The eCom Ops Podcast

The Logistics Layer Most eCommerce Brands Get WrongWhen was the last time you thought about your logistics processes? It’s often overlooked. But did you know that logistics is a system that makes growth sustainable?Mark Ang is the CEO and co-founder of GoBolt, a logistics company helping eCommerce brands scale through optimized fulfillment and delivery operations.You Will Learn:Why logistics should be treated as a growth leverHow scaling exposes hidden operational weaknessesWhat most brands misunderstand about free shippingHow packaging impacts profitabilityWhere AI actually delivers value in logisticsShow Notes:(00:03:11) Forbes Recognition(00:04:11) Practical Logistics(00:06:11) Surge Scaling Lessons(00:08:47) Integrations Data Sync(00:10:37) When to Use 3PL(00:13:25) Build vs Buy Software(00:15:30) AI in Fulfillment Ops(00:17:16) Top Logistics Mistakes(00:21:10) Profitable Free Shipping(00:24:24) Paid Certainty Shipping(00:27:09) Rapid Fire Wrap UpThis episode is brought to you by B2BwareB2Bware by SyncSpider is a self-service B2B portal designed for manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers that rely on complex pricing, ERP data, and large product catalogs, and don’t want to add more scripts. Try B2Bware today.Let’s keep learning and growing together in the world of eCommerce!If you want to learn more about our podcast or have an exciting story to share with our audience, check SyncSpider’s website for more info.

The Browser Blind SpotMost eCommerce teams focus on performance and growth. But what’s actually running in your customers’ browsers? In this episode, Simon Wijckmans, CEO of Cside, explains why client-side security is one of the biggest blind spots in modern eCommerce.Simon Wijckmans is the founder and CEO of Cside, a client-side security company focused on monitoring and protecting what happens in the browser. With experience at Cloudflare, he specializes in identifying risks that traditional security tools often miss.You Will Learn:Why the browser is the new attack surfaceHow scripts and third-party tools create hidden risksWhy most companies don’t know what’s running on their siteWhat modern client-side attacks actually look likeHow to improve visibility and securityShow Notes:(00:01:03) Meet Simon(00:04:23) Browser Blind Spot(00:05:55) Why Attacks Shifted(00:06:53) Marketing Scripts Risk(00:10:02) Why Hacks Hide(00:11:50) Modern Magecart Tactics(00:15:33) Server Side Tracking Myth(00:17:14) Quick Security Wins(00:17:51) Mentors And Data(00:19:07) Wrap Up TakeawaysThis episode is brought to you by B2BwareB2Bware by SyncSpider is a self-service B2B portal designed for manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers that rely on complex pricing, ERP data, and large product catalogs, and don’t want to add more scripts. Try B2Bware today.Let’s keep learning and growing together in the world of eCommerce!If you want to learn more about our podcast or have an exciting story to share with our audience, check SyncSpider’s website for more info.

Marketing Isn’t Broken, Your Data IsWhen marketing performance drops, companies usually blame the channel. But according to Justin Rashidi, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at SeedX, most marketing problems are actually data problems. In this episode, he explains how attribution models, dashboards, and dirty data can mislead even experienced teams.Justin Rashidi is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at SeedX, a data-driven marketing consultancy that has helped more than 150 companies generate over $1 billion in revenue. With a background in science and engineering, he focuses on data integrity, measurement frameworks, and uncovering wasted marketing spend.The No.1 eCom Operations hack“Your underlying data is what feeds your agents. If it’s not structured well, you don’t gain the efficiency of automation.”You Will Learn:Why attribution models often mislead marketing teamsWhen it’s time to “fire” a marketing channelHow retention can unlock hidden revenueWhy AI depends on clean dataWhat separates scalable eCommerce brands from struggling onesShow Notes:(00:02:34) Attribution You Can Trust(00:03:15) Server Side Tracking(00:04:20) Retention Hidden Revenue(00:06:22) Media Buying Rising Costs(00:07:31) AI Impact on Marketing(00:09:48) Revenue Blueprint Data Stack(00:10:52) Case Studies Fixing Attribution(00:12:56) When Channels Stop Working(00:14:53) Dashboards That Lie(00:15:54) Scaling Brands Key FocusThis episode is brought to you by B2BwareB2Bware by SyncSpider is a self-service B2B portal designed for manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers that rely on complex pricing, ERP data, and large product catalogs. Try B2Bware today.Let’s keep learning and growing together in the world of eCommerce!If you want to learn more about our podcast or have an exciting story to share with our audience, check SyncSpider’s website for more info.

