eCom@One with Richard Hill

A brand on a pioneering mission to eliminate one billion plastic cleaning tools from landfills by 2030.

In this episode, Richard is joined by Sylvia Sigrist, Head of Marketing at Seep, a plastic free and biodegradable household green cleaning business. Listen to this podcast as Sylvia shares her incredible journey from working with multinationals to thriving in start-ups and her strategies that propelled Seep's impressive growth. 

From leveraging digital marketing to building a dedicated online community, they explore the keys to balancing retail expansion with sustainable goals. Plus, they discuss the challenges and triumphs of running an eCommerce brand in a competitive market. 

Don't miss out on valuable insights and practical advice that can help your business shine. And be sure to stick around for a special discount offer on SEEP products. Subscribe now and stay tuned for an inspiring conversation!

Topics Covered: 

00:00 - Silvia’s experience in eCommerce 

05:18 - Appreciation for well-packaged delivery aligning ethos

07:32 - Young brand breaking into competitive eco market

10:30 - Strong social following and loyal customer base advantage

12:41 - Sylvia, branding process lengthy, working with agency

16:05 - Investing in creative testing, social channels and influencer gifting

21:56 - Customer-generated content lacks quality for advertisements

23:02 - Small influencers support small businesses and great content collaboration

26:53 - Shifting from a points-based loyalty to referral program 

30:55 - Discussing AB testing, segmentation and results in marketing

35:01 - Multichannel strategy and growth pose significant challenges

36:41 - How to focus on priorities

39:23 - Excited about brand success and book recommendations 

Sexual wellness. A topic we should all get behind. Sex and pleasure isn’t shameful and that’s why Skins Sexual Health is on a mission to de-stigmatise this topic.

Lucy Robinson, Head of Marketing at Skin Sexual Health and Creative Conceptions, sits down with our CEO to discuss their monumental growth and how they are navigating the multifaceted landscape of B2B and B2C marketing.

In this episode, we explore the art of leveraging TikTok for brand visibility, the transformative power of SEO and the strategic importance of understanding cultural nuances in global markets. 

Lucy shares how Creative Conceptions has seen remarkable growth through a well-planned SEO strategy, and how they tackled marketing challenges, particularly in regions with diverse cultural attitudes toward sexual wellness.

We also discuss effective partnerships, the significance of industry events, and the evolving acceptance of sexual wellness products in mainstream markets. Lucy offers practical advice on creating engaging content and staying ahead of trends. 

This podcast is a pleasurable one. One that may make you cringe if you listen to it with your parents.

Topics Covered: 

00:24 - TikTok, SEO and growth strategies in sexual health

05:59 - Understanding cultural differences to avoid marketing mistakes

12:09 - Overhauled navigation, added categories and subcategories for condoms, lubes, and toys

15:25 - The most fun campaign Lucy has worked on

17:13 - A fun female-empowerment brunch event and became the first brand involved, hosting a bingo game.

22:13 - TikTok is preferred over Google for searches due to its even playing field, as Google results require extensive optimisation and established authority

25:58 - Using TikTok trends, the agency generates ideas for SEO and digital PR, leveraging trending content to create stories for other platforms and outreach to journalists

29:42 - SEO is a cost-effective way to increase site traffic and revenue, essential for any eCommerce presence

30:36 - Success in SEO can be due to experience or pure luck, depending on industry competitiveness and keyword use

34:08 - Podcast recommendation 

It’s time to delve into the world of composable architecture, internationalisation and reducing the cost of ownership for retailers. 

Our guests, Mark Adams, Senior Vice President and General Manager at BigCommerce and Roosevelt Fernandes dos Santos, Senior Product Manager at Recharge, share their insights and experiences in this dynamic space. Mark and Roosevelt have years of experience in the eCommerce industry.

From the significance of partnering with experienced tech teams to the importance of rapid delivery in the fast-paced digital environment, this episode is packed with valuable discussions on technology strategy, user experience, and market trends.

They chat about all things composable and the detailed process of replatforming, internationalisation and launching into 180 countries. Find out how BigCommerce works with retailers to ensure a smooth transition, and the big one, reducing cost of ownership.

