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Group Chat News is back with a special guest Rohan Shah, co-founder of Extend.com, the platform doing over $1 billion in GMV making extended warranties actually work for retailers. The guys go deep with a true Silicon Valley insider on Google's monster earnings, how tech billionaires really spend their money, why NFL teams might be the safest asset in America, and what's actually happening inside companies spending big on AI. This week's Group Chat covers: Rohan's path — Harker, Stanford, and building Extend into a billion-dollar GMV business Silicon Valley's prep school pipeline and the public vs private school divide Inside enterprise AI spending — big token bills, unclear ROI, and why "we don't know yet" is the honest answer The AI job-loss story that went in reverse — companies that cut heads are rehiring Apple's patience play — keeping cash on the balance sheet while everyone else spends trillions Rohan's stock picks — memory semis, nuclear and energy infrastructure, mining, Google, DoorDash, Meta Google's monster earnings — a $9 vs $2 beat, $99 billion in other income from Anthropic and SpaceX stakes, and the stock still dropped The Khosla family, the Seahawks, and the NFL's first Indian owner Why NFL teams might be the safest investment in America — "the Cowboys will outlast all of it" Trump accounts, custom ETFs, and kids treating stocks like baseball cards Why Silicon Valley doesn't build libraries the robber baron playbook vs "changing the world" Gambling ads on every screen what we allow now that we'd never allow for cigarettes And much more! Drop us a 5-star rating and a review if you're rocking with the show.

Alibaba shares posted their largest one day gain in ten months as investors showed greater confidence in the company's earnings outlook. The company operates Taobao, Tmall, Cainiao, Alibaba Cloud, and international platforms such as AliExpress and Lazada. Leadership under CEO Eddie Wu and chairman Joseph Tsai continues to manage a multi unit structure announced in 2023. Earnings expectations focus on consumer demand, advertising, marketplace fees, logistics, cloud utilization, and capital return. The rally influences allocations in China tech funds and US listed ADRs and shapes decisions for merchants, suppliers, and cloud customers. Stakeholders are watching guidance on GMV, advertising demand, cloud margins, capital expenditures, and any changes to seller programs and logistics service levels.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every big commerce name put up growth in the first half of 2026. Rick's question is what it cost them.Shopify had its best quarter in years and passed $100 billion in GMV, though loan losses at Shopify Capital crept up over the same stretch. Amazon beat estimates and then turned around and spent $44.2 billion in three months on AI infrastructure. UPS is doing something stranger. It's shrinking revenue on purpose, walking away from Amazon volume and booking about $1.2 billion in separation costs to chase higher-margin work. Walmart's real growth engine now looks like advertising. FedEx spun off its freight business and is trying to pull a billion dollars of cost out of the network. And PayPal keeps moving more money while the profitable part of the business sits nearly flat.The Watson Weekly is sponsored by Avalara. It works with platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce, helping teams manage compliance faster and scale with confidence. Learn more at avalara.watsonweekly.com.None of that shows up in a headline growth number. Rick's case is that the cash flow does, and that it separates the companies actually getting healthier from the ones renting the look of it.#watsonweekly #shopify #amazon #ups #walmart #fedex #paypal

MASTERMIND https://socialcommerceclub.com/pages/tiktok-shop-os-mastermindSAY HI https://socialcommerceclub.com/STAY INFORMEDhttps://jordanwestnewsletter.beehiiv.com/In this TikTok Shop operator AMA, ‪@jordanwest-ecom‬ answers real questions from brands, sellers, and agency owners on how to launch TikTok Shop when you have no data, test hooks and scripts, manage affiliate creator expectations, incentivize creators during a Blitz, and turn first-time affiliate posts into repeat seller relationships. He breaks down why TikTok Shop is a performance content channel, not an influencer aesthetic channel, and explains how brands should think about creator testing, product demos, buying triggers, bundles, pricing, whitelisting, Meta ads, AI creators, and fast feedback loops.Jordan also shares Social Commerce Club's approach to the thousand-video rule, creator guardrails, FastMoss and Kalodata research, WhatsApp creator communities, structured testing matrices, commission bumps, GMV bonuses, creator contests, and Blitz campaign execution. This episode is a practical guide for brands trying to launch, scale, or improve TikTok Shop by building a real creator operating system instead of relying on one-off affiliate posts.If you are a brand looking for TikTok Shop support, visit Social Commerce Club. Smaller brands can also apply for the Social Commerce Club Mastermind to get help building and scaling their TikTok Shop strategy.

