I used to receive admiration — and the occasional scorn — for my writing. Now I receive mostly accusations that I used ChatGPT. We’ve entered a new epoch in human history when the authenticity of nearly all content will be in doubt. That’s unfortunate.

Brad & Bill provide a good assessment of the current challenges facing the U.S. as it pertains to its strategic economic and technological position in wrt China. Though they seem to pull punches — indicative of their slight partisan lean & insider associations. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

If an AI agent is doing the shopping, who is the price really for? That’s what I kept wondering after reading this latest in the WSJ, where she explores how Walmart and others are preparing for a future of AI-powered shopping agents. It’s a fascinating shift — and a troubling one for pricing.

Alternate Realities hit home. My dad is also deep in far-right conspiracies. It’s changed how he sees the world, impacts his daily life, & strains his relationships. This podcast captures that experience with honesty & care. Powerful work from @zachmack.bsky.social www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1...

From Shakespearean actor to retail pricing expert—my latest #PricingHeroes guest Joshua Pollack shares provocative insights on how aggressive pricing and 'shrinkflation' erode brand equity. Could Trader Joe's authentic approach win as consumers revolt against price manipulation? Link below 👇

Just read Joshua Pollack's analysis on tariffs reshaping retail. His blueprint for building resilience through cross-functional coordination is brilliant. We touch on this in our upcoming Pricing Heroes episode, but his blog gives you the full strategic playbook now. Worth your time! 👇

I'd love an inbox that uses AI to sort emails based on priority. For example, if an email chain for a project requires a reply by a certain date, or if an event registration or call for speakers relevant to my role, it would take the top-most spot. Perhaps an AI assistant could prompt me with CTAs.

I just learned of layoffs a week ago at @wsj.com impacting phenomenal journalists. Just a reminder for PR folks and business leaders to be kind to journalists and prioritize bringing value to your relationships. talkingbiznews.com/media-news/h...

Check out this excellent assessment by Tim J. smith on the impact tariffs will have on pricing throughout the supply chain and how executives might respond. www.linkedin.com/pulse/threat...

Check out Gabriela Barkho’s thoughtful analysis of the growing trust gaps in retail pricing. Transparency matters—pricing impacts day-2-day lives. While dynamic pricing is a concern, perhaps AI can help balance fairness, margins, & loyalty if done ethically & communicated well.

If you send unsolicited emails like the one I just received below, you don’t deserve to ever land a new client. This is dishonest and unprofessional. No matter what product or service you are selling, I would never do business with you.

This seems like a policy that could put employees at risk. It’s challenging enough for baristas to handle difficult customers. How are they expected to enforce a “buy something or leave” policy? Will the purchase of a $3 cup of coffee really improve the atmosphere?

While I have reservations about the direction of AI—especially around content creation, I’m hopeful for the applications that will make my role in corporate comms easier. Generating professional-quality leadership videos in a matter of minutes would be invaluable.

I hope more journalists, analysts and thought leaders make their way to @bsky.app. It’s so much more refreshing on this platform. Reminds me of the early days of Twitter when I could follow and interact with people I would otherwise not have access to.

Since moving to Europe, I've noticed just how easy it is to eliminate single-use plastic bags. It's standard practice at this point. You want a bag? You pay for it. I'm surprised U.S. retailers act as though it's an impossible task. It's been 7 years, Kroger... Is Parkinson's Law to blame?

Excellent article by Belle Lin. I see denial of AI readiness for taking on enterprise tasks. But #AgenticAI has been a popular topic #NRF2025. The question isn't if but when. We're in a hype cycle, but AI agents are coming, & we'll have to reconcile what that means. www.wsj.com/articles/how...

The AR landscape is shifting rapidly, as seen with Forrester’s recent cuts. Now more than ever, businesses need skilled AR pros to navigate these changes. AR isn’t an afterthought—it’s a strategic necessity. Carter Lusher’s insights break it down 👇🏻

What's with the current trend of flagging em dashes as evidence of AI generated content? I've been using them since university—my thesis will corroborate. The em dash is one of the most dynamic and versatile punctuation marks—only the exclamation point conveys more emotion!

