As we step into the future of B2B digital commerce, it becomes necessary to understand the trends shaping the landscape. In a quest to equip ourselves for the journey ahead, we reached out to an expert in the field, Lisa Hellqvist. Lisa is the Managing Director at Copperberg, a manufacturing community.
Lisa points out that the winds of change are blowing in digital commerce for manufacturing companies where e-commerce now serves as a vital complement to the overall B2B online strategy, expanding market shares and optimizing sales processes. The emphasis is shifting towards enhancing personal relationships with customers through various digital touchpoints while fully understanding their needs.
Emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and augmented reality are poised to revolutionize B2B commerce strategies in 2024. However, the key lies in investing wisely, ensuring alignment with long-term organizational goals, scalability, and adaptability. Looking at the digital transformation within the aftermarket, Lisa mentions two emerging key trends:
- Firstly, there's a shift towards end-to-end service delivery, integrating services into product offerings to nurture customer loyalty.
- Secondly, there's a growing market for spares and accessories, facilitated by e-commerce and industry digitalization, enabling manufacturers to reach wider audiences and compete more effectively.
Personalization and self-service are identified as game-changers in improving the B2B customer experience in 2024. Understanding the customer base and aligning value propositions accordingly is essential for success, whether dealing directly or through distributor networks.
Lisa also mentions that Supply chain resilience is in the center of a global impact, with decentralized warehouses, predictive insights from installed base data, and technologies like blockchain and additive manufacturing playing crucial roles in ensuring continuity.
In the journey of digital commerce transformation, B2B leaders often grapple with the human aspect of change management, emphasizing the need for clear strategies, shared visions, and top management support.
Lisa describes the future of B2B eCommerce as "seamless," emphasizing the creation of holistic and integrated experiences that benefit both buyers and manufacturers alike, driving business growth in the process.
Want to know more about the future trends in Manufacturing? Read the full interview with Lisa here. Or contact us at curious@litium.com