S5 | Episode 7 with Mikko Mantilla from IONA

April 18, 2024

In this penultimate episode of Season 5, we were delighted to welcome seasoned digital leader, Mikko Mantila , Co-Founder and CEO of IONA – an award-winning agency who specialises in next-generation eCommerce.

Founded in 2019,  IONA has gone on to experience rapid growth, with studios now in Helsinki, London, and Davao City in The Philippines. And, with a client base that continues to expand across the Nordics and the UK, Mikko has most recently experienced success with notable involvement in the MACH Alliance’s C-suite advisory board.

The episode delves into IONA’s background, pioneering the adoption of headless technology, as well as a focus on the evolution of composable strategies over their first 5 years in business.

In our chat, Mikko reflects on the ‘hype’ surrounding the concept and the necessity for businesses to consider its implications carefully, emphasising the importance of organisational readiness, cultural alignment, and clear communication of expected benefits and ROI.

The conversation deep dives into the complexities and realities of embracing composability in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, offering valuable insights and guidance for businesses navigating this transformative journey.

LINKS TO LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ARE BELOW

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S5 | Episode 6 with Rex Bigger from Cabiri

April 16, 2024

Seasoned professional Rex Bigger joined the composable conversation for Episode SIX of The FOD.

With over 25 years working in the tech and IT sector following a first-class degree in Astrophysics from UCL, Rex has a vast amount of experience with a varied career that has seen him work as a Senior Java Developer for the likes of MTV and Disney, before moving into Consultancy roles with e2x Limited where he led projects for high-profile clients including LEGO and Ikea.

Rex then co-founded specialist headless commerce consultancy, Cabiri in 2017 where he is currently CEO.

In our chat for the FOD, Rex spotlights the early days of composable (before the term itself even existed) and why the agency chose to join the MACH Alliance in late 2023.

He also considers future developments within IT more generally, and whether its cyclical nature means a new generation of monoliths could be where we end up as businesses embrace composable, but with a desire for a homogenous interface – it’s another fascinating discussion and viewpoint.

Whether you choose to listen to the podcast, or watch – you’ll find the episode in a number of places to suit you – links below >>>

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S5 | Episode 5 with Craig Smith & Rico Adler from SCAYLE

March 26, 2024

In this episode, we welcomed two guests to join the conversation about Composable – digital and eCommerce experts Craig Smith and Rico Adler from one of the fastest-growing global eCommerce platforms, SCAYLE.

SCAYLE, a B2C specialist, is certainly making headlines – notably as a named ‘niche player’ in  Gartner’s Magic Quadrant™ for Digital Commerce last year, as well as the more recent announcement that Manchester United Football Club has selected them as their official eCommerce platform provider.

Craig – UK & Ireland Country Manager at SCAYLE has worked in the digital tech industry for over 3 decades across retail brands, retail tech companies, and as strategic advisor to UK retailers at Salesforce.

Rico meanwhile– Director Solution Consulting at the company, has a similarly impressive background in the sector – joining the German online giant About You as Head of Client Development to build out the SCAYLE platform.

In our chat for The FOD, we talk in detail about the rising expectations of consumers and, knowing that these will continue to grow as tech develops, remembering their needs specifically whilst businesses and IT teams plough ahead with their digital transformation change programmes.

We also discuss the most common reasons why composable transformations falter, as well as the future of eCommerce and current trends impacting the market for all stakeholders.

Links to listen and/or watch the episode are below – as always, do share with your network >>>

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S5 | Episode 4 with Gert Van Vliet from Touchtribe

February 15, 2024

We really enjoyed this discussion for The FOD where we welcome seasoned digital expert Gert van Vliet to the ongoing Composable conversation.

Gert has many decades of experience working in and around the digital commerce space; initially as a functional designer and developer, before moving into consultancy across sales, marketing, accountancy and IT functions for a range of businesses and agencies.

Gert is currently the Managing Director for Netherlands-based digital commerce agency, Touchtribe – part of the MakerStreet Network, one of the country’s biggest digital agencies, offering complete end-to-end solutions for its clients.

In our chat for The FOD, we talk in detail about the number one reason why Composable transformations fail, the importance of culture and the ‘human element’ of being part of an often very complex project, and the inevitable (and unpredictable) future of the sector as AI-use and implementation start to take hold.

Links, as always are below giving you a choice of networks to listen/view at your leisure.

Let us know what you think (and please do share to those who are starting on or going through a composable transformation themselves) >>>

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S5 | Episode 3 with Dom Delvon from Apply Digital

January 20, 2024

For our third episode of the season, we welcomed seasoned technology leader, Dom Selvon, to the ongoing discussion on all things Composable.

Dom has many decades of experience within the sector, working initially within management consultancy services and technology delivery, and then as a solutions architect and CTO for systems integrators.