Greatest Hits: Where Brands Go Wrong with Liz StackLiz Stack is the Senior Brand Manager at Yotpo and a dynamic leader in e-commerce. She leads a user community with over 1,700 customers and an industry community of over 4,000 women in eCommerce. Liz manages an accelerator program supporting 20 Black and Indigenous-owned brands annually and creates engaging digital and in-person events.Yotpo is a leading eCommerce retention marketing platform renowned for its data-driven solutions, including reviews, UGC, loyalty programs, referrals, SMS marketing, email campaigns, and subscriptions. Serving notable clients like Steve Madden and Princess Polly, Yotpo empowers brands to enhance their direct-to-consumer business through captivating customer experiences. Recognized as a Forbes Cloud 100 company, Yotpo has offices in New York, London, Sydney, and Tel Aviv.The No.1 eCom Operations hackYour SMS channel is not for everyone... You must segment and understand who the person that you're texting is. And number two is that the content you put in your emails should not be the same content in your SMS.You Will Learn:How diverse backgrounds can lead to unique success in e-commerce.Innovative strategies to transform and enhance customer loyalty.The power and impact of community support in e-commerce.Essential metrics and cutting-edge marketing tactics for growth.Show Notes:(00:02:03) Liz and Yotpo Mission(00:06:26) Accelerator Success Stories(00:08:15) What New Customers Get(00:09:46) Marketing Metrics That Matter(00:14:18) Organic Social Innovation(00:16:45) UGC and Brand Trust(00:21:26) SMS Segmentation Strategy(00:24:36) DTC Growth Customer Journey(00:25:44) Loyalty Mistakes and Points(00:29:34) Career Lessons and Wrap UpLet’s keep learning and growing together in the world of eCommerce!If you want to learn more about our podcast or have an exciting story to share with our audience, check SyncSpider’s website for more info.

Margins, Market Shifts & B2B RealityHoliday spending may dip, but the real story is shifting demand, supply chain complexity, and promotion fatigue. In this episode, John Bruno shares how B2B and B2C leaders must rethink pricing, promotions, digital transformation, and AI-driven discovery in a volatile market.John Bruno is a recognized leader in B2B commerce, pricing strategy, and digital transformation. At the time of recording, he served as VP of Strategy at PROS, advising global enterprises on commercial excellence and digital modernization. He previously led B2B e-commerce research at Forrester, authoring the B2B eCommerce Playbook and multiple Forrester Waves.You Will Learn:Why demand is shifting, not collapsingThe hidden risk in B2B supply chain complexityHow promotion fatigue erodes trustWhat true customer obsession looks likeWhy AI changes interaction, not intentionThe No.1 eCom Operations hack“When buyers and consumers come to expect promotions, you change their behavior.”Show Notes:(00:01:08) Meet John Bruno(00:04:05) Dropping Holiday Spending(00:05:24) Preparing for B2B Peak Season(00:07:08) Hidden B2B Supply Chain Risks(00:08:01) Post-Holiday Inventory Hangovers(00:10:03) Doing Promotions Right(00:13:50) Digitizing B2B Operations(00:16:20) AI’s Next Wave in Commerce(00:18:10) Managing Seasonal Pressure(00:19:28) Winning Digital Transformations(00:21:53) Capitalizing on Downturns(00:24:33) Wrap-Up & Key TakeawaysLet’s keep learning and growing together in the world of eCommerce!If you want to learn more about our podcast or have an exciting story to share with our audience, check SyncSpider’s website for more info.

