In today's episode, Rich Chapple joins the guys on the 'Winning with Shopify' podcast and shares his journey from foundational roles at Gymshark and Play.com to establishing the Growth Foundation.

Rich opens up about the challenges and successes he encountered while helping brands like Gymshark transform from emerging startups into global phenomena.

He dives into the significance of understanding your audience, creating compelling product narratives, and leveraging the digital landscape to foster growth.

They delve into the nuances of brand positioning, the critical role of data in strategising growth, and how to maintain agility in a fast-paced market environment.

Rich emphasises the importance of direct-to-consumer relationships, the power of data-driven decision-making, and shares invaluable insights on navigating the complexities of e-commerce platforms.

Moreover, Rich discusses the inception of the Growth Foundation, its mission to aid businesses in achieving their growth potential, and the innovative approaches it employs to solve modern marketing dilemmas.

He also sheds light on the future of e-commerce, the evolving digital landscape, and how brands can stay relevant in a constantly changing world.

This conversation with Rich is not just about the triumphs but also about the learning curves, the resilience needed to overcome setbacks, and the vision required to seize opportunities in adversity.

Three Takeaways:

1. Data-Driven Growth: Rich emphasises the significance of leveraging data not just for targeting and segmentation, but for crafting stories that resonate with your audience, ensuring your marketing efforts are both effective and efficient.

2. Brand Resonance: Understanding and articulating the core values and mission of your brand can create a magnetic pull for your target audience. This deep connection fosters loyalty and facilitates sustainable growth.

3. Agility and Innovation: In the fast-evolving digital landscape, staying agile and open to innovation is key. Rich's journey illustrates the power of adaptive strategies in capturing new opportunities and navigating challenges.

If Rich's insights have sparked your curiosity or if you have ideas for future episodes, reach out to us at adam@thegrowth.foundation.

The Right Way to Grow is brought to you in partnership with our friends over at Bloomreach and Verse.

Click here to explore the Bloomreach use case library and see how Bloomreach can support you, ensuring the right product is put in front of the right customer, at the right time.

See if composable is a fit for your ecommerce by claiming your free Composable Commerce Audit from our partner Verse here.

In this Adam is joined by Oscar Vallance, VP of Global Operations at Sourceful, for an insightful discussion on sustainable sourcing and the power of effective packaging design.

This conversation goes beyond eco-friendly choices, exploring strategic approaches companies can adopt to meet modern consumer expectations and utilise sustainability as a catalyst for growth.

1. Sustainability as a Strategic Imperative:

   • Consumer Demand: The primary driver behind the push for sustainability is the increasing expectation from consumers for brands to adopt environmentally responsible practices, particularly in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) space. Brands are responding by placing sustainability at the forefront of their operations.
   • B-Corp Certification and Strategic Shifts: There's a growing trend towards B-Corp certification among companies, signalling a broader commitment to sustainable practices throughout their operations, including in sourcing and packaging decisions.

   
   

2. The Challenges and Misconceptions of Sustainable Packaging:

   • Navigating Trade-offs: Transitioning to sustainable packaging presents several challenges. Brands must carefully balance their sustainability ambitions with considerations around cost, functionality, and supply chain implications.
   • Addressing Misconceptions: A common misconception is the assumption that sustainable options invariably come with higher costs. However, strategic choices, such as optimising packaging size and materials, can yield both environmental and financial benefits.

   
   

3. Creating Memorable Unboxing Experiences:

   • Branding and Design: For DTC brands, the unboxing experience offers a crucial opportunity to reinforce the brand's identity and values. Thoughtfully designed packaging not only delights customers but also highlights the brand's commitment to sustainability.
   • Leveraging Packaging for Engagement: Innovative packaging features, such as QR codes and bespoke inserts, can enhance the customer experience and encourage social sharing, broadening the brand's visibility.

This episode is essential listening for DTC founders, senior e-commerce leaders, and anyone interested in the confluence of sustainability, brand identity, and customer engagement.

Whether you're considering sustainable packaging options or aiming to craft an unboxing experience that truly resonates with your audience, there are invaluable insights and actionable advice to be found.

The Right Way to Grow is brought to you in partnership with our friends over at Bloomreach and Verse.

Click here to explore the Bloomreach use case library and see how Bloomreach can support you, ensuring the right product is put in front of the right customer, at the right time.

See if composable is a fit for your ecommerce by claiming your free Composable Commerce Audit from our partner Verse here.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of headless and composable commerce with Sean Connell from Verse, exploring the future of e-commerce platforms and how brands can leverage these technologies to scale, innovate, and meet consumer demands more effectively.

Sean demystifies common misconceptions about composable commerce, explaining its benefits for businesses of all sizes, not just enterprise-level. He also sheds light on how this approach can offer unparalleled agility, personalisation, and scalability, allowing brands to easily integrate new tools and trends into their ecosystems.

Key Takeaways:

1. Demystifying Composable Commerce: Sean addresses the myth that composable commerce is expensive and out of reach for smaller brands. He emphasises the modular nature of composable platforms, which allows for a tailored approach to technology adoption, keeping costs manageable and enabling businesses to scale as they grow.

