Get ready to uncover the key trends of Salesforce Commerce Cloud Hiring, the impact of the pandemic on the job market, and future predictions that could potentially redefine your career. With our expert guest, Alex Khan from Stott and May, we’ll navigate through the maze of technical roles, the rise of internal teams, and why having in-house expertise is becoming indispensable.

We also discuss the emergence of Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) commerce and its potential impacts on the market. Additionally, we go into the increasing demand for B2B and D2C expertise in the Salesforce space. Whether you're a company looking to hire or an individual seeking to work in the SFCC space, this episode is your roadmap to success.

Show Highlights:

• The changing landscape of Salesforce Commerce Cloud hiring and the increasing demand for technical roles and in-house expertise.

• The current state and future of the Salesforce Demandware platform and the importance of networking and gaining exposure to technologies like React.

• The rising need for business managers and the potential shift towards more technical positions.

• The emergence of Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) commerce and its potential impacts on the job market.

• The increasing demand for B2B and D2C expertise in the Salesforce space.

Follow and Review:

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Supporting Resources:

• LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-khan/

• Website: www.StottandMay.com/markets/e-commerce-recruitment

• Commerce Trailblazer Community: http://sforce.co/commercecrew

• Unofficial SFCC: https://unofficialsfcc.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 wonder what's driving the latest trends in online shopping, mobile wallets, and the power of Cyber Week? We've got you covered! This episode features Caila Schwartz, Salesforce's director of consumer insights and strategy, who brings a wealth of knowledge on the shifts in the e-commerce landscape. Caila walks us through the fascinating global and US sales statistics that reveal a respective 6% and 5% increase over the last year. She also gives us an in-depth look into the impact of Cyber Week, sharing intriguing data on sales growth and the event’s role in shaping the future of e-commerce. 

We also discuss the rapid rise of mobile wallets like Apple Pay, and the role of social media as a burgeoning discovery channel for shopping. Plus, we take a deep dive into how kids today are being marketed to in this digital age. With Caila’s captivating anecdotes and sharp insights, this is one conversation you won't want to miss! 

Get ready for a journey into the heart of technology, e-commerce, and consumer behavior.

Show Highlights:

• Exploration of the world of mobile commerce.

• The future potential of wearables in e-commerce and the influence of technology on Generation Alpha.

• The evolution of marketing to kids in the digital era.

• Insights into global sales trends and the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on e-commerce.

• The changing landscape of discounts and payment methods.

• The role of automation in retail.

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:

https://www.salesforce.com/news/press-releases/2023/11/28/cyber-week-digital-sales/

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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.

What happens when collaboration and digital innovation take center stage in a thriving community? Our guests, Steve Holsinger and Oleg Sapishchuk, co-founders of the unofficial Salesforce Commerce Cloud community, reveal just that! They trace the community's growth from humble beginnings in 2014 to a dynamic, inclusive platform today, highlighting the essential role of feedback and change in shaping its direction.

Steve and Oleg offer a fascinating comparison of their experiences under Salesforce's ownership and after the community gained independence. They lay emphasis on how this community, now open to all, is driven by its members' ideas and strives to create a space for learning and growth.

Hear first-hand accounts from Steve and Oleg about how this community serves as a knowledge-sharing and problem-solving resource. From exploring various engagement platforms to reflecting on the community's history and recognizing key contributors, we touch on many aspects that make this community integral to Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Join us for a dialogue filled with invaluable insights and inspiring stories, whether you're a new or seasoned member of this thriving community.

Show Highlights:

• A transition from a closed group to an open, inclusive platform with various components.

• Comparison between experiences under Salesforce's ownership and independence.

• The value of the SFCC community within the Salesforce ecosystem.

• Differences between the official Salesforce community and the unofficial Slack community.

• Expansion and strengthening of the Salesforce community.

• Recognition and expression of gratitude towards individuals who have contributed significantly to the growth and impact of the Salesforce Commerce Cloud community.

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:

• Unofficial SFCC Community: https://unofficialsfcc.com/ 

• Unofficial SFCC Github: https://github.com/sfcc-unofficial 

• Unofficial SFCC Podcast: https://unofficialsfccpodcast.com/ 

• Unofficial SFCC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unofficial-sfcc/ 

• Steve Holsinger: 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sholsinger 

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sholsinger/ 

• Github: https://github.com/sholsinger 

• Oleg Sapishchuk:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/osapishchuk 

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/osapishchuk/ 

• Github: https://github.com/osapishchuk 

***

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.

The world of Salesforce Commerce Cloud Innovations is vast and infinitely curious. We take a deep dive into this universe with our distinguished guest, John Facey II, a technical architect at Merkle who is shaping the landscape of e-commerce with his innovative tools. This episode is a celebration of open-source contributions and their profound impact on the middleware needs of clients.

We discuss the power of open source with another veteran member of the commerce cloud community. As we connect with John, he generously shares his blogging journey and enlightens us about his upcoming book. His thoughts on the future of e-commerce are especially thought-provoking. 

Tune in to this episode brimming with inspiring journeys, innovative insights, and a sneak peek into the future of e-commerce.

Show Highlights:

• The Ocapi proxy, an open source middleware that aids clients with their middleware needs. 

• How open source contributions have profound impacts on the commerce cloud community.

• The importance of community in the world of e-commerce

• How the commerce cloud community has evolved to become more supportive and accessible.

• Discussion on John’s website and his future plans.

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:

• Website: https://johnfacey.dev/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnfacey

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfaceyii/

• Github: https://github.com/johnfacey

• Books: Mastering Salesforce Commerce Cloud & Developing Salesforce Commerce Cloud: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BV29MLFP

• Commerce Trailblazer Community: http://sforce.co/commercecrew 

***

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.

Are you ready to supercharge your understanding of generative AI? This episode, featuring Salesforce's distinguished architect Richard Pack, is just what you need to navigate the thrilling twists and turns of the AI landscape. With over two decades of experience, Pack unravels the intricate possibilities of generative AI, from translating languages to crafting product descriptions. He also delves into the distinct modalities of AI that are gaining momentum and how these are changing the way we interact with technology. Peek into the future as Pack discusses the potential for generative AI to empower humans with capabilities beyond their imagination.

Pack shares insights on how this combination can be used to fashion experiences customized to individual consumers. He further explains the importance of including ground truth to curb hallucinations and boost the efficiency of AI systems. As we venture further into the subject, we highlight the evolution of generative AI in the past year and its profound impact on new product development and applications. We also touch upon the unexpected ways AI is being used, spurring a wave of entrepreneurship. Listen in for the latest product launches from Dreamforce and valuable advice for those looking to dip their toes in the world of AI.

Show Highlights:

• The potential of generative AI and its current applications.

• The fusion of predictive and generative AI.

• How generative AI is impacting the development of new products, content, and applications.

• The significant strides generative AI is making in various fields, including translating languages and producing computer instructions.

• The rise of GPT descriptions for products launched by Salesforce.

• Advice for those interested in exploring the world of generative AI.

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.

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:

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:

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

***

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/.

***

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/ 

***

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/

***

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.