From SEO to AEO: Why Clean Data Is the Real AI StrategyIn this episode, Steve Zisk of Redpoint Global explains why AI Engine Optimization (AEO), structured data, and clean customer identity are becoming essential for eCommerce success.Steve Zisk is Product Marketing Principal at Redpoint Global and a veteran technologist with 35+ years of experience in data, personalization, and customer engagement. He helps marketers translate complex AI capabilities into practical business value.You Will Learn:What AEO really means (and why SEO alone isn’t enough)Why structured data and schema are critical for AI answersHow poor customer data destroys trustHow to build a realistic 90-day AI adoption roadmapWhy chatbots should guide - not pushThe No.1 eCom Operations hack“Pick one or two immediate itemizable goals that you will be able to measure.”Show Notes:(00:01:25) Meet Steve Zisk: Tech Evangelist(00:04:02) The Evolution of Customer Engagement(00:05:15) Understanding AI Engine Optimization (AEO)(00:10:08) Balancing User Experience and AI(00:11:59) Implementing AI for Better Customer Journeys(00:14:23) Quick Wins for Data Foundation(00:16:22) 90-Day Quick Start Roadmap for AEO(00:19:19) The Role of AI Chatbots in E-Commerce(00:25:54) Transformation Stories and Lessons Learned(00:28:23) Final Thoughts and Future QuestionsLet’s keep learning and growing together in the world of eCommerce!If you want to learn more about our podcast or have an exciting story to share with our audience, check SyncSpider’s website for more info.

How to Turn Website Monitoring Into Competitive IntelligenceIn this episode, Serge Salager, CEO of Visualping, joins Norbert Strappler to reveal how a tool used by 2 million people helps brands stay ahead of competitors, trends, and threats, all by watching the web smarter.Serge Salager started his career at Procter & Gamble before founding Visualping, now the world’s most popular website monitoring tool. He’s led companies through acquisitions and built one of the most powerful AI-driven competitive intelligence platforms on the market.The No.1 eCom Operations hack“Only the paranoid survive. Success breeds complacency, and complacency breeds failure.”You Will Learn:Why paranoia is a business advantageHow agentic automation changes competitive intelligenceWhat to monitor first if you run an eCommerce brandHow AI reduces noise and saves hours of analysisWhy traffic is the new parking lot metric for growthShow Notes:(00:00:58) Introduction to the Guest and His Journey(00:02:09) From Procter & Gamble to Tech Entrepreneurship(00:04:38) Key Lessons in Entrepreneurship(00:06:16) The Importance of Competitive Monitoring(00:07:57) AI-Powered Competitive Monitoring with Visual Ping(00:10:48) Automation and Agentic Use Cases(00:15:56) Designing the Perfect Competitive Monitoring Playbook(00:24:33) Final Thoughts and Future EpisodesLet’s keep learning and growing together in the world of eCommerce!If you want to learn more about our podcast or have an exciting story to share with our audience, check SyncSpider’s website for more info.

Why the Future of Retail Is Still LocalIn this episode, Andrew Stern, CEO of Quilt Software, joins Norbert Strappler to reveal how small retailers are using modern software to fight back against outdated systems and big-box competition. From POS innovation to community loyalty, discover why Main Street still matters, and how tech can make it thrive again.Andrew Stern is the CEO of Quilt Software, a purpose-built platform powering 20,000+ specialty retailers across North America. With 20+ years in software, he’s redefining how small businesses use technology to compete without losing their personal touch.Quilt Software gives independent retailers modern, industry-specific tools for POS, inventory, and omnichannel sales, combining enterprise power with small-business simplicity.The No.1 eCom Operations hack“Small retail is a completely different sales process. There's no IT department, no procurement department...  It is literally one person behind the counter.”You Will Learn:Why retail isn’t dying, but evolvingThe tech gap leaving small retailers behindHow to build loyalty that’s human, not transactionalWhy the right software must serve your nicheWhat Main Street will look like by 2030Show Notes:(00:02:18) What made you realize Main Street retailers were left behind by tech?(00:04:29) What was the biggest mindset shift from corporate to small retail?(00:07:44) How do you work with retailers who handle everything as one person?(00:09:01) What do you mean by "the future of retail is local"?(00:10:38) Why do specialized small stores deliver more value than franchises?(00:13:34) Should retailers build their own online stores or use marketplaces?(00:16:30) What would be the first three chapters of a survival manual for retailers in 2025?(00:18:32) Why do small retailers resist adopting new technology?(00:20:23) What does loyalty look like for independent retailers today?(00:22:56) How would you reimagine Main Street in 2030?(00:24:28) Who taught you the most about e-commerce?Let’s keep learning and growing together in the world of eCommerce!If you want to learn more about our podcast or have an exciting story to share with our audience, check SyncSpider’s website for more info.

