EP18: Should We Remove the "e" From eCommerce (Hot or Not Edition)

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Join the ASOM pod community at https://www.creatorscombine.com- Mastermind with likeminded Agency owners, SaaS founders, brand Operators, and Marketers.

Thank you to Gorgias for sponsoring the pod. The #1 eCommerce Customer Experience platform designed to give brands the tools to create amazing customer experiences to grow your online store. Learn more at https://www.gorgias.com.

Thank you to Recharge for sponsoring the pod. Trusted by over 20,000 brands, Recharge is the #1 platform for your eCommerce subscription needs.Learn more at http://recharge.asompod.com/

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Get ready for a lively debate on the future of eCommerce—plus, we’re bringing back Hot or Not, the eCom edition, in this special live episode of The ASOM Pod, recorded at Commerce Roundtable San Diego!

In this exciting episode, Jimmy Kim (CIO and Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO and Co-Founder of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO & Co-Founder of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride) dive into the evolution from eCommerce to unified commerce, but they also engage with a live audience, answering questions and getting real-time insights on the hottest trends reshaping the industry.

This episode is packed with insights and includes a fun round of Hot or Not to debate retail, dropshipping, EBITDA, and more! Expect lively discussions, expert insights, and spontaneous moments as the crew explores:

• Should we remove the “e” from eCommerce and fully embrace unified commerce?
• What’s HOT or NOT in retail, dropshipping, and profitability (EBITDA)?
• Why community and organic content are more essential than ever for brand loyalty.
• How to build a brand that thrives with influencers and affiliates.
• Fresh strategies for organic growth and staying competitive in today’s market.
  

If you're curious about where commerce is headed and want to hear live audience Q&A that adds even more depth (and of course humor) to the conversation, this episode is an absolute must-watch. Don’t miss out on this dynamic, interactive session shaping the future of eCommerce!

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00:00 Teaser Trailer

01:06 Welcome to the ASOM Pod

01:33 Introductions

02:07 Debate: Should We Remove the ‘e’ from eCommerce?

02:45 Game Time: Hot or Not - Retail

03:20 Discussion: The Realities of Retail

07:43 Game Time: Hot or Not - Drop Shipping

11:31 Debate: The Future of Drop Shipping

12:20 Game Time: Hot or Not - EBITDA

13:48 Discussion: The Importance of Profitability

18:56 Game Time: Hot or Not - Community

19:28 Discussion: The Rise of Community in Consumer Behavior

21:25 Discussion: Building Community Through Influencers and Affiliates

25:59 Game Time: Hot or Not - Organic Content

29:12 Discussion: Innovative Strategies for Organic Growth

35:01 Wrapping Up: Reflections and Future Plans

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Follow Jimmy Kim at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim

Follow Bryan MacDonald at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad

Follow John Roman at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman

Follow Amer Grozdanic at:

X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic

Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

Join the ASOM pod community at https://www.creatorscombine.com- Mastermind with likeminded Agency owners, SaaS founders, brand Operators, and Marketers. Thank you to Gorgias for sponsoring the pod. The #1 eCommerce Customer Experience platform designed to give brands the tools to create amazing customer experiences to grow your online store. Learn more at https://www.gorgias.com. Thank you to Recharge for sponsoring the pod. Trusted by over 20,000 brands, Recharge is the #1 platform for your eCommerce subscription needs.Learn more at http://recharge.asompod.com/ _______ Get ready for a spicy discussion on one of the biggest workplace debates of our time: remote, hybrid, or in-office—where do you stand? In this episode of The ASOM Pod, the crew dives into the ongoing tug-of-war between remote work and office life, breaking down key issues like productivity, leadership challenges, and how it all impacts employee well-being. From Dell’s surprising move to bring people back to the office for promotions to Salesforce’s push for mandatory office time, the team doesn’t hold back in unpacking how these policies are reshaping companies across the board. And, of course, the hosts dish out their own personal war stories from managing remote teams, giving you a sneak peek into what the future of work might look like. Join the ASOM Pod squad as they: - Break down how remote work is shaking up employee retention, productivity, and the overall company vibe. - Unpack Dell and Salesforce’s office return policies—are they innovative or just outdated? - Debate whether hybrid models are the perfect blend of flexibility and structure, or a headache waiting to happen. - Share actionable strategies for keeping remote teams not just surviving, but thriving. - Explore the tricky world of global outsourcing, talent acquisition, and the future of remote hiring across borders. - Discuss the role of technology in bridging the gap between remote and in-office teams—what tools are game-changers? Whether you're leading a remote squad, navigating a hybrid work setup, or just trying to stay sane juggling it all, this episode is packed with hot takes and expert insights. Trust us—you won’t want to miss this one! _______ 00:00 Teaser Trailer 01:50 Intro to The ASOM Pod 03:40 Remote Work Trends and CEO Quotes 06:42 Management and Leadership in Remote Work 07:43 Hybrid Work Models and Team Dynamics 17:33 Tracking Performance in Remote Teams 24:54 Communication and Collaboration Challenges 28:25 Employee Well-being and Company Culture 29:30 The Cost of Remote Work 29:50 Employee Retention Trends 30:39 Work-Life Balance Strategies 32:04 Challenges of Remote Work 33:22 The Need for Oversight 38:28 Creating a Positive Work Culture 40:35 Talent Acquisition and Retention 42:37 Technology, Infrastructure, and Costs 47:57 The Future of Work 53:52 Upcoming Topics