Master the new Microsoft Marketplace ecosystem. Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://theultimatepartner.com/ebook-subscribe/ Check Out UPX:https://theultimatepartner.com/experience/ Discover the tectonic shifts happening within the Microsoft ecosystem as Cyril Belikoff and Jon Yoo dive deep into the unification of the Microsoft Marketplace and the explosive rise of AI-driven commerce. This comprehensive discussion explores how the marketplace is transitioning from an incubation island to the mainland of Microsoft’s go-to-market strategy, allowing partners to tap into massive Azure consumption commitments. Learn how product-led growth, AI agents, and optimized digital flows are replacing traditional sales motions, making cloud marketplaces the default engine for scaling revenue in 2026 and beyond. https://youtu.be/cAeSIEXbnNo Key Takeaways Microsoft unified its various marketplaces into a single digital flywheel for customers to discover, try, and buy applications. Applications, such as Copilot certified agents, are contextually surfaced directly within Microsoft products to meet users in their flow of work. Customers are making massive Azure commitments, and purchasing full software stacks through the marketplace retires those commitments entirely. Cloud marketplaces have evolved from a secondary channel into the default go-to-market engine with triple-digit revenue growth. Partners must shift from deal-led transactions to product-led growth by optimizing their digital marketplace listings for AI and search engines. The future of software procurement will increasingly involve AI agents acting on behalf of organizations to seamlessly integrate multiple smaller applications. If you're ready to lead through change, elevate your business, and achieve extraordinary outcomes through the power of partnership—this is your community. At Ultimate Partner® we want leaders like you to join us in the Ultimate Partner Experience – where transformation begins. Key Tags: Microsoft Marketplace, Azure commitments, AI agents, Frontier transformation, M365 Copilot, Foundry, digital flywheel, co-selling, product-led growth, ecosystem shift, SaaS distribution, REO, resale enabled offer, listing optimization, search engine optimization, agentic commerce, cloud go-to-market, revenue recognition, multi-party private offers, Hyperscalers Transcript: Cyril Belikoff and Jon Yoo Audio Podcast [00:00:00] Cyril Belikoff: Why do you have to outsource this or create this vi? Just edit the video right there yourself. Like why do you have to just go do the, as a marketer you want to create a beautiful piece of content, just go and create it. ’cause it can create it for you. Now [00:00:13] Jon Yoo: you can feel it happening. The ecosystem is shifting beneath us, the way Hyperscalers are partnering. [00:00:19] Jon Yoo: How AI is remaking the channel and what it means to win in 2026. [00:00:25] Vince Menzione: Welcome to The Ultimate Partner Podcast. I’m Vince Manzione, your host. [00:00:30] Jon Yoo: We just wrapped up two days in Bellevue with some of the sharpest partner leaders in the business, and what we heard wasn’t incremental, it was tectonic. In this series, we’re going deeper into these conversations, the insights, the frameworks, the real movement we’re seeing in this market right now, because being in the room changes everything and we’re bringing that room to you. [00:00:55] Vince Menzione: And I am thrilled actually for this next one. Uh, I’ve had this opportunity to spend a little bit of time with this gentleman before, and welcoming him back is a pleasure and an honor. Cyril Beov, the vice president. I’m gonna botch up your title ’cause I always say marketplaces, but it’s much more than that. [00:01:14] Vince Menzione: So come on up, zero. And we’re gonna have a conversation and Cyril is amongst other things at Microsoft. Good to see you, sir. Yeah, [00:01:24] Cyril Belikoff: you too, [00:01:25] Vince Menzione: uh, is responsible for the, the Microsoft marketplace. [00:01:29] Cyril Belikoff: Are these your notes here? [00:01:30] Vince Menzione: These are, um, what is that? Yeah, these is gonna be our, our questions, so we, yeah, I, I need help sometimes so prompting, but, uh, so great to have you. [00:01:38] Vince Menzione: So just for purposes of title and context, ’cause your role is much bigger than just marketplace. Yeah. And we’re, we’re gonna sit down and John, is this me? Yes. And then John’s gonna join us. [00:01:47] Cyril Belikoff: Okay. Great. [00:01:48] Joe, [00:01:48] Vince Menzione: well, we’re gonna get started and start having a conversation. And we’ve, we’ve done some of these things before. [00:01:53] Vince Menzione: I’ve, I’ve had, you had me on your stage Yes. In your event at Alyssa Taylor’s event. [00:01:57] Cyril Belikoff: Yes. [00:01:58] Vince Menzione: And then, uh, we’ve, we’ve done some nice things together on stage, both at, at our event in Redmond last year. Yes. Then at our big, uh, ignite breakfast back [00:02:07] Cyril Belikoff: and forth, we had Vince come to our wider org and sort of, uh, I got to do the reverse. [00:02:13] Cyril Belikoff: And so interview him in front of a bunch of, uh, 500 marketers on what do we have to think about for partners. And so he gave us sort of the what’s going on in the partner ecosystem, how to think about it as we think about it, our marketing. [00:02:26] Vince Menzione: And I tried to be candid and represent this group. [00:02:28] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah, that’s great. [00:02:29] Yeah. [00:02:30] Vince Menzione: Was wonderful. Thank you for doing that. [00:02:31] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. [00:02:32] Vince Menzione: You, you work, you work in an amazing organization. Um, I’ve known Alyssa for many years as well, and you’re an incredible leader. And I just, I wanna frame this maybe with a conversation about, ’cause we’re gonna talk about what’s changed, but, but I think it’s still important for everybody in the room to understand what you did and what your team orchestrated around market. [00:02:52] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah, [00:02:52] Vince Menzione: because it was fragmented, it was in different organizations, it felt very dis disorganized, I guess. Yeah. For lack of a better word. [00:02:59] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. Thank you. Um, essentially we took it from incubation Island to the mainland Microsoft. I love it. Uh, GTM [00:03:07] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:03:07] Cyril Belikoff: Is the simplest way to think about it. Um, and, uh, come September last year now, uh, we unified the, the, the, the many marketplaces. [00:03:19] Cyril Belikoff: Uh, whether it was an Azure marketplace or AppSource and others, and we created the new Microsoft marketplace. Yeah. So one single place for customers to come, discover, try, buy, and for partners, software companies and other NSIs to put their wares up. And, uh, it was the first step in a vision for us to create this digital flywheel for us to bring our customers and our partners together in a more, you know, automated way. [00:03:47] Vince Menzione: Which it, it sounds crazy when you think about it, right? Microsoft has always been like the partnership leader, the leader in the technology, and to have fragmented marketplaces before, right? Yeah. And so what clarity to bring that all together. [00:04:00] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. It was a big, it was a big step for us and I think what we realized is that customers and partners were saying, Hey, uh, it’s all one place. [00:04:07] Cyril Belikoff: If I’m looking for a SaaS application or an agent or, and plug into teams or whatever it is. I just want to get it all in one spot. Uh, and, uh, and then we need you to connect us to your channel. [00:04:21] Vince Menzione: Yes. [00:04:21] Cyril Belikoff: Uh, and your partners and, uh, can you build out, you know, partner capabilities for that Connects channel to software companies, to, to customers in a digital flywheel way. [00:04:30] Cyril Belikoff: Um, one of the things we actually also announced at that time was this concept of what we call. The marketplace framework. So it’s not just the fact that we have this digital experience or web experience, but that, um, applications that go into the marketplace, depending on the type of applications they get contextually surfaced within Microsoft products. [00:04:53] Vince Menzione: Okay. [00:04:53] Cyril Belikoff: And so if you’re, [00:04:54] Vince Menzione: explain that for this Yeah. For me and for this crap. [00:04:57] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. So if you are a, um, if you’re a co-pilot certified agent. M 365 copilot agent, you’ll be in the marketplace, but you’ll also be automatically surfaced inside the M 365 copilot, um, product. [00:05:11] Vince Menzione: Nice. [00:05:12] Cyril Belikoff: Same for, uh, large language models in foundry, add-ins in teams, those sort of things. [00:05:18] Cyril Belikoff: ’cause it’s one thing to be where people go to discover Tribu, but users also go into these stores, whether it’s a developer user or an end user. They go in the flow of their work and they want to move quickly. Yes. And so, uh, so they have access. We think that’s very attractive. And the feedback was, Hey, that’s quite differentiated. [00:05:35] Cyril Belikoff: ’cause we have, uh, hundreds of millions of customers in these products every day. [00:05:39] Vince Menzione: Yes. [00:05:39] Cyril Belikoff: And so giving our customers access, our partners access to it and improving their customer experience, um, has worked out well. [00:05:47] Vince Menzione: And something else you did too, because at one point, you know, we were talking about co-selling and single-threaded. [00:05:53] Vince Menzione: And Microsoft has this incredible ecosystem and channel. [00:05:57] Cyril Belikoff: Yes. [00:05:58] Vince Menzione: And it, it was totally disconnected from the whole marketplace strategy, right? Yes. Yeah. [00:06:03] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. So we, uh, um, we launched, I think in, uh, sorry. At that time in September, we launched five of our largest distributors who were also federating the Microsoft marketplace into their marketplaces. [00:06:16] Cyril Belikoff: And then in the November timeframe at Microsoft Ignite, we launched resale enabled offer [00:06:23] Vince Menzione: RO, [00:06:23] Cyril Belikoff: which is REO, which is a new capability that is proven extremely popular, that connects the software company and the reseller, you know, um, to go and do more deals at scale faster. So [00:06:36] Vince Menzione: we have, we have four of the Es in the room, [00:06:38] Cyril Belikoff: right? [00:06:38] Vince Menzione: Some of the four at the top. Five or six. And then also one of your largest resellers software, one is here as well. [00:06:45] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. Great. [00:06:46] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:06:47] Cyril Belikoff: Great. So it’s, uh, we’ve been busy. [00:06:48] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:06:49] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. Like I said, um, uh, much more work to do. But we are moving from like this incubation project to mainland get it integrated into our core customer, go to market, uh, so that our, uh, software companies and partners have access to those customers. [00:07:03] Cyril Belikoff: And then integration, uh, with the channel. So [00:07:06] Vince Menzione: it’s been a lot happening these last 12 months. Uh. Then Frontier, let’s talk about Frontier. That’s another piece of this. [00:07:14] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. I’m sure Steven touched on, uh, frontier Transformational or becoming Frontier or Frontier Firm. So probably not helpful to me rehash that. [00:07:23] Cyril Belikoff: I think in general. If you go to a Microsoft discussion or session and you don’t hear about frontier or Frontier transformation, please like, raise your hand and give feedback because that is, um, [00:07:34] Vince Menzione: I kept away from the word frontier with Steve. We were talking about it, but we weren’t using the term frontier. [00:07:38] Vince Menzione: Yeah. ’cause I feel like it gets overused. It’s, [00:07:40] Cyril Belikoff: yeah, it does. It’s, it’s sort of, um, what we try to do with it is articulate it in a way that it’s not just about AI for AI’s sake. [00:07:48] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:07:48] Cyril Belikoff: But it’s AI based on what the customer outcome is trying to, what the customer is trying to achieve on their outcome. Um, and so as part of that, of course, you know, agents, AI applications is a big part of what’s driving customers’ capability of, uh, to become frontier. [00:08:05] Cyril Belikoff: And, uh, the marketplace is part of that. ’cause they can either custom build that. Uh, or they can, you know, buy off the shelf, right? Uh, or, and actually in Combin they do mostly they do both, right? And so, um, in order to accelerate their ability to become more frontier, we have these, uh, partners that build, uh, third party solutions through a marketplace. [00:08:27] Cyril Belikoff: And then, uh, uh, those same partners or others that build bespoke solutions around that. So, um, a lot of momentum around, uh, AI apps and agencies, as you can imagine. Um, we have, I think, 5,000 plus AI apps and agents. [00:08:43] Vince Menzione: I was gonna ask you what you’re focused on now, but you, I think you’re tying into this now already. [00:08:47] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. Um, so of course that’s important. [00:08:50] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:08:50] Cyril Belikoff: But really for us it’s about doubling down on driving customer, customer demand. How do we merchandise the right things that customers are looking for? How do we, uh, accelerate any of our flows? Like we will spend hours just looking at like the flow of one scenario. [00:09:07] Cyril Belikoff: Where is it getting stuck? How do we improve it? Um, and then how do we connect it to the channel? And, and what, what more things can we do like EO or multi-party private offers and the like, and we have. Probably an announcement a month in the next three or four months. [00:09:24] Vince Menzione: Oh, come on. Let’s, [00:09:24] Cyril Belikoff: that will, [00:09:25] Vince Menzione: I know, I know it’s early. [00:09:26] Vince Menzione: I know it’s early, but you, you’ve got some, I know you’ve got some things. Think [00:09:29] Cyril Belikoff: about the customer experience. Think about the channel integration and dream about [00:09:33] Vince Menzione: what maybe more of a global scale with some of the offerings, maybe, maybe. Um, so, you know, I, so I, the earnings, we talked about the earnings with Steven, but I thought that there was a very compelling number around the commitment number. [00:09:46] Vince Menzione: Yes. You and you run your Azure as part of your remit. We didn’t go through your entire remit. [00:09:50] Cyril Belikoff: Yep. [00:09:51] Vince Menzione: It’s not just marketplace. You also, you also own the Azure number. [00:09:53] Cyril Belikoff: Yep. [00:09:54] Vince Menzione: Let’s talk about that. [00:09:55] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. Um. You know, it’s, it’s exciting times for customers. They want to do things not only with us, but with everyone in the room. [00:10:04] Cyril Belikoff: Um, and they are making very large commitments, huge commitments over the next two to three years to spend on Azure. Um, and so it’s now our joint jobs to go and help them identify the right business outcome and go and, you know, consume that commitment. It is just a commitment. It’s not actual. Consumption. [00:10:27] Cyril Belikoff: Yes. And so it’s all of our jobs to take advantage of that. The, the customers are saying, Hey, we have line of sight to the types of things we want to go do over the next two to three years. Uh, probably not everything is, you know, i’s dotted and t’s across, but they have line of sight to most of it. Um, and how do we go help them drive that? [00:10:46] Cyril Belikoff: Um, and so from an Azure perspective, obviously that’s very encouraging for us. It, it allows us to. Invest in more data centers and more capacity that we are doing as fast as we can. Um, and then, um, and then of course on marketplace, the marketplace can retire. [00:11:04] Vince Menzione: That’s [00:11:04] Cyril Belikoff: that Azure commitment. That’s, [00:11:05] Vince Menzione: I wanted to make sure [00:11:06] Cyril Belikoff: people understand that the, in fact, not only the Azure component from the marketplace, but the full software stack from the partner, uh, the software company retires the Azure commitment. [00:11:17] Cyril Belikoff: So if it’s. Uh, I’ll make it up if it’s, uh, a hundred bucks and it’s 50 50, it’s not 50 50, but, um, I won’t disclose any percentages, but let’s say it’s 50 50, it’s much more for the software company, by the way. Um, if it’s 50 50, it’s not just like the $50 for Azure that gets retired. It’s the entire a hundred dollars that gets retired on the customer commitment, commitment, which is great for the software company. [00:11:39] Cyril Belikoff: It’s also great for the customer that they can, you know. Bring that through, uh, to, uh, to their Azure commitment. And we do the same thing with our sellers. So the marketplace sales retire our sellers compensation. So we’re like checking every box so that there’s no friction in the system. So that, so the partner, the customer, our sellers, they’re all juiced to go and. [00:12:03] Cyril Belikoff: Deals with marketplace. [00:12:04] Vince Menzione: I, I hope everybody un understand. I mean, I understand this. I hope everybody else understand this too. ’cause I, I was, watch, you know, I, I, I watched LinkedIn and I see people post things and somebody made a comment about how difficult it was to use Microsoft Portal. And I was thinking to myself, do you realize that there’s, I’ll say 150 billion, but it’s probably a bigger number than that. [00:12:22] Vince Menzione: That’s a total addressable market available to you if you’re a Microsoft partner. You can access these customer commitments. [00:12:30] Cyril Belikoff: Oh yes. [00:12:30] Vince Menzione: If you bring your product on Mark over 400 now [00:12:32] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. [00:12:33] Vince Menzione: You bring your product into the marketplace, you have access and the customer can retire that commitment. [00:12:38] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. [00:12:39] Vince Menzione: Without having to justify a new cost justification. [00:12:41] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. They don’t have to go to procurement. They don’t have to. Yeah. [00:12:44] Vince Menzione: Yeah. I mean, it’s a huge opportunity. [00:12:46] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. [00:12:46] Vince Menzione: So, um, so you’ve been focused on quite a bit. We wanted to invite John on stage. [00:12:53] Cyril Belikoff: Great. [00:12:53] Vince Menzione: John, you from Sugar is here. Where’s John? Is John in the house? Where’s John? [00:12:57] Cyril Belikoff: There he is. [00:12:58] Vince Menzione: Who’s also an expert in Marketplace. [00:13:00] Vince Menzione: A great friend of Ultimate Partner. Great. Hey, how’s it going? He’s a great partner of Ultimate Partner. Great to see you, sir. All the way from San Fran. Oh, actually we’re on your side of the coast, so, uh, it’s long. He looks [00:13:12] Jon Yoo: cooler than us [00:13:12] Vince Menzione: though. He, he always looks cool. I said that about time. [00:13:15] Jon Yoo: You know, I gotta be comfortable. [00:13:16] Jon Yoo: I gotta be comfortable. [00:13:18] Vince Menzione: So John, good to, good to have you. You’re thanks for having us. You guys are like, every time I see a post from you, you’re moving into a new office space ’cause you’ve outgrown your office space. [00:13:26] Jon Yoo: Yeah, we’re, we’re really excited about the new office. We have hvac, which is a, a big, big, uh, it’s a big thing. [00:13:31] Jon Yoo: Improvements, high ceilings, you know, the whole works h help [00:13:36] Cyril Belikoff: sometimes. Yeah, [00:13:37] Jon Yoo: yeah, yeah, yeah. We, we have our, uh, office opening party if anyone’s an SF on Ally first. [00:13:41] Vince Menzione: Nice. Nice. Yeah. May, may, May 21st. May 21st. That’s right. Well, so, so you’ve been, you’ve had like a front row seat to all of this. I would love to get your perspective on what you’re seeing across partners and what’s changed over the last 12 months. [00:13:55] Jon Yoo: Yeah, so, uh, for those that don’t know, um, sugar is a, uh, a revenue platform for cloud marketplaces and co-selling. Um, so we partner very closely with Microsoft as well as either hyperscalers and other marketplaces like Snowflake, Alibaba, et cetera. And what we, what, what I’m seeing is a couple things. One marketplace is becoming a default to go to market engine. [00:14:17] Jon Yoo: So, you know, I think a lot of people see the stats about how the, the GMV, so, you know, the, the throughput through these marketplaces have been doubling. We’re seeing that in our data as well. So we’re seeing triple digit revenue growth from marketplaces. We’re seeing companies who, you know, maybe the earlier end of marketplaces were infra platform layer of software that used to really adopt it. [00:14:37] Jon Yoo: Now you’re seeing. You know, explosion in a business application layer of companies as well. And so that’s super exciting. I’d say the second piece is channel players are getting more and more involved. Um, I think, you know, I’m the Silicon Valley SaaS bubble, uh, or the AI bubble, so to speak. And I didn’t know as much about the channel world and even these big AI companies. [00:14:59] Jon Yoo: I mean, you’re seeing unprecedented, unprecedented demand, uh, for these, you know, LMS or these AI biz apps. And despite that, they are really working with a partner ecosystem because you’re realizing that most of the world do not really know how to adopt ai. Yeah. And they’re really leaning on expertise. [00:15:18] Jon Yoo: And these AI companies, AI native companies, are looking to channel partners who have these. You know, relationships with their end buyers on how to deliver change managements, how to deliver enablement, not just a system integration site. [00:15:32] Vince Menzione: And they’re also looking to the platform or platforms in the case, Microsoft here also. [00:15:36] Vince Menzione: Right. Which, because like what, where am I gonna do just go out and buy philanthropic or Claude or whatever? I need that to be integrated into my enterprise as well. Right, exactly. [00:15:46] Jon Yoo: So we’re definitely seeing like more adoption of Microsoft Foundry, for example, as people think about security and governance and whatnot. [00:15:52] Vince Menzione: Yeah. Very cool. Any comments on, on? [00:15:55] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah, that makes absolute sense. It’s, uh, um, you know, lots of layers to AI from data. The a, the AI layer itself, the application layer, uh, and innovations happening at all of those pieces of the stack. Um, and so when a software company is trying to, you know, uh, modernize their thought process or build new. [00:16:19] Cyril Belikoff: They ha they have to think about all of those components. Foundry obviously is the AI layer and it provides them with capability to be agile and move quickly and do compliance and, and snap into an organization’s, um, architecture. But it’s the same applies to data, like how it’s fine to have AI but doesn’t, doesn’t do anything without data. [00:16:40] Vince Menzione: Right. [00:16:40] Cyril Belikoff: And so then how do they get data in the cloud? Um, uh, [00:16:44] Vince Menzione: and then how do you security [00:16:45] Cyril Belikoff: govern and govern, right? And how you secure govern, you know, all those sort of things. So obviously we have first party experiences, but they have partners with, um, their own solutions. They’re built on top of, [00:16:53] Vince