Top 10 Traits and Skills Your eComm Leader Should Have
Being an effective eCommerce leader takes a combination of the right skills and mindset.
The rise of eCommerce comes as no surprise to many. Thanks to the ever-expanding online world, eCommerce continues to grow due to several reasons, such as the availability of mobile phones, more retail options, online convenience, social media integration and the importance of personalized, tailored experiences.
Your eCommerce leaders are the champions responsible for the online sales of your brand, overseeing all activity and engagement across all digital properties. These leaders must be able to analyze customer data and identify trends in order to maximize sales and profits. The digital landscape is vital for businesses to stay competitive and thrive—and your eCommerce managers, directors and executives will need to possess the technical knowledge and experience to ensure that the business’ online presence is up-to-date, secure and user-friendly.
Here at The Bowerman Group, we consistently see our premium and luxe brand clients working to “up their game” in the digital DTC space, usually by filling a skills gap between the eComm team they’ve built (through internal growth and hiring) and the optimum team that will deliver desired results.
Being an effective eCommerce leader takes a combination of the right skills and mindset. From understanding the customer journey to leveraging data to drive decisions, here are the top 10 skills and traits that every eCommerce leader should possess to achieve success.
Forward-Thinking
By staying ahead of the curve with the latest trends and technologies, eCommerce businesses can remain competitive and maximize their profits. This means staying up to date with the best practices in web design, customer service and marketing strategies. It also means focusing on customer experience, understanding customer needs and developing targeted campaigns.
Flexible
The ability to quickly adapt to changing customer needs and market trends is essential for any business to stay competitive. By having flexible policies and procedures, such as offering different payment options and shipping methods, luxury and premium brands can ensure that customers have a positive and enjoyable shopping experience. Additionally, having the ability to quickly adjust pricing, inventory and product offerings can help an eCommerce business keep up with the competition and offer attractive products and services to their customers.
Seeing the Bigger Picture
Seeing the bigger picture means understanding the long-term goals of the business and making decisions that benefit the brand. It’s important to take a step back and look at the company from a broader perspective and consider the impact of decisions on the business as a whole. Considering how your decisions will affect the customer experience, the bottom line and the legacy of the business can ensure your decisions are going to benefit the business in the long run.
Team Player
Working in eCommerce requires strong team collaboration. As a team player, you must be willing to listen to the ideas of others while also bringing your own ideas and opinions to the table. You must also be willing to work with and support other team members in order to achieve shared goals. Team players are able to work together to solve problems, brainstorm innovative solutions and work together to create a successful outcome. For brands with D2C channels including Ecomm and Brick & Mortar as well as wholesale distribution, taking an “agnostic” view of building overall sales and profitability for the company is critical.
Attention to Detail
Attention to detail can be the difference between a customer returning to your website or never coming back due to a poor experience. Attention to detail includes factors like being accurate in product descriptions, providing clear instructions and information and offering helpful customer service. It also includes things like having an easy-to-use website design, a secure checkout process and quick shipping times. When customers feel their time is valued and they receive the product they expected, they are more likely to return and recommend your brand to others.
Affinity with Numbers
Data provides critical insights into customer behavior, sales trends and overall performance. By having an understanding of how the various data points interact with each other, an eComm leader can make better decisions and adjust strategies quickly to maximize success. Additionally, having an affinity with numbers can help anticipate potential problems and identify areas of opportunity to further optimize your brand. However, the key is understanding the “story behind the numbers” and ensuring that your eComm store is on-brand in terms of merchandising and overall client experience.
Logical
An eCommerce leader should be logical to ensure that their decision-making processes are sound and based on facts. Logical decision-making helps to eliminate bias, ensure that the best options are being considered and that the most effective solutions are being chosen. Logical decision-making also helps to ensure that the team is following the same set of criteria and is working towards the same goals. Being logical is also beneficial in helping to identify potential problems and solutions before they arise, allowing them to be proactive rather than reactive.
Able to Problem-Solve
Problem-solving is more than finding an immediate solution to an issue—it also helps ecomm leaders to identify opportunities for growth and expansion, as well as minimize risks and potential losses. It is important for leaders to be able to think strategically and look for long-term solutions that can benefit their business. Ultimately, problem-solving is a critical skill for an eCommerce leader in the luxury industry to have in order to stay competitive, find success and continue to grow.
Agile
Being an agile leader means having the ability to quickly and efficiently respond to changes in the marketplace. This includes recognizing trends and customer needs in order to pivot and adjust product offerings, pricing, marketing campaigns, customer service and more. Having the ability to adapt and respond quickly to new challenges and opportunities is the difference between surviving and thriving. In addition to the ability to quickly react, an agile leader should also have the foresight to plan ahead and anticipate future needs in order to stay ahead of the competition.
Passion
Passionate leaders are the ones that stand out most from the crowd. Having a passion for your digital sales channel will drive an individual to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technology so they can make informed decisions and strategies. Being passionate also helps to inspire others in the organization, providing a better understanding of the company’s mission and vision. Passion can also serve as a motivator, pushing the leader to achieve their goals and objectives quicker and more efficiently. Finally, having a passion for the field will give the leader an edge over their competition, as they will be more engaged and invested in the success of their company.
If you’re looking for a talented eCommerce leader, trust The Bowerman Group to deliver what you need. Our luxury eCommerce recruiting firm is here to connect you with the right person that will help you reach your goals. Contact us today to find out more.