Recast | Jim Lofgren | Nosto's CEO on crucial shifts in ecommerce

In this episode of Commerce Famous, Sarah Lang, CEO of Hob by Horse, shares her agency's unwavering commitment to honesty in client interactions. This enlightening conversation delves into Hob by Horse's unique approach to business, including their bold decision to reduce marketing spendings to zero at the start of the year. Lang discusses the strategic shift towards content-driven client acquisition and how transparency and honesty have been pivotal in building trust and fostering long-lasting relationships. This episode not only highlights the importance of integrity in commerce but also provides insights into innovative business strategies that prioritize customer satisfaction and engagement. Enjoy!

Sarah Lang on LinkedIn
Hob by Horse

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Switcheroo! In this bonus episode, Commerce Famous host Ben Marks is being interviewed. Recently, Ben and Maier Bianchi of Bemeir were guests in Rachel Tonner's podcast "Discovered by Klevu." We cross-post the entire episode here. Enjoy!

The original podcast description:
Step into the bustling world of ecommerce operations with Rachel Tonner in this enlightening episode. Rachel hosts Ben Marks from Shopware AG and Maier Bianchi of Bemeir, both leading figures with vast experience in ecommerce.
Together, the trio navigates the intricate terrains of operational efficiency in an industry known for its rapid pace, and turbulent market challenges. They share intriguing stories that reveal how various personas—from the back office user and shopper, to the marketer and e-commerce director—navigate the challenges and triumphs of daily operations.
While technology and AI undoubtedly play a part, this episode hones in on the strategies, adaptations, and forward-thinking approaches that truly drive efficiency. Listen to how businesses, irrespective of their tech stack, can elevate their operational prowess, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for end users and smoother workflows internally. We also broach the topic of “AI Washing” and how to cut through the clutter when choosing technologies.
For anyone keen on understanding the nuts and bolts of operational efficiency in ecommerce, and how to achieve it, this episode promises to be an enlightening journey. Dive in!
Guest bio:
-Ben Marks, Director of Global Market Development at Shopware: Ben is a seasoned leader with 20 years in ecommerce. Passionate about open-source commerce, Ben’s deep insights into the industry’s needs drive global growth. He is a community builder, serving as a key figure in the Magento Association and contributing to a $5 billion/year ecosystem. As a Magento evangelist, Ben has delivered presentations worldwide, holding multiple certifications and sharing expertise in articles.
-Maier Bianchi, Founder of ecommerce agency Bemeir: Maier holds the pivotal role of leading businesses into the modern digital economy. In a world that evolves like an ever-flowing river of time, Maier emphasizes the need for collaboration to adapt and thrive. His mission is clear: success should be a shared journey, not an exclusive destination.

Rachel Tonner on LinkedIn
Maier Bianchi on LinkedIn
Ben Marks on LinkedIn

Listen to the Discovered by Klevu Podcast

Today, Ben welcomes Klevu's CTO and Co-Founder Niraj Aswani. The two dive deeper into Niraj's journey from a strong academic foundation in natural language processing to confronting real-world challenges in ecommerce search functionality. They examine how Niraj's expertise has been instrumental in Klevu's development of advanced search technologies, making online shopping more intuitive and efficient for users. The conversation also covers the broader implications of integrating AI and machine learning into ecommerce platforms, focusing on how these innovations are transforming customer experiences, improving search accuracy, and influencing the future direction of the retail industry. Enjoy!

Niraj Aswani on LinkedIn

Klevu Oy

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Commerce Famous is proudly presented by Shopware, the leading open commerce platform for all your B2C and B2B needs.

"Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: The Journey of the Mid-Market Merchant" is the title of a ground-breaking report that Mark Friedman, today's podcast guest, has just co-authored with Rick Watson.

Download the report for free

Mark joins Ben to talk about his findings as well as discuss how his long career in the retail industry has shaped his views on the mid-market.

Mark is a seasoned professional in the retail industry with a history of leading companies through periods of transformation. Having previously worked at Brooks Brothers, Mark was invited by the same CEO to join Warnaco, a once-bankrupt company now thriving with a $2 billion wholesale business. At Warnaco, he managed an extensive portfolio that included legacy brands and licenses for high-profile names like Calvin Klein underwear, Calvin Klein Jeans, and Speedo North America. While the company primarily operated through wholesale channels, selling to other retailers, Mark's domain also included nurturing a small but growing digital presence for these popular brands, positioning him as an innovator in the digital retail space.

Mark Friedman on LinkedIn

The Marketing Playbook Podcast

Download the report for free

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Commerce Famous is proudly presented by Shopware, the leading open commerce platform for all your B2C and B2B needs.

