Mention the word “cart” today, and a person is as likely to think of an online shopping cart as a squeaky-wheeled physical cart. World events have pushed digital acceleration of retail forward at a breakneck pace, but what’s the state of the industry now? On this episode, we examine which trends and innovations have caught on with consumers, and which ones are likely to stay into the future. We explore how retailers work to create consistent experiences across physical and virtual platforms. And we look at the present and future of shopping as we know it — and what that means for retail businesses.

Never before have consumer expectations been higher around speed and convenience. Yet the manufacturers of consumer goods face unprecedented challenges, such as ongoing supply chain disruption. To evolve, smart businesses are turning to digital transformation to solve a number of issues in the world of consumer packaged goods.

From food and beverage to hotels, the hospitality industry was among the hardest-hit by the pandemic. But the industry remains essential, as long as people need travel, lodging, entertainment and sustenance. How have smart businesses pivoted on everything from digital solutions to staffing models — and how can they capitalize on pent-up demand in consumers? This episode explores the state of the hospitality industry as we enter 2023.

In a global marketplace, events halfway around the world can have ripple effects for your business — no matter the size. Everything from gas prices to inflation is increasingly intertwined. So just how much should a business owner pay attention to global news — and what can they do in response to consumer uncertainty? Vanderbilt Professor Kelly Goldsmith, an expert in scarcity and uncertainty, joins us to explore lessons for business leaders.

Today, businesses face increased scrutiny of their values and community engagement — from potential employees and investors, the public, and current stakeholders. From corporate volunteerism to community support, foundations, investment and more, leaders are asking and strategizing around a critical question: How can a company ensure its social, charitable or community work matches well with its business purpose?

Talk to any business leader about the events of recent years, and one word is likely to come up: change. It’s true for the supply chain, for navigating a pandemic, for fraud and security, for shifting labor trends. So what should companies do to not only survive change, but also thrive during it? On this episode, we take best practices and key lessons from the field of change management — and apply them to the various forms of change a company might face, from internal expectations to external pressures.

By some estimates, digital-first companies will contribute more than half of global GDP by 2023. What does that mean for the average business owner or decision-maker? On this episode, we explore the next steps in digital acceleration, with tips for businesses that are ahead of the curve in their own digital transformation and those who feel they’re in danger of falling behind.

Roughly two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power exists outside the United States. So, when should you consider these potential consumers and move beyond a local, regional or national customer base? In this episode, we explore the questions a business must ask before exporting, and we’ll offer examples of resources to get started, from loan sources to how to find the right buyers. We also weigh the risks and benefits of exporting and discuss the regulatory environment and other key considerations.