2. Flexibility and Scalability: The discussion highlights the flexibility and scalability advantages of headless and composable commerce. By decoupling the front and back ends, brands can provide rich, personalised customer experiences and quickly adapt to market changes and consumer demands without being constrained by traditional e-commerce platform limitations.

3. Strategic Approach to Implementation: Sean suggests a progressive approach to adopting headless commerce, starting with high-impact pages and gradually expanding. This strategy minimises risk, allows for iterative learning, and ensures a smoother transition to a fully headless architecture, setting the stage for future growth and innovation.

For anyone intrigued by the potential of headless and composable commerce to transform their online presence, Sean's insights offer a valuable roadmap. Dive into the episode for an in-depth exploration of these cutting-edge e-commerce strategies.

Questions, guest suggestions, or feedback? Email Adam at adam@thegrowth.foundation.

This episode is brought to you by our partners at Bloomreach and Verse.

⁠Click here to explore the Bloomreach use case library and see how Bloomreach can support you, ensuring the right product is put in front of the right customer, at the right time.⁠

⁠See if composable is a fit for your ecommerce by claiming your free Composable Commerce Audit from our partner Verse here.

In this episode of "The Right Way to Grow," Adam chats with Rebecca, the CRM lead at World of Books, delving into how Bloomreach has significantly enhanced their customer engagement and business efficiency.

This episode is particularly valuable for those in e-commerce and digital marketing, offering insights into practical applications of technology in business growth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Enhanced Customer Personalisation: Rebecca shares how Bloomreach's powerful personalisation tools have enabled World of Books to tailor their customer experience, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

2. Efficient Marketing Automation: The use of Bloomreach has streamlined marketing processes at World of Books, allowing Rebecca and her team to focus on strategy and creative aspects, rather than getting bogged down in technical details.

3. Data-Driven Decision Making: Bloomreach's analytics capabilities have empowered Rebecca to make informed decisions, driving both customer engagement and business growth through data insights.

Summary: This episode offers a deep dive into how Bloomreach technology is transforming e-commerce businesses like World of Books. Rebecca's experience highlights the tangible benefits of embracing digital tools in enhancing customer experiences and driving business success.

The Right Way to Grow is brought to you in partnership with our friends over at Bloomreach and Verse.

Click here to explore the Bloomreach use case library and see how Bloomreach can support you, ensuring the right product is put in front of the right customer, at the right time.

See if composable is a fit for your ecommerce by claiming your free Composable Commerce Audit from our partner Verse here.

Connect with Rebecca here

In this episode, we're joined by Paul Richardson, who transitioned from the waste management industry to becoming a pivotal figure in the rapid expansion of the fitness apparel brand Gymshark.

Paul discusses his initial ventures, including his experiences with Birmingham City football and All Saints, before recounting a significant meeting on a rainy London day that eventually led to a fruitful collaboration with Gymshark.

The episode explores themes such as the art of identifying and nurturing hardworking individuals, teaching resilience, and the delicate balance of running a family business.

Paul shares insights on entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and the importance of maintaining relationships and strategic thinking for long-term success. Additionally, he provides a glimpse into his current passions, like Energym and Kick X, and his aspirations for legacy and environmental contributions.

Throughout the conversation, Paul's approach to partnerships, his criteria for business investments, and his wisdom on business and personal growth are highlighted.

The episode ends with Paul's mantra for success: "Work hard, dream big, stay humble," which encapsulates his philosophy on both life and business.

Three Takeaways

Importance of Perseverance and Hard Work

Paul underlines the necessity of hard graft as a cornerstone of success. Recounting his early business days, he shares how working seven days a week when rivals didn't, gave him an edge. This additional effort gave him a head start over time. He also discusses resilience or the capability to overcome hurdles. Paul believes in fostering resilience by setting strong examples and striking a balance between shielding and letting individuals experience near-failures. Strategic Vision and a 'Helicopter View'

Paul underscores the need for a strategic outlook, or a 'helicopter view', to foresee potential challenges and opportunities. He suggests that leaders should demonstrate commercial maturity to offer guidance without getting caught up in the details. His leadership approach involves trusting others' expertise while providing strategic insights. He also stresses the role of physical spaces in mirroring company culture and promoting employee wellbeing. Relationships and Fairness in Business

Paul highlights the significance of fairness and long-term relationships in business. He believes transactions should aim for mutual benefit, paving the way for future collaboration. He emphasises building relationships and the importance of fairness during deals, which can lead to future support. Paul suggests investing in people often supersedes the product, and when considering collaborations or investments, traits like passion, perseverance, resilience, and risk-taking are crucial. If you have any follow up questions for Paul, guest suggestions of feedback for the show please email the host Adam on adam@thegrowth.foundation.

The Right Way to Grow is brought to you in partnership with our friends over at Bloomreach and Verse.

Click here to explore the Bloomreach use case library and see how Bloomreach can support you, ensuring the right product is put in front of the right customer, at the right time.

See if composable is a fit for your ecommerce by claiming your free Composable Commerce Audit from our partner Verse here.

