machine learning

Marianela Nanninga

Revolutionizing Retail: How Commercial Robotics is Reshaping Customer Service with ToDo Robotics

Hey there, Brent Peterson here! On this exciting episode of Talk Commerce, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Marianela Nanninga, the innovative founder and CEO of ToDo Robotics. Her journey from spotting a simple serving robot in South Korea to deploying over 250 commercial robots across America is nothing short of remarkable.

The Entrepreneurial Spark

When Marianela shared her story of discovering that first robot in a South Korean restaurant, I couldn’t help but smile. It reminded me of how transformative moments in technology often start with a simple observation. She saw beyond the novelty of a slow-moving serving robot to envision a future where commercial robotics would revolutionize multiple industries.

Breaking Through Corporate Barriers

What struck me most about Marianela’s journey was her persistence. After developing a successful robotics program within a larger company, she faced rejection from the board. Instead of giving up, she recognized her unique position – she was the only one with the knowledge, experience, and vision to make it happen. This led to her founding ToDo Robotics, a decision that has proven transformative for the industry.

Real-World Applications

During our conversation, Marianela highlighted several key applications:

  • Restaurant Service: The Bellabot serves as a reliable food runner, supporting (not replacing) wait staff
  • Commercial Cleaning: Industrial-scale robots handling 20,000 square feet per hour
  • Cooking Systems: Automated woks ensuring consistency in institutional kitchens
  • Senior Living Support: Robots facilitating telemedicine and resident check-ins

The Human Element

One aspect I particularly appreciated was Marianela’s emphasis on workforce development. As she explained, “We’re not replacing workers; we’re upgrading their skills.” The story of a housekeeper proudly becoming a robot operator perfectly illustrates this transformation.

Looking Ahead

The future of commercial robotics is bright but measured. Marianela’s practical approach to AI integration – preferring simplified language models over complex chatty systems – shows a deep understanding of what businesses and customers actually need.

Personal Takeaway

As someone who’s witnessed numerous technological transitions in commerce, I find Marianela’s approach refreshingly practical. It’s not about robots taking over; it’s about making businesses more efficient and jobs more sustainable.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Talk Commerce reinforced my belief that the future of retail and service industries lies in finding the right balance between human touch and technological efficiency. Marianela’s vision of robots as assistants rather than replacements sets a positive trajectory for the industry.

Find more conversations about innovations in commerce here

Rochelle Thielen

Behind the Curtain of AI in eCommerce – Why Good Data is the Key to Staying Competitive

In a recent episode of Talk Commerce, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Rochelle Thielen, CEO of Traject Data, to explore the transformative impact of retail data automation on the industry. While conversations about AI dominate headlines, our discussion revealed that the true revolution lies in how automated data collection and analysis are powering these solutions.

The Scale of Retail Data Automation Today

During our conversation, Rochelle revealed some staggering numbers about data collection in modern retail. “When we’re talking about quantity, we’re looking at 100 million data points per day for some enterprise users,” she explained. This massive scale of data collection is what’s enabling the sophisticated AI solutions we’re seeing in retail today.

As someone who’s been in the e-commerce space for years, I was particularly impressed by how this data is being put to practical use. The sheer volume of information being processed is mind-boggling, but it’s the application that really matters.

Real-Time Decision Making in Retail

One of the most fascinating insights Rochelle shared was about the importance of real-time data. “If you’re more than 24 hours old on data, you’re pretty far behind,” she noted. This is particularly crucial for:

  • Dynamic pricing strategies
  • Inventory management
  • Customer experience personalization
  • Competitive analysis

The Human Element in AI Implementation

Something I strongly agree with, and Rochelle emphasized, is the continued importance of human oversight in AI systems. She stressed that “humans are still controlling what the AI is doing,” with teams regularly verifying data samples to ensure accuracy. This human-in-the-loop approach is crucial for maintaining quality and preventing potential pricing or decision-making errors.

Transparency in AI Customer Service

We had an interesting discussion about chatbots and AI-powered customer service. Rochelle made a compelling point about transparency: “You need to be transparent. People don’t negatively look at interfacing with a bot as long as the bot is equal to or better than the human.” This approach to honest AI implementation is something I’ve always advocated for in e-commerce.

Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond

Looking to the future, Rochelle shared some exciting predictions. The focus is shifting toward true omnichannel experiences, with particular emphasis on:

  • Integration of social media data (including TikTok)
  • Enhanced visual and video data processing
  • Democratized access to AI tools for smaller retailers
  • Sophisticated fraud prevention systems

Real-World Applications

One of the most impressive examples Rochelle shared was how their data helps prevent fraud and unauthorized reselling. For small businesses, their systems can detect when purchased items are immediately listed for resale on platforms like eBay, helping protect inventory and brand value.

Final Thoughts

As we wrapped up our conversation, it became clear that we’re at an exciting intersection of big data, AI, and retail. What impressed me most about Traject Data’s approach is their focus on scalability and accessibility – making these powerful tools available to businesses of all sizes.

If you’d like to hear more insights from Rochelle and learn about the future of retail technology, I encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode. The rapid evolution of retail technology means there’s always more to learn and discuss.

Remember, whether you’re a major enterprise or a small retailer, understanding and leveraging data is no longer optional – it’s essential for staying competitive in today’s retail landscape.

Find more episodes about what’s on the forefront in retail innovation here

Kate Bradley-Chernis

Mastering Content with AI: A Dive into Data-Driven Marketing with Kate Bradley-Chernis

In this episode of Talk Commerce, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kate Bradley, the CEO of Lately.ai. We discussed the integration of machine learning into content creation and the nuances of automation, AI, and creativity. Dive into our conversation to learn about AI in marketing, the importance of human touch in content editing, and the future of collaborative AI.

Introduction to Lately’s AI-Powered Content

During our conversation, Kate Bradley shared fascinating insights about how Lately leverages neuroscience-driven AI to enhance marketing efforts on social media. Her passion for connecting with people online resonates deeply with Lately’s mission to generate precise messaging for optimal engagement. As someone intrigued by how technology reshapes messaging, I found Kate’s approach both innovative and refreshing.

The Essence of Human and AI Collaboration

Kate emphasized the importance of the human touch in content creation, even in an AI-assisted environment. She pointed out that while tools can automate and analyze data to generate content, it’s crucial for humans to ensure that the messaging resonates with the target audience. This collaborative AI approach, she noted, outperforms standalone AI, reflecting the need for humans to validate and enhance AI-generated content.

The Learning Journey of AI Algorithms

A standout element of our discussion was how Lately’s algorithm learns from its users. Unlike large language models like ChatGPT, Lately focuses on personalizing content creation by analyzing individual social media analytics. This continuous performance learning loop allows the AI to improve its output based on user feedback—a crucial aspect in achieving effective communication that resonates with the audience.

Deliverability in AI Content Strategies

One of the key challenges in modern content marketing is maintaining the right cadence of content delivery. Kate shared statistics highlighting the need for frequent and varied messaging to truly engage audiences. With Lately’s capabilities, users can seamlessly manage their social media content, ensuring it reaches the right audiences at the right time without overwhelming them.

The Human Element in AI-driven Communication

Throughout our conversation, we touched upon the balance between automation and human creativity. Kate reminded us that AI is still a tool—an aid for processing vast amounts of information quickly. However, it is not a replacement for the nuanced thinking and emotional connectivity humans bring to storytelling and marketing.

Chatting with Kate Bradley reignited my appreciation for the intersection of AI and human creativity. The insight that AI, when combined with human intervention, can transform social media marketing strategies was enlightening. I invite you to delve deeper into this topic by listening to the full episode. Explore how AI can complement your marketing efforts and how maintaining that human connection can lead to profound audience engagement.

If you’re curious about leveraging AI for your content strategy, check out Lately to see how it can revolutionize your social media approach. Let us know your thoughts on AI and creativity in the comments or by reaching out on social media.

Click here for more episodes about AI

Talk Commerce - Udayan Bose

The Future of E-Commerce: Insights from Udayan Bose on AI-Powered Marketing

In this episode of Talk Commerce, I had the pleasure of speaking with Udayan Bose, founder and CEO of NetElixir. With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, Udayan shared his insights on the rapidly evolving landscape of e-commerce and how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the way businesses approach marketing.

