Talk Commerce

In this episode of Talk Commerce, Rich Kahn, CEO and founder of Anura.io, discusses the pervasive issue of bot fraud in digital marketing. He explains how bots can significantly impact advertising budgets by generating fraudulent traffic, leading to wasted resources. Rich elaborates on the mechanics of ad fraud, the distinction between good and bad bots, and the operations of bot farms. He also shares innovative solutions to combat bot fraud, emphasizing the importance of understanding and mitigating these threats, especially as businesses prepare for high-traffic events like Black Friday.TakeawaysRich Kahn is the CEO and co-founder of Anura.io.Anura uses EOS to improve productivity and reduce meetings.Bots can steal significant amounts of advertising budgets.20-25% of traffic can be fraudulent, impacting conversions.Google Ads can inadvertently lead to fraud through partner networks.Good bots identify themselves, while bad bots mimic real users.Bot farms operate globally to execute click fraud.CAPTCHA systems are outdated and easily bypassed by bots.Anura analyzes over 800 data points to identify real users.Businesses can get a free trial to assess their fraud risk.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Rich Kahn and Anura02:25 Understanding the Bot Business and Digital Fraud05:18 The Impact of Bots on Digital Marketing08:33 Distinguishing Between Good and Bad Bots11:09 The Mechanics of Bot Farms13:19 Innovative Solutions to Combat Bot Fraud14:56 Preparing for Black Friday: Implementing Fraud Solutions15:36 Closing Thoughts and Free Trial Offer

In this conversation, James Schutrop from Scribe discusses the innovative approach of using robots to create handwritten letters, emphasizing the importance of personal touch in a world overwhelmed by digital communication. He explains how Scribe's technology integrates with CRM systems to automate the process of sending personalized thank-you letters, enhancing customer engagement. The discussion also covers the significance of authenticity in marketing, particularly through the removal of postmarks to maintain the illusion of a personal touch.TakeawaysScribe automates handwritten letters to enhance customer appreciation.People are overwhelmed by digital communication and crave personal interaction.Handwritten letters can significantly improve customer engagement.The technology uses real pens to create authentic-looking letters.Postmark removal is crucial for maintaining authenticity in marketing.Automation allows businesses to send personalized letters without manual effort.The handwritten letters are designed to look like they come from a friend or family member.Scribe's system integrates seamlessly with existing CRM platforms.The event highlights practical strategies for e-commerce businesses.Authenticity in marketing is essential to avoid customer skepticism.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Scribe and Handwritten Automation02:57 The Importance of Personal Touch in Marketing05:42 Postmark Removal and Authenticity in Handwritten Letters

In this conversation, Frank Verdeja shares his extensive experience in e-commerce and data management, discussing the importance of bridging the communication gap between technical teams and business stakeholders. He emphasizes the role of data integrity in e-commerce and the growing significance of data management systems in the age of AI. Frank expresses his enthusiasm for discovering new e-commerce companies and supporting startups in the Minneapolis area.TakeawaysFrank has 13 years of experience in e-commerce and data management.He emphasizes the importance of context in communication between technical and business teams.Data integrity is crucial for businesses of all types.Frank's company focuses on data governance and observability.He believes that understanding the value of data helps prioritize tasks.The rise of AI has made data management systems more important than ever.Customers prefer to own their data and need suitable platforms.Frank enjoys learning about new e-commerce companies in the Twin Cities.He has a passion for supporting startups and new players in the market.The conversation highlights the intersection of technology and business in e-commerce.Chapters00:00Introduction to E-commerce and Data Management02:57Bridging the Gap: Technology and Business Communication05:33Data Integrity and Its Role in E-commerce06:06The Future of E-commerce and Data Management06:06TC - Outtro All AV version 1.mp4

