The Multichannel Success Podcast Season 4

When we started Podcasting we had no idea where it would end up. Season 1 feels a long time ago now- but here we are launching Season 4 bigger and better than anything that's gone before

A huge thanks for all of your feedback and support - in particular those that have taken time to help us make things even better, please do send us your feedback - we do really appreciate it

For most of this season’s episodes we’ve invited an industry expert to add to your (and our) understanding. We’ve invited them to help us with important business questions such as Ai and User Intent as well as managing Data

As always your hosts for this season are:

And many thanks to our new sponsors for this Season - Shopline, now used by over 600,000 merchants globally

Below, you'll see a summary of each of the episodes along with a link to each of the transcripts which are available for you to download.

In addition to playing directly from here all podcasts are available via Spotify & Apple podcasts.

Click here to access our Season 1 Podcast

Click here to access our Season 2 Podcast

Click here to access our Season 3 Podcast

In Episode 1 - The Retail Challenge - with Ian Scott

The Multi-Channel Success Podcast, dives into the world of physical retail with Ian Scott, a renowned independent retail consultant. Ian shares insights on how the pandemic was a wake-up call for the retail industry and how human nature has driven a return to in-store shopping. We discuss the integration of digital and physical retail, highlighting how brands like Nike are using technology to enhance the in-store experience. Ian also emphasizes the importance of understanding customer behavior and adapting to their needs, whether you're a large corporation or a small retailer. We wrap up by exploring the role of innovation and the importance of internal collaboration in driving retail success. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on the evolving retail landscape!- listen here or read the transcript.

In Episode 2 - How the buying world should change with Anna Berry

Anna Berry, a legend in the world of buying joined David and Mark to delve into how the roles of buyers and merchandisers differ yet complement each other in retail. Anna shared her journey and experiences while highlighting the importance of teamwork between buyers and merchandisers for a successful product assortment. We also explored how e-commerce has transformed the buying process, with online sales becoming a significant part of many businesses. The conversation touched on the growing role of data and AI in retail, emphasizing the need for agility and customer-centric strategies. A fascinating discussion about the evolving landscape of retail buying and merchandising - listen here or read the transcript.

In Episode 3 - Market Insights with Richard Lim

Richard Lim - the retail legend and founder of Retail Economics, shares some optimistic news about the economy ands the state of consumer confidence. David Worby added that while economic data looks good, consumer confidence might take longer to recover because the real feel is still not very positive. We also discuss the challenges retailers face, like rising operating costs and soft consumer demand, making it a tough time for the industry despite some positive outlooks. Richard talks about the shift back to in-store shopping post-COVID and how the growth of online sales has slowed down and just returned to the long-term average. We wrap up with an interesting chat about the trend of big brands like Next and Frasers taking over the high street, and the potential future of marketplaces and second-hand retai - listen here or read the transcript.

In Episode 4 - Why do software vendors oversell - with Jamie Hancox

This weeks episode is a cracker - David and Mark welcome Jamie Hancox, a digital guru and founder of Commerce Futures, to discuss why software vendors tend to oversell their products. Jamie shares his experience working with both merchants and software vendors, explaining that the relationship between the two can often be strained due to unmet promises. He points out that while everything is theoretically possible with software, the reality often involves significant effort and resources that aren't always communicated upfront. The conversation also touches on the role of systems integrators (SIs) and the importance of customer success teams in ensuring long-term satisfaction. The episode wraps up with advice for the industry to listen to customers and ensure that what they're selling truly fits the customer's needs - listen here or read the transcript.

In Episode 5 - Tracking and Using Customer Intent - with David Mannheim

Today's podcast episode was a real treat as we had David Mannheim from Made With Intent join us. David talked about his career journey, from his early days in advertising to founding his own agency and writing a book. We had some light-hearted moments discussing our favorite football teams and Disney, but the core of our conversation was about consumer behavior. David emphasized the need to see consumers as real people and not just data points, sharing stories about Starbucks and Disney to make his point. He also introduced a fascinating concept from football called 'expected goals' to explain how businesses should measure success. This episode was packed with valuable insights and entertaining moments!- listen here or read the transcript.

In Episode 6 - Becoming a data-driven organisation - with Penelope Bellegarde

This episode is all about harnessing the power of data to drive your organisation forward. Our special guest, Penelope Bellegarde, shares her extensive experience in the field of data analytics, from working with Tui and PwC to founding DataTouch. We discuss why many companies think they are data-driven but often fall short. Mark Pinkerton highlights the critical role of vision and actionable insights, as well as the foundational importance of data quality for AI. We also touch on the hidden environmental costs of data centers and the role of ESG in data strategy. Tune in for practical advice and expert insights on making your organization truly data-driven. listen here or read the transcript.