Failing Faster and Learning in Digital Marketing

One of the key themes that emerged from our conversation was the importance of adopting a “fail faster” mindset in digital marketing. As Udayan put it:

Just the willingness to dive in and figure things out and suddenly sort of you really have to obviously hustle hard but things slowly come in place and when it comes in place the impact is quite magical.

He emphasized that in an industry as dynamic as e-commerce, being open to experimentation and learning from failures is crucial for staying ahead of the curve.

Navigating Competitive Pressures and Rising Costs

Udayan also shed light on the challenges faced by e-commerce businesses today, particularly the squeeze on contribution margins due to intense competition and rising advertising costs. He noted:

If you certain categories saw a CPC increase of almost about 32%. So the cost per click, the same Google ad, costs a lot more now. So just think of it. You are unable to increase your prices, and the variable cost keeps on increasing. And this is leading to a massive squeeze in the contribution margins.

As someone who has worked with numerous e-commerce clients, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of these pressures on businesses. It’s more important than ever for merchants to optimize their marketing strategies and find ways to differentiate themselves in a crowded market.

The Power of AI and Machine Learning in Marketing

One of the most fascinating parts of our discussion centered around the role of AI and machine learning in transforming digital marketing. Udayan explained the difference between horizontal AI, which focuses on productivity and doing more with less, and vertical AI, which is tailored to solving specific problems using a company’s own data.

Vertical AI, I think of it, is very specific to solving your problem. And the problem that, for example, our tool, Alexa Insight, solves […] is we just wanted to solve a simple problem that the entire e-commerce world or digital marketing was focused on new customer acquisition. We wanted to change it marginally and say that, can we use machine learning to help you do new high value customer acquisition?

This notion of leveraging AI to identify and acquire high-value customers resonated with me. As e-commerce becomes increasingly competitive, the ability to target and retain the right customers can make all the difference in a business’s success.

Advice for E-Commerce Merchants

As we wrapped up our conversation, I asked Udayan what advice he would give to e-commerce store owners looking to stay ahead in today’s market. His response emphasized the importance of experimentation and staying informed about industry trends:

I would actually sort of have two very specifically. The first one is just creating, carving those experiments of those tests. […] The second one effectively is as simple as that. I mean, you have to reserve 10% of your personal time as the business owner or the CMO to just explore what is going on because in many cases the biggest mistake I have seen a lot of lot of business owners really make they’re just so so much working inside out that they just never get the time to look at us to what season am I in, right?

I couldn’t agree more with this advice. In my experience working with e-commerce businesses, the most successful ones are those that prioritize continuous learning and adaptation.

Watch the full episode on YouTube

Final Thoughts

My conversation with Udayan Bose offered a wealth of insights into the future of e-commerce and the role of AI in shaping digital marketing strategies. As we navigate this rapidly evolving landscape, embracing experimentation, staying attuned to industry shifts, and leveraging the power of AI will be key to thriving in the years ahead.

To dive deeper into these topics and hear more of Udayan’s expertise, be sure to listen to the full Talk Commerce podcast episode. Let’s keep the conversation going – reach out and share your own experiences and insights on the future of e-commerce!

Contact Details:
GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS:
3 Independence Way, Suite #203,
Princeton, NJ 08540
Call: 609.356.5112
https://www.netelixir.com/

Connect on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/netelixirudayanbose/

Talk-Commerce Akeneo Kristin Naragon

Transforming Retail through Product Experience with Kristin Naragon

The future of retail lies in delivering exceptional product experiences. That’s the key message from digital commerce expert Kristin Naragon in this insightful episode of Talk Commerce. As Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Akeneo, Naragon has seen firsthand how centralizing product data and incorporating AI is revolutionizing online shopping.

Key Takeaways:

  • Implementing a product information management (PIM) solution led to a 36% sales increase for Rural King and 15 minute time-to-market for Staples Canada.
  • 61% of retailers are adopting augmented reality, with some seeing conversion rates double for AR-enabled products.
  • AI can be transformative but needs human validation – incorrect product details could be dangerous.
  • A comprehensive product experience strategy requires buy-in across the c-suite, not just marketing.

