The Hardest Part of Being an EC Specialist
When I asked my colleague about this blog, I wanted a zinger—something I could point to as the unequivocal #1 challenge in e-commerce.
who is currently working with the sleep and lifestlye D2C superstar Koala,
Something like “Predicting Consumer Behavior” or “Adapting to Digital Trends”.
When I asked ChatGPT, it informed me that the top-cited challenge for e-commerce specialists was “Managing inventory efficiently.”
When I asked Jordan, the consultant working with Koala, he told me that doesn't quite hit the mark. You can manage all the inventory you want, but it doesn't necessarily mean customers will purchase.
So, what does he think is the hardest part?
From Jordan’s experience working with clients, the true challenge of e-commerce is Prioritization. Setting it, Mastering it, and staying committed to it.
Setting Prioritization
There's a saying in Jamaica that time is like water; it keeps flowing no matter what.
The essence is that priorities keep changing. Let's circle back to the core of this later in the article.
At the heart of setting priorities, it's crucial to:
Step 1: Understand Your Goals
You need to be clear about what matters most. If a product isn’t selling, maybe it's time to put it on sale or phase it out. When a marketing strategy isn't delivering, it’s essential to pivot. Admit when something isn’t working and be ready to make changes. It shows your adaptability and willingness to better serve your customers.
Embrace Ecommerce Trends
You know your market, and you know your customers. Align your goals with the trends that matter to them. What's the next big thing in ecommerce? You should be on it.
Put Customers First
Your customers are why you're here. Make them the center of your goals. Think about their shopping experience. How can you make it better?
Step 2: Analyze Your Resources
Manage Your Inventory Smartly
You've got products to sell, but how much is too much? Analyze your inventory, keep what you need, and don't overstock. It's all about balance.
Use the Right Tools
You have access to incredible ecommerce technologies. Are you using them? From AI to chatbots, find what works for you and your customers.
Step 3: Identify Key Tasks
Be the Expert
It's vital to know your niche inside out. Know the trends, the tools, the competition. While it's okay to admit when you don’t know something, it's equally vital to limit those moments.
Boost Those Conversions
You want sales, and that means focusing on conversion rate optimization. Look at your product pages, your checkout process. What can you improve?
Keep It Secure
You know security matters. Your customers trust you with their data. Make sure you prioritize tasks that keep that trust intact.
Step 4: Create a Priority List
Find the Balance
You've got marketing, operations, SEO, customer support. How do you balance it all? Create a priority list that makes sense for you and your business.
Think Seasonally
You know that holidays and seasons matter in ecommerce. Are you ready for them? Adjust your priorities to match the calendar.
Step 5: Be Flexible
E-commerce is dynamic. Things change rapidly. Being rigid won't serve you. Instead, embrace flexibility. Be ready to laugh at missteps, learn from them, and move forward. It’s crucial for you to be in a continuous state of learning and be enthusiastic about it.
Stay on Your Toes
You know the ecommerce market can change in a heartbeat. Can you adapt? Keep an eye on the market and be ready to shift your priorities.
Listen to Your Customers
Your customers have something to say. Are you listening? Their feedback can change your priorities and make your business even better.
Setting priorities in ecommerce? It's all about you and what you know about your business, your market, and your customers. You've got the tools, the insights, and the flexibility to make it work. Now it's up to you to set those priorities and make them happen. You've got this!
Setting your priorities is just the beginning. The real task? Sticking to them.
Mastering Prioritization
Prioritizing requires discipline. It means managing your resources, your time, and your team’s efforts.
Step 1: Develop a Strategy
Craft Your Game Plan
You've set your priorities; now you need a strategy. What's your game plan? Make it work for you. It’s about ensuring that every task aligns with the bigger picture and serves the customer.
Measure Success
How will you know you've succeeded? Set clear metrics that align with your goals. You're aiming for success, so know how to measure it.
Step 2: Use Tools and Technology
Embrace the Tech
Technology is your friend in ecommerce. Find the tools that help you master your priorities.
Stay Updated
The tech world moves fast, and so do you. Keep up with the latest tools and trends. You're at the forefront of ecommerce, so stay there.
Step 3: Communicate Clearly
Open Communication
Always keep channels open for feedback. Whether it's customer reviews, team input, or partner suggestions, be accessible. This establishes reliability and shows you genuinely care about the e-commerce experience.
Talk to Your Team
Clear communication about your priorities is key. You set the tone, so make sure everyone's on the same page.
Encourage Feedback
You value your team's insights, don't you? Encourage feedback and create an open dialogue. You're all in this together.
Step 4: Monitor Progress
Keep an Eye on Things
Keep an eye on your progress. You know what success looks like, so make sure you're on track.
Celebrate Milestones
You're making progress, so celebrate it! Acknowledge and celebrate milestones with your team. You've earned it.
Step5: Adjust as Needed
Be Ready to Pivot
Stay flexible and be ready to adjust your priorities. You've mastered them once; you can do it again.
Learn from Experience
You've been here before, and you've learned from it. Apply those lessons as you adjust and pivot. You're always learning, and that's why you're mastering this.
Mastering prioritization isn't just a one-time task; it's an ongoing process.
You're developing, embracing, communicating, monitoring, and adjusting.
You're in the driver's seat, and you've got the skills, the team, and the determination to make it all work.
Keep pushing, keep adapting, and keep succeeding. You're not just mastering prioritization; you're mastering ecommerce. And you're doing it with style.
Staying Committed to Prioritization
It’s called commitment because it requires regular re-evaluation.
Step 1: Building a Culture of Prioritization
Emphasize Customer-Centric Priorities
You're in ecommerce, so you know customers are at the heart of everything. Are you building a culture that prioritizes customer satisfaction? Lead by example and make customer-centricity a habit in your team.
Adapt to Market Trends
You're the specialist, and you know how fast trends change. Show your team how to adapt and stay committed to the ever-changing ecommerce landscape.
Step 2: Providing Support and Training
Train in Ecommerce Tools
You have access to cutting-edge ecommerce tools. Are you training your team to use them? Equip them with the skills they need to excel in the online marketplace.
Encourage Continuous Learning
Ecommerce is always evolving, and so should you and your team. Foster growth by encouraging continuous learning in areas like SEO, analytics, and customer engagement.
Step 3: Recognizing and Rewarding Efforts
Celebrate Ecommerce Wins
You see the conversions, the increased traffic, the successful campaigns. Celebrate these ecommerce wins with your team. Recognition fuels motivation.
Promote a Collaborative Environment
You know that collaboration is key in ecommerce. Build a positive environment where teamwork is valued, and cross-functional collaboration is rewarded.
Step 4: Regularly Reviewing and Reflecting
Analyze Ecommerce Metrics
You're tracking metrics, aren't you? Regularly review and reflect on key ecommerce KPIs. Understand what's working and what needs adjustment.
Stay Agile in Your Approach
You know that ecommerce requires agility. Reflect on your strategies and stay open to change. The market shifts, and so do you.
Step 5: Leading by Example
Showcase Ecommerce Expertise
You're the ecommerce specialist, so show the way. Demonstrate your expertise and commitment to best practices in everything from UX design to inventory management.
Inspire Innovation
You're in a field that thrives on innovation. Inspire your team to think creatively and embrace new approaches. You're not just following trends; you're setting them.
Those are my top pointers for navigating the intricate world of e-commerce prioritization.
If you want to work as as EC Specialist in Tokyo, message me using this link.
