128: 60 Markets in 11 Months: Montblanc's Commerce Transformation Journey

In this episode, we sit down with Marie-Theres Mangelsdorf and Nino Bergfeld to explore Montblanc's ambitious commerce transformation — launching a new platform across 60 markets in just 11 months. We discuss how Montblanc balanced its rich heritage with the demands of modern digital commerce. Marie-Theres shares the strategic decisions that made the rapid rollout possible, including ruthless prioritization between "business critical" and "nice to have," and aligning the entire organization around a clear why. We also dive into global consistency versus local adaptation, the realities of headless versus monolithic architectures, and how luxury brands must carefully choose what to control in-house versus outsource. Beyond technology, the conversation highlights leadership lessons to drive change while keeping the business running. Show Highlights: Balancing brand heritage with modern digital innovation Prioritizing business critical features over perfection Global consistency with strategic local adaptations Headless versus monolithic architecture decisions in luxury In-house control versus outsourcing across the value chain Leading teams through high pressure transformation with clarity and transparency Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Nino Bergfeld: [email protected]  *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.  

In this episode, we sit down with Marie-Theres Mangelsdorf and Nino Bergfeld to explore Montblanc's ambitious commerce transformation — launching a new platform across 60 markets in just 11 months. We discuss how Montblanc balanced its rich heritage with the demands of modern digital commerce. Marie-Theres shares the strategic decisions that made the rapid rollout possible, including ruthless prioritization between "business critical" and "nice to have," and aligning the entire organization around a clear why. We also dive into global consistency versus local adaptation, the realities of headless versus monolithic architectures, and how luxury brands must carefully choose what to control in-house versus outsource. Beyond technology, the conversation highlights leadership lessons to drive change while keeping the business running. Show Highlights: Balancing brand heritage with modern digital innovation Prioritizing business critical features over perfection Global consistency with strategic local adaptations Headless versus monolithic architecture decisions in luxury In-house control versus outsourcing across the value chain Leading teams through high pressure transformation with clarity and transparency Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Nino Bergfeld: [email protected]  *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.  

Join Caleb Bryant and Caila Schwartz as they delve into the latest holiday sales forecasts and trends. Discover how global economic shifts, interest rate changes, and consumer behavior are shaping the holiday shopping landscape. With insights into discount strategies and the growing role of AI in customer service, this episode is a must-listen for retailers aiming to capture the holiday market. Tune in to learn how to navigate the season with strategic foresight and maximize your holiday sales potential. Show Highlights: Discussion on Cyber Week 2025 discount strategies and regional variations in markdowns AI's impact on customer service, with a significant rise in chatbot usage Analysis of macroeconomic influences on retail Predictions for discount rates across various verticals, focusing on makeup, apparel, and home goods Reflections on past holiday sales trends Strategies for retailers to manage returns and leverage data-driven approaches for maximizing holiday sales Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Learn more about Agentforce for Commerce: https://www.salesforce.com/commerce/ai/ See our Holiday Predictions and more: https://www.salesforce.com/retail/peak-holiday/ Join the Commerce Cloud Community Unofficial Slack: https://sforce.co/commercecrew *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

In this conversation, Caleb Bryant and Mike Getchis, Head of Strategy & Partnerships at Zenkraft, a Bringg solution, discuss the critical aspects of post-purchase experiences in e-commerce, focusing on logistics, customer communication, and the integration of AI and data. They explore the challenges brands face during peak seasons, the importance of self-service options for customers, and the role of partnerships in enhancing customer experiences. The discussion emphasizes the need for effective communication and data integration to drive customer loyalty and satisfaction. Show Highlights: The critical role of timely communication and third-party logistics partnerships during the holiday season Integration of customer self-service and AI in enhancing consumer interactions The shift towards personalized shopping experiences and innovative, label-less return processes Importance of data unification and partnerships in fulfilling brand promises and enhancing customer trust Use of AI to streamline order tracking and returns The role of advanced logistics solutions in driving customer loyalty and meeting consumer expectations Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Learn more about Agentforce for Commerce: https://www.salesforce.com/commerce/ai/ Join the Commerce Cloud Community Unofficial Slack: https://sforce.co/commercecrew *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.  

In this episode of the Salesforce Commerce Innovators podcast, host Caleb Bryant speaks with Jeff Cannon, CEO of Yoga Democracy, and Aaron Hutten, co-founder of Ember Agency. They discuss the journey of Yoga Democracy, from its origins to its recent transition from Shopify to Salesforce Commerce Cloud in just six weeks, emphasizing the significance of accelerating time to value in a unified commerce platform. Show Highlights: Evolution of Yoga Democracy from niche hot yoga apparel to significant athleisure market player Challenges and solutions in hiring seamstresses in the U.S. and the establishment of a factory in Kenya Importance of strategic partnerships Leveraging technology like AgentForce and Einstein for better consumer insights and personalized experiences Creative strategies for customer engagement Advice for entrepreneurs on aligning business decisions with long-term goals and selecting adaptable technology solutions Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Guests: Jeff Cannon, CEO, Yoga Democracy: https://www.yogademocracy.com/  Aaron Hutten, Founder, Ember Agency: https://discoverember.com/  Supporting Resources: Learn more about Agentforce for Commerce: https://www.salesforce.com/commerce/ai/  Join the Commerce Cloud Community Unofficial Slack: https://sforce.co/commercecrew  *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.  