In this episode of Talk Commerce, Brent Peterson interviews Rytis Lauris, CEO and co-founder of Omnisend, a marketing automation platform tailored for e-commerce. They discuss the importance of retention marketing, the evolution of Omnisend, and the various touchpoints available for customer engagement. Rytis emphasizes the effectiveness of automated campaigns and the role of AI in enhancing marketing strategies. The conversation also touches on the future of e-commerce, the necessity of human involvement in automation, and the importance of standing out in a crowded market.TakeawaysRetention marketing is crucial for online sellers.Automated messages significantly increase email order rates.Combining multiple communication channels enhances customer engagement.AI tools are transforming how marketers operate.E-commerce is expected to continue growing significantly.Automated flows should be utilized for every customer journey touchpoint.Marketers need to adapt to the changing landscape of AI.Human creativity remains essential in a world of automation.Brands must maintain their unique voice to stand out.Omnisend offers presets to help businesses automate effectively.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Omnisend and Rytis Lauris02:39 The Journey of Omnisend05:16 Omnichannel Marketing Strategies08:01 The Power of Automation in Marketing10:51 AI's Role in Marketing Tools13:41 The Future of E-commerce and AI16:11 The Human Element in Marketing18:46 Closing Thoughts and Shameless Plug

Guest: Sean Callihan, Partner Manager at CommerceRecording Location: E-commerce Forum, MinneapolisEpisode Timestamps[00:00 - 01:51] Introduction and Commerce RebrandSean's background: 6 years at Commerce, 6 years in agenciesWhy BigCommerce became CommerceThree-product strategy: BigCommerce, Feedonomics, Makeswift[01:51 - 03:51] Commerce Product PortfolioFeedonomics: Platform-agnostic feed management and data optimizationMakeswift: Low-code, no-code page builder demonstrationHow products work together or independently[03:51 - 06:04] B2B Strategy and Market PositionB2B Edition as a company pillarInvestment in B2B product development and go-to-market teamsDedicated B2C and B2B teams serving different markets[06:04 - 08:10] Open SaaS Platform AdvantagesIntegration with legacy systems without rip-and-replaceImportance for B2B distributors and manufacturersExtensibility and ecosystem approach[08:10 - 12:07] AI and Agentic CommerceFeedonomics as a data platform advantagePartnerships with OpenAI and PerplexityAI data readiness for merchant discoveryProduct data enrichment from multiple sources[12:07 - 13:55] Makeswift Integration RoadmapReplacing native BigCommerce page builderBenefits for marketers and developersLow-code, no-code functionality[13:55 - 15:01] E-commerce Forum ExperienceFour years attending in person, plus virtualInclusive Midwest ecosystem approachValue of partner and merchant connectionsKey Topics: Commerce rebrand, B2B ecommerce, AI readiness, data optimization, Feedonomics, Makeswift, open SaaS, product discovery

In this episode of Talk Commerce, Shaheen Samavati, CEO of Vera Content, discusses the evolving landscape of content marketing, particularly in the context of multilingual strategies and the impact of AI. She shares insights on how businesses are adapting to new technologies while maintaining the human touch in content creation. The conversation also delves into the challenges of managing multilingual teams and the nuances of language in global marketing.takeawaysShaheen Samavati is the CEO of Vera Content, focusing on multilingual content.The demand for high-quality content remains strong despite AI advancements.Businesses are increasingly looking for efficiency in content creation.AI tools are changing the landscape of content marketing.Localization is crucial for effective global marketing strategies.Understanding language nuances is essential for successful communication.The expectation for quick content delivery is rising among clients.Human oversight is necessary to maintain content quality.Vera Content is expanding into UGC and influencer partnerships.Free resources on content marketing are available on Vera Content's website.Chapters00:00Introduction to Shaheen Samavati and Vera Content03:31The Evolution of Content Creation in a Digital Age05:13Adapting to AI in Content Creation09:39Managing Global Teams and Language Barriers11:42The Importance of Localization in Content15:11SEO and LLMs: The Future of Content Optimization17:30The Demand for Quality Content in a Saturated Market19:07The Role of Human Touch in AI-Generated Content

SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Ben Marks discusses the current state and future of PHP and Magento, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and the evolution of technology in e-commerce. He highlights the ongoing improvements in PHP, the challenges faced by Magento under Adobe, and the significance of intentionality in adapting to market changes, particularly with the rise of AI. The discussion also touches on personal experiences and insights gained from attending the e-commerce forum.TakeawaysPHP is not dying; it continues to evolve and improve.Magento's product updates have stalled under Adobe's management.Community engagement is crucial for the success of open-source projects.Intentionality in business practices can lead to significant improvements.AI is reshaping the e-commerce landscape and internal processes.Companies must adapt to changing customer behaviors and preferences.The importance of grassroots efforts in technology development.Networking and collaboration are key to thriving in the e-commerce space.Real-world applications of technology can enhance customer experiences.The future of e-commerce will be driven by innovation and adaptability.Chapters00:00 Introduction to PHP and E-commerce Dynamics02:28 The Evolution of PHP and Magento05:04 Community Engagement and Open Source Contributions08:12 Insights from the E-commerce Forum10:53 The Future of E-commerce and AI Integration

Dave Malda discusses the significance of iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) in the e-commerce sector. He explains how iPaaS serves as middleware that facilitates seamless data transfer between various systems, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency. The discussion highlights the importance of automation in reducing manual errors and improving overall business growth. Malda emphasizes the need for e-commerce businesses to consider integration solutions early on to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.TakeawaysiPaaS is an integration platform as a service that automates data transfer.It serves as middleware, connecting various systems in the cloud.Automation through iPaaS enhances user experience by providing timely updates.Manual processes can lead to delays and errors in data handling.High-volume businesses benefit significantly from implementing iPaaS solutions.E-commerce owners should prioritize integration to remain competitive.Custom integrations can hinder business efficiency and growth.Choosing the right platform is crucial for successful integration.iPaaS can help businesses market effectively to their customers post-purchase.Understanding the architecture of iPaaS is essential for leveraging its benefits.Chapters00:00Introduction to iPass and E-commerce Integration02:48Understanding Integration Platforms as a Service (iPaaS)05:19The Importance of Automation in E-commerce