Menzione: yeah. [00:16:53] Cyril Belikoff: Those Microsoft layers. And, uh, you know, like John says, lots of momentum. [00:16:58] Vince Menzione: So let’s talk about the maturity curve. Like walk us through it. Where do you see partners in this room sitting today? And what does it take to move for them to move to the next stage? Like, what would be your guidance for, for this group? [00:17:11] Jon Yoo: So, you know, we, we work across the entire spectrum of companies. You know, we work with the, the largest enterprises who’ve done billions through these marketplaces like Snowflake, workday, to leading AI companies like Glean or OpenAI, uh, to earlier stage startups who are completely new to marketplaces and really look for, for guidance around what do I do in my first 90 days? [00:17:33] Jon Yoo: How do I get the attention of Microsoft sellers, or how do I. Optimize my marketplace operations so that we can be discovered, uh, really easily on Microsoft Marketplace and others. And the, the way that I think about it is companies first come on, because it is buyer driven oftentimes. So, I mean, that’s just the truth of the nature of you have these big enterprises that want to, you know, burn down their Mac agreements, for example, and that’s how they get started. [00:17:59] Jon Yoo: And or a, a as like this whole space maturing, you’re seeing. A new CRO come in and they’ve done this at X, Y, Z companies and they want to bring that playbook over. But then as they start to do a couple deals through these marketplaces, they think, and this is start of the the flywheel, right? Hey, what do I need for co-selling? [00:18:19] Jon Yoo: And there are systems, you know, integrations and playbooks that need to be done well. Once you do have co-selling figured out, how do I now know which opportunities to co-sell? So we have things like intense signals to be able to. Help them, you know, help overlay a cloud, go to market lens over your existing pipeline. [00:18:36] Jon Yoo: And then now it becomes less of a partnership initiative and actually elevates up to the CRO initiative. And across each of those, um, layers, uh, you have different automation needs because once you actually start to get the flywheel going, it becomes. Holy crap. Now I’m doing 10, 20, 30, 50% of my revenue through these market, you know, through, through marketplace. [00:18:58] Jon Yoo: And it’s creating different data pipelines of work to be done. And now I have to figure out my finance angle of how do I do revenue recognition through these indirect channels. And so that, that, that is kind of the maturity covers. I think about it when you try to retrofit like, uh, all the automation up front, it doesn’t go as well. [00:19:16] Jon Yoo: You have to do a crawl, walk, run approach so that you can also build and bring the rest of the organization with you. So if I look at ’em to the, you know, there’s some familiar faces, some folks that probably are wondering some new faces [00:19:28] Vince Menzione: as well. [00:19:29] Jon Yoo: Yeah. What, what Microsoft marketplace or what marketplace even is. [00:19:33] Jon Yoo: I’d probably say people are in that transformation bucket of, Hey, I’ve done a couple of deals, we’re in this early stages of co-selling. Now I, now I gotta figure out how to supercharge it because this is kind of the future, you know, we can talk more about agenta commerce and whatnot, but, um, I think a lot of people are figuring it out than looking for. [00:19:51] Jon Yoo: For guidance here, [00:19:53] Vince Menzione: zero. [00:19:55] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. You know, I would say, um, I’ll get what I call tactical yet strategic. [00:20:01] Vince Menzione: Okay. [00:20:01] Cyril Belikoff: Which just think about product-led growth. Yeah. Just think about, uh, similar to the consumer world, if you wanna sell something, you need search engine optimization. If you are thinking about these marketplaces and Microsoft marketplace being one, how are you optimizing your listing so that when a user goes into like the search bar, it’s optimized to bring back the results that make sense to you? [00:20:29] Cyril Belikoff: I think historically we’ve had scenarios where some partners have used the marketplace primarily as like a transaction thing. They’ve done the deal, but then they’re transacted on the marketplace ’cause they wanna retire the the Azure commitment. And that is changing to be sort of product led and marketplace led, uh, versus deal led. [00:20:49] Cyril Belikoff: Uh, but you cannot have a generic one line sentence in your listing. You will not be surfaced unless the customer literally knows your name and will search for you. You’ll not be surfaced if they search for a particular category healthcare app that does something right. And if that’s your thing, you should have the right keywords, you have the right images, have the right videos, and we believed in it so much. [00:21:14] Cyril Belikoff: We actually built a listing optimization AI tool that will auto look at your listing. And based on our best practices, and we know what our search engine is doing, we will make recommendations to you on how to improve. Listing. And so it’s not like a read a document as a best practice. It actually will be an ai, uh, customized tool for your particular listing. [00:21:37] Cyril Belikoff: So lean into those types of things, you know, to, as John says, says, think about the digital flow. This over time will become much more of your, of your business. So make sure you’re thinking about, you know, if someone’s on the marketplace and they decide to trial something for you, how, how are you following up? [00:21:56] Cyril Belikoff: Like, how do you take the next steps? Um, maybe you, maybe you working with a reseller and you don’t have your own sellers, but how do you wiring that into your resellers so your resellers are following up? Or if you have your own sellers, you know, your own sellers are doing it. So you have to sort of digitize your thinking on sales and marketing in this new market, commercial marketplace world, versus in the same way we would’ve done in like the consumer marketplace on Amazon or, you know, um, as you search something on Google. [00:22:26] Cyril Belikoff: Maybe bing. Um, so, um, yeah, yeah. This [00:22:29] Vince Menzione: size. B Come on, come on. [00:22:31] Cyril Belikoff: I [00:22:31] Vince Menzione: had bing. [00:22:32] Cyril Belikoff: Um, [00:22:33] Jon Yoo: I do wanna double click on that, which is when, when we, you know, I talk about like, hey, a lot of it’s buyer driven. A lot of people think about private offers, but then the marketplace offers. But the reality actually, when we look at the data is that there’s a lot more self-service [00:22:46] Vince Menzione: correct [00:22:47] Jon Yoo: offers than there are what they call private offers. [00:22:50] Jon Yoo: So where there’s deal led and that, that, that, that shift. It’s super exciting to see where now these marketplaces are becoming where buyers or users go to discover new products. Let alone, you know, in the future where let’s say there’s an AI agent that has some reward seeking function, and in order to do its job, it needs to go purchase a tool marketplace might be the channel where this happens, which is all the reason why that your listing does need to be optimized. [00:23:16] Jon Yoo: So that one, the agent knows exactly what your tool does and it can match against. Reward. And then second, you have to win the a EO race, right? Yeah. Of, of how you show up in these AI engines. So just wanted to double click on how important that is. Yeah. [00:23:31] Cyril Belikoff: Makes, makes total sense. And we’re, we’re seeing that shift from private office to having a public listed price and a, a public offer as well. [00:23:39] Cyril Belikoff: And so we’re, we’re ourselves investing in our own marketing demand generation. Just in the last three to four months because we’ve seen that taking off and as soon as we saw the signal, we’re like, oh, we should pour fuel on that fire. Because if, if we see organically customers don’t do it, we should, you know, we should go after that and help them understand that we’re here. [00:23:58] Cyril Belikoff: And, uh, if it’s working for some that are doing it by themselves, it’ll work for others and we’re seeing really, really good results. Um, so yeah, get your listing optimized. Think about your digital flows. As John says, the flows of the future are probably agentic wise, maybe not even a human coming to the Microsoft marketplace. [00:24:17] Cyril Belikoff: So you gotta be thinking, not now, it’s okay. You have time. Um, but in the future, you know, six months from now, that quite easily is a scenario. So you really have to start thinking about those, uh, those, uh, digital flows. [00:24:29] Vince Menzione: Yeah. It’s so insightful. Well, it’s what you call product led growth, basically. Yes. And agent led growth. [00:24:35] Vince Menzione: Yes. Right. In some respects. So this is where like we need to think about that. The future model where the agent comes in and actually does the purchasing. We’re not there yet, are we? [00:24:45] Jon Yoo: No. With some products, you know, um, especially, especially if it’s like developer tools. We’re starting to see some of that, but, uh, no one’s gonna buy a cybersecurity solution. [00:24:55] Jon Yoo: Um, that’s seven figures or an agent’s not gonna do that. Right. But the eng the, the search functions are a little bit changing. [00:25:03] Vince Menzione: Yeah. So a lot of ai, you know, we had Steven Boyle on earlier, we were talking about ai, AI natives, you know, that’s Jason Grey’s organization does a lot of work in that area. How do these organizations need to think and act and how do they leverage the cloud marketplaces? [00:25:17] Vince Menzione: Or how do le how do marketplaces fit into the equation? ’cause most of them are coming from a different like paradigm or mindset. [00:25:24] Jon Yoo: I mean, uh, it’s like the number one question, you know, I’ll give a little personal story of like, I get a lot of parking tickets, uh, and I don’t know how to pay off my late fees. [00:25:34] Jon Yoo: So we set up a little open claw that will actually go and ask me questions, and it actually pays off my parking tickets on my behalf. Um, so, so, so, you know, on the other hand, like there, there’s layers to it, right? It could be like layer one, I ask ai, Hey, how do I pay off my parking tickets? Layer two could be. [00:25:52] Jon Yoo: Hey, you know, what’s the best way for me to structure my cadence to pay off the parking tickets? And then layer three is like, Hey, AI, proactively check if I have parking tickets and go pay it on my behalf. Here’s my credit card information, you know, stored in a secure vault. So, uh, what, what I mean by a native as a company bring that analogy is, uh, bringing it at its core. [00:26:12] Jon Yoo: So like a little for, for sugar. We’ve spent the past six months optimizing around our entire, like company brain where we are storing all the context. To a singular, singular place that is queryable, that there’s no coordination tax between teams. Our entire product development process actually is automated where we have multiple agents debating one another, PRDs to code generation, code review, uh, you know, security, qa, et cetera, et cetera. [00:26:40] Jon Yoo: And then there’s humans in the loop across the process. So I would actually think about when we, when we fit that into, into marketplaces, it’s not just thinking about who’s going to send the offers or who’s gonna do the co-sell, or who’s gonna X, Y, Z, but how do you bring all that together so that your sales reps and your partnership person and Microsoft all has to share context in a given deal and it’s done automatically without, you know, back office folks having to update what partner led or partner influence means and reporting things in a, in an old way. [00:27:11] Jon Yoo: So it’s almost re-imagining. Entire workflow, given everyone should have open context of what’s going on in a given deal. So let’s say maybe a hand wavy way of answering that question. Yeah. But it does mean that we should be re-imagining, uh, what the job to be done is, uh, very fundamentally [00:27:28] Vince Menzione: cy, how are you thinking about it since you’re building the, the, the toolkit at Microsoft? [00:27:32] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah. Um, yeah. Well, John says absolutely is right, particularly around marketplace and how that sort of flow and ecosystem will work. Um, in addition to that, it’s. Not only about how marketplace or about developers ’cause the developer, uh, scenario or persona was the first globally to see the value of AI and agents in the flow of their work. [00:27:55] Cyril Belikoff: It was the first to like, oh, one developer can now do much more. I can be empowered, I can build agents to work on my behalf. I can, uh, I can be an architect instead of a hands-on coder. Right. It’s changed the profile of what developers do exactly what. Uh, John mentioned what he’s doing himself. That’s just one profile of a user. [00:28:17] Cyril Belikoff: Th there are many other profiles. A sales person, a marketer, a uh, CFO team, hr. Each of these are literally going through the same transformation. They’re one beat behind developers because developers, you know, was really tech enabled and tech stack driven, and the, and the opportunity was, was obvious quite quickly. [00:28:39] Cyril Belikoff: These are coming really quickly. This is not like the internet adoption cycle that took many multiple years. This is like, we’re talking months. So, and even inside Microsoft, we have our own, what we call, uh, frontier Marketing Internal Initiative to re, um, rewire marketers and how they go about their daily job and stop doing it this way and do it this way. [00:29:04] Cyril Belikoff: Just pick up M 365 copilot with. Coworking Claude, uh, embedded and just go do the work. Why do you have to outsource this or create this? Just edit the video right there yourself. Like, why do you have to just go do the, as a marketer you want to create a beautiful piece of content, just go and create it. [00:29:21] Cyril Belikoff: ’cause it can create it for you now. [00:29:22] Vince Menzione: Yeah, [00:29:23] Cyril Belikoff: three months ago, literally three months ago, it couldn’t do that. And so what is it gonna be in two months for a marketer or a salesperson or finance person? I mean, just co-pilot in Excel. What that is doing to the financial business is in, like if you, any financial person will tell you they live and breathe through in Excel, like it’s just, it’s their equivalent of, it runs [00:29:44] Vince Menzione: most businesses [00:29:44] Cyril Belikoff: their dev tool, right? [00:29:45] Cyril Belikoff: It’s their thing. It’s really [00:29:46] Vince Menzione: is. [00:29:47] Cyril Belikoff: So this is happening over and over again. Again, if you can package those things up and package a package, that piece of IP on a marketplace is, is not only gonna be a big system, it could be a very, very small piece of. Functionality in a flow for a marketer or a salesperson that is so valuable that can be solved many times on a marketplace. [00:30:08] Cyril Belikoff: And in many cases, everyone’s a software company at this point. Everybody can go and package something up. And so I would be stunned if we don’t see cross pollination from system integrators to channel partners, all just publishing on marketplaces based on, oh, I’ve done this thing four times. I cannot do it 400 times. [00:30:26] Cyril Belikoff: Let me just package it up and put it on a marketplace. So. Yeah, I’m sure you know, John alluded to that. It’s, there’s a lot of exciting times. [00:30:33] Vince Menzione: No, the future [00:30:33] Jon Yoo: is [00:30:33] Vince Menzione: great. What do you [00:30:34] Jon Yoo: totally, I mean, it’s, it’s a case of like, how do, what does being marketplace native also mean? [00:30:38] Cyril Belikoff: Yes. [00:30:38] Jon Yoo: You know, and not, I feel like I’ve seen so many people just use it as a, Hey, we’re opportunistically there and if we get some leads out of it, great. [00:30:45] Jon Yoo: Or if there’s some deals, great, but they’re not really leaning in and being marketplace native the way, you know, and right now there’s, this might be uncomfortable, but there’s no excuses. You know, like creating a partner marketing content with your brand guidelines. It should not take so many time. Or it’s a 10 minute exercise. [00:31:02] Jon Yoo: Exactly. Exactly. Three [00:31:03] Cyril Belikoff: prompts. [00:31:05] Vince Menzione: It used to be that ops used to get involved because, oh, we, we know that they have a commitment. Let’s go run it through the marketplace. Right now, what you both have been suggesting here is it becomes a discoverable process. It becomes part of your normal go to market strategy, and you’re, you’re driving pr, product led growth and SEO and all the things you need to do running a a corporation and modern corporation today. [00:31:26] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah, [00:31:26] Vince Menzione: exactly. So, what’s the future like? Where, where do we go in 12 months with this? What do you think? What do you predict? We, we get out a Ouija board or a crystal ball here. What, what, what do we think? [00:31:38] Cyril Belikoff: I think more broadly in the industry, you’re gonna, some of the scenarios that John alluded to, agent to agent interactions, uh, many agents acting on behalf of humans and on behalf of organizations, uh, and doing. [00:31:55] Cyril Belikoff: Simple things and quite complex things. Uh, and those need to be, uh, managed carefully, uh, with, uh, the right, uh, engagements and built carefully. And in, in many cases, customers will look to partners that are quote unquote certified on, uh, uh, HyperCloud platform. Uh, as a way to get going quickly, but also get the, the quality that they need. [00:32:21] Cyril Belikoff: Um, and I think instead of buying this monolithic, massive application, I think we will see lots more of smaller applications being built that have cleaner open, uh, you know, MC, you know, MCP type agent interfaces that can just work together, uh, without, you know. More complicated integration work, [00:32:42] Vince Menzione: cobbled together your own solutions as opposed to big [00:32:45] Cyril Belikoff: monolithic [00:32:45] Vince Menzione: applications. [00:32:46] Cyril Belikoff: Yeah, there’ll be a much more agile, [00:32:48] Vince Menzione: yeah. [00:32:48] Cyril Belikoff: Uh, personalization. I mean, a lot of people saying SaaS is dead. It’s not quite dead. But I think that SaaS will get significantly more agile, more custom and more personal, uh, for, uh, for customers. [00:33:03] Jon Yoo: I, I would agree with that. Um, I mean, I’m biased, but I think marketplace are gonna be even more relevant than ever. [00:33:08] Jon Yoo: I mean, it’s already highly relevant, but, uh, as you, you know, I think in the past the, the narrative was, well, there’s a new generation of buyers and they’re millennials. They, they wanted, you know, uh, I always talk about consumer experience to B2B sales, you know, and, and now it’s like agents that’s that on steroids. [00:33:24] Jon Yoo: Um, but what I, you know, beyond that, I think, uh, there, there’s a lot of talk of like SAS apocalypse or software companies getting. Destroyed by, you know, the, the, the AI labs or SaaS is dead or whatever. I think SaaS is gonna, I mean, there’s gonna be way more software companies because the cost to build is a lot easier. [00:33:46] Jon Yoo: That means that competition will be. Even more fierce than ever. And you have all these AI native companies that are coming out with a quicker time to market, quicker time to value, and they have some recursive loops that makes the product even that much better. Um, so what that means for everyone is like, one, you gotta go back to the, the core differentiations. [00:34:06] Jon Yoo: Or like in the past, maybe the, the time to build was the differentiation, but today it’s, or you know, there’s some other, obviously the core elements, but then there’s. Distribution. Yeah. So how do you partner with Microsoft, for example? How do you have your own self-improving like distribution model? That makes sense. [00:34:22] Jon Yoo: Marketplace being a huge component of that. Two is obviously there, there’s a piece of like network and data. That’s what we think about of hey, what makes our product better as more, more people use it. Um, because yeah, competition is crazy fierce and it finally goes into times deployment. That’s why you see these companies like. [00:34:41] Jon Yoo: Open AI anthropic that are competing for their enterprise, uh, pie. And instead of doing it themselves, they’re, I mean, I think OpenAI just did a joint venture of like $4.1 billion into the deployment company. Anthropics doing the same, they’re surrounding themselves with the ecosystem and channel is going to be more relevant than than ever, as long as you know how to enable AI services and know how to deliver on this technology to the, to the broader world. [00:35:07] Jon Yoo: And so. Channel awesome. Marketplace, awesome. You know, competition’s gonna be fierce. Success is not going anywhere. [00:35:16] Vince Menzione: Good conversation, gentlemen. [00:35:18] Jon Yoo: Awesome. [00:35:18] Vince Menzione: I’ve been told we’re over time. I wanted to open it up to questions. Um, but I do feel like we, yeah, I’ll get, I’ll get yelled at. But this was incredible. Um, some great, I mean, the, the pa it, it’s terrific to see. [00:35:36] Vince Menzione: How far we’ve come in, so shorter period of time, and it’s only gonna continue to get better. I think the one question I’ll have is like, what, what would hold any of these companies back at this point? It feels like it’s such a compelling reason we need to move forward. Is there, is there anything, like why would, why would we hold back? [00:35:54] Cyril Belikoff: Um, you know, some of the discussions we have, um, is about how to balance today’s world with tomorrow’s world a little bit. [00:36:01] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:36:02] Cyril Belikoff: Today’s business model with tomorrow’s business model, today’s financial results with tomorrow’s financial results. Um, and there are very different approaches to all of this. [00:36:13] Cyril Belikoff: Those AI natives, they’re like, there is no yesterday. There’s only tomorrow. Um, there those companies that realize they’re being threatened by AI natives and so they have to move quickly. Um, and, uh. Figure out a, a, a business model and then someone else who wants to do a bit of both and bridge into it. [00:36:32] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:36:32] Cyril Belikoff: Um, and just within that frame there are different ways to tackle it, whether it’s create two teams, one’s the future team, one’s the current team, and, you know, may the best team win, um, makes sense with the customer and that, uh, or, uh, give the, give the customer the choice and have the teams going together. [00:36:49] Cyril Belikoff: So there are lots of different approaches. [00:36:51] Vince Menzione: Right. So great to have you. Did you have some, did you have a comment to make on that? [00:36:55] Jon Yoo: Uh, no. Just, uh, unwillingness to lean in and learn something new. Yeah. [00:36:59] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:37:00] Jon Yoo: I’m, I’m, I’m much more in the burn all boats buckets. Yeah, [00:37:03] Vince Menzione: I know. Me too. [00:37:03] Jon Yoo: Of, uh, no, no old team and new team. [00:37:05] Jon Yoo: Just new team and you know, that’s just push forward. [00:37:07] Vince Menzione: Well, great to have two amazing leaders on stage with [00:37:10] Cyril Belikoff: us. Thanks [00:37:10] Vince Menzione: so [00:37:10] Cyril Belikoff: much. [00:37:10] Vince Menzione: So thank you [00:37:11] Jon Yoo: so much. Yeah, thank [00:37:11] Vince Menzione: you [00:37:15] Jon Yoo: so much. [00:37:16] Vince Menzione: Don’t forget. Ultimate Partner Live is coming soon, October 26th through October 28th in Reston, Virginia. I hope to see you there. [00:37:28] I.