About Kristin Naragon

With nearly 20 years in tech marketing, including senior roles at Akeneo and Adobe, Kristin brings a wealth of go-to-market strategy experience. As a customer-obsessed, outcomes-focused leader, she’s passionate about developing partnerships and solutions that drive business success. At Akeneo, that means delivering product experience innovation that transforms retail.

Exploring Centralized Data and AI for Next-Gen Shopping

Kristin traces the genesis of Akeneo back to a frustrating shopping experience – her husband struggling to find compatible AV equipment across various retailer sites. The problem? Inconsistent and conflicting product information stemming from decentralized data. As Kristin explains, “You can control the product information. Having that core record, categorized, cataloged, complete, enriched…that’s what Akeneo uniquely solves.”

That product record lies at the heart of Akeneo’s product experience cloud. By centralizing all product data into a PIM, retailers can distribute accurate, up-to-date listings to every touchpoint – web, mobile, print, and more. The result, as evidenced by Rural King and Staples Canada, is operational efficiency, reduced time to market, and revenue growth. “It touches every part of the business,” Naragon states.

And that was just the beginning. The launch of Akeneo’s in-platform app store unlocked innovation opportunities through 3rd party AI integrations. As Kristin explains, “We had about a dozen applications developed leveraging AI to help different parts of the product experience management process.” From onboarding data to generating descriptions and translating content, AI is transforming PIM capabilities.

Ultimately, Akeneo’s acquisition of AI startup Unifi was fueled by demand for enhanced data enrichment. But Kristin cautions AI requires oversight. “Bad product information generated from these AI models can really serve the business in a bad way,” she warns, sharing examples of incorrect phone storage stats and dangerously mixed chemical data. The solution lies in Akeneo’s workflows – “introducing a checking system with employees, humans.”

The Future of Retail Will Be Experiential

As the podcast wraps up, Kristin points to AI, AR, and the blockchain as technologies that will converge to enhance shopping dramatically. But the biggest shift must start internally. “Making product experience strategy a C-suite initiative – that’s something we’re going to be focused on,” she predicts. Because as omnichannel retail blurs lines, the brands offering the most contextual, consistent and helpful product experiences will win consumer loyalty.

In closing, Kristin perfectly captures the ethos of our digital era: “It seems so obvious, I guess. And sometimes the things that seem so obvious are often overlooked.”

Memorable Quotes

“You can control the product information. Having that core record, categorized, cataloged, complete, enriched…that’s what Akeneo uniquely solves.”

Here Kristin eloquently sums up the universal product data dilemma facing retailers – and how a properly structured PIM solves it through centralization.

“Bad product information generated from these AI models can really serve the business in a bad way.”

A stark reminder that while AI delivers efficiency, its capability to propagate nonsense means implementing guardrails is crucial.

“Making product experience strategy a C-suite initiative – that’s something we’re going to be focused on.”

This prediction underscores Kristin’s belief that optimizing product content across channels needs to become a boardroom priority to drive sales.

Tune In and Join the Product Experience Revolution

If mindset shifts, emerging technologies and real-world use cases have you rethinking your ecommerce content strategy, be sure to check out the full episode. Subscribe to Talk Commerce so you don’t miss future conversations at the intersection of commerce and digital disruption.

At its core, this podcast highlights that product experiences represent the new competitive battleground. As consumers increasingly demand personalized, contextual, and helpful shopping journeys, retailers must transform product content from a cost center into a revenue driver. The brands that invest in product experience now will shape the future of retail.

Talk-Commerce Arv Natarajan

Decoding the AI Revolution: Retail Transformation with Arv Natarajan

Brent Peterson is joined by a special guest, Arv Natarajan, Director of Product at GroupBy Inc. Together. They delve into the exciting world of AI and its transformative impact on the retail industry. Brent and Arv kick off the conversation by discussing how retailers utilize AI to drive their sales. Arv, leveraging his expertise at GroupBy – a company renowned for powering some of the most successful eCommerce websites – explains the AI-driven mechanisms that help businesses thrive in a competitive retail landscape.

The conversation then shifts to comparing next-generation product discovery technologies and legacy solutions. Arv shares insights on the cutting-edge enhancements that GroupBy has introduced to their Product Discovery Platform in March 2023 and how these developments are redefining eCommerce search. In the final segment, Brent and Arv explore the future of personalized search and recommendations in the eCommerce industry.

