S4:E6 Unlocking Generative AI for the Retail C-Suite with Peter Cohan
In this episode of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden explore the transformative potential of generative AI in retail, featuring insights from Peter Cohan, an associate professor, strategy consultant, startup investor, book author, columnist and AI expert. The discussion covers AI's evolution compared to the dot-com era, the influence of large tech companies, and the substantial growth opportunities AI presents for retailers. Key topics include the contrast between the relay vs. rugby approaches to AI transformation, the crucial role of CEOs in AI adoption, and the importance of a quality data foundation for AI inputs. The episode highlights strategic investment, customer-centric innovations, and practical examples of successful AI implementations, guiding C-suite listeners on how to embrace AI as a long-term investment for unlocking new revenue streams versus a short-term quick fix.
About Peter Cohan:
Peter is an Associate Professor of Management Practice at Babson College, he is the faculty lead for the core undergraduate strategy course and has created popular electives on Startup Cities and Scaling Strategy. His strategy consulting firm has completed over 150 projects to help companies identify, evaluate, and profit from growth opportunities created by changing technology. He has invested in seven startups, three of which were sold for over $2 billion and one of which, SoFi, went public in 2021 at an $18 billion valuation. He is the author of 17 books, most recently "Brain Rush: How to Invest and Compete in the Real World of Generative AI" and he is a senior contributor at Forbes and a contributor at Inc. RETHINK Retail named him a Top Retail Expert every year between 2021 and 2024 and chose him as a Top AI Leader for 2024 this year.
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00:00 Show Intro
02:49 Meet Our Guest: Peter Cohan
04:21 Unlocking Generative AI for the Retail C-Suite
05:40 Peter Cohan's Background and Journey
10:25 Impact of Generative AI in Retail
12:48 Challenges and Risks of AI in Customer Service
16:34 Strategies for Embracing AI in Retail
17:21 Relay Race vs. Rugby Approach in Product Development
28:48 Best Practices for AI Implementation
32:43 Driving Company Growth: The CEO's Role
35:15 The Value Pyramid Framework
39:36 AI's Role in Retail Innovation
47:49 Challenges and Opportunities with AI Data
53:19 Entrepreneurial Insights and Cognitive Hunger
57:18 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions
58:56 Show Close
Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:
Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2024. Thinkers 360has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital V
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