Florian und Ole besprechen in dieser AOM Shorts Ausgabe die wichtigsten Marketplace-News: E-Commerce-Wachstum in Zentraleuropa, Kauflands Expansion, Joybuy als neuer Marktplatz-Player und was das für Marken bedeutet. - E-Commerce Zentraleuropa wächst 2026 wieder um ~8 %. Welche Märkte überraschen? - Kaufland expandiert nach Spanien und in die Niederlande: Jetzt 9 Länder, GMV +11,9 % – aber wie viel davon ist echtes Wachstum? - Joybuy öffnet sich für europäische Händler: Chance oder Preisproblem für Marken? - Amazon Title Update live: Wie sehen 75-Zeichen-Titel + Item Highlights auf Desktop und Mobil wirklich aus? - DSP und Sponsored Ads werden zusammengeführt – logischer Schritt oder unterschätztes Risiko? - Amazon Ads Agent für DSP: KI baut Kampagnenstrukturen aus Mediaplänen. Warum bleiben Flo und Ole skeptisch? Außerdem: MOVESELL in den Halbfinals der Amazon DSP Awards – als einzige Independent Agency neben globalen Mediagiganten.

Back for another round on the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast is Michelle Barnum Smith, the founder of Social Sellers and one of the most trusted voices in the TikTok Shop space.Michelle Barnum Smith is an award-winning marketing strategist with 25+ years of expertise. A recognized Amazon and TikTok Shop expert, she's launched 100+ brands and trained 1,000+ sellers worldwide. Featured in Forbes, Business Insider, and CNBC, Michelle is a Top Performing TikTok Shop Partner leading the charge in social commerce success.Highlight Bullets> Here's a glimpse of what you would learn…. Challenges and opportunities of selling on TikTok Shop.Statistics on brand success rates and affiliate performance on TikTok Shop.The overwhelming amount of information and support challenges for new sellers.The shift in TikTok Shop's ecosystem and the need for brands to adapt their strategies.Differences between selling on TikTok Shop and Amazon, including content strategy.Importance of creating engaging top-of-funnel content that aligns with TikTok's algorithm.The necessity of understanding TikTok user behavior and motivations for effective marketing.The role of creator relationships and personalized engagement in driving sales.The significance of brand storytelling and emotional connection with the audience.The need for a long-term commitment and investment in brand-building on TikTok Shop.In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley speaks with TikTok Shop expert Michelle Barnum Smith about the challenges and opportunities of selling on TikTok Shop. Michelle highlights that only 1 in 30 brands survive the cold start phase, emphasizing that Amazon seller tactics don't translate to TikTok. She stresses the importance of top-of-funnel content creation, genuine creator relationships, and a long-term brand-building mindset. Success requires understanding TikTok as an entertainment platform first, investing in content testing, and committing fully rather than treating it as a casual sales channel.Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode:Go All-In on Content Testing (Not Creators) Treat TikTok like a performance ad platform—produce and test content at scale. Focus on brand-owned, top-of-funnel videos (entertaining, educational, non-salesy) and iterate based on engagement metrics, not just sales.Build a Multi-Account Content Engine Use multiple TikTok accounts (main + secondary) to test different angles, including bold or experimental content. Leverage authority figures or AI avatars to increase trust and scale content production without risking your core brand.Shift from Demand Capture to Demand Creation Unlike Amazon, success on TikTok requires creating demand from scratch. Invest in storytelling, consistent content, and community-building—expect a long runway (months to a year) before meaningful profitability.Timestamps:00:00:00 The TikTok Affiliate LandscapeOnly 20,000 of over 2 million TikTok Shop affiliates generate more than $5,000 a month in GMV.00:01:04 Introduction to Michelle Barnum SmithHost Josh Hadley introduces guest Michelle Barnum Smith, an award-winning marketing strategist and expert in TikTok Shop.00:01:42 The Ever-Changing World of TikTokMichelle emphasizes that TikTok's rules are constantly moving, requiring continuous adaptation and collaboration to succeed in marketing.00:02:32 The Biggest Challenge for BrandsJosh asks about the primary obstacles brand owners face on TikTok Shop and what separates success from failure.00:03:26 Why Most Brands FailOnly 1 in 30 brands succeed due to overwhelming, unhelpful information and a lack of real expertise from TikTok corporate.00:05:25 The Creator Saturation ProblemWith over 2 million affiliates, top creators are inundated with requests, making the old playbook of creator outreach ineffective.00:07:04 The Future of TikTok ShopJosh asks for Michelle's prediction on the platform's future, considering its new US ownership and changing algorithm priorities.00:07:23 Understanding the Algorithm's MotivationMichelle explains the algorithm is shifting back towards user entertainment and discovery, rather than just pushing shoppable content.00:11:07 Why Sellers Must Be UsersSellers need to use TikTok to understand the platform's culture and algorithm, just as they would on Amazon.00:12:52 Going "All In" on TikTokBrands must be fully committed, treating TikTok as demand generation and being prepared to lose money for a year.00:14:51 Why Amazon Sellers StruggleMichelle argues Amazon sellers are spoiled by high-intent traffic and often lack the mindset for TikTok's demand generation model.00:15:51 The New Playbook for SuccessJosh asks for the new playbook, covering the three types of content: creator, branded, and AI-generated content.00:17:41 It's About Content, Not CreatorsSuccess now depends on a strong content strategy that aligns with the algorithm, similar to running modern Meta ads.00:22:41 Owning Your Top-of-Funnel ContentBrands must create their own top-of-funnel content focused on entertainment, education, and controversy to build brand awareness.00:24:57 A Tactical Breakdown for BrandsJosh asks for tangible tactics on how to create top-of-funnel content without hiring a large team.00:25:29 Where Creators Fit in the FunnelMichelle clarifies that creators are for middle and bottom-of-funnel content, while the brand must own the top.00:30:42 How to Research Content IdeasMichelle demonstrates how to research top-of-funnel content by searching relevant hashtags and analyzing what the algorithm favors.00:34:05 Using Marketing Accounts for TestingBrands can use up to four additional marketing accounts to test different content angles without risking their main brand's image.00:42:26 Top-of-Funnel KPIsThe key metrics for top-of-funnel content are what the algorithm values: view time, completion rate, comments, and shares.00:45:45 Actionable TakeawaysJosh summarizes the episode's three key takeaways: mindset shift, building creator relationships, and defining your brand's story.00:51:28 Lightning Round: Influential BookMichelle recommends "The E-Myth" for its lessons on building systems and working on the business, not just in it.00:52:16 Lightning Round: Favorite AI ToolMichelle recommends Higgsfield for its ability to test and compare different generative AI platforms for content creation.00:53:15 Lightning Round: Who to FollowMichelle advises getting outside e-commerce echo chambers and listening to experts in other areas, like Meta advertising.Resources mentioned in this episode:Josh Hadley on LinkedIneComm Breakthrough ConsultingeComm Breakthrough PodcastEmail Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.comTools and Websites"TikTok Shop": "00:00:00""Meta Ads": "00:20:56""GMV Max": "00:27:29""

In der heutigen #kassensturz Folge, unseren wöchentlichen Marketing & eCommerce News, geht es unter anderem um folgende Themen:Snap launcht AR Glasseshttps://newsroom.snap.com/introducing-specs-augmented-reality-glassesJoybuy macht “Summer Black Friday”https://t3n.de/news/black-friday-im-sommer-was-du-zum-618-event-von-joybuy-wissen-musst-1747649/Shopify Spring Editions: Selling everything, everywhere, all at once: The Spring '26 Editionhttps://www.heise.de/news/Snap-Specs-Erste-echte-AR-Brille-fuer-Konsumenten-kostet-2195-Dollar-11334841.htmlFox kauft Rokuhttps://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/106846/fox_schluckt_streamingplattform_roku_fuer_22_milliarden_dollar/UK plant Social-Media-Verbot für Unter-16-Jährige ab 2027https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/grossbritannien-verbot-socialmedia-100.htmlRoblox verschärft JugendschutzFlorida verklagt TikTokhttps://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/15/florida-lawsuit-tiktok-uthmeier-childrens-safety-00962084Douglas führt KI-gestützten Chatbot einhttps://www.lebensmittelzeitung.net/tech-logistik/nachrichten/parfuemeriebetreiber-douglas-fuehrt-ki-gestuetzten-chatbot-ein-191561Keine Minimum Spends mehr für ChatGPT Adshttps://www.adweek.com/media/stackadapt-drops-minimum-spend-commitment-for-chatgpt-ads/ChatGPT Marktanteil sinkt auf 53%https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gen-ai-website-traffic-share-update-share-7470749211572092929-u9Hr/Meta launcht auf Facebook die neue Suchfunktion "AI Mode"Meta schränkt AI Nutzung intern einhttps://www.theinformation.com/articles/tokenminimizing-meta-moves-curb-employee-ai-usage-ai-costs-reach-billionsRückabwicklung von Manus hat begonnenhttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-11/meta-severs-manus-data-access-after-china-orders-buyout-unwound1% der Seller machen 60% des GMV aus auf TikTok Shophttps://www.marketplacepulse.com/articles/on-tiktok-shop-1-of-sellers-drive-60-of-gmvGoogle weist jetzt AI Traffic aushttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/were-rolling-out-brand-new-automated-%F0%9D%90%80-ugcPost-7470508409834942464-SyJ8LinkedIn launcht Creator Marktplatzhttps://news.linkedin.com/2026/how-b2b-brands-can-drive-impact-with-creators-and-stronger-creatLinkedIn-Beitrag von Noah Leidinger> ⁠⁠⁠Zum LinkedIn-Beitrag⁠⁠⁠Max & Kristina auf LinkedIn>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Max Rottenaicher⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Kristina Mertens⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CreditsLogo Design: Naim SolisIntro & Jingles: Kurt WoischytzkyFotos: Stefan GrauIntro-Video: Tim Solle

Fiona Fung leads the teams behind Claude Code and Cowork at Anthropic (overseeing Boris Cherny and the entire engineering and PM team). Before Anthropic, she spent 11 years at Microsoft building Visual Studio and TypeScript and then moved to Meta, where she started Facebook Marketplace (now generating over $100 billion in GMV annually), worked on Meta's first smart glasses and AR glasses, and led infrastructure, growth, integrity, and safety teams at Instagram. She's been an engineer for over 25 years and has a unique perspective on how the role of building software is changing.In our in-depth conversation, we discuss:1. What she's learned about running a team that's shipping 8x more code than before2. Which roles AI will transform next3. Specific ways her team uses AI4. How Claude “routines” have changed how she operates as a manager5. The context-switching problem no one has solved yet6. The biggest unsolved problem in AI7. What keeps her up at night—Brought to you by:WorkOS—Make your app enterprise-ready, with SSO, SCIM, RBAC, and more: https://workos.com/lennyMercury—Radically different banking, now with Command: https://mercury.com/—Where to find Fiona Fung:• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fionafung—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction to Fiona Fung(02:31) How the engineering role has transformed over 25 years(09:28) What an AI-pilled software team looks like in 2026(12:26) Using Claude to manage and review team output(14:40) The evolution of code review and verification(16:55) Who to hire: creative builders and deep systems experts(18:18) The shift to ambitious thinking(19:40) The growth mindset required to thrive in AI-native teams(25:52) Helping small businesses adopt AI tools(31:46) How Anthropic spots latent demand and builds for it(35:08) The next frontier: asynchronous work with AI routines(38:06) Agency and accountability in AI-native teams(39:40) The vibe shift from token-maxing to ROI measurement(44:24) The “bad vs. sad” quality framework(49:34) Why all managers start as ICs at Anthropic(55:24) Preventing skill atrophy(58:43) Managing context switching with 20 AI agents running(1:00:08) How PM and data science roles are transforming(1:03:40) The importance of dogfooding and using your own product(1:08:36) Outstanding questions(1:12:48) The future of engineering jobs and education(1:17:59) What keeps Fiona up at night: team culture at scale(1:22:53) From six-month roadmaps to JIT (just-in-time) monthly planning(1:27:03) Lightning round—References: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/building-the-most-ai-pilled-engineering—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. To hear more, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com