Guest: Jason Nyhus, General Manager, Shopware North AmericaGuest Bio: Jason Nyhus serves as General Manager at Shopware, overseeing the company's North American operations. With deep roots in the e-commerce community, Jason has been instrumental in Shopware's expansion across the United States. His leadership focuses on building authentic partnerships with merchants and agencies while fostering a community-driven ecosystem that prioritizes collaboration over competition.Episode SummaryIn this episode recorded live from the e-commerce forum in Minneapolis, Jason Nyhus returns to Talk Commerce for his fourth or fifth appearance to discuss Shopware's rapid growth in North America. The conversation explores how Shopware is leveraging AI and agentic commerce to transform B2B sales operations, particularly in helping sales representatives reclaim time from administrative tasks. Jason shares insights into Shopware's community-first approach, their unique business model that focuses on being world-class at commerce software while partnering for everything else, and the philosophy behind their popular Shoptoberfest event.Key Takeaways• Agentic commerce addresses a critical B2B pain point: Sales reps spend only 25% of their time actually selling, with 75% consumed by administrative and corporate-mandated tasks• Shopware's dual AI strategy: Automating routine e-commerce tasks (product creation, imagery, descriptions, campaign management) while deploying agents to handle administrative work for sales teams• Rapid US expansion: Shopware now serves several thousand merchants in North America and claims to be the fastest-growing e-commerce platform in the region• Three growth drivers: Open source accessibility allowing free installations, European clients expanding to North America, and strategic agency partnerships launching new implementations• Focused target market: Shopware deliberately targets complex use cases rather than straightforward implementations, requiring deeper client relationships and specialized expertise• Revenue model philosophy: Shopware focuses on being world-class at commerce software and lets ecosystem partners excel at hosting, payments, marketing, professional services, and app stores• Community over commercials: The Shoptoberfest event features 10-minute merchant TED Talks sharing real experiences rather than vendor presentations, making practitioners the stars of the showTimestamped Sections[00:00] - Introduction and Welcome[00:35] - Shopware's Approach to AI and Agentic Commerce[02:27] - Shopware's US Market Momentum[04:27] - The Importance of Relationships and Complexity[06:30] - Community-Driven Philosophy[08:49] - The Birth of Shoptoberfest[09:34] - Merchant-Focused Event Format[10:58] - Irish Titan and Community ConnectionTopics Discussed• Agentic commerce and AI automation in e-commerce• B2B sales efficiency and time allocation challenges• Open source commerce platforms and accessibility• Shopware's North American market expansion strategy• Building authentic client and partner relationships• Complex e-commerce use cases vs. straightforward implementations• The six ways to monetize e-commerce (software, hosting, payments, marketing services, professional services, app stores)• Community-driven events and ecosystem building• Shoptoberfest event philosophy and format• Notable Shopware clients: Uppababy, Dunham Sports, Albany Fasteners, Eagle Crusher, Boo Ally• Agency partnerships and specialized expertise (Above the Fray)• Minneapolis/Twin Cities e-commerce ecosystem• Ecom Forum event format and community focus• The difference between "community" and "ecosystem" terminologyConnect with ShopwareLearn more about Shopware's commerce platform and agentic commerce solutions at their website.About Talk CommerceTalk Commerce is hosted by Brent Peterson and features conversations with e-commerce leaders, innovators, and practitioners sharing insights about the future of digital commerce.

In this episode of Talk Commerce recorded live from Ecom Forum in Minneapolis, host Brent Peterson sits down with Sharon Gee, Senior Vice President of Product at Commerce, to discuss how artificial intelligence and agentic commerce are reshaping ecommerce. Sharon oversees AI offerings across BigCommerce, Feedonomics, and Makeswift, bringing insights on how merchants can adapt to a world where AI agents shop alongside humans.Key TakeawaysData has become the new storefront as consumers increasingly turn to answer engines rather than traditional searchMerchants need to provide structured, contextual data to AI agents, not just visually appealing websites for human shoppersChatGPT reached 100 million users faster than any consumer technology in historyProduct data must exist on multiple levels, from basic ad information to unstructured content in PDFs and reviewsB2B commerce stands to benefit significantly from AI-powered sales assistantsNew trust protocols are being established to manage transactions between shoppers, agents, merchants, and merchant agentsAI democratizes marketing tools, allowing creative thinkers to execute ideas without engineering expertiseEpisode SummarySharon begins by explaining her role at Commerce and immediately addresses the most significant shift in ecommerce: the rise of agentic commerce. For decades, professionals optimized data for advertising channels, working to improve conversion rates between two and five percent. Now consumers turn to answer engines with complex queries like finding a dress for a wedding in Italy in a specific color and size, delivered by tomorrow."Somebody came along and bopped the board game and now we get to reset all the pieces," Sharon explains. This shift requires merchants to recognize that data has become the new storefront. Answer engines need deep context to respond to long-form queries, making product discoverability critical wherever shoppers are looking.Sharon introduces a framework for data levels. Level one includes basic information for Google ads. Level two encompasses marketplace data. Level three consists of product specifications in PIM systems. Levels four and five venture into unstructured data, including PDFs and user reviews. This creates what she calls a bifurcated experience—merchants need different versions of their sites for AI agents versus human visitors.When asked whether sites might become pure APIs, Sharon argues for both approaches. Brand sites remain channels merchants control, but on third-party agentic channels, merchants only control the data they provide. This makes data investment critical for visibility.Sharon sees massive potential in B2B sales assistants trained on documentation that human sales reps use. If three-quarters of the sales cycle could progress overnight, reps could focus on high-touch human interactions. B2B companies have advantages because they're manufacturers with deep data, extensive documentation, and sophisticated pricing structures.Addressing concerns about AI reliability, Sharon explains that commerce platforms and partners are collaborating on protocols. "You've seen more open protocols released in the past six months than like the previous 10 years combined," she notes. Companies recognize that trust becomes paramount when authorizing agents to shop on behalf of consumers. Transactions now involve four parties: a shopper, a shopper agent, a merchant, and a merchant agent.Sharon emphasizes AI's role as a growth enabler rather than just a cost-reduction tool. Merchants could rewrite entire product catalogs with a button click using generative AI. AI provides jet fuel for existing teams, unlocking capabilities never before possible. "I would love it if our generation is the last one to use a mouse and a keyboard," Sharon declares.Brent adds that AI's greatest value might be identifying what merchants aren't doing rather than what they should be doing. Sharon confirms that Commerce customers use tools to define simulated personas and understand what queries those personas might ask, then determine what content they need to ensure their products get referenced instead of competitors' products.Episode Timestamps[00:00] - Introduction and Sharon's role at Commerce[01:00] - How agentic commerce is changing the game[02:30] - The shift from traditional SEO to AI-driven discovery[04:00] - Why data is the new storefront[06:00] - The five levels of product data[08:00] - Creating different experiences for agents vs humans[10:00] - The bifurcated website experience[12:00] - Why B2B commerce will benefit from AI agents[14:00] - Building trust protocols for agentic transactions[16:00] - AI as a growth enabler vs cost reducer[18:00] - Rewriting catalogs with generative AI[20:00] - Finding gaps in content strategy with AI[21:00] - Final thoughts on Ecom Forum and the human element