The long, slow death of the American department store. www.axios.com/2025/01/09/k...

Given the high cost to retailers operating D2C e-commerce models and the desire of customers to have more premium in-person shopping experiences, it’s hard to predict what these shop closures mean for the industry as a whole. Are these omens or opportunities? www.axios.com/2025/01/09/m...

Is there a social media platform that prohibits AI, bots, and engagement farming content? Anyone want to build a premium social media platform focused on facilitating high-quality content and meaningful interactions that facilitate community building?

An excellent article that begs the question: what is the purpose of social media and AI-generated content? Can engagement for its own sake actually entice users and drive revenue? What becomes of social networks proliferated by AI? Idea - platform that prohibits AI and engagement farming content.

It’s hard not to fall into cynicism over the motives behind current DEI controversies. I tend to believe businesses always act to maximize profit, which entails calculated positions on sociopolitical issues. But I’m not convinced Costco & Apple would…

Advances in AI often promise transformation, but who gets to decide what ‘better’ looks like? This TC piece surfaces an uncomfortable truth: innovation without inclusion risks reinforcing privilege. Will the promise of AI lift all boats? Not if left up to technoligarchs.

It’s a win for Georgia’s economy and tech ecosystem, but will it be energy efficient? Georgia summers are sweltering. Without innovative cooling like Nexalus’s heat-reuse systems, this could be a missed opportunity for sustainability.

This is me. I’m awful at asynchronous socializing. I can do it well—especially when crucial, but it takes a lot of effort. I think I inherently resist the digital—I prefer what’s immediately present. Even being here now typing this takes more mental capacity than I’d like.

Always glad to read news of Trader Joe’s opening stores in more locations.

This article by @samanthanelson.bsky.social provides great insights from Gartner & is worth reading. I'd like to push back a little. Dynamic pricing has its challenges, especially when trust is at stake. But AI-driven tools offer a way to address these concerns... consumergoods.com/dynamic-pric...

A few of my favorite recent photos from my winter walks through Kyiv.

I feel for journalists. Not only does AI infringe copyright, undermine attribution, & impact revenue streams, but it also distorts the value of their work by reducing nuanced reporting to bite-sized summaries, risking loss of context, depth, nuance & the human discernment.

Avataar’s AI-generated product videos sound intriguing, but I’m holding judgment. As a consumer, I’ve always trusted real customer photos and videos more—they feel like a more honest reflection of what I’m buying. Marketing visuals, AI or not, have always altered perception.

OpenAI setting ChatGPT Pro pricing on gut instinct rather than consulting pricing experts feels… ironic. Perhaps they should ask ChatGPT for advice—it’s supposed to know a thing or two about strategy, right?

Would you be better off if you didn’t have to grocery shop? Samsung's AI-enabled fridges now auto-order via Instacart. Beyond the novelty: What tasks are worth automating, & which deserve our attention? When we eliminate everyday friction, what do we gain? does automation make life richer?

Rough morning in Kyiv. I was at the gym a block away when it happened. I knew it was going to be bad based on the power generated by the blast.

Loved hearing Sheetal's story of discovering pricing as a practice by chance and turning it into an incredible career at Zalando! From 'I never knew pricing was a profession' to leading strategy across 8 European markets. Such a candid and inspiring journey. open.spotify.com/episode/5ZvC...

Apple urges "all users" install new security updates, released Tuesday, to patch against active cyberattacks targeting Mac users. Update today! techcrunch.com/2024/11/19/a...

FTC's probe into "surveillance pricing" raises the question: Does AI pricing really threaten privacy? This op-ed explains AI pricing implementation, debunks myths, and explores the fine line between innovation and regulation. It's a must read www.retailtouchpoints.com/features/exe...

As a longtime REI member, I respect the co-op's new stance on 'serial returners' abusing the policy. Banning the 0.02% averaging 79% returns ($2,400) annually is a thoughtful policy that targets only a few while protecting the broader member community.