Exclusive Trusted Magazine Q&A with Sharon Gai, Author & Keynote Speaker.
How could you describe your career path in a few words?
I’m a China-born Canadian who is an expert in ecommerce, digital transformation and AI. I help organizations become agile disruptors in their industries so that they can become the leaders in their industries. In my tenure at Alibaba, I advised brands and heads of state in crafting their digital strategy with programmatic marketing and AI. I have been the keynote speaker at TEDx, Singularity University, UBS, Nestle, Ecomworld, and Etail. I’m in the AAE list of Top Keynote Speakers in 2023. I’m the author of the book, Ecommerce Reimagined: what we can learn in retail and ecommerce from China and have appeared on ABC, CBC, CCTV, Techcrunch, Retail Asia, Wired, and The Next Web.
What differentiates you as a speaker?
I have worked at the top companies of the US and China, and that blend of east and west insight is hard to find on speaking stages. I sat in conferences and talks as an executive myself where the speaker did not provide any new content. So when I became a speaker, I took extra care to make sure that my stories are fresh and unique. I pride myself in delivering stories and examples that are unheard of and bring an element of surprise to my audience, leaving every audience member gratified to have learned something new that day.
When I first started speaking, I also noticed that no one looked like me on stage. Then I noticed that our executive leadership teams mirror the people we pick for keynote speeches. That’s when I realized that keynote speakers influence who we put in the spotlight. Similar to how our content needs to be as diverse as possible, the speakers we put on stage should also be as diverse as possible. That’s why I also place a good amount of time into help build the speaker profiles for other diverse speakers.
Based on your experiences, what are the impactful trends in digital innovation that are becoming more important in the context of 2023?
Because of the new wave of AI, Digital Transformation remains at the forefront of decision-makers’ minds. In 2022, spending on digital transformation (DX) is reached 1.6 trillion U.S. dollars. By 2026, global digital transformation spending is forecast to reach 3.4 trillion U.S. dollars.
Positioned at the top of Gartner's list of strategic technology trends for two years running, hyperautomation offers a potential revolution in the way businesses function, aiming to decrease operational expenses (OPEX) and increase efficiency. A good example of a case study in hyper automation is Supply Chain Management. Managing a supply chain involves tracking inventory, managing shipments, and predicting demand, among other things. Hyperautomation can streamline these processes by integrating RPA, AI, and IoT. For example, IoT sensors can track inventory levels and RPA bots can automatically reorder stock when levels fall below a certain threshold.
AI can also be used to predict demand based on historical data and market trends, enabling better planning and efficiency. Another major trend is personalization. In ecommerce, this refers to the tailoring of online shopping experiences to individual customers based on their preferences, behavior, and purchase history. It's the digital equivalent of a store clerk who knows each customer by name, remembers their favorite products, and can recommend new items that they might like. Imagine walking into a physical store where every item is meticulously curated according to your tastes, the sales staff knows exactly what you need, and the atmosphere is tailored to your liking. Sounds incredible, right? That’s the power of personalization in ecommerce – it's like a personal shopping assistant living right inside your device.
What are examples of these digital innovations?
Unilever, a leading consumer goods company, has adeptly harnessed hyperautomation to streamline its intricate global supply chain management. Through the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, Unilever tracks real-time inventory levels, while Robotic Process Automation (RPA) bots automatically reorder stock when levels dip below specified thresholds. AI algorithms analyze historical sales data, market trends, and other variables to predict future demand, enabling better alignment in production and distribution. Additionally, advanced data analytics are utilized for supplier performance monitoring, and the company has even explored blockchain technology to enhance traceability and compliance. Unilever's embrace of hyperautomation has led to substantial improvements in supply chain efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and responsiveness. It showcases a commitment to sustainability by intelligently minimizing waste and overproduction, providing a pertinent example of how modern technologies can be synergized to create a more agile and sustainable operation.
There’s a reason why Chinese apps such as Tik Tok, Shein, and Temu are winning the hearts of western consumers, because their algorithms are so personalized to the end user. These platforms employ a sophisticated user-centric algorithm that uses machine learning to prioritize user preferences. It learns from each interaction, including the videos and products users watch or skip, their likes, shares, follows, comments, and also how long they’ve spent on each item. This information then refines the user's content feed, rendering it highly engaging and addictive. Additionally, the algorithm's personalization facilitates effortless content discovery, presenting users with content that aligns with their interests from the onset.
Where can people find you?
I talk about these innovation trends and others in my keynotes and book. I’m happy to connect with readers on Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/sharongai and via my website sharongai.com
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