VICI86 Consulting

Play Big... "Your playing small does not serve the world." - A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson. By displaying your confidence, you give others permission to be confident as well. Of course this doesn't mean teetering into arrogance. Be confident, not arrogant. Here's my thought on the distinction: https://buff.ly/4aOFQQR --- #playbig

🚀 The Top 4 E-Retail Trends to Watch in 2024 & Beyond 🚀 1) Social Commerce 2) AI-Powered Personalization 3) Augmented Reality (AR) Shopping Experiences 4) Fulfillment Innovation As these trends develop, they promise not only to change how we shop but also to offer exciting opportunities for brands to connect with their customers in meaningful ways. Are we missing anything? Leave comments below to let us know! --- #ERetail #DigitalMarketing #Innovation #RetailTech #FutureOfShopping

Is social commerce the most important trend in e-retail today? 1. Absolutely! It's changing the game. 2. It's important, but not the biggest. 3. Not really, there are bigger trends. 4. Still figuring it out.

How Headless Commerce is Reshaping E-Retail Strategies Headless commerce is revolutionizing digital retail by separating front-end design from back-end functionalities. Here's why it's a game-changer: 1) FLEXIBILITY: Decoupling front and back ends allows for agile updates and customizations, enhancing the shopping experience without backend constraints. 2) OMNICHANNEL INTEGRATION: Ensures consistent customer experiences across all platforms—mobile, web, and beyond—meeting users wherever they engage. 3) QUICK ITERATIONS: Frees retailers to swiftly adapt to market changes and consumer preferences, keeping pace with competitive trends (THIS IS OUR PERSONAL FAVORITE PERK AT VICI86). 4) IMPROVED PERFORMANCE: Optimizes website speeds and enriches user interfaces, which boosts engagement and retention. 5) FUTURE-PROOFING: Makes integrating emerging technologies like AR/VR and AI smoother, keeping your business ahead in innovation. The Bottom Line is headless commerce offers unparalleled customization and efficiency, making it essential for forward-thinking retailers. Join the Conversation: How is headless commerce impacting your strategies or what challenges do you anticipate in its adoption? ---- #ERetail #DigitalTransformation #HeadlessCommerce #RetailInnovation #OmnichannelJoin the conversation:

Our Founder & Principal Clayton McLaughlin joined the Business Schooled podcast with Daryl Pereira to discuss AI in marketing among other things. During that discussion Clayton laid out what he believes are the three current use cases for AI in marketing. 1️⃣ Prediction: Transitioning from the big data era to the big model era. 2️⃣ Automation: Beyond simple task automation, we're stepping into a realm where automation integrates with intelligence & planning, termed 'proactive reactivity'. 3️⃣ Generation: Leveraging the vast data reservoirs from sales to customer interactions, organizations are now generating unique, actionable insights without traditional methods like focus groups. ---- #DigitalMarketing #AI #Innovation #MarketingStrategy #BusinessSchooled

Calling all Chicagoland Ad Industry golfers! There's still time to register for our monthly golf event this Friday. Use the links in the event page to register & please feel free to share with your colleagues in the industry! We do this on the third Friday of each month. Chicagoland Advertising Links Society (CALS) presents The Rusty Bucket Classic! Sign up here to get regular details in your inbox about each month's events. Including registration links, location details, potential sponsorship opportunities & general solid networking! CALS = Where mediocre golf meets tour level networking! https://lnkd.in/gEGN5_95

There is a reckoning coming to the ad world around data privacy. This is a great visual from EMARKETER showing the number of states that have enacted or introduced privacy laws. Most of these laws require consumer opt-in as well as simple opt-out options. Think of the simplicity of email unsubscribe but for your data. Others include a centralized state level registry for data providers. Think the "do not call" registry that kiiiiind of works. Also remember that there is a federal bill that has gotten a lot of support from both sides of the aisle that includes a lot of the same features mentioned above. If you're not auditing your current data collection practices you could be on the hook already. In addition, if you're not auditing the partners that you work with, you could ALSO be on the hook for big fines. This is a unique space that requires a unique skillset. Don't be afraid to work with experts in the data privacy arena. This could include consultants, tech providers & lawyers. There is a cost of inaction & it's coming sooner than we have anticipated as an industry. ---- #dataprivacy https://buff.ly/3wnHDhR

We've officially "organized" a Chicago golf league. Because we're marketers we've used AI to create a name... introducing the Chicagoland Advertising Links Society! The goal of CALS is to network in person again using golf as the backdrop. We play on the third Friday of each month, May - September. If you're interested, please use the link in the event details below to register. We don't have a full slate of tee times confirmed, so the sooner you register the better! We're keeping these events to the ad industry only, but that includes the whole ecosystem. Brands, agencies, vendors, tech, etc. Please share with anyone you think may be interested. If you're not based in Chicago but come through frequently, organize your trip to join us! Sign up to get all the communications about our series of events here: https://lnkd.in/gEGN5_95

The Rise of Social Commerce: Opportunities and Pitfalls Ahead! 🚀 As social commerce continues to transform the retail landscape, businesses are eagerly jumping on the bandwagon, leveraging platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to sell directly to consumers. The seamless integration of purchasing into social media platforms has revolutionized the shopping experience, but it's not without its challenges. Here’s what you need to watch out for in the next 12 months: Privacy Concerns 🔒 As consumers become more aware of their data privacy, businesses must navigate tightening regulations without compromising the personalized experience. Customer Experience Gaps 🛒 Integrating a smooth shopping experience within social platforms can be complex and may lead to issues with payment processes, customer service, and post-purchase support. Market Saturation 📉 With more brands shifting online, distinguishing your product and maintaining visibility will become increasingly challenging. Dependence on Platform Algorithms 📊 Changes in social media algorithms can drastically affect visibility and engagement, directly impacting sales. Return and Refund Issues 🔄 Managing returns and refunds efficiently within social media platforms can be cumbersome and may affect consumer trust and satisfaction. What should you do to thrive in social commerce? 1. Build a data strategy that is not reliant on cookies, captures an explicit opt-in from the consumer, and protects data once collected. This also includes optimizing your product feeds. 2. Enhance customer support in digital spaces to address service gaps and improve the overall buying experience. 3. Continuously adapt to algorithm changes to maintain visibility and engagement on social platforms. This may include working with creators that are native to the platform as well. 4. Match your content to the platform. Each social channel has it's own vibe. Be ruthless about where and how your brand is appearing. This will help differentiate your brand in the crowded market. What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities in social commerce? Drop your thoughts below! 👇 --- #SocialCommerce #DigitalMarketing #EcommerceTrends #MarketingStrategy #BusinessGrowth

"Generative AI is not a skills democratizer, it's a skills amplifier" - LOVE THIS. The fear of AI oftentimes comes from the fear that AI will completely take your job. The key to AI is to learn how to use it to complement your skillset that exists currently. If you have an expertise in evaluating privacy policies for an organization - AI can read 1000000x faster than you. Give it the guardrails that you would apply to an assessment. Only you have that framework or vision. Now you can crank out 20 reviews in a day vs 1. As with most technologies, the guardrails still need to be created, and there's a LOT of value in the ability to create those parameters! This was a great watch - highly recommend for anyone that is even a little bit interested in AI. --- #marketingAI #generativeAI