Building a Doodle Empire Through Community-Driven Product DevelopmentGuest: Elina Panteleyeva, Founder of Dood WoofEpisode SummaryIn this insightful episode of Talk Commerce, Elina Panteleyeva shares how she transformed a 2023 layoff into a thriving ecommerce business focused exclusively on doodle owners. After discovering the audience-first approach from Ryan's "12 Months to 1 Million," Elina spent six months building a community before launching her first product. Through direct engagement in Facebook groups, she identified matting as the primary challenge for doodle owners and used ChatGPT to brainstorm solutions, leading to her all-natural detangler spray.Her organic launch strategy proved remarkably successful, achieving #1 new release on Amazon without paid advertising by leveraging her pre-built community of email subscribers and social media followers. The conversation covers her transparent approach to handling negative reviews, turning potential reputation damage into trust-building opportunities, and her systematic method for generating positive reviews through authentic customer relationships.Elina emphasizes continuous product development through customer feedback, conducting regular interviews to validate new concepts before manufacturing. Her content strategy focuses on providing genuine value through weekly blog posts and comprehensive FAQs, which serve dual purposes of helping customers and boosting SEO. Rather than expanding to other dog breeds, she maintains laser focus on the doodle market to maximize lifetime customer value and build deeper community connections. The episode concludes with information about her consulting services for entrepreneurs looking to build brands on limited budgets through community-driven strategies.[00:00 - 00:40] Introduction & Guest BackgroundHost introduction and welcome. Elina introduces herself as founder of Dood Woof and discusses her passion for DJing as a creative outlet. Brief overview of her ecommerce dog brand focused on the doodle market.[00:40 - 01:30] DJing Passion & LifestyleElina discusses her DJing hobby and live performances. Challenges of late-night gigs vs. lifestyle preferences. House parties and collaborative DJ sessions with friends. Humorous exchange about Las Vegas billboard aspirations.[01:30 - 02:15] Free Joke ProjectBrent's "Von Barked" pun and Netflix joke. Elina's rating: 10.3 out of 13 with granular scoring.[02:15 - 04:40] Origin Story & Business FoundationBackground: Immigration from Ukraine at age 3. Traditional career path through tech industry. 2023 layoff as catalyst for entrepreneurship. Discovery of "12 Months to 1 Million" book by Ryan. Audience-first approach vs. product-first methodology. Choosing doodle market due to organic content potential.[04:40 - 05:15] Market Research & Product IdeationFacebook group engagement strategy. Customer interviews about doodle challenges. Matting identified as primary problem. ChatGPT integration for product brainstorming. Decision to create all-natural detangler spray.[05:15 - 07:05] Launch Strategy & Amazon SuccessSix-month audience building phase. Email list and Instagram growth (600-1000 followers). Manufacturing process documentation. Launch day coordination and Amazon algorithm triggering. Achieving #1 new release status through organic traffic.[07:05 - 08:20] Review Management PhilosophyAmazon's strict policies on review incentives. Proactive review request strategies. Understanding review psychology (negative bias). Building systematic approaches for review generation.[08:20 - 10:10] Handling Negative ReviewsInevitability of bad reviews. Case study: Leaky bottle situation. Transparent communication with email list. Converting problems into trust-building opportunities. The 28:1 ratio (five-star reviews needed to counteract one-star).[10:10 - 12:15] Product Development ProcessContinuous audience feedback integration. Customer interview methodology for new products. Problem-solution fit validation. Contrast with traditional product development approaches. Creating products customers actively want vs. need creation.[12:15 - 14:40] Content Strategy & SEOQuestion-answer format implementation. Multi-channel customer inquiry management. Weekly blog content creation schedule. Value-driven content examples (grooming tips, DIY recipes). SEO optimization through helpful resources.[14:40 - 15:35] Market Focus & Expansion PhilosophyDecision to remain doodle-focused. Lifetime customer value prioritization. Community building vs. customer acquisition costs. "Doodle domination" strategy explanation.[15:35 - 16:25] Shameless PlugIntroduction of consulting services. "Branding on a budget" concept. Website: www.alinatalksbrand.com. Focus on community-building strategies.[16:25 - 16:30] ClosingFinal thanks and wrap-up.https://doodwoof.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooMyH00dW3RuNOQGz4OnWVEmQyvsOdcY4UP3DS8WLGpqRnpWrlc&variant=51603826245948