Join us as we explore the complexities and opportunities in the ever-evolving eCommerce landscape.

Topics Covered: 

00:03 - Composable Commerce 

06:29 - Merchants seeking business growth face procurement challenges

09:20 - Researched market reports, gathered insights, assessed vendors

16:46 - Simplifying composable processes for customer success

19:48 - Challenging times demand leadership, strategy and growth

23:40 - Fast delivery of digital products is crucial

25:41 - Travelling around Southeast Asia, amazed by connectivity

31:22 - Prepare and communicate to avoid potential impact

34:57 - Optimise operations, leverage data & understand customer behaviour

36:02 - Conversion rate optimisation relies on client retention

42:13 - Enthusiastic endorsement of business opportunity and investment

44:43 - Focus on composable architectures for enterprise growth

46:21 - Code, credit, connections, predict, mitigate, speed, customer

49:40 - Book recommendation 

Stuart Baxter has been a driving member behind the growth of Safelincs, a £28M fire and safety solutions business in Lincolnshire, since he joined as Product Admin 15 years ago.

As the Managing Director of Safelincs, Stuart is responsible for the operational side of the business and hitting their ambitious 10% year on year growth targets.

In this episode, Stuart gives an honest account of the growth of Safelincs. From a sub £1M brand with 9 members of staff, to a £28M operation with 93 employees, he shares all. 

Listen to find out why his business finds staff retention far easier than recruitment, hint, it’s because they care about the humans working in the business.

Find out how their team makes sure expos develop a good return for them as a business, the power of employee investment both financially and psychologically, hiring on attitude and teaching them the skills.

To be successful online you need some basic principles, be adaptable, be agile and be willing to make mistakes. In this ever changing landscape, businesses that take risks and adopt the latest technologies that are RIGHT for their business will win. 

Listen now!

Topics Covered: 

00:00 - Joined small start-up as Product Manager, entrepreneurial spirit

04:23 - Allowed to try, generated business, build relationships 

08:49 - Investing in business growth

09:39 - Safelincs started as a family support system

14:00 - Extensive investment in training for roles

18:03 - Treat individuals with care for business success

21:12 - Business growth and expos.

22:45 - Focused expos on potential customer base for success

26:44 - Sales team includes non-sales member

31:33 - Conference attendance may prompt valuable business insights

34:58 - Focusing on quality

37:05 - Investing in people and leveraging conferences

40:27 - Honesty and support matter in delivering information

41:49 - Change in technology over 15 years

45:17 - Outsource support for business specialisation and expertise

50:07 - Employed new staff, investing in platforms, AI

51:54 - Book recommendation

Have your sales hit a wall? 

Abhimanyu Kashikar, Co-Founder and COO of Anchanto, a SaaS product company targeting brands, 3PL, logistics companies, and retailers in 11 countries. 

Abi and Richard delve into the intricacies of eCommerce growth, order, and warehouse management, drawing from Abi's extensive experience in the industry. 

They discuss strategies for pushing through sales stagnation, the challenges of managing cross-border shipments and the importance of data reliability in existing businesses. 

Abhimanyu also sheds light on the impact of sustainability on product returns and shares valuable insights for merchants selling online. 

So, grab your headphones and get ready to explore the key factors shaping the eCommerce landscape in this episode!

Topics Covered: 

00:00 - 13 years in eCom

06:27 - Background in fulfilment, channel management, sales operations, products

09:47 - Consolidate orders for easy processing and tracking

11:26 - Exploring new channels for expanding businesses

16:02 - Product success linked to targeted consumer language

20:36 - Emphasising the importance of online digital shelf analytics

22:34 - A real focus on sustainability

25:41 - AI aids innovation and reduces return rates

30:50 - Assess value, sustainability and customer feedback for improvement

35:17 - Sales operations, fulfilment and data reliability are crucial

36:42 - Market research crucial for international eCommerce success

39:55 - Book recommendation 

It’s time to delve into the dynamic challenges and strategies in the fashion retail industry. 

