Ecommerce Braintrust artwork

How To Build a Future-Ready Organization with Lauren Livak Gilbert of Digital Shelf Institute - Episode 409

Ecommerce Braintrust · with Lauren Livak Gilbert · September 9, 2025 · 23 min

Summary

To thrive in the evolving ecommerce landscape, brands must move beyond superficial digital fixes and fundamentally restructure their organizations for true omnichannel success. This episode provides actionable strategies from a DSI report to help established businesses compete with agile, digitally native brands by rethinking departmental structures, team functions, and overall business strategy to optimize the digital shelf.

Key takeaways

Themes

digital transformationomnichannel strategyorganizational design

Topics covered

competing with digitally native brandsdigital shelf optimizationdsi report insightsecommerce integrationfuture-ready organizationsorganizational restructuring

Episode description

🎙️Interview With Lauren Livak Gilbert of Digital Shelf Institute DESCRIPTION Welcome to The Ecommerce Braintrust podcast, brought to you by Julie Spear, Head of Retail Marketplace Services, and Jordan Ripley, Director of Retail Operations.   Today, we're excited to welcome back a returning guest:  Lauren Livak Gilbert, Executive Director of the Digital Shelf Institute and co-host of the Unpacking the Digital Shelf podcast.    With over 10 years of experience in digital commerce and design, Lauren is a sought-after commerce strategist for hundreds of global omnichannel brands.    Today, Lauren joins us to share insights from a recent DSI report, Reinventing the Organization for Omnichannel Success: Beyond 'Where Ecommerce Sits'.   Tune in to find out more! 📚 RESOURCES Reinventing the Organization for Omnichannel Success: Beyond 'Where Ecommerce Sits'   Quote: "A lot of the traditional brands, some of the older brands that have been around for a long time, are realizing that if they don't pivot, they're going to be beaten out by these 15, 20 new digitally native brands that started yesterday."   Lauren Livak Gilbert KEY TAKEAWAYS In this episode, Julie, Jordan, and Lauren discuss: Purpose of the DSI Report: The motivation behind the report, highlighting the persistent struggle brands face in truly restructuring for omnichannel, rather than simply treating symptoms of digital change. <li dir="ltr" ar

Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about digital transformation?
Brands must move beyond
What does this episode say about omnichannel strategy?
'where ecommerce sits' and holistically rethink departmental structures and team functionalities to achieve true omnichannel success, recognizing the digital shelf as a critical operational battleground.
What does this episode say about organizational design?
Established brands need to pivot significantly and rapidly to avoid being outmaneuvered by the agility and innovation of digitally native brands.
What does this episode say about digital transformation?
Organizational restructuring for omnichannel success requires addressing root causes of digital transformation struggles, not just treating symptoms.

Listen