E-commerce was 10.4% of retail sales in 2017. Today, e-commerce makes up over 16% of all retail sales, showing a dramatic 50% increase. 

COVID-19 has accelerated our progression towards a digital economy, and although retail is re-opening in Canada, businesses must continue to offer their products and services online to sustain themselves and, in certain instances, to survive. 

Building your own e-commerce store is an ideal way to do this. In today’s panel hosted by Shopify, we will be joined by Telly Carayannakis, the Marketing Director for Greenhouse (Canada’s leading organic, plant-based beverage brand), and David Gaylord, founder of BushBalm (an innovative skin care brand). 

Moderated by Tim Wang, City of Toronto Community Lead at Shopify, we will discuss what is achievable via e-commerce, how physical retailers can adapt to online-first business, and best strategies on how to operate a successful e-commerce store.

Key Topics:

1. How to create and implement an effective digital marketing strategy for your consumer brand. 
2. Challenges with operating in e-commerce and how to navigate them successfully. 
3. The future of e-commerce and what to expect in the coming years. 

The previous webinar, Digital Transformation and Growing Your Business, is available on demand. Viewing it in advance is not required to benefit from this week’s webinar.  

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McKinsey noted: "We have vaulted 5 years forward in consumer and business digital adoption in a matter of around 8 weeks."  

COVID-19 has accelerated digital transformation. Some businesses have moved operations online to recover revenue while others have not been able to pivot quickly. As we look ahead, it will be critical for businesses to have a strong online presence to be more resilient and manage through the uncertainty ahead.

This webinar will feature Tareq Hadhad, the award-winning Founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate. He will be joined by Natasha Walji, a Director at Google who advises companies about growing their business online. Tasneem Bandukwala, Executive Director of the Gerrard India Bazaar BIA in Toronto, will moderate this engaging discussion on digital best practices, tactics, and insights about growing your online business.

The key takeaways include: 

• Best practices on managing through the uncertainty ahead to make your business more resilient.
• Importance of investing in a strong online presence so your customers can find you, and ensuring transactions can be conducted online. 
• Using the power of data to gain insights for your business operations and to improve revenue.
   

Join us as we take a detailed look at resources available to prepare for the future of work through upskilling or reskilling. We will learn from individuals who have gone through this in their own professional careers, and have been able to pivot and redirect their focus onto currently trending options.

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This flagship annual conference brings the Ismaili professional community together to build partnerships, grow networks, and share experiences. The theme this year will focus on Re:Invention, and will include a program that will enable us to understand how we can look forward, re-position ourselves, and determine a strategy for re-invention. Conference tracks will comprise of: Transforming to the Next Normal, Reinvention for Success, Emerging Trends and Opportunities, #StrongerTogether and Thriving Mindset.

For more details, visit www.igniteconference.live or follow us on social media.

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

[video:https://youtu.be/rM8L6PGzr7U]

In the third part of the series, we will further explore how to pivot in order to thrive, based on a deeper understanding of customers' shifting behaviours and digital selling. Host Shakeel Bharmal sits down with Leila Keshavjee, a young entrepreneur in the gourmet food industry, as she navigates the obstacles of market challenges. Riaz Sidi, a technology marketer, will share how to effectively leverage digital demand.

Key takeaways:

• Evolving your service offering and distribution channels
• Shifting operations to be more relevant to the customers' changing needs
• Moving to digital sales processes to create demand

Tune in on Thursday, July 16 at 5pm PT | 6pm MT | 8pm ET.

Register now