Master B2B Friday 15

Andy and Brian debate whether Google's recent resurgence in the AI race can continue, and whether there are any historical parallels we can look at to make some guesses about how this all plays out.

Plus, is OpenAI the new Netscape?

Visit us at MasterB2B.com.

We're sharing a recording of our recent Webcast where we revealed our B2B eCommerce predictions for 2026.  Learn what we think is going to happen with product search, Amazon Business, AI customer service and more.  Plus, we bring in special guests to tell us where they think we're right - and wrong - about the future.

Get the Predictions report here.

For brands selling on Amazon, channel conflict and brand control are still a huge issue.

Also mentioned:

Master B2B Forum

Master B2B Nexus

Andy and Brian spent the week in Seattle at the Amazon Business Reshape conference getting a deep dive into Amazon Business.  Today on the Friday 15, they chat with Natalia Montuori, a Director at Amazon Business, about AI buying assistants, direct delivery, business advertising and more.

It's 2025, so shouldn't every company have an eCommerce website?

This week on the Friday 15, Andy & Brian talk with Gireesh Sahukar, a longtime software executive and eCommerce practitioner about what software buyers REALLY need to ask their potential vendors about their products.

Here's a hint - you don't just want a list of product features that they say meets your needs...and why executive churn may not be a bad sign.

The Paradigm B2B eCombine

Master B2B Nexus

This week, Andy and Brian return from hosting Master B2B executive roundtables across the country and share how practitioners are making the pitch to their CIO, CFO and CEO to fund their eCommerce initiatives.

And the answer is simple - "say it's an AI initiative."  Andy shared a story from one roundtable participant who made a pitch for a software investment to his CFO and the CFO responded, "Are you sure this isn't an AI tool? (wink wink)" knowing that every AI investment was being approved internally.

This week, Master B2B's Andy Hoar is joined by Master B2B contributor Jared Blank to talk through Andy's new Paradigm B2B eCombine tool that helps practitioners select the best eCommerce platforms to investigate for their business.

Plus, why are so many businesses giving up being a public company and going private nowadays?

Check out the eCombine here.

Author and executive Dr. Lisa Palmer shares learnings from her new book, "Show AI - Don't Tell It: Build Buy-In with Visual Storytelling."

In her research she found that there are 3 key reasons why executives get "stuck" when considering their AI strategy, and she offers a framework for how to get "un-stuck" and unlock AI's potential within your company.

Dr Lisa's Advisory Firm

Buy Dr. Lisa's book

The stock market has punished the shares of research firms Gartner and Forrester because of the possible impact of AI on their revenues. But it's not so clear that AI can replace everything research analysts do. Former analyst Andy Hoar walks through what analysts actually do in their roles, and which parts of their jobs will be - and won't be - impacted by AI.