In this episode of Talk Commerce, Brent Peterson interviews Mallory Wilberding, the Director of Sales at FusePoint. They discuss the critical role of measurement in marketing, especially in the context of changing data privacy regulations and the importance of understanding different types of measurement. Mallory emphasizes the need for brands to move beyond vanity metrics and focus on true ROI. They also explore common mistakes marketers make in measurement, the impact of AI and machine learning, and how to prepare for key shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The conversation concludes with advice for marketers on how to effectively communicate the value of measurement to stakeholders.TakeawaysMeasurement is crucial for understanding marketing effectiveness.Brands should focus on true ROI rather than vanity metrics.Different types of measurement serve different purposes.Marketers often make mistakes by relying on outdated metrics.AI and machine learning can enhance measurement strategies.It's important to be agile and adjust measurement approaches as needed.Preparation for key shopping events should include measurement strategies.Understanding customer behavior is key to effective marketing.Measurement should be an ongoing process, not just for specific campaigns.Marketers need to educate stakeholders on the value of measurement.Chapters00:00Introduction to Mallory Wilberding and FusePoint02:27The Importance of Measurement in Marketing06:43Understanding Different Types of Measurement10:45Common Mistakes in Measurement Practices14:27The Role of AI in Advertising18:17Preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday20:28Advice for Brand Marketers21:20Closing Thoughts and Resources