Why the Last Mile Is Your First ImpressionIn this episode, Sheila Berry, CRO at UniUni and former Shopify executive, joins Norbert Strappler to unpack what real innovation looks like in eCommerce, and why the delivery experience defines your brand as much as your product does.Sheila Berry is the Chief Revenue Officer at UniUni. With over a decade in retail tech and logistics innovation, she has helped brands scale through smarter partnerships, data-driven strategy, and customer-first delivery.UniUni combines AI automation with flexible driver networks to deliver faster, cheaper, and more transparent last-mile experiences for eCommerce brands across North America.The No.1 eCom Operations hack“Meeting the customer where she's at, doing what you say that you're going to do is the single biggest thing that a carrier can do to help drive brand repeat purchase and hire net promoter scores for a brand.”You Will Learn:How to spot real innovation versus shiny hypeWhere AI is already transforming delivery operationsWhy flexibility beats scale in last-mile logisticsThe one growth myth every eCommerce brand should dropWhy proof-of-delivery is now part of customer experienceShow Notes:(00:01:32) Meet Sheila Berry(00:02:30) Path to eCommerce & Logistics(00:03:27) Shopify Lessons on Innovation(00:05:13) Defining eCommerce Innovation Today(00:06:48) AI's Impact on eCommerce(00:08:41) The Biggest Lie in eCommerce Growth(00:10:55) Enterprise Innovation for Small Brands(00:13:16) Partnerships in Market Expansion(00:16:22) Fixing Last-Mile Delivery(00:18:14) Evolving Customer Delivery Expectations(00:20:01) Customer Choice in Carriers(00:23:05) Delivery Data for Retention(00:29:22) Best Part of the JourneyLet’s keep learning and growing together in the world of eCommerce!If you want to learn more about our podcast or have an exciting story to share with our audience, check SyncSpider’s website for more info.

3PL Without the BS: Why Great Fulfillment Is a Partnership, Not a Price TagAboutDave Gulas built his career in pharmaceutical logistics before launching EZDC 3PL to bring that same precision and urgency to eCommerce. He's also a podcast host and a passionate advocate for SMB founders scaling sustainably through smarter logistics.EZDC 3PL is a U.S.-based fulfillment company helping eCommerce brands grow with flexible warehousing, fast shipping, and personalized support, no order minimums, no bureaucracy, just reliable execution.The No.1 eCom Operations hack:"The best part for us is when people join with us and maybe they're outsourcing for the first time and then they see how this works and they say, 'You know, moving into your 3PL was the best decision I ever made because now I have all this time, I have more energy, I have more bandwidth, I have the ability to actually do what I do best and operate in my zone of genius and grow my business.'"You Will Learn:Why outsourcing fulfillment isn't a cost — it's a growth multiplierThe biggest red flags in a 3PL partnershipHow to handle rush orders without chaosWhy packaging can unlock serious savingsWhat "AI shopping" means for the future of fulfillmentShow Notes:(00:02:14) Dave's Background and Journey into E-commerce(00:03:46) The Value of Customer Service in 3PL(00:05:15) Challenges with National 3PL Providers(00:06:57) Outsourcing Fulfillment: Common Misconceptions(00:08:58) The Right 3PL Partnership(00:10:16) Early Warning Signs of a Bad 3PL Partnership(00:11:00) Success Stories and Flexibility in 3PL(00:12:51) Balancing Multiple Roles in E-commerce(00:14:45) Trends and Innovations in Fulfillment(00:22:49) Advice for Scaling E-commerce Brands(00:24:09) The Impact of SMBs on the Economy(00:25:26) Final Thoughts and FarewellLet’s keep learning and growing together in the world of eCommerce!If you want to learn more about our podcast or have an exciting story to share with our audience, check SyncSpider’s website for more info.