Janis Thomas is an eCommerce & Subscriptions Expert, recently named in the Top 100 UK Marketing Influencers list.

In this episode of the special WWYD? (What Would You Do?) series, Janis answers the big question:

What would you do as a Head of eCommerce tasked with massively improving operational efficiency — especially when growth at your brand has stalled?

Hit PLAY to hear:

• 🚨 Why stalled growth is actually a wake-up call for your eCommerce brand
• 🧾 The ruthless audit every Head of eCom should do on costs, teams & tech
• ⚡ Quick wins that free up cash and time to spark new growth
• ⏳ How to stop wasting hours on admin & turn time into your secret weapon
• 🤖 The smart way to use AI for creative output (without losing your brand DNA)
• 🎯 Why an inspiring vision — not cost-cutting fear — gets teams on board with change

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[04:42] Streamline and Audit for Growth

[07:19] Evolving Design and Business Practices

[12:31] Strategic Prioritization for Quick Impact

[15:46] Experimentation Drives Business Improvement

[19:18] Team Meetings: Encouraging Experiments

[22:28] Focus on Brand Consistency

[26:22] AI Design Needs Specificity

[28:17] Listen to Janis’ Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/566

Andrew Steel is the eCommerce Director at Charles Bentley. Founded 160 years ago as manufacturer of chimney sweeping brushes, they now balance selling brushes and cleaning products via wholesale and dropshipping to some of the UK’s largest retailers and running their own home and garden eCommerce store. Annual Sales are now at around £30million across the group.

In this episode, Andrew shares the hard-won lessons behind managing 20+ sales channels, mastering stock control, and scaling a heritage brand in today’s competitive eCommerce landscape.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• 🎯 How Charles Bentley sells on 20+ channels (without going crazy)
• 📦 The clever stock-splitting system that prevents overselling nightmares
• 🧹 Why cutting SKUs from 1,300 to 600 actually boosted growth
• 📊 How Andrew uses data, weather trends & search terms to forecast sales
• 💸 The truth about price scraping & keeping prices consistent across marketplaces
• 🤝 Why fractional experts can be your secret weapon for eCommerce scaling

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[03:57] Optimizing Retail Channels for Growth

[07:44] Stock Management and Channel Optimization

[12:08] Challenges in Retail Price Control

[16:00] Evolving Expertise Through Technology Partnership

[16:57] Longstanding Trusted Business Partnership

[23:16] eCommerce Challenges and Recovery

[24:54] Expanding Charles Bentley's European Market

[25:35] Listen to Andrew’s Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/565

James Rutter is the Chief Strategy Officer at COOK, home of award-winning frozen meals and puddings. Founded in 1997, and a BCorp since 2013! COOK now sell via their bespoke website, 111 shops across the UK, and via wholesale. And in the last 15 years they’ve grown from £30million to being on track for £150million in annual sales this year, of which about 1/5 are online.

In this episode, James reveals the three pillars that power COOK’s incredible growth — and how you can apply them to your business.

Hit PLAY to hear:

• 💡 Why culture is the ultimate competitive advantage in eCommerce
• 📝 James’ 7 Laws of Strategy (and why your strategy must fit on ONE page)
• 🛠️ How to make every team member feel like an “insider”
• 👥 Cook’s bold hiring program that brings in talent others overlook — and why it works
• 📈 The simple rhythm Cook uses to keep strategy, budgeting, and execution aligned
• 🔥 How to turn internal culture into external brand energy that customers love

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[03:57] "Vertically Integrated Retail Food Chain"

[08:18] "Empowering People in Business"

[12:54] "Balancing Recruitment with Social Impact"

[15:55] Simplifying Strategy for Clarity

[18:57] Painful Choices Ensure Strategic Clarity

[21:21] Annual Strategic Planning Process

[24:14] Cultivating Authentic Brand Connection

[26:50] Confronting Brutal Facts

[29:27] Listen to James’ Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/564