Currently the Global Chief Technology Officer of Apply Digital – a leading digital solutions agency, Dom has spent the best part of the last five years advising clients on the move to composable and has helped some of the world’s most recognised brands including, Moderna, Kraft Heinz, Lululemon, and The Very Group.

An Executive Board Member of the MACH Alliance, Dom chatted to us in detail about the importance of departmental collaboration, ensuring the IT/Tech department is part of the wider delivery team (and not viewed as a ‘supplier’) and why understanding the business vision is critical for all parties who embark on the journey to composable.

As always, please find the links below to listen or watch the recording – and let us know your thoughts in the comments >>>

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S5 | Episode 2 with Tomas A. Krag from NoA Ignite

December 29, 2023

For this second episode of the new season, we were delighted to welcome experienced digital leader, Tomas A. Krag to join the discussion on all things Composable.

Currently Chief Technology Officer at full-service agency NoA Ignite, a full-service agency based in Denmark, Tomas has also held senior positions client-side, with CTO roles at home-retailer and manufacturer Hilding Anders, and more recently Bang & Olufsen where, in building an eCommerce team from scratch, went on to win multiple awards for front-end design and MACH architecture.

In our chat with Tomas, he talks openly about the most common mistakes companies make when going down the composable route, when you are likely to see the benefits of composable architecture  as well as reasons why some decide to change paths altogether and move towards a more monolithic architecture

As always, please find the links below to listen on your preferred podcast platform >>>

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S5 | Episode 1 with Michiel Tielemans from Lab Digital

December 26, 2023

After a welcome response to Season 4, episodes in this Season of The Fod: The Future of Digital Commerce, continue to have a primary focus on all things Composable.

And, while this isn’t a new topic per se, it is undoubtedly still a popular one with many unanswered questions.

Through conversations with our guests – this time agency leaders – we’ll be trying to find the answers.

Our first episode of Season 5 features an insightful discussion with Michiel Tielemans, MD of Lab Digital, one of the Netherlands’ leading composable agencies that have helped a wide range of clients over the last decade including Frasers Group, Mars, Suzuki, and Toyota.

Michiel shares with us the reasons why Composable transformations fail, as well as advice to end customers on how to make sure they are set for success from the get-go.

It’s a fascinating, honest discussion and will no doubt be of use to businesses considering a move away from monolith.

As always, please find the links below to listen or watch the recording – and let us know your thoughts in the comments >>>

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S4 | Episode 7 with Dave Hardiman, ex Wiggle

November 27, 2023

We are delighted to present to you a BONUS episode for Season 4 of our podcast; The FOD, where we chatted in depth with former Head of Software Development at Wiggle, David Hardiman.

In our chat with David, we learn more about the retailer’s move to Composable which started in earnest back in 2020 – a move necessitated by an outdated e-commerce infrastructure.

In this episode we hear about the challenges that the decision to go ‘Composable’ presented and why anyone embarking on that journey or indeed weighing up their options, should (in David’s words) go into it with their eyes wide open, and with a crystal clear vision of what business requirements are; an understanding of what problems they are looking to solve, and an acknowledgement that this is an inherently complex process despite the obvious advantages it can bring.

It’s a fascinating discussion that offers an honest and balanced view from someone who has lived through the journey – and has come out of the other side with clear insight on the positives …and the pitfalls.

Links to listen/view the episode are below >>>

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S4 | Episode 6 with Felix Alonso from Rapha

August 17, 2023

Our guest for the latest episode is Felix Alonso, Systems Architect at leading cycling clothing brand, Rapha.

In our chat for the FOD, Felix talks to us about the move to Composable which started in earnest back in 2019. Nearly 4 years into the process, we hear about the initial challenges faced, as well as the overriding benefits that the business has seen throughout the implementation period.

This episode gives you, the listener, a glimpse at the future of digital commerce as Felix shares his knowledge of living through the initial proposal and kick-off phases, and the opportunities the transition has presented along the way >>>

Links to listen/view the episode are below >>>

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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S4 | Episode 5 with Alexander Ives from Boden

August 14, 2023

Our guest for the fifth episode is Alexander Ives, Director of Enterprise Systems at leading British clothing brand, Boden.

In our chat for the FOD, Alex talks to us about the digital transformation of the retailer as it moved from a mail-order catalogue business to an innovative eCommerce brand serving some 1.7 million customers worldwide.

This episode gives you, the listener, a glimpse at the future of digital commerce as Alex shares his vast knowledge of breaking up a traditional monolithic system, the challenges of the move to a composable architecture, and ultimately how the move has proved vital for a business that wants to remain competitive and a leader in their market >>>

Links to listen/view the episode are below >>>

Written by:

James Hodges

Director of Client Engagement

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