B2B Commerce UnCut Podcast: The Unvarnished Truth About B2B eCommerce

In this episode, we’re joined by Stephen T. Hopper, Founder and Principal at Inviscid Consulting. Stephen brings decades of experience in supply-chain operations and shares valuable insights on optimizing processes before introducing automation. He explores the importance of being requirements-driven rather than solutions-driven and highlights the need to extract the maximum potential from existing resources before considering automation. Stephen also emphasizes the role of on-the-ground workers in generating the best ideas for process improvements and draws attention to how businesses can benefit from their insights.

Key Takeaways:
(01:51) Inviscid Consulting’s unique name origin explained.
(05:09) Two buckets of supply chain, planning vs. execution.
(08:54) Automation should be a tool, not a goal.
(12:45) Shipping and fulfillment is the least automated area.
(24:14) Engage the workforce to uncover hidden efficiencies.
(25:23) The plank parable — environment matters in performance.
(33:39) Focus on small, incremental improvements.

Resources Mentioned:
Stephen T. Hopper -
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevehopper/

Inviscid Consulting -
https://www.linkedin.com/company/inviscid-consulting

Georgia Institute of Technology -
https://www.gatech.edu/

Tucker: The Man and His Dream - IMDB -
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096316/

ProMat Trade Show -
https://www.promatshow.com/

MODEX Trade Show -
https://www.modexshow.com/
Enhancing Operations and Customer Engagement with B2B Workflow Automation - https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0cdkPL0

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.

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Luká Yancopoulos, Co-Founder and CEO at Grapevine Technologies, joins us to share insights on how the company was born out of a need to address inefficiencies in the healthcare supply chain. Grapevine’s platform connects clinics with multiple suppliers, offering a solution that democratizes the buying process and improves supply chain reliability.Key Takeaways:
(01:41) How Grapevine Technologies started in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(04:53) The importance of solving healthcare supply chain disruptions.
(08:06) How Grapevine Technologies links clinics with multiple suppliers.
(11:19) The benefits of creating options to reduce costs and address supply shortages.
(14:32) The impact of supply chain inefficiencies on patient care and costs.
(17:45) How Grapevine Technologies reduces healthcare spending by introducing alternative suppliers.
(20:58) The role of real-time data in optimizing procurement and predicting supply chain issues.
(24:11) The vision for the future of Grapevine Technologies in transforming the healthcare industry.Resources Mentioned:
Luká Yancopoulos -
https://www.linkedin.com/in/luk%C3%A1-yancopoulos-50051a1a8
Grapevine Technologies -
https://www.go-grapevine.com/
US Customs -
https://www.cbp.gov/
FDA Medical Device Databases -
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/device-advice-comprehensive-regulatory-assistance/medical-device-databases

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

In this episode, we’re joined by Jack Ampuja, a specialist in supply-chain management, a dedicated educator and the President of Supply Chain Optimizers. Jack discusses the critical role of eCommerce logistics, the challenges businesses face in optimizing their supply chains and the importance of adopting digital strategies. He provides valuable advice for manufacturers, distributors and retailers looking to enhance their operational efficiency and navigate the complexities of eCommerce.Key Takeaways:
(03:09) Challenges in logistics for eCommerce and the search for cost-effective delivery solutions.
(05:09) Comparison of B2B and B2C eCommerce adoption and the need for competitive pressure to drive B2B change.
(08:12) The interdisciplinary nature of eCommerce and the need for dedicated leadership.
(11:13) Challenges of scaling eCommerce operations and the necessity of reconfiguring systems for efficiency.
(15:08) Balancing direct-to-consumer sales with maintaining relationships with distributors.
(20:01) The importance of leveraging customer feedback to drive eCommerce adoption.
(23:23) Strategies for effective product marketing and cross-selling in eCommerce.
(25:37) The value of starting small in eCommerce and learning through gradual implementation.Resources Mentioned:
Jack Ampuja -
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-ampuja-a3b275/
Supply Chain Optimizers | LinkedIn -
https://www.linkedin.com/company/supply-chain-optimizers/
Supply Chain Optimizers | Homepage -
https://e-commerceoptimizers.com/

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

In this episode, we welcome Kevin Pearson, eCommerce Project Manager, and Sean Cummings, Director of eCommerce, both of UFP Industries. This recording is from a panel at B2B Online, repurposed for this episode. Kevin and Sean discuss the journey of adopting digital commerce within UFP Industries, driven by the demands of major customers like Home Depot and Lowe's. They share insights on overcoming internal resistance, the importance of internal marketing, and the steps taken to implement a successful B2B eCommerce platform.Key Takeaways:

(01:08) Internal marketing for digital transformation in manufacturing or distribution is crucial.
(04:16) Current users of the new eCommerce site include independent retail customers and sales teams.
(05:06) Benefits of the new site include online ordering, order history, invoices and updated pricing.
(05:40) Home Depot and Lowe’s forced UFP into eCommerce, leading to strategic transformation.
(08:17) The discovery phase with Access Digital helped gather necessary information and plan the site.
(10:21) Stakeholder involvement and the agile approach to help keep everyone updated and engaged.
(12:27) Continuous internal selling and media blitz to maintain momentum post-launch.
(14:16) Quick pivots based on feedback to address user experience and interface issues.
(15:06) Empower project managers to be marketers and prepare for unknown challenges​​.Resources Mentioned:

Kevin Pearson -
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-pearson-338b06260/
Sean Cummings -
https://www.linkedin.com/in/seancummingsil/
UFP Industries -
https://www.ufpi.com/

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

Jack Moberger, Head of Sales at DocUnlock, joins us to discuss the evolution of B2B sales, AI-driven automation and the changing landscape of global trade. Jack shares insights from his time at Algolia and how his current role is transforming customs brokerage through digitization.

Key Takeaways:

(03:22) Why “corporate polycrisis” is a reality for many businesses.

(06:02) The challenges of B2B search and discovery for vendors.

(08:28) The era of generic B2B messaging is ending.

(13:37) Supply chains are now more complex and interconnected.

(15:41) How customs brokerage and freight forwarding are becoming more complex.

(18:33) What DocUnlock does to automate customs clearance and reduce manual work.

(23:37) AI is enabling compliance-heavy industries to scale efficiently.

(27:50) AI thrives in workflows with clear, correct answers.

(29:38) B2B digitization isn’t killing sales — it’s evolving it.

(35:37) Why eCommerce teams should be involved in sales forecasting.

(39:36) Regulatory changes create immediate demand for expert advice.

(43:27) Some of the best tech insights come from under-the-radar sources.

Resources Mentioned:

Jack Moberger -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmoberger/

DocUnlock -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/docunlock-ai/

World Trade Organization -

https://www.wto.org/

"The Three-Body Problem" by Cixin Liu -

https://www.amazon.com/Three-Body-Problem-Cixin-Liu/dp/0765382032

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