TikTok Shop moved $4.4 billion in beauty and wellness. Saks wants $9 billion by 2030. Castle claimed $1.4 billion and was worth $16 million. This week is about which numbers actually hold up.Three companies put big figures on the table. Only one of them earned it, and even that one comes with an asterisk. Rick Watson and Nick Kaplan have a thought provoking conversation on these 3 stories. TikTok Shop: reach without trustRoughly $4.4 billion in wellness and beauty sold since the 2023 launchBrand executives call it a "mafia" because of the traffic it forces through them. The honest scorecard is the halo it throws onto Amazon and Ulta, not the checkouts happening inside the appAwareness is the strength. The weakness is trust: missing shipping confirmations, sellers you can't place, a buying experience that still feels provisionalThe Watson Weekly Weekend edition is sponsored by Avalara. Its Agentic Tax and Compliance automates behind-the-scenes work for ecommerce brands, enabling accurate checkout tax calculation, clearer tariff and duty visibility, and fewer customer surprises. Avalara integrates with platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce. Learn more at avalara.watsonweekly.comSaks Global: out of bankruptcy, into a targetA Texas court approved the Chapter 11 exit plan. Debt cut 75% to about $1.2 billion$500 million in fresh financing, paired with a mandate to reach $9 billion in GMV by 2030The model that got Saks here is still intact: leveraged, low-margin, carrying expensive real estate. And the vendors who went unpaid earlier this year are not feeling generousCaaStle (Gwynnie Bee): a $1.4 billion fictionThe rental subscription business once known as Gwynnie Bee was sold as a $1.4 billion company. The real number was around $16 millionFounder Christine Hunsicker admitted to securities fraud in MarchThe part that should worry everyone: professional investors and auditors missed invented financials. One investor was reportedly paid off to stay quiet, and audit documents from a recognizable firm were falsifiedWhat ties these together is how cheap a number is to produce and how hard the thing underneath it is to fake. TikTok has the reach but hasn't built the trust. Saks has the target but not yet the model to hit it. CaaStle had neither and sold the story anyway. The question worth sitting with: how many of the valuations you read this week are closer to Saks, and how many are closer to CaaStle?

En la segunda hora del programa de hoy, repasamos las claves internacionales más importantes del día. Comenzamos con José Prieto, Director de Estrategia y Desarrollo de Negocio Global de GMV. Ponemos el foco en las empresas más llamativas de la semana en la sección "En la mira", con Raúl Calle, analista independiente. Profundizamos en clave internacional y hacemos repaso de mercados. Continuamos con "Conexión México" con José Ricardo Rangel, Socio fundador de Thierry Finance. Por último, finalizamos con nuestra sección "Estrellas y estrellados" con Javier Sanz, CEO de Bolsazone.

She told investors $440M. The real number was $15.7M. This week: the CaaStle fraud, Walmart's Subway play, and Shopify's $5B bet.In this episode:Walmart + Subway. Walmart folded Subway into its delivery app, with express orders coming off the Subway counters already sitting inside its stores. Live now in six states (Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas), with roughly 1,400 locations targeted by end of summer. Flat delivery fee, in-store menu pricing, 30 minutes or less. It rides on the Spark drivers and drones Walmart is already paying for, pointed straight at Uber Eats and DoorDash.The CaaStle fraud. CaaStle told investors it booked $440 million in net revenue for fiscal 2023. The real figure was $15.7 million. Founder and CEO Christine Hunsicker confessed to doctoring the financials on a video call with her board in December 2024, then kept her job for three more months while investors heard nothing. She controlled that board. Co-founder Jaswinder Pal "JP" Singh sold $6 million in stock back to the company around the time investors started asking questions. Hunsicker pleaded guilty to securities fraud in March, admitting she defrauded investors of $283 million, and she's scheduled for sentencing this summer.Apple rents the brains. At WWDC on June 8, Apple introduced Siri AI: a rebuild that reads what's on your screen, pulls context from your messages and email, and takes actions across apps. The part Apple said less about is who's powering it. Reporting puts Apple at more than $1 billion a year to Google for a custom Gemini model running Siri's cloud features. The China rollout waits on regulators. For a company that has spent decades insisting it owns its entire stack, renting the model from a rival is the real headline. Tim Cook hands the company to John Ternus in September.Shopify's $5 billion vote. Shopify added $3 billion to its repurchase program on June 2, taking total authorization to $5 billion. Buybacks usually get read as "we've run out of ideas." Then Q1 revenue rose 34% to $3.2 billion and merchants cleared $100 billion in GMV for the second quarter in a row. Decide for yourself which signal you believe.

Posiblemente estés viendo esto desde tu teléfono, o tal vez desde el ordenador, pero no importa, porque sea como fuere, será gracias a una infraestructura que solo es posible gracias a los satélites. Esa tecnología que ha construido el mundo sin hacer demasiado ruido en la prensa, pero haciendo posible la infinidad de comodidades de las que disponemos a diario. Para hablar de ello tenemos con nosotros a Juan Carlos Gil, que es doctor en Química-física por la Universidad Complutense de Madrid y trabaja desde hace más de treinta años en el sector espacio. Ha desarrollado su carrera en GMV, donde actualmente impulsa la Innovación en Sistemas Espaciales en ámbitos como la inteligencia artificial o las comunicaciones cuánticas. Divulga ciencia en redes sociales bajo el nombre de “Apuntes de ciencia” y colabora con varias iniciativas, como el podcast Coffee Break: Señal y Ruido y las asociaciones Naukas, Astróbriga, Ciencia con Tres enCantos o Iberozoa.Un podcast de Diario La Razón, dirigido y presentado por Ignacio Crespo y producido por https://lafabricadepodcast.com

Most founders chase the billion-customer dream and the unicorn lottery at the same time. This India VC funding strategy conversation dismantles both, as Rajeev Kalambi of Cactus Partners explains why he deliberately refuses the power law, why there is no single Indian market, and how he targets steady returns instead of moonshots.With 26 years across corporate banking, investment banking, and buy-side fund management, Rajeev Kalambi brings a downside-first discipline rarely heard in venture capital, having lived through three funding cycles in just five years.At Cactus Partners, the early-growth fund he co-founded, he writes first institutional cheques at Series A into post product-market-fit companies with industry-beating gross margins, deliberately occupying the underfunded gap between crowded seed funds and late-stage private equity.In this conversation with host Akshay Datt, he argues that India is really three or four economies and only the top 10% truly pays, that premium beverages can never scale because you are effectively shipping water, and that smart investors sell picks and shovels rather than prospecting for AI gold. He also breaks down his 5 Ts framework and why GMV masks the only number that matters, the take rate. As funding stays disciplined and China Plus One reshapes Indian manufacturing, his anti-power-law thesis lands at the right moment.

Most brands think GMV Max is just another ad campaign. It is not. GMV Max rewards better inputs.Better creator partnersBetter content systemsBetter shop operationsBetter product pagesBetter internal alignment between TikTok Shop, paid media, creative, and DTC.In this workshop, Jordan West and Brywinn Travers break down what actually happens once a brand starts scaling on TikTok Shop and why so many brands plateau around the $50K/month GMV mark.They cover why creator relationships matter more than micromanaging campaigns, how to improve signal quality, why more videos per creator matters, when to invest in your top creators, and why GMV Max should be managed like a business system instead of a traditional media buying channel.You'll learn:• Why GMV Max rewards signal quality over manual control• Why the best creators need coaching, not just samples• How many videos per creator brands should be aiming for• Why hero SKUs matter before scaling into more products• How to think about creator testing instead of audience testing• Why boosting individual creatives usually does not beat the algorithm• How to use creator content across TikTok Shop, Meta, Amazon, DTC, YouTube, and CTV• Why retainers are risky before a creator has proven they can sell• What brands need to review weekly to keep GMV Max healthyIf you are running TikTok Shop, scaling GMV Max, or trying to figure out why your creator content is not turning into revenue, this session will help you understand what the real levers are.Social Commerce Club works with brands to build TikTok Shop into a real growth channel through creators, content, ads, operations, and measurement.Book a call with Social Commerce Club:https://socialcommerceclub.com/pages/contact

1️⃣ Notre article fil conducteur est donc lié à Zalando cette semaine, qui démarre 2026 avec une puissance de frappe renouvelée. Les chiffres publiés impressionnent : 4,3 milliards d'euros de GMV (+21,7%) et 3 milliards d'euros de chiffre d'affaires (+23,8%). Le 1er trimestre 2026 révèle surtout autre chose : le groupe allemand ne se comporte plus comme un simple distributeur de mode. Il construit progressivement une infrastructure technologique et logistique capable de gérer le e-commerce fashion européen à grande échelle. L'IA irrigue désormais toutes les couches du groupe : expérience client, automatisation des entrepôts, gestion des catalogues, onboarding partenaires et outils B2B. La vraie accélération vient surtout de l'intégration d'ABOUT YOU, son concurrent, acheté l'été dernier (1,1 milliard d'€), dont Zalando commence désormais à absorber les volumes, les clients et les synergies. Voici les questions que nous nous posons :  Ce que ça change l'acquisition d'About You pour Zalando ? Quel est le rôle de l'IA chez Zalando ? Focus sur la logistique de Zalando Est-ce que Zalando devient de plus en plus une plateforme BtoB ? Comment se positionne Zalando sur le marché européen ?

Brendan Foody is the Founder and CEO @ Mercor, one of the leading data providers to the largest labs on the planet including OpenAI. In the last two years, Brendan has scaled the company to $1.5BN in ARR and a valuation of $10BN.  AGENDA:  True or False: Mercor lost Meta and OpenAI as a customer with the hack? Mercor has been poaching competitor talent, paying them millions?  Mercor revenue is not real revenue and is only GMV? 12:56 Would Brendan sell Mercor for $30 billion?  14:23 Why everyone is wrong that AI will lead to labor displacement? 15:59 We will create many new jobs that do not exist with AI.  16:59 Why training agents will be a massive labor category that does not exist today  19:51 Will we see the data provider market unbundle and specialize into verticals?  22:24 Is the stated revenue really revenue or is it really GMV?  27:55 How a 1 million ARR company secured one of the best investors in the world with a helicopter ride  29:41 How Felicis secured the deal of the decade with a race track and a set of Ferraris  32:59 Which investment round felt like the highest price to grow into?  34:49 Why will value accrue to the infrastructure layer, not the application layer, in the next 12 months?  35:46 Why the model is the product and why application layer companies should be scared as a result  37:22 Why network effects will be the determinant of value creation  38:46 Why the forward-deployed motion, not the GTM motion, will determine true value creation.  41:59 Why token spend within organizations is going to continue to increase  43:54 Why agent evaluation to commoditize the model layer will be a massive business for enterprises?  51:13 Why we should have increased capital gains tax  01:01:31 How to compete with $20 million a year from Meta?  01:08:49 Will Mercor go public and when?  

El episodio 117 llegó con verdades incómodas y números que no se pueden creer.Arrancamos con Antonio Gracia, el inversor más silencioso y más importante de SpaceX. Fue el primero en poner plata cuando Elon lo necesitaba y nunca paró. Hoy tiene el 4% de la compañía. Si el IPO sale a 2 trillones, se lleva 100 billones solo en carry. El mayor retorno en dólares de cualquier inversor en la historia, hecho en silencio y sin ruido.Después viene algo que cualquier founder o inversor debería leer: la jerarquía del bullshit corporativo. Si una empresa tiene caja, te muestra caja. Si no, te muestra ganancias ajustadas. Si no, gross profit. Si no, revenue. Si no, GMV. Si no, usuarios activos. Si no, descargas. Y si no tiene nada de eso, te habla del mejor lugar para trabajar. Ahora ya sabés cómo leer entre líneas lo que te están diciendo.También hablamos de los exits que son mentira. La mayoría de los press releases de adquisiciones no significan que alguien ganó plata. Muchos son quick hires disfrazados, asset sales donde los inversores se fueron a cero, o simplemente ego de founder que necesita contar una historia. El exit real no necesita comunicado de prensa.Cerramos con tres historias que no te podés perder. Warren Buffett cerró una inversión de 5 billones en Goldman Sachs en 40 minutos, sin negociar, sin due diligence y sin abogados. Patrick Collison, co-founder de Stripe, se tomó una cerveza con un fan por su cumpleaños porque su novia le mandó un mail en frío y él respondió en tres minutos. Y la bolsa de Corea subió 203% en un año, con Micron pasando de 96 a 942 dólares, mientras todos miraban para otro lado.

TikTok Shop is not a channel you can just “turn on.”In this workshop, Jordan West and Brywinn Travers break down what brands need in place before TikTok Shop can scale, especially if you are trying to move from cold start to real GMV.They cover the hardest part of TikTok Shop growth, why the first $10K is such a grind, what TikTok considers “cold start,” and why getting to around $60K/month in GMV can unlock more support and resources.The big theme:Early GMV is not just revenue.It is feedback.Feedback on your product, your offer, your content, your creator program, your product listing, and your operations.In this session, you will learn:• Why TikTok Shop cold start is harder than most brands expect• How to choose the right 1 to 2 hero products for launch• What makes a TikTok Shop listing conversion-ready• Why copying Amazon listings onto TikTok Shop is a mistake• Why reviews, trust signals, and clean product pages matter so much• Why you need a Shop Performance Score before scaling• Why friends and family purchases are risky• How creator outreach should be judged by signal, not follower count• Why samples are the fuel for your creator engine• How to think about open collabs vs target collabs• Why GMV Max is not an ads problem• What inputs actually determine whether GMV Max can scale• Why TikTok Shop creates a halo effect across DTC, Meta, Google, and other channels• Why brands need to build TikTok Shop like infrastructure, not a side experimentChapters:00:00 Welcome and workshop overview01:02 From $0 to $10K on TikTok Shop01:37 Why cold start is harder than people think03:33 TikTok Shop launch principles05:26 Choosing your hero products07:13 Making your shop conversion-ready08:41 Why product titles need a human touch10:16 Why Amazon listings do not translate directly to TikTok Shop12:39 Shop Performance Score explained13:17 Why not to use friends and family orders14:14 Using approved levers to get verified orders15:22 Why Shop Performance Score matters16:30 Creator outreach and signal18:42 Finding creators who already love your product21:54 Samples and commission strategy23:47 Commission structures by category27:07 Activating your first affiliates28:03 Building deeper creator relationships30:56 GMV Max basics31:39 Why GMV Max is not an ads problem34:22 GMV Max as a magnifying glass37:17 How long top-performing TikTok Shop videos can last38:08 Why the campaign is no longer separate from the shop39:19 Why brands need to create their own content41:37 How to think about ROI and halo effect43:48 Measuring TikTok Shop's impact beyond platform ROAS47:57 Why fundamentals still decide scale50:17 The 5 big GMV Max inputs51:00 Live Q&A54:22 Why founder-led creator onboarding can workWant help building your TikTok Shop operating system?Book a call with Social Commerce Club:https://socialcommerceclub.com/pages/contactApply for the Social Commerce Club Mastermind:https://socialcommerceclub.com/pages/tiktok-shop-os-mastermindSubscribe for more TikTok Shop strategy, creator commerce breakdowns, GMV Max workshops, and social commerce growth playbooks.