In this episode of Talk Commerce, Elias Stahl, CEO of HILOS, discusses the transformative impact of 3D printing on the footwear industry. He highlights the inefficiencies and waste in traditional shoe manufacturing, where 24 billion shoes are produced annually, with a significant portion ending up in landfills. Elias explains how HILOS aims to empower designers by streamlining the design and production process, allowing for on-demand manufacturing and reducing waste. He also addresses the challenges of bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. and the implications of tariffs on the industry. The conversation emphasizes the potential for innovation and creativity in footwear design, making it accessible to a broader audience.TakeawaysElias Stahl is the CEO and founder of HILOS.The footwear industry produces 24 billion shoes annually, with significant waste.3D printing can revolutionize shoe manufacturing by reducing waste.HILOS aims to empower designers to create and launch their own products.The traditional shoe manufacturing process is lengthy and inefficient.HILOS is working to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.The company is developing a platform called Interplay for shoe design.Elias compares the potential of footwear innovation to the craft beer movement.The future of footwear could see unique American aesthetics.Tariffs and supply chain issues are significant challenges for U.S. manufacturing.Chapters00:00Introduction to Hilos and Elias Stahl02:50The Footwear Industry's Challenges06:543D Printing Revolution in Footwear11:08Empowering Creators in Footwear Design13:13Bringing Manufacturing Back to the U.S.17:32Navigating Tariffs and Supply Chain Dynamics

Retail is experiencing seismic shifts, and businesses that don't adapt risk becoming irrelevant overnight. In this compelling episode of Talk Commerce, recorded live from Shop Talk Fall in Chicago, host Isaac Morey sits down with Pano Anthos, founding member of XRC Ventures, to explore how agentic AI is reshaping consumer behavior and business operations. Their conversation reveals why traditional e-commerce strategies won't survive the next wave of technological disruption.About Pano AnthosPano serves as a founding member of XRC Ventures, an investment firm operating at the intersection of consumer behavior and technology. His expertise spans venture capital, retail innovation, and emerging technology trends that impact how businesses connect with customers. Pano's investment philosophy centers on understanding consumer adoption patterns to predict corporate technology trends. He's particularly focused on agentic AI applications across supply chain management, customer support, and e-commerce optimization. His insights come from years of observing how consumers embrace new technologies before enterprises catch up. Throughout his career, Pano has maintained that studying consumer behavior provides the clearest roadmap for understanding where business technology is headed next.Episode SummaryPano explains why XRC Ventures focuses on consumer behavior as a predictor of technological advancement. "Consumers are responsible for two trillion in spend and a massive portion of our GDP," he explains. "They tend to be relatively much faster early adopters of technology than corporations." This philosophy drives their investment strategy and provides unique insights into market direction.When discussing agentic AI, Pano breaks down the concept into four essential components: autonomous planning, adaptive reasoning, tool integration, and goal orientation. "AI to figure out the rules. You have to really lay out the rules first," he emphasizes. "That's the misconception of autonomous AI is that it will make decisions within boundaries. But you have to set those boundaries or you get nothing."The conversation takes a practical turn as Pano shares examples of agentic AI in action. He describes an investment opportunity involving supply chain automation where AI intercepts and processes manufacturer communications. "There's a very set of manual tasks today," he explains. "This team out of Israel has figured out how to automate using an LLM to basically take all those messages they're going back and forth and make decisions based on the rules that have been set by the organization."For small e-commerce businesses, Pano delivers stark advice about the changing landscape. "Your website is toast," he warns. "Unless you are a fashion-oriented product where discovery is important and inspiration is important and it's truly discretionary, the chat engines are going to take over." He demonstrates this point using Perplexity Shopping, showing how consumers can research, compare, and purchase products without ever visiting a brand's website.The discussion reveals how AI-powered shopping platforms threaten traditional cross-selling strategies. "You are, you know, for that transaction, yes. To build some brand awareness, maybe. Cross-sell, absolutely not," Pano states. This fundamental shift forces businesses to reconsider their entire customer acquisition and retention strategies.Pano's advice for content teams reflects the urgency of this transition: "Start using the engines and asking all the questions that any consumer and they give you all the questions that consumers can ask and go figure out whether you're in the top three or top one or top two." He stresses the importance of understanding where brands rank in AI responses and working backward to improve visibility in source content.The conversation concludes with predictions about Google's future. "The judges in the trial that just came out last week or two weeks ago, it's pretty obvious that the judge knows that what we all know is Google search in the traditional SEO, SEM world, it's over," Pano observes. He compares Google's potential fate to previous tech giants, noting how quickly market leaders can become irrelevant when disrupted by superior technology.Key Takeaways• Consumer adoption drives innovation: Consumers spend two trillion dollars annually and adopt technology faster than corporations, making them the ultimate predictor of future trends• Process documentation is crucial: Successful AI implementation requires clearly defined rules and boundaries before automation can begin• Reddit has become the new SEO: Chat engines prioritize Reddit content over traditional website reviews, fundamentally changing how brands build credibility• Website traffic will decline dramatically: Hard goods businesses face inevitable traffic drops as consumers turn to AI-powered shopping experiences• Transparency is the new currency: AI engines expose product quality issues that brands previously could hide through marketing• Google's dominance faces serious threats: Traditional search is being replaced by conversational AI interfaces that provide instant, comprehensive answersFinal ThoughtsThe retail revolution isn't coming—it's already here, reshaping how consumers discover, evaluate, and purchase products. Pano Anthos delivers a clear message: businesses must abandon traditional web-centric strategies and embrace AI-powered commerce platforms or risk obsolescence. The winners won't be those with the prettiest websites but those who understand how to position themselves effectively within AI-driven discovery systems. As we navigate this transformation, one question remains: will your business become an agent of change or merely another victim of technological disruption?Connect with XRC Ventures:https://xrcventures.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/xrcventureshttps://www.instagram.com/xrcventuresFollow Talk Commerce on your favorite platform:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkcommerceBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/talkcommerce.bsky.socialApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-commerce/id1561204656Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Alx6N7ERrPEXIBb41FZ1nTwitter: @talkingcommerceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talk-commerceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingcommerceWebsite: https://talk-commerce.com/