Michaela Wessels, CEO of Style Arcade, explores the critical role of AI in predicting customer demand, leveraging product data for growth and the importance of size inclusivity for brands. 

Michaela has a background in finance, with over a decade of experience in global retail, including formative roles at Lacoste and The Iconic in Visual Merchandising. Style Arcade has seen some of the world’s most notable brands replace spreadsheets with intelligent analytics and digital range planning.

Michaela shares insights on the 80-20 principle and the transformative impact of Style Arcade in making well-informed product decisions. The discussion also delves into the evolving trends in digital marketing and technology for online stores. 

Tune in as they shed light on the intricacies of retail and eCommerce in an ever-changing landscape.

Topics Covered: 

00:25 - Michaela Wessels, CEO of Style Arcade, discusses AI tech in fashion retail

04:44 - How Style Arcade helped a brand grow from $25M to $500M in two years by focusing on product data and demand

09:14 - Retailers should focus on improving returns and using technology to reduce them

11:54 - The truth behind retail growth: market spend, product purchase, tech limit, hidden data and the 80:20 rule

14:52 - Nervousness about 20% selection, need for visual data and challenges in sizing and stock management

19:34 - Explore gaining full price sales to increase margins and understand customer buying behaviour deeply

22:35 - Working with a sportswear brand, AI revealed performance insights, exciting and empowering buyers

24:41 - AI in fashion tech can speed up the market, automate product attribution, analyse attributes and avoid cannibalization in retail

28:13 - Brands should prioritize size inclusivity based on customer demand and data

33:45 - Focus on simplicity, brand marketing and flexible technology decisions for success.

35:48 - Choosing adaptable, open tech is crucial for growing businesses. Making short-sighted decisions can limit future growth

39:56 - Retailers must prioritise planning and forecasting for key sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which can make up a significant portion of their annual sales. Analysing data and post-event evaluation is crucial

41:50 - Focus on the present, not dwell on the past/future. Live in the present.

44:39 - Experience brings challenges and fun 

Do you get 30% of your revenue from email marketing? If not, you could be missing out on a whale of an opportunity.

Brittany Jarman, Client Growth Manager and Theo Roberts, Senior Account Strategist at eComOne delves into the world of email marketing, customer segmentation, and personalised content. 

They share insights on the importance of continuous communication with existing customers, gathering personalised data, and tailoring marketing content to specific customer interests. The discussion also touches on the rising trend of SMS marketing, emphasising the need for relevance and personalisation in customer messaging. 

Tune in as they discuss the benefits of using Klaviyo for automated flows and revenue generation, and don't miss out on book recommendations and an upcoming event on email marketing, SMS, and Klaviyo. Whether you're a marketing manager, an eCommerce Business Owner, or simply interested in the latest trends, this episode has valuable insights for you!

Topics Covered: 

00:00 - Why email marketing

05:59 - Build reward flow using Klaviyo for customers

07:06 - Clubcard points make customers feel special and incentivising return

10:13 - Tailor content to match customers' interests

13:56 - Agree on competition and rise in SMS usage

19:20 - Subscribing shows desire; prefers SMS notifications for purchases

20:30 - Segmented campaigns yield higher engagement and revenue

23:53 - Encourage interest, segment content, improve deliverability

29:11 - Providing useful information generates more revenue

32:09 - Maximise efficiency by automating campaign flows

33:55 - Klaviyo offers helpful support for marketing managers

37:37 - Learn email, SMS, and Klaviyo at event

If you aren’t offering a diverse range of payment options, you will be losing sales. 

Clare Haskins, Head of Revenue Operations at Ecommpay, dives into the world of alternative payment methods. Clare brings over a decade of experience in payments and finance, providing valuable insights into the changing landscape of digital payments.

They explore the rise and fall of buy now, pay later services, the increasing popularity of digital wallets and cryptocurrencies and the potential impact of emerging technologies such as wearable payment solutions and biometrics. 

Throughout the conversation, they emphasise the importance of security, convenience, and customer value optimisation in the ever-evolving payment industry.