A TikTok Shop Blitz can move serious GMV when it is timed correctly.But most brands get the timing wrong.They coordinate creator posts before the offer is live.They launch content without urgency.They ask creators to drive traffic before customers have a reason to buy.In this video, Jordan breaks down why Blitz timing needs to be tied to a real offer, product drop, sale, bundle, or timed promotion.You will learn:• Why creator volume alone is not enough• Why the offer has to be live when creators post• How to brief creators around the offer• Why simple incentive rules matter• How GMV and volume incentives work together• Why launch momentum matters more than spreading spend evenlyAt Social Commerce Club, we have seen what happens when a Blitz is built correctly.Portland Leather Goods went from $1,200/day to $100,000/day in 7 days.Not from random posting.From a coordinated launch with a real offer behind it.If your brand is building TikTok Shop in 2026, this is the timing mistake to avoid.Subscribe for more TikTok Shop strategy, creator commerce breakdowns, and social commerce playbooks from Jordan West and Social Commerce Club.

Los retailers que más crecen en HOT SALE no tienen el descuento más agresivo, sino el proceso más inteligente: antes, durante y después de la campaña.En este episodio de eCommerce Rockstars by AMVO, Pierre-Claude Blaise (CEO de AMVO) conversa con Erika Diaz, VP de eCommerce, Mercadotecnia y Relaciones Públicas de The Home Depot México. Erika comparte la visión completa del embudo (marca, conversión, experiencia y retención) de uno de los casos más inspiradores de madurez omnicanal en México.Descubre:El proceso de mejora continua: Cómo un líder de retail transforma la experiencia de cada campaña en decisiones más inteligentes para el siguiente ciclo.Estrategia de descuentos como ventaja competitiva: La lógica detrás de diseñar ofertas que construyen lealtad a largo plazo, en lugar de solo generar transacciones estacionales.La ejecución omnicanal en alta presión: Cómo la complejidad operativa en una categoría como mejoras para el hogar se convierte en una ventaja cuando la orquestación es sólida.Métricas de éxito post-campaña: Por qué el GMV no es suficiente para medir la sofisticación digital, y qué indicadores (como la tasa de recompra y el NPS) realmente definen el éxito.Este episodio es un referente estratégico para directores de eCommerce que buscan elevar el estándar de calidad en el ecosistema mexicano y convertir al 84% de los compradores digitales que esperan promociones en clientes de largo plazo.Invitada: Erika Diaz, VP eCommerce, Mercadotecnia, Relaciones Públicas y Servicios Especiales, THE HOME DEPOT MéxicoHost: Pierre-Claude Blaise, CEO, AMVOTakeawaysPromociones como incentivo principal para compras en líneaImportancia de la mejora continua y el análisis post-Hot Sale Hot Sale success goes beyond sales and includes customer engagement and brand loyalty.Omnichannel integration and customer-centric strategies are crucial for ecommerce success.Chapters00:00 El Impacto de las Promociones en el Retail Digital Mexicano22:36 Estrategias de Precios y Programas de Lealtad28:09 Creating Customer Loyalty36:16 Post-Hot Sale Strategy44:41 Rapid Fire Q&A

¿Es Mercado Libre una oportunidad de inversión o sus márgenes empiezan a ser una señal de alerta? En este Sanedrín analizamos MELI y los KPI clave que todo inversor debería mirar antes de invertir: crecimiento de ingresos, Mercado Pago, GMV, márgenes, crédito, logística y valoración. ¿Puede Mercado Libre seguir dominando Latinoamérica? ¿Está cara o sigue siendo una gran oportunidad a largo plazo? ══════════════ Dos cosas que debes saber: 1 - Cada día mandamos un email con una idea, estrategia o reflexión privada para que avances más rápido en tu camino como inversor. El de hoy ya te lo has perdido, si quieres recibir el de mañana, te apuntas en: https://locosdewallstreet.com/7-errores/ 2 - Al apuntarte recibes un video titulado «7 errores fatales (muy habituales) en la selección de oportunidades en bolsa». Me da igual en lo que inviertas, tus años de experiencia o el tamaño de tu cartera. Si inviertes deberías verlo (antes de tomar una decisión de la que poder arrepentirte). Lo recibes al apuntarte en nuestra newsletter aquí: https://locosdewallstreet.com/7-errores/ ══════════════ DISCLAIMER El contenido de este canal de YouTube tiene exclusivamente fines educativos y no constituye asesoramiento financiero ni recomendaciones de inversión. Todos los temas tratados están diseñados para ayudar a los espectadores a entender mejor el mundo de las finanzas, pero las decisiones de inversión deben tomarse de forma personal y bajo la responsabilidad de cada individuo. Invertir en mercados financieros conlleva riesgos significativos debido a su complejidad y volatilidad. Es posible perder parte o la totalidad del capital invertido. Por ello, es fundamental que realices tu propio análisis antes de tomar cualquier decisión y, si lo consideras necesario, consultes con un profesional financiero acreditado. Recomendamos: - Contar con un fondo de emergencia equivalente a al menos tres meses de tus gastos básicos antes de invertir. - Analizar muy detenidamente y con precisión cualquier inversión. - En caso de duda consultes con un asesor financiero certificado por CNMV - Mantenerte alejado de promesas de rentabilidades astronómicas, dinero rápido u otros esquemas engañosos. En Locos de Wall Street, nuestra misión es fomentar una educación financiera sólida, ética y accesible para todos, ayudando a nuestros seguidores a tomar decisiones informadas y responsables. ══════════════ #MercadoLibre #MELI #Invertir #Bolsa #Acciones #MercadoPago #Latinoamérica #Sanedrín

Why Most Affiliate Networks Are Built for the Brand, Not the PartnerDorin Boerescu has been in this industry since 2009. He started as an affiliate, bought a network that was turning over next to nothing, and has since facilitated more than 828 million euros in GMV. But the number that matters most to him is not the revenue figure. It is the question nobody asked when they built every traditional network before his: who actually has the right to decide how the marketing budget gets spent?What followed that question is Business League, a full-transparency affiliate ecosystem built around one metric, the number of sales. No branded traffic allowed. No hidden rankings. No six-month approval chains. Just a live leaderboard, gamified performance tiers, and a platform that treats affiliates like the traders they actually are.Lee-Ann sat down with Dorin to find out how a concept born in Romania is now live in Ireland, why complete transparency makes programs stronger rather than more vulnerable, and what happens when you build an affiliate network from the affiliate's point of view rather than the advertiser's.Talking Points IncludeWhy affiliates are traders, not content creators and why the best performers in Business League have never read a Kotler textbookThe leaderboard that embarrassed a client who thought he was number one and why seeing the real ranking changed how he ran his program from that day forwardFull transparency as a fraud deterrent and why making all data visible to everyone keeps bad actors out and drives up quality across the entire ecosystemHow gamification goes beyond commission from speed contests to conversion rate competitions, and why affiliates compete even when the prize money is only 25 eurosThe case against budget caps in performance marketing and why capping spend in a cost-per-sale model is one of the most counterproductive things a brand can doListen to Find Out More AboutHow Dorin went from selling his agency shares in 2009 to building a network that outperforms traditional media channels on ROASWhy Business League launched in Ireland first, what he found when he got there, and which market is nextHow a branded traffic ban is enforced technically and what happens to affiliates who try to get around itThe five performance tiers from freelancer to unicorn and what it actually takes to move between themWhy Dorin would have dinner with Jeff Bezos and what Amazon's affiliate program did for this entire industryWhat an ROAS of 11.9 from non-branded traffic looks like in practice across 900 e-shops and 5,700 affiliatesKey Segments and Where to Tune In[10:25] The Business League model explained: Premier League for marketing, 28-day rounds, five tiers, and why the only metric that matters is the number of sales[19:10] Full transparency as a competitive moat: why showing everyone the data keeps fraud out, makes brands better, and builds genuine respect between partners at different levels[24:30] Gamification in depth: the First 100 speed contest, conversion rate competitions, and why Dorin used the same system on his kids to get them to brush their teeth[33:20] Rapid fire round: affiliate marketing in three words, the one thing e-commerce brands get wrong when they launch a program, and who Dorin would have dinner withSend me a text with your questions

Three stories on the table this week, and none of them small.Saks Global plans to exit Chapter 11 on June 22nd carrying $1.2 billion in debt, with a reorganization plan targeting $9 billion in GMV by fiscal 2030. That's nearly double where they sit today. Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky walk through the vendor mess (720 brands stopped shipping at the worst of it), the repair work underway, and why exiting bankruptcy this leveraged sets up another round of trouble down the road.The Watson Weekly Weekend edition is sponsored by Avalara - the agentic AI platform automating global tax and compliance for leading eCommerce brands. For more details: https://avalaratax.watsonweekly.comOver at Victoria's Secret, Australian investor Brett Blundy's BBRC Worldwide has built a roughly 13% stake and is pushing to remove two directors: chair Donna James and Miriam Naficy. The complaint is acquisitions like Adore Me. CEO Hillary Super is running a "path to potential" plan built around body positivity and a return to the Angels heritage. Fiscal 2025 sales are up 5%. The question is whether that's enough to keep the activist quiet.Then earnings. Alphabet did $109B in Q1, with Google Cloud growing 63% YoY to a $20B run rate and a $462B backlog. Amazon hit $181B, AWS grew 28% to $37.5B, and the chip business crossed a $20B run rate of its own. Shopify cleared $100B in quarterly GMV for the first time, with operating income up 88% on the back of all the layoffs and restructuring.The thread underneath all of it: AI compute is getting more expensive, not less. The pricing power is sitting with the infrastructure layer. Amazon, Nvidia, and the LLM owners are collecting the rent. The businesses adopting AI are paying it.

What you'll learn:The evolution of Salesforce Commerce Cloud and the drive to rediscover its competitive edge.How AI is enhancing user experience and agility.Strategic priorities and future directions for enterprise commerce.Summary:Salesforce Commerce Cloud has long been considered a heavyweight in the enterprise ecommerce space, but has lost many SME clients to platforms like Shopify with more compelling roadmaps. As it ramps up investment in the platform, we explore what type of business it is relevant to now, and why.In this episode, Rob Smith, SVP of Commerce at OSF Digital, pulls back the curtain on the platform's evolution, and what it really takes to compete with newer, leaner solutions like Shopify and Centra.You'll discover how Salesforce's focus on multi-country, multi-language management keeps it in the upper right of Gartner's Magic Quadrant = suitable for large, complex brands.Rob answers common challenges:What common refrains are still applicable?Has recent investment in AI, React-based architecture and agentic merchandising made it more agile and user-friendly, especially for fast-paced replatforming projects?What's the minimum GMV a retailer needs to make platform investment viable?We break down the real costs, implementation speed and much criticised admin experience, plus what's coming next.We explore the strategic priorities Salesforce is doubling down on, from AI-enhanced search and recommendations to scalable infrastructure that's built for trust and uptime. Rob shares candid insights into how the platform is balancing between enterprise needs and simplifying the admin experience without sacrificing power. Whether you're considering a Salesforce project or just want to understand its future trajectory, this episode provides a nuanced, honest view of what to watch for.Hit play now to explore whether Salesforce Commerce Cloud can keep pace with your next big growth move, and how its latest innovations are tailored to enterprise commerce.Chapters:[01:00] Salesforce Commerce Cloud market segmentation, target business size & recent evolution.[05:45] Challenges related to admin complexity and platform usability.[07:00] Salesforce's maturity for multi-country, multi-language, multi-currency setups.[09:25] The new Salesforce reference application built on React and Tailwind.[10:40] AI-driven front-end development and automation in replatforming projects.[12:10] Suitability of Salesforce for different business sizes and use cases.[13:30] Speed to market and platform deployment times.[16:15] AI and agentic tools integration for marketing and content management.[17:30] Licensing fees and cost flexibility for enterprise clients.[19:45] Admin UI improvements and UX enhancements.[21:15] Strategic focus areas including search & recommendations.[26:20] Handling complex enterprise requirements versus mid-market needs.[27:45] Balancing feature richness with partner ecosystem and third-party integrations.[34:35] Salesforce's strategic direction towards integrated data, marketing and commerce tools.[39:00] Practical limitations and user experience gaps in current platforms like Shopify.[42:15] The shifting landscape of legacy enterprise platforms and Salesforce's position.