_____ Follow Jimmy Kim at: X: https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim Follow Bryan MacDonald at: X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad Follow John Roman at: X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman Follow Amer Grozdanic at: X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!

Join the ASOM pod community at https://www.creatorscombine.com- Mastermind with likeminded Agency owners, SaaS founders, brand Operators, and Marketers. Thank you to Gorgias for sponsoring the pod. The #1 eCommerce Customer Experience platform designed to give brands the tools to create amazing customer experiences to grow your online store. Learn more at https://www.gorgias.com. Thank you to Recharge for sponsoring the pod. Trusted by over 20,000 brands, Recharge is the #1 platform for your ecommerce subscription needs.Learn more at http://recharge.asompod.com/ _______

Get ready to jump headfirst into the future of eCom as TikTok Shop, Temu, Shein, and Amazon flip the script on online shopping! In this jam-packed episode of The ASOM Pod, Jimmy Kim (CIO and Founder of Sendlane), John Roman (CEO and Co-Founder of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO & Co-Founder of Praella), and Bryan MacDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride) take a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of eCommerce, focusing on the game-changing platforms TikTok Shop, Temu, Shein, and Amazon. They explore how these platforms are revolutionizing consumer behavior and what it means for American brands trying to stay competitive in a landscape dominated by direct-to-consumer sales from China. From challenges faced by traditional retailers to the importance of branding and quality control, this episode covers it all. Plus, don’t miss the heated debate on whether brands should lose money to gain market share and what future strategies businesses must adopt to thrive on these new platforms! Join the ASOM Pod squad as they: * Unpack how TikTok Shop and Temu are taking over the global eCom scene * Dive into how Chinese DTC sales are shaking the table for American brands * Argue whether brands should play the long game and lose money to win market dominance * Reveal the tough shipping and quality standards these platforms demand * Spill the secrets of why strong branding and consumer trust are make-or-break in eCommerce Whether you’re a seasoned eCom pro or just getting started, this episode is stacked with fresh takes and expert insights on how to crush it in the ever-changing world of online retail. Don’t miss out! _______ 00:00 Teaser Trailer 01:39 Intro to The ASOM Pod 03:26 Discussing TikTok Shop and eCommerce Trends 04:32 The Role of Impulse Buying and Inflation 06:35 Exploring TikTok Shop's Funnel and Strategy 09:14 Challenges and Opportunities for Brands on TikTok 12:32 TikTok Shop's Impact on Brand Awareness 14:37 TikTok Shop's Customer Experience and Policies 24:07 Knives and TikTok Shop 25:21 YouTube's Revenue Potential 27:20 Economic Policies and Trade Deficit 30:14 Temu and Direct Selling 34:05 Amazon's New Strategy 42:22 Future Topics

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Follow Jimmy Kim at: X: https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim Follow Bryan MacDonald at: X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad Follow John Roman at: X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman Follow Amer Grozdanic at: X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic

Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!