Welcome to a special re-release episode of Commerce Famous, where today we revisit a thought-provoking conversation with Jim Lofgren, CEO of Nosto. Host Ben Marks delves into Jim's unexpected journey from aspiring banker to influential figure in the ecommerce world. Jim shares his passion for the industry, recounting his early forays into online selling and his deep interest in customer experience. The discussion turns to the impact of AI on ecommerce, with Jim shedding light on the potential of generative AI for personalized customer interactions and the nuances of maintaining authentic brand experiences. Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of ecommerce and the quest for meaningful, individualized customer engagement.

Jim Lofgren on LinkedIn

Nosto

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Commerce Famous is proudly presented by Shopware, the leading open commerce platform for all your B2C and B2B needs.

Join us on the latest episode of Commerce Famous as our host, Ben Marks, dives into an insightful conversation with Stefan Hamann, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Shopware. It's not just a chat about e-commerce trends - it's a deep dive into the future of shopping experiences, the evolution of AI in e-commerce, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of the industry’s leading platforms. Here's what you'll gain from tuning in:

The Spatial Commerce Revolution: Discover how Shopware is breaking the mold with 3D experiences that could redefine how we interact with products online.
AI: Beyond the Hype: Learn how integrating AI strategically can revolutionize business processes and the customer experience.
Orchestration vs. Microservices: Get Stefan’s take on the tech architecture businesses should consider to manage complexity efficiently.

Stefan Hamann on LinkedIn

Shopware

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Commerce Famous is proudly presented by Shopware, the leading open commerce platform for all your B2C and B2B needs.

We'll be back with a brand new episode next week. In the meantime, please enjoy this recast of Commerce Famous episode 2 with Tink Taylor, the man who changed online marketing for good!

Tink Taylor is the Founder & President of the dotDigital Group PLC (dotdigital). Tink has over 20 years of experience in the field of digital communications and has introduced digital marketing to companies large & small. Tink has been pivotal in the development of digital marketing since its outset in both the UK and the USA and is generally considered to be an absolute legend in the industry.

Tink first launched dotdigital in the US in 2012 and later took dotmailer to APAC in 2015. He constantly strives to help individual organizations, and the industry as a whole, to develop & progress, acting as a serial tech advisor and investor outside of dotdigital.

Tink Taylor on LinkedIn

dotdigital

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Commerce Famous is proudly presented by Shopware, the leading open commerce platform for all your B2C and B2B needs.

Happy Holidays! We are taking a little break from releasing new episodes. Instead, please enjoy this recast of the very first Commerce Famous episode!

Ecommerce legend Roy Rubin, co-founder and angel investor at R-Squared Ventures, is the guest of honor on our inaugural Commerce Famous episode. Roy, co-founder and former CEO of Magento, and host Ben Marks discuss the origins of the open source model, Roy’s long career in ecommerce, the major shifting points in the industry, the rapidly expanding development of AI in ecommerce, and whether or not Roy is already investing in AI projects. Roy also explains his somewhat heterodox point of view on the headless ecommerce model.

Roy Rubin on LinkedIn

R2VC

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Commerce Famous is proudly presented by Shopware, the leading open commerce platform for all your B2C and B2B needs.

Krish is the Vice President of Strategic Partners and Industry Relations for Auctane, which includes ShipStation, ShippingEasy, ShipEngine and Stamps.com. A respected expert in ecommerce, particularly shipping, Krish is often quoted in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider and the New York Times. An industry leader with over 20 years of experience, Krish brings perspectives from FedEx, Pitney Bowes, Neopost and Auctane. In addition, Krish serves as the Vice President of the Package Shippers Association (PSA), which serves as the voice of the package shipping industry. Enjoy!

Krish Iyer on LinkedIn
Auctane
ShipStation

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Commerce Famous is proudly presented by Shopware, the leading open commerce platform for all your B2C and B2B needs.

"Looking at where commerce and culture intersect today helps us understand where the Future of Commerce is going to be," says Brian Lange, co-founder of the Future Commerce media company. Brian is this week's guest on Commerce Famous. He and host Ben Marks discuss where and why people buy things, why brands are the modern muses and how, for businesses, getting lean (in the right way!) might be crucial for a successful 2024. Enjoy!

Brian Lange on LinkedIn
Future Commerce
Future Commerce Learning
AI in Commerce Report free download

Suggest a Guest for the Commerce Famous Podcast

Commerce Famous is proudly presented by Shopware, the leading open commerce platform for all your B2C and B2B needs.