Today on the Watson Weekly: Google treats compute like a moat, Amazon finally figures out groceries, Vinted runs the Amazon playbook in Europe, Apple shows up late to the glasses party — and finally, The Investor Minute with 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.The Watson Weekly is sponsored by Avalara - the agentic AI platform automating global tax and compliance for leading eCommerce brands. For more details: https://avalaratax.watsonweekly.comGoogle's Compute Discipline — Compute isn't just infrastructure anymore, it's the moat.Amazon's Grocery Crystallizes — The 2025 shareholder letter dropped a $150 billion gross grocery number. Vinted's Breakout — 47% GMV growth to €10.8 billion. Apple's Glasses Play: Late but Lethal

After years of hype around live shopping in the U.S., Whatnot looks like it might be one of the first companies to truly make the model stick at scale.In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein speaks with Whatnot's VP of Categories and Expansion Armand Wilson about why the platform's community-first approach is resonating with Western consumers. Armand explains how Whatnot evolved from a collectibles marketplace built around trust into a live shopping platform spanning hundreds of categories — everything from trading cards to tomahawk steaks — and how live commerce creates a more human, transparent and personalized shopping experience than traditional ecommerce.Key TakeawaysWhy Whatnot's model differs from live shopping in China and is built more around community and expertise than mass product pushing; How the platform grew to more than $8 billion in GMV in 2025, doubling year over year; Why trust, transparency and seller expertise are central to the Whatnot's experience; How the platform's algorithm blends social engagement signals and purchase intent to surface the right streams to the right buyers; Why categories like beauty and food are opening up new opportunities;  What makes a successful Whatnot seller (hint: it has more to do with business fundamentals than a sparkling personality, although that certainly helps); andWhy Armand believes 2026 could be the year live shopping goes mainstream in the U.S.  Related LinksExplore live shopping on Whatnot and discover sellers across categoriesRelated reading: Gary V on the Shifting Landscape of Attention and the Death of Don Draper MarketingGet more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPointsSubscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix

Bobby  launched Protege in early 2024 to connect data holders with AI model builders. He raised a $10M seed with almost no demand pipeline. A year later, Protege jumped 30x to $30M in GMV and raised $30M from a16z.In this episode, Bobby breaks down how he built a 250-partner data network by leveraging prior healthcare relationships, why he flies from New York every week to close seven-figure enterprise deals, and why the "texting terms" litmus test tells you if a deal is real.Why You Should ListenWhy ignoring a customer's "no" can be the best sales move you make.How flying to see buyers weekly became the number one growth driver.Why the gap between A and A-plus talent is worth blowing your budget for.How Protege went from $1M to $30M GMV in a single year.Keywords startup podcast, startup podcast for founders, product market fit, finding pmf, AI data, enterprise sales, founder-led sales, data licensing, healthcare AI, a16z, B2B startup, Bobby Samuels, ProtegeChapters00:00:00 Intro00:03:01 Building the First Data Network00:06:12 Why In-Person Sales Changed Everything00:16:08 Going to Market with No Pipeline00:21:07 Ignoring the Lab's No00:27:40 From $1M to $30M in One Year00:34:55 Why A-Plus Talent Is Worth It00:38:28 The Moment of True Product Market FitSend me a message to let me know what you think!

Practices that lean into memberships, rewards, and digital shopping see around 22% revenue growth in year one driven by repeat visits and higher spend.Today's patients expect on-demand everything, and if your practice isn't accessible 24/7, they'll find one that is. RepeatMD's Matt Suraci and Robin Ntoh highlight one of the biggest missed opportunities in aesthetics: making it easy for patients to come back.They discuss why memberships build loyalty, create predictable revenue, and keep patients from jumping to competitors.Hear how simple automations like birthday rewards, reactivation offers, and embedded financing can increase conversions while reducing staff workload.Learn more about RepeatMDQuestions answered in this episode:What is a medical spa membership program and how does it work? How can aesthetic practices increase revenue with a loyalty program?What is a beauty bank and how does it work for med spas?How much revenue growth can a med spa expect from a membership program?How do patient loyalty programs reduce staff workload in aesthetic practices? What is the difference between a membership and a subscription for aesthetic practices?How does embedded financing help convert aesthetic treatment sales?How can plastic surgery practices offer memberships without cheapening their brand?What is drop shipping skincare and how can medical practices use it? How does omnichannel selling work for aesthetic and medical spa practices?GUESTMatt SuraciChief Revenue Officer, RepeatMDMatt has been an executive leader in eCommerce for over 10 years. Prior to joining RepeatMD, Matt led all of Klarna's North American commercial functions for over 5 years, taking a new product in a new market from zero to over $20 billion in GMV.Connect with Matt Suraci on LinkedInPresented by Nextech, Aesthetically Speaking delves into the world of aesthetic practices, where art meets science, and innovation transforms beauty.With our team of experts we bring you unparalleled insights gained from years of collaborating with thousands of practices ranging from plastic surgery and dermatology to medical spas. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding entrepreneur, this podcast is tailored for you.Each episode is a deep dive into the trends, challenges, and triumphs that shape the aesthetic landscape. We'll explore the latest advancements in technology, share success stories, and provide invaluable perspectives that empower you to make informed decisions.Expect candid conversations with industry leaders, trailblazers and visionaries who are redefining the standards of excellence. From innovative treatments to business strategies, we cover it all.Our mission is to be your go-to resource for staying ahead in this ever-evolving field. So if you're passionate about aesthetics, eager to stay ahead of the curve and determined to elevate your practice, subscribe to the Aesthetically Speaking podcast.Let's embark on this transformative journey together where beauty meets business.About NextechIndustry-leading software for dermatology, medical spas, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery at https://www.nextech.com/ 

Shopify just opened up its foundational B2B features to all paid plans, not just Plus. Samir Pradhan, VP of Product at Shopify, joins the show to break down what merchants actually get: company profiles, up to three custom catalogs, quantity rules, ACH payments, vaulted credit cards, and 50+ features total, at no additional cost. We walk through the setup, talk about what stays Plus-only, and dig into why B2B was consistently a top three merchant request. Plus, 96% GMV growth for merchants already using these tools. If you've been avoiding wholesale or duct-taping workarounds, this is the episode. LINKS Shopify B2B Newsroom Post: https://www.shopify.com/news/b2b-for-all Shopify B2B Help Docs: https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/b2b Samir Pradhan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-pradhan-71978120 SPONSORS Swym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & more getswym.com/kurt Cleverific - Smart order editing for Shopify cleverific.com Zipify - Build high-converting sales funnels zipify.com/KURT WORK WITH KURT Apply for Shopify Help ethercycle.com/apply See Our Results ethercycle.com/work Free Newsletter kurtelster.com The Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.

In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough podcast, host Josh Hadley introduces his "TikTok Creator Engine," a structured system for turning product samples into loyal brand evangelists. Josh outlines five creator stages—Inactivated, Activated, Emerging, Performing, and Evangelist—and explains how to move creators through each using personalized outreach, gamification, community building, and targeted ad spend. He also details key team roles, essential KPIs, and onboarding strategies to replace the ineffective "spray and pray" approach with a scalable, relationship-driven affiliate program that generates consistent revenue.Links and Mentions:Tools and Websites"TikTok Creator Engine": "00:01:12""Shopify": "00:01:12""Amazon": "00:01:12""WhatsApp": "00:09:34""CRM (Creator Relationship Management System)": "00:11:42""TikTok Shop": "00:10:40""Fulfilled by TikTok": "00:13:55""Amazon MCF (Multi-Channel Fulfillment)": "00:13:55""Beehive": "21:31""Discord": "22:31""ChatGPT": "23:39"Videos and Playlists"YouTube Onboarding Videos": "00:18:51""YouTube Playlist for New Creators": "24:27"Concepts and Strategies"Creative Briefs": "23:39""Creative Brief": "00:42:53""Bingo Card Game": "28:51""Ad Spend Strategy": "00:39:18""Performance Coach Role": "00:41:54""Affiliate Support Specialist Role": "00:41:54""VIP Program": "00:43:50""Monthly Contests": "00:44:43""Personalized Contests": "00:48:19""Weekly Creator Calls": "26:10"Metrics and KPIs"Contact Information Capture": "00:51:08""Performance Metrics": "00:52:56""Pareto Principle": "00:45:38""Gamification": "00:44:43"Timestamps:00:00:00 Introducing the TikTok Creator EngineA systematic process to turn product samples into loyal brand evangelists, focusing on consistent revenue over viral moments.00:01:12 Host IntroductionJosh Hadley shares his background as an e-commerce entrepreneur, father, and host of the E-com Breakthrough podcast.00:02:17 Core Principles of the SystemThe system focuses on inspiring creators, tracking behavior, doubling down on winners, and ignoring the rest based on performance.00:04:10 Common Problems with Creator ProgramsOutlines issues brands face, such as creators not posting, one-off videos, wasted samples, and overreliance on TikTok DMs.00:06:49 The Five Stages of the Creator EngineAn overview of the five distinct stages creators move through: Inactivated, Activated, Emerging, Performing, and Brand Evangelist.00:10:40 The Required Team StructureDetails the three essential team roles needed to run the engine: Affiliate Support Specialist, Performance Coach, and Store Operations.00:15:03 Stage 1: Inactivated CreatorsFocuses on approving samples and, most importantly, capturing the creator's contact information to move them out of TikTok DMs.00:17:53 The 30-Day Onboarding SequenceA detailed breakdown of the first 30 days of communication, including emails and WhatsApp messages for new creators.00:21:31 Tools for the Activation ProgramDiscusses essential tools for creator activation, including email newsletters, community platforms like WhatsApp, and detailed creative briefs.00:24:27 The YouTube Onboarding PlaylistOutlines a mini-course for creators covering mindset, hook strategy, lighting, audio, and success stories to build relationships.00:28:51 Gamifying Onboarding: The Bingo CardA gamified "bingo card" system that incentivizes new creators to complete key tasks like posting multiple videos.00:30:42 Stage 2: Activated CreatorsCovers the team's actions once a creator posts their first video, including congratulations and providing initial feedback.00:33:29 High ROI Move: Boosting Videos with AdsA strategy to use small, targeted ad spend on new creators' videos to generate initial views and sales.00:35:29 Stage 3: Emerging CreatorsThe goal for this stage is to build consistency with creators who have momentum but aren't posting regularly.00:40:13 Stage 4: Performing CreatorsFocuses on scaling the output of consistent creators by building a personal relationship and offering exclusive VIP program invitations.00:45:38 Stage 5: Brand EvangelistsA high-touch strategy to retain top creators through personalized contests, gifts, and exclusive access to new products.00:50:16 Collecting Creator Contact InfoEmphasizes the critical importance of capturing creator contact information and offers creative methods like auto-DMs and product inserts.00:51:58 Key Metrics to MeasureA breakdown of the essential KPIs to track weekly, including samples sent, post rates, and GMV per stage.00:54:48 Daily Roles of the TeamA summary of the daily action items for the Affiliate Support Specialist and the Performance Coach within the system.00:55:50 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsA summary of the system's benefits, emphasizing that consistent action, refinement, and focus are the keys to success.Transcript:Josh Hadley 00:00:00  That activation stage is honestly the biggest miss that I see most brands like just completely skipping and they just go from inactivated creator to somebody went viral and it's as simple as that. And and that's all they're relying upon. Whereas we're going to methodically walk all of these creators through these five different stages. Welcome to the Ecomm Breakthrough podcast. I'm Josh Hadley. I've scaled my own ecommerce brand from 0 to 8 figures, and I'm actively building towards nine figures in sales. This podcast is where I document that journey and share the systems, the strategies, and the lessons learned in real time so that you can learn what actually matters and scale your own business. Today, I want to share with you all the TikTok Creator Engine. This is how we're turning thousands of samples into thousands of brand evangelists. This isn't just about like sending out as many samples as you possibly can. The spray and pray approach, just hoping that somebody will go viral. Rather, this is a systematic process that we follow to ensure that every sample we send out actually has the chance of helping some of t...

Rick Watson is out. Nick Kaplan is in — and he's not giving the mic back.In this special Kaplan Wednesday episode, Nick takes the research prompts Watson built for his agentic commerce analysis and turns them on the very stories they were designed to interrogate.On the docket: Adyen's white paper claiming infrastructure is the constraint on agentic commerce (it isn't — and their own 95% AML false positive rate says why). Shopify's one-toggle Agentic Storefront promise and the data ownership problem it quietly creates. Klaviyo and Reebok Europe's Locale Aware Catalogs announcement — and the 149,999 merchants who aren't Reebok. The EU AI Act, which starts enforcement in five months and would like a word with every agentic protocol on the market. And the number that breaks every GMV projection: only 14% of shoppers trust AI recommendations enough to transact.The Kaplan Weekly is sponsored by Avalara. — automated tax compliance built for Shopify merchants, from calculation to returns. For more details: https://avalara.watsonweekly.com/The constraint isn't infrastructure. It's trust. Build that first.Happy April Fools. Rick will be back next week.Subscribe for weekly retail and commerce analysis: watsonweekly.com#ecommerce #kaplanwednesday #AIact #watsonwednesday

La misión Artemis II de la NASA despega este 1 abril. Hablamos de este viaje con Miguel Ángel Molina, adjunto al director general de Sistemas Espaciales de GMV.

Armand Wilson, Chief Revenue Officer at Whatnot, joins Phillip and Brian to unpack why live shopping finally took hold in the West. Drawing from Whatnot's recent 2026 State of Live Selling Report, we trace the platform's origin from a niche Funko Pop marketplace to an $8B GMV juggernaut after landing $225 million in Series F funding. Main Street Went Live Key Takeaways: The barrier to entry for live selling is far lower than traditional eCommerce. 80% of Whatnot buyers return the following month, compared with approximately 30% in traditional eCommerce. Live selling lets brands tell their story in ways a static product page never can. Whatnot raised $225M in Series F; the platform did $8B in GMV last year. Live commerce is quietly revitalizing small businesses and local brick-and-mortar. Key Quotes: [00:09:00] "It's clienteling in almost a digital way, blurring the line between parasocial relationship and actual relationship between seller and buyer." — Brian Lange [00:12:00] "It could cost you a hundred thousand dollars to open up a comic bookshop. It costs you $0 to open up a comic bookshop on Whatnot." — Armand Wilson [00:31:45] "It's really hard to tell your story in an authentic way when you're just telling it on a couple of lines of text on a product page." — Armand Wilson [00:41:30] "80% of our customers come back the next month, whereas traditional eCommerce is, on average, maybe 30%." — Armand Wilson In-Show Mentions: Whatnot's State of Live Selling Report Associated Links: Check out Future Commerce on YouTube Check out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and print Subscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce world Listen to our other episodes of Future Commerce Have any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Josh started his career at American Airlines (AA) and spent 5 years in their MBA leadership development program. Josh's experience at AA further refined his leadership abilities and strategic decision making skills. While employed at AA Josh and his wife Becca started Hadley Designs. As the CEO of Hadley Designs, Josh led the business to gross $100,000+ in revenue within it's first year and in 2022 Hadley Designs crossed the eight figure mark, grossing over $10,000,000 in revenue.In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, standing still means falling behind. In a recent episode of the Ecom Breakthrough Podcast, host and eight-figure brand owner Josh Hadley pulls back the curtain on the real struggles and breakthrough strategies that have propelled his business from the brink of collapse to new heights. This episode is a masterclass for e-commerce entrepreneurs looking to scale beyond seven figures, with a special focus on leveraging TikTok Shop, affiliate marketing, and integrated sales funnels across Amazon and Shopify.Highlight Bullets> Here's a glimpse of what you would learn…. Strategies for scaling e-commerce businesses on platforms like Amazon and TikTok Shop.Personal experiences of overcoming business challenges, including product failures and financial difficulties.The importance of targeted outreach and building relationships with creators for affiliate marketing.Utilizing TikTok Shop to generate significant gross merchandise volume (GMV) and create viral content.The role of effective sales funnel structures in improving conversion rates and average order value (AOV).Implementing subscription models to create recurring revenue streams.The integration of marketing efforts across TikTok, Shopify, and Amazon to enhance profitability.The significance of product differentiation and niche focus in e-commerce success.The challenges of maintaining profitability on Amazon and strategies to avoid market stagnation.The necessity of hard work and commitment in achieving success in the competitive e-commerce landscape.In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley shares his journey overcoming business setbacks and reveals his proven strategies for scaling e-commerce brands on Amazon, Shopify, and TikTok Shop. He details how he rebuilt his business using TikTok Shop affiliate marketing, building a network of creators, and optimizing sales funnels. Josh emphasizes the importance of creator partnerships, viral content, and subscription models, offering listeners a step-by-step blueprint for driving growth and profitability in today's competitive e-commerce landscape. He also provides actionable tips and resources for brands seeking to break through stagnation and achieve lasting success.Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode:Target Niche Creators with Email Collection Use tools like Yuka AI to reach out to creators in your specific niche (not spray-and-pray). Before approving samples, collect their email and phone number to build direct relationships off TikTok. Add them to an automated email flow that nurtures engagement and tracks content creation.Require 30 Videos + Usage Rights Upfront Send a creative brief before sample approval and have creators commit to producing 30 videos in 60 days with unlimited usage rights. This gives you permission to repurpose viral content (100K+ views) as Meta ads without asking, and weeds out freebie seekers while maximizing ROI per sample.Turn Amazon Products into High-AOV Shopify Funnels Take viral TikTok videos and run them as Meta ads driving to dedicated landing pages (not your homepage). Bundle products together, add digital exclusives Amazon can't match, include pre-checkout upsells, and offer a subscription club—turning $25 products into $85+ AOV while generating recurring revenue.Resources & Links SectionJosh Hadley on LinkedIneComm Breakthrough ConsultingeComm Breakthrough PodcastEmail Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.comTikTok ShopAmazonShopifyChatGPTEuka AIKalodataStreakWooCommerce