In this episode of Talk Commerce, Brent Peterson speaks with Martin Balaam, CEO of Pimberly, about the critical role of Product Information Management (PIM) in e-commerce. They discuss how PIM serves as a single source of truth for product data, its importance in global e-commerce, and the impact of AI and agentic commerce on the industry. The conversation also touches on the differences between B2B and B2C approaches to PIM, the challenges of data management, and how Pimberly differentiates itself in the market. Finally, they explore the implications of tariffs on data management and the future of PIM in a rapidly changing landscape.TakeawaysPIM is essential for managing complex product data.Globalization requires businesses to adapt their product data strategies.AI optimization is crucial for effective e-commerce.B2B companies are adopting agentic commerce faster than B2C.Structured data is necessary for machine-readable formats.PIM helps reduce the number of SKUs needed for different marketplaces.Tariffs can significantly impact supply chain data management.Pimberly focuses on high complexity and conditionality in product data.The importance of capturing contextual information in B2C.PIM can streamline data management across various platforms.Chapters00:00Introduction to Pimberley and Martin Balaam04:14Understanding Product Information Management (PIM)07:23The Importance of a Centralized Data Source12:13Agentic Commerce and Its Future17:00B2B vs B2C: Data Needs and Challenges21:57The Role of PIM in Supply Chain Management25:17Conclusion and Future Outlook for Pimberley27:21TC - Outtro All AV version 1.mp4Follow Talk Commerce on your favorite platform:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@talkcommerceBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/talkcommerce.bsky.socialApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-commerce/id1561204656Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Alx6N7ERrPEXIBb41FZ1nTwitter: @talkingcommerceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/talk-commerceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkingcommerceWebsite: https://talk-commerce.com/