Tune in as they discuss the challenges, ethical considerations and regulatory changes shaping the future of digital payments, and gain exclusive recommendations on how merchants can effectively integrate alternative payment options to meet their customers' preferences. 

Stay tuned for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of payments and what it means for businesses and consumers alike.

Topics Covered: 

00:24 - Why merchants should offer diverse payment methods 

05:47 - Consumers embrace digital wallets over physical cards

08:28 - Concerns about cashless society and fees online

12:30 - Crypto is the next wave of payments

15:44 - Popular eCommerce payment options for customer expansion

19:36 - Facial recognition, biometrics, voice control and accessibility

23:28 - Buy now pay later creates financial snowball

30:51 - Humans vulnerable, data protection and security guidelines

34:16 - Security concerns with various online payment options

38:31 - Evolving merchant-consumer dynamics and adapting to market changes

41:15 - Consider market payment strategy for future relevance

43:08 - Limited options create missed opportunities in retail

45:53 - Stay updated on crypto and prioritise mobile operability

Do you care about cardboard? Well, you should! In this episode, Richard sits down with Jack Good, the Founder of Reuseabox, to delve into the world of sustainability and the impact of keeping cardboard boxes in use for longer. 

They explore how Reuseabox collects and redistributes used cardboard boxes, helping to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable practices. 

Together, they discuss the environmental impact of cardboard production, the surge in cardboard waste during lockdown and the challenges of managing excessive cardboard. 

Join Richard and Jack as they highlight the importance of measuring and reducing a company's carbon footprint and the potential for businesses to contribute to sustainability through collaboration. 

Stay tuned for an insightful conversation that sheds light on the impact of cardboard production, the BCorp movement, how to get your team onboard and the role of businesses in promoting environmental sustainability.

Topics Covered: 

00:04 - The Story of Reuseabox 

03:50 - Why cardboard recycling is good for the environment 

08:45 - Household waste in UK not fully recycled

09:36 - Steps to reduce carbon footprint for businesses

14:31- Influencing decisions in business through self-interest

19:39 - Recent shift in perspective on awards events

21:19 - eCommerce success journey in 12 years

24:46 - Innovative hiring approach fosters mutual success

27:29 - Importance of retention beyond just financial incentives

31:45 - Shift in business model 

40:08 - The power of the B Corp framework

44:13 - New online platform launching to simplify box ordering.

45:01 - Book recommendation

Link to website: UK supplier of new and used cardboard boxes | Reuseabox

Link to Jack LinkedIn: Jack Good | LinkedIn

It’s time to harness the power of reviews. 

Victoria Locking, UK Agency Partnership Manager at Reviews.io, delves into the crucial role of customer reviews and user-generated content on eCommerce sales. Reviews.io is a leading review platform that helps established brands build trust with their customers for over 10 years.

In this episode, Richard and Vic cover a wide range of topics, from the evolving landscape of customer reviews and their influence on brand credibility to the implementation of loyalty programs and the ethical incentivisation of customer feedback. 

Join us as Victoria shares her journey from working with horses to her current role, and offers valuable insights into maximising the impact of customer feedback for building a successful ecommerce business. 

Stay tuned for an engaging conversation that promises to provide actionable strategies and industry insights. 

Topics Covered

00:20 - Victoria talks about her career history in eCommerce

04:46 - Reviews.io is a customer-centric platform with strong customer support

08:26 - Using customer attributes to reduce return rates

11:28 - Influencer deals can be unsustainable and expensive

13:47 - Running campaigns through email or feedback collection

18:15 - Brands can take a soft approach to loyalty

21:33 - Automating processes, timing, and account setup importance

27:07 - Investigating poor customer service and product issues

30:39 - Support team can address issues promptly. Internal training necessary

33:01 - Use AI to streamline customer support responses

38:35 - Scholarship, uni, career, accounts, professional growth, inequality

41:28 - Men's behaviour in public spaces is evolving positively

43:46 - Gender disparities in senior ecommerce positions discussed

48:37 - Finished 2 books, including "The Advice Trap."

49:15 - Helping others often requires active listening