing on market opportunities.

We explore a range of important topics, from understanding the Gen Alpha consumer and the importance of personalization in luxury markets to the future of personalization in marketing. Listen in as Matt expounds on the value of psychographic categories and the role of AI in creating a more personalized customer experience. We also discuss the crucial aspect of data security and the role of influencers in building brand trust.

In addition, we talk about how companies can leverage AI to build genuine connections with their customers and enhance job roles. Matt emphasizes the importance of investing in the right data, technology, and organizational structures to create the desired customer experiences. You don't want to miss this insightful discussion filled with practical strategies and visionary ideas for the future of e-commerce.

Show Highlights:

• Insights from Salesforce executive Matt Marcotte on the future of e-commerce and personalization in marketing.

• Discussion on understanding Gen Alpha consumers and the role of personalization in luxury markets.

• Exploration of AI's role in creating more personalized customer experiences and its potential in product recommendations, virtual shopping assistance, and data security.

• Importance of companies investing in the right data, technology, and organizational structures to create desired customer experiences.

• Exploration of the role of influencers in building trust and alignment with brand values in the e-commerce space.

• Challenges faced by marketers in creating a 360-degree view of their consumers and the possible role of AI in this area.

• Discussion on Salesforce Commerce Cloud Innovations and how AI can help companies create meaningful customer connections.

Follow and Review:

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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 for an enlightening chat with the remarkable Thomas Theunen, the brain behind the Rhino Inquisitor blog and the head of Commerce at Forward. Thomas is a remarkable raconteur as he takes us on his thrilling journey from developer to architect and, now, the head of commerce at a Salesforce implementation partner.

Unlock the potential of AI in the realm of Commerce Cloud, with Thomas sharing his experiences with pipelines, Salesforce's Composable Storefront, and, most intriguingly, shirtforce. We also delve into the crucial aspect of secure data storage and the varying regulations across industries. Lastly, we discuss the future of commerce cloud, e-commerce, and AI. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation that spans across a wide array of topics.

Show Highlights:

• Thomas's innovative use of generative AI in creating designs for shirtforce.
• The role of AI in the future of Commerce Cloud, including its application in pipelines, Salesforce's Composable Storefront, and e-commerce.
• Discussion on the secure storage of data being fed to AI services and the importance of adhering to varying regulations across industries.
• Insights on the potential future of commerce cloud, e-commerce, and AI from Thomas' perspective.
• The exploration of AI applications in creating SEO titles and descriptions, as well as optimizing product catalogs.
• The importance of adhering to data regulations and the potential legal implications when working with AI.

Resources:

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.

***

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 me as we sit down with the inspiring Barbara Jones-Brown, CEO and founder of Freeing Returns, a Salesforce partner with a mission to save retailers a whopping half a trillion dollars in loss prevention. Listen to her story, from serving in the USA Military to receiving funding from the Serena Williams Venture Fund and her twenty-year journey in the retail tech sector. Discover how Freeing Returns uses AI on Salesforce's order management system to combat returns fraud, a growing problem costing retailers dearly.

In our engaging conversation, we explore Barbara's journey to becoming a Salesforce partner and how this relationship has empowered her team. Listen to how Freeing Returns' cloud-based application is putting money back into the hands of retailers and providing total retail loss solutions, profit optimization, and data analytics.

Listen as Barbara shares customer success stories and the biggest lessons she's learned as a solo founder. From the retail industry to smart cities and energy sectors, learn how Freeing Returns' technology is making a difference.

Show Highlights:

• Freeing Returns uses Salesforce's order management system and AI technology to identify fraudulent returns and personalize the return process.
• Barbara's experience as a solo founder, the importance of trusting her team, and the lessons she has learned along the way.
• Reducing returns fraud in e-commerce, partnering with Salesforce and Serena Williams, addressing returns fraud with Salesforce OMS, and fraud prevention with personalized returns.
• Barbara's insights on the importance of trusting the team around you and leveraging their feedback to grow as a leader and better serve clients.

Resources:

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.

***

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.

What does it take to build a successful marketplace in the ever-evolving world of payments technology? We had the pleasure of speaking with Kate Major and Ray Nazloomian from the JPMorgan payments team to find out. Together, we explored the importance of providing trusted solutions for clients, JPMorgan Chase's partnerships with fintech companies, and the recent innovations launched in collaboration with Salesforce.

Our conversation took a deep dive into the JPMorgan Payments Partner Network, a groundbreaking B2B marketplace for payment solutions. With over 50 partners listed, this platform enables clients to access a whole ecosystem of third-party integrations across various industries and value propositions. Kate and Ray shared their experience working with Salesforce to launch the platform and the lessons they've learned in building a successful digital marketplace. Lastly, we discussed the complexities of pre-integrating platforms and the value of automation in helping companies get live quickly.

Don't miss this fascinating episode as we uncover the power of partnerships and innovation in the world of payments, and learn how the JPMorgan Payments Partner Network is revolutionizing the industry!

Show Highlights:

• The JPMorgan's Payments Partner Network has been developed in collaboration with Salesforce, with insights from their AppExchange experiences.
• Pre-integrating and connecting platforms helps companies go live quickly and reduces the complexity of managing multiple payment partners.
• A focus on customer experience, partner experience, and seller experience is essential for building a successful marketplace.
• JPMorgan has received positive feedback from partners who appreciate the visibility and streamlined approach of the Payments Partner Network.
• The platform aims to solve complex client needs and simplify the payment ecosystem for businesses.

Follow and Review:

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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 for another fascinating episode of Salesforce Commerce Cloud Innovations as we explore the thrilling intersection of automotive and e-commerce. Our guest is Kent Packman, a Salesforce architect at Aston Martin and a true visionary in the industry. Kent's unique perspective, rooted in his love for all things automotive and tech, provides an insightful look into the challenges and opportunities of online automotive purchasing. From his favorite classic and current cars to his experiences at Dreamforce 2022, Kent's enlightening chat is sure to inspire!

Listen in as we discuss the three pillars of car buying that need to be addressed for a successful customer experience. We also delve into how to improve the car buying experience by bridging the digital and physical worlds and how discount codes could replace traditional haggling and negotiations.

Don't miss this riveting discussion about the future of the automotive industry and the exciting changes on the horizon. Tune in for a ride of a lifetime!

Show Highlights:

• Kent's vision for the future of online automotive purchasing and customer experience.
• The three crucial checkpoints for customer experience in car buying.
• Exploration of the concept of a digital-physical hybrid model for car buying, potentially ending the practice of haggling for prices.
• How technology, such as connected cars and services, can improve the customer experience in the automotive industry.
• The future of the automotive industry, the role of startups, and the changing nature of traditional dealership networks.

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.