They discuss the potential of AI to tailor online shopping experiences and how this could revolutionize customer engagement and conversion rates. Listeners will better understand AI’s role in reshaping retail, product discovery technologies’ evolution, and the future for personalized eCommerce experiences.

Notable Quotes

‘Aave Natarajan’, ’00:08:43′, “Over $300 billion online is lost each year from a bad search experience. That’s a huge number and clearly it’s a problem that needs to be solved.”

‘Aave Natarajan’, ’00:09:32′, “If you could combine both of those experiences and make that online shopping experience more as if you are in a store, not only is it compelling and helpful to the user, I think it would also obviously help the retailer by providing better cross-sell opportunities or upsell opportunities as well.”

Brent W. Peterson 00:23:49, “And then I see a lot of e-commerce stores maybe saying we will keep this internal, we’re not going to share it with anybody, but this will help your buying experience right? Just like you get a personal shopper for you that’s going to go to your local store, your local department store and buy stuff for you. This is an opportunity for trusted brands to have trusted personal shoppers that are bots, right?”

Aave Natarajan, 00:28:59, “Don’t sleep on this technology. It is right here, right now. It’s available to use. It is cutting edge. It will provide more relevant results with less effort and less cost to run, and it will be optimized for your specific objectives. This technology you should be taking advantage of it.”

When to find it in the Podcast

Challenges in Product Discovery [00:08:09]
Aave Natarajan discusses the challenges retailers face with product discovery, including the problem of customers not being able to find the products they are looking for quickly.

AI-powered online shopping experience [00:09:32]
Discussion on how AI can enhance the online shopping experience to mimic the assistance provided by a store associate.

Tailored recommendations based on AI [00:10:29]
Exploring the potential of AI to provide tailored recommendations for specific needs, such as building a garden shed or planning a family dinner.

Advancements in AI technology for e-commerce [00:12:04]
Highlighting the advancements in AI technology for e-commerce, including the use of Google’s search platform and the potential for better product discovery and customer experiences.

[00:17:33]
The Impact of AI-generated Content on Search Results This topic discusses the potential impact of AI-generated content on search results and the concern of penalization by search engines like Google.

[00:19:31]
Differentiating Content and Results in Retail This topic explores the difference between content and product results in retail, emphasizing the importance of personalized and unique content to avoid being generic. T

[00:20:54]
The Future of Personalized E-commerce Experiences This topic delves into the future of personalized searching and shopping experiences, including the role of social media, data usage, and the potential for chatbots to provide tailored recommendations.

Democratizing AI Technology [00:26:02]
Discussion on how democratizing AI technology can level the playing field for smaller brands in providing compelling shopping experiences.

GroupBy’s Unique Offerings [00:26:18]
Exploration of GroupBy’s unique offerings in omnichannel e-commerce search and product discovery and its potential impact on the retail industry.

Advantages of GroupBy’s Platform [00:27:06]
Explanation of how GroupBy’s platform enables retailers to create extraordinary digital experiences, optimize revenue, and benefit from flexible and modular technology integrations.

Help with some tweets!

What challenges do you think retailers face when it comes to providing a seamless product discovery experience for customers? Share your insights!

Get in touch

https://www.groupbyinc.com/news/news-articles/groupby-delivers-next-gen-ecommerce-search.

Arv’s LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/arvnatarajan/?originalSubdomain=ca

GroupBy’s LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/groupby-inc/

Shopware AI Copilot-Unpacking the Power of 8 New AI Features-4

Shopware AI Copilot: Unpacking the Power of 8 New AI Features

Shopware brings to the table eight groundbreaking AI features, designed to empower merchants and provide an enhanced shopping experience. These features are all set to transform content management, export functions, customer classification, image metadata, product reviews, personalized messaging, and product properties, as well as translations.

6 Tips to get better responses from ChatGPT

6 Tips to get better responses from ChatGPT

If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated with the responses you’re getting from ChatGPT, these tips can help. From being specific about your outcomes to formatting your inputs clearly, these strategies can help you communicate more effectively with this powerful language model. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to get better answers and insights from ChatGPT, no matter what your goals may be.

Talk Commerce
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