How is the landscape of B2B commerce transforming in the digital age? Becky Simmons from CONA Services and Becky Wright from Cloudgaia discuss the significant changes in B2B commerce facilitated by Salesforce's platform. They explore the implementation of a seamless self-service platform that enables nearly 300,000 end customers to manage orders and inquiries efficiently.  The conversation highlights the unique dynamics of B2B commerce, focusing on account-specific pricing and managing large order volumes while delivering a B2C-like experience. Emphasizing a collaborative 'one team' approach, the episode underscores the importance of partnerships in achieving customer-centric digital transformations and ensuring operational efficiency. Show Highlights: Creation of a seamless self-service digital account management platform for nearly 300,000 end customers Differences between B2B and B2C commerce, focusing on account-specific pricing and large order volumes Importance of a 'one team' approach in executing large-scale B2B projects successfully Role of Salesforce as a single source of truth, enhancing data security and customer satisfaction Cloudgaia's strategic partnership with Salesforce and CONA Services to ensure project success Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

Discover how a powerful alliance is reshaping the e-commerce world. In this episode, we have Derek Majewski, Senior Partner Development Manager at Amazon, to discuss the impact of the strategic partnership between Salesforce Commerce Cloud and Amazon's Buy With Prime. The episode delves into how this collaboration enhances the e-commerce experience by leveraging Amazon's trusted fulfillment services and Salesforce's robust capabilities.  The discussion highlights the potential for brands to drive revenue growth and operational efficiency through Amazon's Demand Side Platform, offering insights into how brands can thrive in a rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape. Show Highlights: The strategic partnership between Salesforce Commerce Cloud and Amazon's Buy With Prime How the Prime logo enhances consumer trust and boosts e-commerce conversion rates Amazon's Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) and its impact on logistics and customer engagement The role of AI, like ChatGPT, in shaping the consumer journey and aiding decision-making How Amazon's Demand Side Platform aids in precise advertising and connecting with ready-to-buy audiences Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Derek Majewski: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmajewski/ | Amazon Buy With Prime - https://buywithprime.amazon.com/  Learn more about Agentforce for Commerce: https://www.salesforce.com/commerce/ai/  Join the Commerce Cloud Community Unofficial Slack: https://sforce.co/commercecrew *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.  

Rob Smith, Global VP of Tech at OSF Digital, is with us to discuss the innovative concept of agentic commerce. This episode delves into how AI is reshaping customer experiences, highlighting OSF Digital's partnership with Salesforce to push boundaries in the retail space. From the bold move to overhaul their chatbot with an AI agent to the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in e-commerce, Rob offers insights into how platforms like Amazon and Shopify are adapting to these changes.  Learn about the critical role of business analysis and automation in leveraging AI effectively and explore success stories from brands like North Collective and Absa Bank, which demonstrate AI's potential to enhance customer interactions and generate revenue. Show Highlights: The partnership between OSF and Salesforce Examination of emerging trends in e-commerce The importance of business analysis and process optimization for successful AI integration AI's potential to enhance commerce at every touchpoint, including customer service, product returns, and personalized consumer experiences The necessity for brands to quickly adapt to AI advancements to remain competitive in the fast-paced digital commerce landscape Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Rob Smith: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robdsmith/ | OSF Digital - https://www.linkedin.com/company/osf-digital/  Learn more about Agentforce for Commerce: https://www.salesforce.com/commerce/ai/  Join the Commerce Cloud Community Unofficial Slack: https://sforce.co/commercecrew *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

E-commerce is being revolutionized through AI and technology integration in this episode. Adam Bezemek, Director of Experience Engineering at VF Corp, discusses the transformation of iconic brands like Vans, The North Face, and Timberland using headless commerce and composable storefronts. Dive into the challenges of internationalization, the role of AI in product discovery, and the importance of data-driven decision-making.  Learn about VF Corp's collaboration with industry leaders like Netlify, Bloomreach, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and how embedding engineers within brand teams enhances consumer journeys. This episode emphasizes the balance between maintaining brand heritage and leveraging modern technology for a seamless shopping experience. Show Highlights: The implementation of headless commerce and composable storefronts to create customizable, brand-specific digital experiences The integration of AI in e-commerce to revolutionize product discovery and enhance consumer shopping experiences The strategy of embedding engineers within brand teams to align technology solutions with consumer journeys and ensure data-driven decision-making The importance of maintaining consistency and optimizing performance in e-commerce to enable breakthrough innovations Techniques for leveraging data, A/B testing, and feature flagging to refine strategies and drive retail innovation Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Adam Bezemek: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-bezemek/ | VF Corporation - https://www.vfc.com/  Learn more about Agentforce for Commerce: https://www.salesforce.com/commerce/ai/  Join the Commerce Cloud Community Unofficial Slack: https://sforce.co/commercecrew *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

In a rapidly transforming telecom landscape, what does it take to stay ahead of the curve? In this episode, Jon Luciano, Director of Ecommerce at Lumen Technologies, delves into the evolving world of telecommunications ecommerce. The conversation highlights the shift from limited provider options to a competitive market driven by regulatory changes and advancements in fiber technology. Jon explores how data-driven strategies are essential in enhancing customer experiences and personalizing services. The episode discusses the role of AI and conversational agents in revolutionizing customer service and acquisition strategies, emphasizing the importance of using data to inform decisions and improve the overall consumer experience in the telecom industry. Show Highlights: The shift to subscription-based billing models and enhancing customer experiences in a regulated industry Importance of data-driven strategies to personalize consumer interactions Role of artificial intelligence in refining customer experiences and driving decision-making processes at Lumen Technologies Conversational commerce and the use of AI and conversational agents to facilitate personalized interactions The necessity-driven customer acquisition strategies unique to telecom compared to traditional retail ecommerce Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review," then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Jon Luciano: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonluciano/ | Lumen Technologies - https://www.lumen.com/en-us/home.html  Learn more about Agentforce for Commerce: https://www.salesforce.com/commerce/ai/   Join the Commerce Cloud Community Unofficial Slack: https://sforce.co/commercecrew  *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.