refurbed, the leading online marketplace for refurbished products in Ireland, has surpassed €3 billion in cumulative Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) and expanded into 12 new European markets, doubling its footprint and marking a major milestone in the mainstream adoption of refurbished products. The company reached €3 billion in the total value of goods sold through its marketplace less than 12 months after passing €2 billion, reflecting year-on-year GMV growth of over 40%. The milestone follows a €50 million investment round in November 2025 and profitability achieved earlier that year, providing a strong foundation for continued expansion across Europe. "Refurbished is no longer a niche – it's becoming the default for many customers across Europe." said Peter Windischhofer, co-founder and CEO of refurbed. "We've proven that a circular business model can scale profitably. Surpassing €3 billion in GMV and expanding into 12 new markets shows that." To date, refurbed has sold 10 million products across their European markets and over 50% of its customers have returned for additional purchases. Since entering the Irish market five years ago, refurbed has sold more than 400,000 products to over 200,000 customers, contributing over €146 million in GMV. Through the purchase of refurbished devices, Irish customers have saved almost 17 million kilograms of CO?, more than 5 billion litres of water and nearly 60,000 kilograms of electronic waste. Pan-European expansion at scale The company's new markets include Spain, France, the UK, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Bulgaria and Luxembourg, bringing refurbed's addressable market to approximately 486 million consumers. Leading brands available on the platform include Dyson and Kärcher in home and garden, alongside Apple, Samsung and Google in consumer electronics. "This expansion is a deliberate next step," Windischhofer adds. "After reaching profitability and securing fresh investment, we are deploying capital where we see clear demand, strong supply infrastructure and long-term value creation. We scale where our model works – and we know it works." €3 Billion GMV: Refurbishment moves into the mainstream The acceleration from €2 billion to €3 billion in under a year highlights growing consumer trust in refurbished products and increasing competitive strength against new product sales. Premium supply is expanding rapidly, with the premium product share of order volume increasing by +113% and the premium share of GMV rising by +90% since the category launched in 2025. "We are witnessing a clear, structural shift in consumer behaviour," says Kilian Kaminski, co-founder of refurbed. "Smart and sustainable growth is no longer a trade-off. The circular economy is becoming mainstream, and Europe has the opportunity to lead globally by proving that profitability and sustainability go hand in hand." To date, refurbed has contributed to saving 445,000 tonnes of CO2 by offering refurbished instead of new products to consumers. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Rafay and Graeme are the founders of The UpTik, an education and mentorship platform that helps eCommerce brands and entrepreneurs scale through TikTok. With over a decade of experience in eCommerce and short-form video, they've helped thousands of businesses grow on platforms like TikTok, Shopify, and Amazon using proven frameworks that drive real results. Their approach bridges the gap between traditional eCommerce and the creator economy—turning social media attention into anti-fragile revenue. They've worked with everyone from early-stage founders to billion-dollar brands, and their new book, Scroll to Sold, breaks down exactly how to turn TikTok attention into sales.Highlight Bullets> Here's a glimpse of what you would learn…. Importance of understanding TikTok Shop fundamentals for e-commerce success.Common mistakes brands make when entering TikTok Shop.Strategies for analyzing competitors and historical data to inform TikTok strategies.The significance of content volume and consistency in driving engagement and sales.Building strong relationships with creators and treating them as integral team members.The role of creator training and support in enhancing content quality and brand representation.The impact of TikTok's algorithm on content virality and engagement metrics.The necessity of viewing TikTok as a top-of-funnel awareness tool rather than just a direct sales channel.The importance of long-term commitment and strategic investment in TikTok Shop for sustainable growth.Examples of successful brands leveraging TikTok for awareness and sales, including their approaches to creator partnerships.In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley interviews Rafay and Graeme, founders of Uptik and authors of From Scroll to Sold. They share expert strategies for e-commerce brands to succeed on TikTok Shop, emphasizing the importance of benchmarking competitors, producing high volumes of content, and building strong, supportive relationships with creators. The discussion covers actionable tips, common pitfalls, and the evolving role of social commerce, offering listeners a roadmap to drive sales and brand growth through TikTok's unique ecosystem.Here are the 3 action items that Josh identified from this episode:Benchmark Like a ProReverse-engineer the early moves of brands that recently won on TikTok Shop. Use tools like Killer Data to study their creator volume, posting cadence, and offers—then outperform their output.Out-Create EveryoneCommit to a relentless content engine: 30–100+ posts per week across brand and creator channels. Test formats fast, double down on what gets full watches, and treat content as your primary growth lever.Build a Creator Sales ForceOnboard creators personally, support them with weekly check-ins, and gamify performance. A trained, motivated affiliate army will drive scalable GMV far beyond what your brand channel alone can do.Resources mentioned in this episode:Josh Hadley on LinkedIneComm Breakthrough ConsultingeComm Breakthrough PodcastEmail Josh Hadley: Josh@eCommBreakthrough.comTikTok ShopAmazonShopifyDiscordDouyinKalodataWispr Flow

TikTok Shop sales are booming. Will Amazon surpass Walmart? Plus, a major Helium 10 announcement. Get the latest buzzing e-commerce news on this Weekly Buzz episode! We're back with another episode of the Weekly Buzz with Helium 10's Principal Brand Evangelist, Carrie Miller. Every week, we cover the latest breaking news in the Amazon, TikTok Shop, Walmart, and E-commerce space, talk about Helium 10's newest features, and provide a training tip for the week for serious sellers of any level.   TikTok Shop U.S. GMV grew 68% to reach US$15.1B in 2025 https://thelowdown.momentum.asia/new-report-tiktok-shop-u-s-gmv-grew-68-to-reach-us15-1b-in-2025/ TikTok Shop buyers expect 4x faster response than on Amazon https://channelx.world/2026/02/tiktok-shop-buyers-expect-4x-faster-response-than-on-amazon/ New Feature Alerts: Helium 10 just launched for the Diamond plan. This new feature, called Insight Alert, instantly flags SKUs at risk of Amazon low-inventory and long-term storage fees, so you can sort by risk and fix restocks before you get charged.   Plus, Elite members can now set a specific time window for “Request a Review” automations in Follow-Up, letting you choose exactly when review requests are sent instead of leaving timing to Amazon. Amazon set to pass Walmart in annual revenue for the first time after hitting $700 billion in sales https://www.modernretail.co/operations/amazon-set-to-pass-walmart-in-annual-revenue-for-the-first-time-after-hitting-700-billion-in-sales/ Amazon Seller Central: New Sell Globally feature simplifies international expansion https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-news/articles/QVRWUERLSUtYMERFUiNHR0EyRFpaQ1ZSWDdWRTZV Helium 10 is bringing back its old-school, high-level strategy webinars with a major educational session hosted by Leo Sgovio and Bradley Sutton, packed with “behind-closed-doors” tactics tailored for selling in 2026. It airs February 23 at 10 am PST — register now at https://h10.me/bigweb226 In episode 496 of the AM/PM Podcast and Weekly Buzz, Carrie talks about: 00:40 - TikTok US Sales 03:53 - TikTok Buyer Expectations 06:09 - Low Inventory Fee Alert 08:30 - Review Request Delivery 10:23 - Amazon vs Walmart 12:18 - AI Bid Rules Strategy 16:01 - Sell Globally Feature 17:23 - Big Announcement

Join your Watson Weekly Weekend Edition hosts, Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky, as they break down the biggest shifts in tech, retail, and e-commerce. From Pinterest's AI pivot to Starbucks' massive loyalty shakeup, we're diving deep into the news moving the needle this week.

去年抵禦酷澎入侵台灣的電商龍頭momo，成績揭曉：2025年營收年減3.46%，前三季稅後淨利年減12%。momo首戰打贏了嗎？ 文：王一芝 製作團隊：樂祈 ＊閱讀零時差，點這看全文

Send us a textMiguel Armaza sits down with Nikolay Seleznev, Co-Founder of Uzum, Uzbekistan's first tech unicorn rewriting the playbook for e-commerce and fintech in Central Asia. From Moscow to Tashkent, Nikolay Seleznev brings global banking experience and entrepreneurial grit to a country leapfrogging straight into the digital economy.In this episode, Nikolay Seleznev shares the origin story of Uzum and how a simple, subpar online shopping experience sparked the vision for a super app serving millions. He dives into the challenges of building next-day delivery and financial services from scratch—without warehouses, 3PL infrastructure, or widespread digital adoption. Discover how Uzum managed to issue 4 million debit cards in a single year, reach 20 million monthly active users, and outperform their first-year GMV forecast by 4x, all while driving massive change in a historically cash-based society.Timestamped Overview00:00 Intro & Nikolay's Background05:45 Building a Super App Ecosystem08:05 Time as the ultimate resource10:51 Uzbekistan's rapid transformation15:13 Commerce and Fintech Ecosystem Overview20:12 Building trust through products23:15 Uzbekistan's first unicorn funding26:57 Scaling success and adaptation28:22 Super app strategy adjustments32:02 Super Apps and Local Adaptation35:41 Self-focused entrepreneurial perspectiveWant more podcast episodes? Join me and follow Fintech Leaders today on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app for weekly conversations with today's global leaders that will dominate the 21st century in fintech, business, and beyond.Do you prefer a written summary? Check out the Fintech Leaders newsletter and join ~85,000+ readers and listeners worldwide!Miguel Armaza is Co-Founder and General Partner of Gilgamesh Ventures, a seed-stage investment fund focused on fintech in the Americas. He also hosts and writes the Fintech Leaders podcast and newsletter.Miguel on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nKha4ZMiguel on Twitter: https://bit.ly/2Jb5oBcFintech Leaders Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3jWIpqp

Allison Yazdian took over as CEO of Uscreen in June 2025, as the video SaaS platform entered a new growth phase. Founder PJ Taei moved into an executive chairman role, and a December chief-of-staff job ad confirmed the company's “fully remote, bootstrapped, and profitable” setup. Uscreen reports 13,000 creators, nearly $1 billion in GMV, and over 8 billion minutes streamed.Looking for Remote Work?Click here remoteworklife.io to access a private beta list of remote jobs in sales, marketing, and strategy — plus get podcasts, real-world tips and business insights from founders, CEOs, and remote leaders. subscribe to my free newsletter Connect on LinkedIn

Hidden listing keywords. An Amazon & TikTok Shop reality show. And a tool that exposes the Amazon influencers hyping your competitors' products. Special edition Weekly Buzz today. Let's go!   We're back with another episode of the Weekly Buzz with Helium 10's VP of Education and Strategy, Bradley Sutton, and Helium 10's Principal Brand Evangelist, Carrie Miller. Every week, we cover the latest breaking news in the Amazon, TikTok Shop, Walmart, and E-commerce space, talk about Helium 10's newest features, and provide a training tip for the week for serious sellers of any level. 1️⃣ Listing Builder combines 8 tools into one, integrating keyword research and listing creation so you can find, analyze, and optimize Amazon listings in one place. 2️⃣ Helium 10's Scale Stories YouTube series follows real sellers at different stages, with expert mentors guiding beginners and stuck sellers step by step to grow. 3️⃣ TikTok Product Finder helps sellers discover winning TikTok Shop products using filters like category, price, sales, GMV, affiliates, and influencers. 4️⃣ Helium 10's Chrome extension now supports Amazon Saudi Arabia, letting sellers analyze sales and opportunities in this fast-growing market. 5️⃣ TikTok Hot Videos shows top-performing TikTok Shop videos by keyword, category, and timeframe, helping sellers and influencers replicate high-converting content. 6️⃣ Amazon Influencer Finder helps sellers discover, analyze, and contact Amazon influencers making product videos, making it easy to recruit proven creators for listings. 7️⃣ TikTok Shop Ads tool lets sellers analyze GMV Max ads by platform, product, and video to spot top-performing creatives and improve ROI. 8️⃣ Helium 10 Share of Voice shows how much page-one visibility your brand owns across organic, sponsored, and video placements, revealing true share of shelf beyond rankings. 9️⃣ Keyword Tracker now includes built-in translation, letting sellers instantly understand and analyze foreign-language keywords across global Amazon marketplaces.

In this episode, Jordan West sits down with Bora, co-founder of Reacher, one of the leading TikTok Shop affiliate platforms, to break down what's really happening inside social commerce right now.They uncover why only 1.4% of creators on TikTok Shop generate meaningful GMV, why creator outreach conversion rates are collapsing, and what brands must do differently to win in an increasingly competitive market.The conversation dives deep into:Creator scarcity vs creator volumeWhy mass outreach is dyingThe future of brand-owned contentWhy AI content is being suppressed on TikTokHow top brands are building moats through creator relationshipsWhy loyalty, training, and community matter more than everIf you're a brand, agency, founder, or operator trying to scale on TikTok Shop, this episode reveals the uncomfortable truths most people ignore — and the strategies that actually work going into the next phase of social commerce.===============================