Inside Schneider Electric’s Digital Transformation: AI, Marketplaces, and the Modern Customer
In this episode, we sit down with Steven Javor, Head of Digital Customer Experience at Schneider Electric, for an inside look at how a global leader navigates the realities of digital transformation, AI, and the fast-changing world of B2B distribution. Steven shares Schneider Electric’s lessons learned from building marketplace strategies, upskilling employees in AI, and what it takes to keep up with the next generation of B2B buyers.Key Takeaways:(02:05) An intro into what Schneider Electric does (05:28) Schneider Electric’s global approach to customer experience and digital strategy(07:34) How regional differences shape digital transformation in B2B(09:08) How B2B companies can succeed with digital (13:22) Steve’s takeaways from recent B2B Online events(15:21) The risks of not exploring and implementing digital solutions (20:33) The evolution from D2C to marketplace: supporting distributors instead of competing(24:25) Building AI competency at scale – Schneider’s internal mandate(29:10) The link between digitization, sustainability, and Schneider’s core business(31:06) Steven’s advice for digital leaders on aligning executive buy-in and driving changeThanks for listening to B2B Commerce UnCut: A Journey Through Change, powered by Oro. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe for more real-world B2B insights.
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32:53
Beyond Portals: Building B2B Brands with eCommerce Websites
Beyond Portals: Building B2B Brands with eCommerceIn this special episode, we bring you a live session from B2B Online Chicago 2025, featuring Aaron Sheehan, Head of Product Marketing at OroCommerce, and Taylor Simpson, eCommerce & Digital Marketing Strategist at Ciranda, a leading food ingredient distributor. Aaron and Taylor discuss why B2B eCommerce is about more than just portals – and how building a unified, customer-centric digital experience can transform both sales and brand value.Key Takeaways:(01:25) Why traditional portals fall short of building B2B brand trust(03:20) What's a B2B portal, and why it's not enough(04:05) Why branded websites don't drive growth either(05:38) What B2B buyers find frustrating with a current B2B commerce experience(06:50) The proposed solution: Integrating the portal and brand website into one experience(09:11) Ciranda’s journey from two sites to a single customer-first platform(12:14) Personalizing experiences for both major and long-tail food brand customers(13:50) Audience question: How are Ciranda's sales team's operations organized?(16:08) Ciranda's results one quarter after going live with OroCommerce Thanks for listening to B2B Commerce UnCut: A Journey Through Change, powered by Oro. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe for more real-world B2B insights.#b2becommerce #distribution #digitalcommerce
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20:27
A Long-Term Bet on B2B eCommerce with the Founders of OroCommerce
In this special episode, the original founders of OroCommerce — Yoav Kutner, Dima Soroka, and Jary Carter — join the B2B Commerce Uncut podcast for a behind-the-scenes conversation about what it took to build a B2B eCommerce platform before the market was ready.They share how their early experience at Magento shaped their thinking, why OroCommerce was never just a pivot from CRM, and what it means to build for long-term customer success in a landscape obsessed with trends. If you want a front-row seat to what B2B vision looks like and the patience it demands, this is the episode to hear.Key Takeaways(01:32) How the OroCommerce founders originally met at Magento(04:18) How CRM led to commerce — and why not everyone agreed at first(06:40) Why a CRM foundation made OroCommerce stronger(09:38) The dangers of chasing trends instead of solving problems(12:55) The long-term vision: faster time-to-market and real ROI(15:20) How the product roadmap evolved from CRM roots to full B2B commerce(17:55) Where OroCommerce sees B2B eCommerce heading over the next five years(25:20) The difference between true B2B architecture and B2B add-ons(27:55) What’s changed (and hasn’t) in the eCommerce platform landscape(31:30) How AI is starting to reshape B2B buying and operations(34:36) Practical early AI use cases in manufacturing and distribution(37:53) How OroCommerce balances AI experimentation without technical debt(40:30) The story behind Jary Carter’s return to OroCommerce — and what’s nextThanks for listening to “B2B Commerce UnCut: A Journey Through Change,” powered by OroCommerce. If you found this episode useful, leave a review and subscribe to catch the next drop of real-world B2B insights.#ecommerce #b2becommerce #digitalcommerce