In this episode we're joined by Ben, Founder of Redeployable, a company on a mission to make military experience your competitive advantage.

Ben shares his story of moving from military service to entrepreneurship and technology. As a military veteran himself, he highlights the unique skills and experiences veterans bring to the table, especially in the tech industry.

As the discussion unfolds, we debunk some common misconceptions about hiring veterans and highlight the valuable contribution they can make. Key Takeaways Veterans bring valuable skills to the tech industry. Ben, a military veteran and Founder of 'Redeployable', highlights the unique skills and experiences veterans bring to the tech industry. He underscores that military training fosters resilience, discipline, and adaptability, all of which are valuable in the fast-paced tech industry. Misconceptions about hiring veterans need to be debunked. The episode emphasises the need to debunk common misconceptions about hiring veterans. It's important to recognise the diversity of skills and backgrounds within the veteran community and the unique qualities they bring to the workforce, such as a strong work ethic, resilience, and loyalty. The episode also highlights the importance of creating a supportive company culture to integrate veterans successfully into teams.

Taking risks can lead to exciting career opportunities. The episode highlights the importance of risk-taking through the story of a military sergeant who transitioned into a sales career. This serves as a powerful reminder that stepping out of your comfort zone can open up new opportunities and pathways for career growth and personal development.

This episode is a valuable resource for anyone exploring a career change, especially veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce, and companies looking to diversify their teams by hiring veterans.

The Right Way to Grow is brought to you in partnership with our friends over at Bloomreach and Verse.

Click here to explore the Bloomreach use case library and see how Bloomreach can support you, ensuring the right product is put in front of the right customer, at the right time.

See if composable is a fit for your ecommerce by claiming your free Composable Commerce Audit from our partner Verse here.

[Part 2] Enjoy this panel discussion at a recent ⁠⁠Validify⁠⁠ event on all things conversion rate optimisation with our the amazing Raine Peak from New Look and Richard Chapple from here at The Growth Foundation.

Embark on a journey unraveling the intricacies of the DDA model, Omni-channel stitching, and the challenges of attribution and conversion rates across online touchpoints.

You'll gain insightful knowledge that will equip you to identify more valuable customers and develop a more cohesive brand experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Conversion Rate Optimisation: In the online e-commerce landscape, it's essential to focus on conversion rate optimisation. One way to do this is through predictive models and lifetime value (LTV) measures. Using these strategies, businesses can identify more valuable customers and offer them a more cohesive brand experience, thereby increasing their chances of making a purchase

• Importance of Customer Persona and Journey: The podcast emphasised the need to understand customer personas and their journey patterns. By knowing what products they buy and their buying habits, businesses can recommend personalised products, thereby increasing conversion rates

• Profitability and Unit Economics: The podcast underscored the importance of understanding unit economics for e-commerce profitability. This involves identifying and measuring key metrics such as EBITDA and net revenue and adjusting spending according to market demand. This transparency and understanding of profit and gross margin throughout the business can inform decision making and lead to a more profitable e-commerce business

Last but by no means least, a thank you to out partners Bloomreach and Verse. Click the links below to learn how they can help you grow the right way.

⁠⁠Click here to explore the Bloomreach use case library and see how Bloomreach can support you, ensuring the right product is put in front of the right customer, at the right time.⁠⁠

⁠⁠See if composable is a fit for your ecommerce by claiming your free Composable Commerce Audit from our partner Verse here.⁠⁠

[Part 1] Enjoy this panel discussion at a recent ⁠⁠⁠Validify⁠⁠⁠ event on all things conversion rate optimisation with our the amazing Raine Peak from New Look and Richard Chapple from here at The Growth Foundation.

Embark on a journey unraveling the intricacies of the DDA model, Omni-channel stitching, and the challenges of attribution and conversion rates across online touchpoints.

You'll gain insightful knowledge that will equip you to identify more valuable customers and develop a more cohesive brand experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Conversion Rate Optimisation: In the online e-commerce landscape, it's essential to focus on conversion rate optimisation. One way to do this is through predictive models and lifetime value (LTV) measures. Using these strategies, businesses can identify more valuable customers and offer them a more cohesive brand experience, thereby increasing their chances of making a purchase

• Importance of Customer Persona and Journey: The podcast emphasised the need to understand customer personas and their journey patterns. By knowing what products they buy and their buying habits, businesses can recommend personalised products, thereby increasing conversion rates

• Profitability and Unit Economics: The podcast underscored the importance of understanding unit economics for e-commerce profitability. This involves identifying and measuring key metrics such as EBITDA and net revenue and adjusting spending according to market demand. This transparency and understanding of profit and gross margin throughout the business can inform decision making and lead to a more profitable e-commerce business

Last but by no means least, a thank you to out partners Bloomreach and Verse. Click the links below to learn how they can help you grow the right way.

⁠⁠⁠Click here to explore the Bloomreach use case library and see how Bloomreach can support you, ensuring the right product is put in front of the right customer, at the right time.⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠See if composable is a fit for your ecommerce by claiming your free Composable Commerce Audit from our partner Verse here.⁠⁠⁠