<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Leading Lights]]></title><description><![CDATA[Leading Lights ]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:30:40 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.benchmarketplace.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[We've come a long way, CDPs]]></title><description><![CDATA[Choosing the right tech needs to change. Analyst reports like waves and magic quadrants can help - as long as they evolve, too.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/we-ve-come-a-long-way-cdps</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65df5b45cf2b01c489502e84</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><category><![CDATA[CDP]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:31:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_6b8db21f49344c8c8a3732c483ddaaa5~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bots and the race to commerce conformity]]></title><description><![CDATA[chat bots are coming for commerce. will this be another step in commerce conformity, or will brands build bots in their likeness?]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/bots-and-the-race-to-commerce-conformity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65d628d34d33fd08f43f8377</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><category><![CDATA[Customer Service]]></category><category><![CDATA[Optimization]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 21 Feb 2024 17:27:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_a970ddc3bf5d496191ef24630b521e26~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Is DTC commerce culture killing conversion]]></title><description><![CDATA[DTC commerce culture has changed. Risk-taking - and with it, innovation - have been all but extinguished.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/is-dtc-commerce-culture-killing-conversion</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6543ddc510357edbbb407e59</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><category><![CDATA[Optimization]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 02 Nov 2023 20:42:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_9ef5934bf0634c1cafdfa6df6b0fdf7d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Is RFM coming out of retirement?]]></title><description><![CDATA[We’ve lost an important marketing constraint - cost. Without it, there's no audience prioritization. Here's how to get it back.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/is-rfm-coming-out-of-retirement</link><guid isPermaLink="false">651d6b303113cd20ebf6caed</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><category><![CDATA[Email Marketing]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 04 Oct 2023 13:57:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_4e4af70321684b638db6da9180bc0d39~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Thought Leadership Thorns]]></title><description><![CDATA[Taking aim at the ugly survey questions that provide shapeless, contradicting, and misguided responses… and awful headlines. ]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/thought-leadership-thorns</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65145409c9806ad2a11d6d92</guid><category><![CDATA[Content Marketing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Benchmarks]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 27 Sep 2023 16:38:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_1da3b355e86f413ea22e9644a56bfc35~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Insights Retro - 2023 Q3 - Commerce in transition]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sunsets here on the east coast are already beating 7pm local time, and summer officially concludes across the Northern Hemisphere this...]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/insights-retro-2023-q3-commerce-in-transition</link><guid isPermaLink="false">650af25810d71b8fc78c5a07</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><category><![CDATA[Email Marketing]]></category><category><![CDATA[SMS Marketing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Social]]></category><category><![CDATA[Customer Acquisition]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 20 Sep 2023 14:07:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_1d0d5cc745ee480087e2a2f52a5109fd~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Service: The Cost of *Earning* Business]]></title><description><![CDATA[Customer service is often framed as 'the cost of doing business' - here's what it is actually the cost of earning business.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/service-the-cost-of-earning-business</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65007862a8a32f2272a9b892</guid><category><![CDATA[Customer Service]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 12 Sep 2023 14:43:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_4aa3e711f9654f8db7f541cf17b65755~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_379,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What are they (Shop)talking about?]]></title><description><![CDATA[The sun set on the metaverse, but this year brings a new buzz-worthy topic.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/what-are-they-shop-talking-about</link><guid isPermaLink="false">641b1868034df8ba3b787d12</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:09:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_6f018094e4b5425faa6085746e2eeff6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_796,h_590,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Where Benchmarks Go Wrong]]></title><description><![CDATA[benchmarks are powerful, but these mistakes can derail a terrific - and high effort initiative. ]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/where-benchmarks-go-wrong</link><guid isPermaLink="false">637b9dddd8dfc3bdb96ba830</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2022 16:12:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_dcbc1e3be2f24268b49208759a22c779~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Welcome to the Digital Reset. ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Digital needs a reset - marketing channels and their traffic contribution need to be reconsidered. SMS has earned a new expectation.