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50:17
How Importers Can Stay Ahead of Tariff Disruptions with Jack Moberger of DocUnlock
Jack Moberger, Head of Sales at DocUnlock, returns for a timely conversation on the evolving tariff landscape and what importers, brokers, and logistics pros need to do to stay ahead. DocUnlock helps digitize customs workflows for brokers and freight forwarders, giving Jack a front-row seat to how businesses are adapting to shifting trade policy, non-compliant bonds, and ACH risks. If you’re wondering who to trust for real updates or what proactive steps your business should take right now – this episode covers it.Key Takeaways:(01:11) Why tariff changes send shockwaves through freight forwarding and brokerage(03:22) The real sources importers should follow (not the headlines)(04:42) What the CSMS notification system is and how to use it(06:18) A quick breakdown of the latest tariff shifts(07:14) Country-specific tariffs (“Liberation Day”) (10:10) How to prepare your business for tariff increases(10:33) Why surety bonds are suddenly under pressure, and what to do(11:35) How ACH tariff payments can protect you from financial strain(12:14) Why invoice itemization matters more than ever(12:59) What drawback recovery is and how to benefit from it(14:15) Why classification compliance is under the microscope right now(15:43) Can you avoid tariffs by shipping between company divisions?Resources Mentioned: CSMS (Cargo Systems Messaging Service)https://www.cbp.gov/trade/automated/cargo-systems-messaging-serviceNCBFAA (National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America) https://www.ncbfaa.org/Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg (Trade law firm) https://www.strtrade.com/Thanks for listening to “B2B Commerce UnCut: A Journey Through Change,” powered by OroCommerce. If you found this episode useful, leave a review and subscribe to catch the next drop of real-world B2B insights.#ecommerce #b2becommerce #digitalcommerce
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19:01
How Taylor Swift Helped Optimize Inventory with Chantal Schweizer of Pivotree
In this episode, we’re joined by Chantal Schweizer, Head of Strategic Data Services at Pivotree. Chantal shares how structured product data impacts B2B success, why spreadsheets still dominate business operations and how taxonomy and knowledge graphs drive smarter decisions.Key Takeaways:(02:12) Taxonomy helps structure product data for better organization and searchability.(05:20) Spreadsheets remain the default tool for managing business and product data.(10:29) Taxonomy creates order from chaos, whether in nature or commerce.(12:35) Spreadsheets can’t handle large-scale operations.(16:35) Understanding SKU count and categories reveals the scale of data challenges.(19:16) Discovery projects identify data issues before implementing long-term solutions.(21:58) Automation creates efficiency but often sparks fears about job security.(25:10) Buyers need fast, intuitive search tools to find products easily.(29:59) An ontology connects multiple taxonomies to create structured relationships.(34:55) A retailer adjusted inventory based on Taylor Swift’s concert schedule.Resources Mentioned:Chantal Schweizer -https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantal-schweizer/Pivotree | LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/pivotree/Pivotree | Website -https://www.pivotree.com/Chantal Schweizer’s YouTube channel on Taxonomy -https://www.youtube.com/@ChantalSchweizerSam Russo -https://www.linkedin.com/in/pivotreeautomotive/Thanks for listening to the “B2B Commerce UnCut: A Journey Through Change,” powered by Oro. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review to help get the word out about the show. And be sure to subscribe so you never miss another insightful conversation.#eCommerce #B2BeCommerce #DigitalCommerce
About B2B Commerce UnCut Podcast: The Unvarnished Truth About B2B eCommerce
Hear what really matters in B2B. If you’re just dipping your toes in the waters of B2B eCommerce or if you’ve jumped into the deep end, we’re here to help. No BS, just honest, open talk about B2B eCommerce. Hear from thought leaders, disrupters, innovators, survivors, and winners.
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