The FODcast

We are BACK with a new season of the Simply Commerce podcast, the show that brings you the latest insights into the future of digital commerce.

After a welcome response to Season 4, episodes in this Season continue to have a primary focus on all things Composable. And, while this isn't a new topic per se, it is undoubtedly still a popular one with many unanswered questions.

Through conversations with our guests - this time agency leaders - we'll be trying to find the answers.

Our first episode of Season 5 features an insightful discussion with Michiel Tielemans, MD of Lab Digital, one of the Netherlands' leading composable agencies who have helped a wide range of clients over the last decade including Frasers Group, Mars, Suzuki and Toyota.

Michiel shares with us the reasons why Composable transformations fail, as well as advice to end customers on how to make sure they are set for success from the get-go.

It's a fascinating, honest discussion and will no doubt be of use to businesses considering a move away from monolith >>>

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

We are delighted to present to you a BONUS episode for Season 4 of our podcast; The FOD, where we chatted in depth with former Head of Software Development at Wiggle, David Hardiman.

 In our chat with David, we learn more about the retailer’s move to Composable which started in earnest back in 2020 – a move necessitated by an outdated e-commerce infrastructure. 

In this episode we hear about the challenges that the decision to go ‘Composable’ presented and why anyone embarking on that journey or indeed weighing up their options, should (in David’s words) go into it with their eyes wide open, and with a crystal clear vision of what business requirements are; an understanding of what problems they are looking to solve, and an acknowledgement that this is an inherently complex process despite the obvious advantages it can bring.

It’s a fascinating discussion that offers an honest and balanced view from someone who has lived through the journey – and has come out of the other side with clear insight on the positives …and the pitfalls.

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

In this final episode of Season 4, our host and Director of Client Engagement, James Hodges looks back on the conversations we've had with our guests from across the sector on the hot topic of Composable.

This short wrap-up looks at some of the key insights shared with our guests; the challenges faced with real-world examples, mistakes and learnings along the way, and invaluable top tips for those beginning the move to a Composable architecture themselves.

A huge thanks to all who have tuned in, downloaded, and watched over the last few weeks - and of course to our guests who have given up their time to talk to us about a topic that shows no sign of abating.

• Dr. Anjali Subburaj, MACH Ambassador & award-winning technology leader
• Craig McLaren - Head Of Digital, MKM Building Supplies
• David Crawford - former Group CTO, Naked Wines
• Glen Leakey - former Digital Transformation Director, Specsavers
• Alexander Ives - Director of Enterprise Systems, Boden
• Felix Alonso - Systems Architect, Rapha

Season FIVE.... coming soon!

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

Here is the SIXTH Episode of Season FOUR of the Simply Commerce podcast, the show that brings you the latest insights into the future of digital commerce.

Our guest for the latest episode is Felix Alonso, Systems Architect at leading cycling clothing brand, Rapha.

In our chat for the FOD, Felix talks to us about the move to Composable which started in earnest back in 2019. Nearly 4 years into the process, we hear about the initial challenges faced, as well as the overriding benefits that the business has seen throughout the implementation period.

This episode gives you, the listener, a glimpse at the future of digital commerce as Felix shares his knowledge of living through the initial proposal and kick-off phases, and the opportunities the transition has presented along the way >>>

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

We're now FIVE episodes into Season FOUR of the Simply Commerce podcast, the show that brings you the latest insights into the future of digital commerce.

Our guest for the fifth episode is Alexander Ives, Director of Enterprise Systems at leading British clothing brand, Boden.

In our chat for the FOD, Alex talks to us about the digital transformation of the retailer as it moved from a mail-order catalogue business to an innovative eCommerce brand serving some 1.7 million customers worldwide.

This episode gives you, the listener, a glimpse at the future of digital commerce as Alex shares his vast knowledge of breaking up a traditional monolithic system, the challenges of the move to a composable architecture, and ultimately how the move has proved vital for a business that wants to remain competitive and a leader in their market >>>

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

We're back again with the next episode in Season FOUR of the Simply Commerce podcast, the show that brings you the latest insights into the future of digital commerce.

Our guest for the fourth episode is Glen Leakey, former Digital Transformation Director at British multinational optical retail chain, Specsavers.

Previous to Specsavers, Glen spent over 24 years at Dyson, working across various IT and digital roles including Group IT Director, and latterly, Digital Transformation Director - responsible for the overall transformation and technology execution as the business transformed from B2B to Direct To Consumer.

In our chat for the FOD, Glen talks to us about the implementation of a composable setup at Specsavers - the overriding benefits, lessons learned along the way, and what the future of composable looks like in driving true business innovation.

This episode gives you, the listener, a glimpse at the future of digital commerce as Glen shares his vast knowledge and predictions for the future when it comes to composable >>>

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

We're back again with the next episode in Season FOUR of the Simply Commerce podcast, the show that brings you the latest insights into the future of digital commerce.

Our guest for the third episode is David Crawford, former Group CTO at Naked Wines - the innovative online wine retailer that has made a significant impact on the industry with a unique business model and route to market.

David has held various pivotal roles throughout his career, working across a number of sectors and brands including Camelot and Sky where he held the position of  Head of Software Engineering.

In our chat for the FOD, David talks to us about the implementation of a composable setup at Naked Wines - the challenges he encountered, lessons learnt, and what he believes is the biggest advantage to moving to a fully composable setup.

This episode gives you, the listener, a glimpse at the future of digital commerce as David shares his vast knowledge of the topic on everyone's lips at the moment >>>

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

Welcome back to Season FOUR of the Simply Commerce podcast, the show that brings you the latest insights into the future of digital commerce.

The second episode features an insightful discussion with Craig McLaren - Head Of Digital at MKM Building Supplies.

Craig has held various pivotal roles throughout his career, working with renowned companies and brands including Sky, Heineken, and Vodafone to enhance and drive digital transformation.  

In our chat for the FOD, Craig talks to us about implementation of a Composable setup at MKM - the challenges he encountered, and his view on Composable as a valid solution for other businesses.

This episode gives you, the listener, a glimpse at the future of digital commerce as Craig shares his vast knowledge of the topic on everyone's lips at the moment >>>

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

We are back with a new season of the Simply Commerce podcast, the show that brings you the latest insights into the future of digital commerce.

Our first episode of Season 4 features an insightful discussion with Dr. Anjali Subburaj, MACH Ambassador and award winning technology leader with over two decades of experience in Consumer-Centric Enterprise Architecture and Digital Transformation. 

Anjali shares her insight and expertise on the world of Composable - the challenges around transformation, the benefits, considerations around adoption, and top tips to ensure implementation is as smooth as it can be.

This episode gives you, the listener, a glimpse at the future of digital commerce as Anjali shares her vast knowledge of the topic on everyone's lips at the moment >>>

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/

Is your retention strategy up to scratch? 

Our latest LinkedIn Live event will explore the importance of a good retention strategy in the current market, and why investing in your Employer Value Proposition will impact both your retention AND how you attract new talent to your business. 

Hosts James Hodges & Jessica Semrau will give expert insights into the topic and be on hand to answer any questions you may have about building a retention strategy. 

Don’t miss out on this fascinating discussion.

Simply Commerce is the leading supplier of talent into digital commerce across technology, digital marketing, product, sales, and leadership.

Find our more about our approach and our services within digital commerce recruitment here: https://simply-commerce.co.uk/