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/welcome-to-the-digital-reset-sms</link><guid isPermaLink="false">631f38b9b0794c941734471b</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><category><![CDATA[Email Marketing]]></category><category><![CDATA[SMS Marketing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Customer Acquisition]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 12 Sep 2022 14:12:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_01048b0df83e4e1ca9aafa557e63b9ca~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Best of Benchmarks have arrived.]]></title><description><![CDATA[The best of benchmarks for the first half of this year are here. Here are the metrics that are shaping eCommerce, Marketing, and Service.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/the-best-of-benchmarks-2022h1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">62e2d0cfc6983e3438cdd861</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><category><![CDATA[Marketplace]]></category><category><![CDATA[Customer Service]]></category><category><![CDATA[Email Marketing]]></category><category><![CDATA[Customer Acquisition]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2022 19:58:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_8987931d2c6c41bcb09883631aa6e5e7~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Salesforce Connections … your unofficial guide is here]]></title><description><![CDATA[Salesforce Connections … your unofficial guide is here. Here's the content you should consume... and what to expect.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/salesforce-connections-guide</link><guid isPermaLink="false">629f685342d6eb06addc31cc</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><category><![CDATA[Site Speed]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 07 Jun 2022 15:10:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_d1492897626546d3bfbf623b0a74ea02~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_796,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Impact of 3rd Party Technologies on Site Speed]]></title><description><![CDATA[eCommerce wouldn't be what it is without 3rd party innovation. When unchecked, those 3rd parties have a hidden cost - slow performance.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/the-impact-of-3rd-party-technologies-on-site-speed</link><guid isPermaLink="false">62850728773c023e8e070251</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><category><![CDATA[Site Speed]]></category><category><![CDATA[Optimization]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 18 May 2022 15:13:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_37414188edc74c4fa7257fda9fd92d92~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_796,h_650,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mobile and Social Momentum has faded]]></title><description><![CDATA[The most recent eCommerce data suggests a plateau. What happened to mobile and social?]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/mobile-and-social-momentum-has-faded</link><guid isPermaLink="false">627525eba83ea9d401a89fe9</guid><pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2022 13:55:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_f076c3be0cd7404d93d67e01bda6f6d3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Light through the Shadows: Insights highlight the evolving state of eCommerce ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Shadows have emerged across tech and digital. Will brands be able to shine through the darkness?]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/light-through-the-shadows-insights-highlight-the-evolving-state-of-ecommerce</link><guid isPermaLink="false">626934f0fb1d18ace54e80c0</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><category><![CDATA[Marketplace]]></category><category><![CDATA[Optimization]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 27 Apr 2022 13:19:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_936aea8304ad42069a64d259962ac06e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Benchmark Blast: Shopper tracks ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Shoppers' digital footprints are changing -- here's what shopper activity tells us about their site experience.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/benchmark-blast-shopper-site-experience</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6256e6b24f23342f13c42623</guid><pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2022 15:27:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_3e366b70c1fa4da58e91e01e15284071~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Down by the Bay -- ShopTalk 2022]]></title><description><![CDATA[ShopTalk is here -- Here’s a quick take on what will make this show great, and what you can do to make it better.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/shoptalk-2022</link><guid isPermaLink="false">623b2cf042063ca43b20d39a</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><category><![CDATA[Marketplace]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Mar 2022 15:01:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_d78c01411a4440a6b0daf5a5717cf6f5~mv2.gif/v1/fit/w_400,h_300,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Anatomy of the Shopper Journey]]></title><description><![CDATA[The shopper journey is truly a winding one, fraught with twists and turns. This anatomy of the journey provides a view of 'how am I doing?']]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/anatomy-of-the-shopper-journey</link><guid isPermaLink="false">622666524a7d899002bb8860</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><category><![CDATA[Site Speed]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 11 Mar 2022 14:00:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_cb311f0aa68e4c00b21e53f8ecc5663e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Rick Kenney</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[On the Mark: No Mo(bile) Excuses and Members Only]]></title><description><![CDATA[February's best of benchmarks spans the lifecycle from the on-site journey (and mobile's failings) to the power of subscription.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/mobile-excuses-subscription-growth</link><guid isPermaLink="false">62268be720f53514c8446926</guid><category><![CDATA[eCommerce]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 07 Mar 2022 23:11:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_4b9465b4978d421a819ee5a7a8f38866~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jenn MacFarlane</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tales from the Edge of the Journey: Checkout]]></title><description><![CDATA[Beyond the numbers, what will it take to really make the most of the checkout experience.]]></description><link>https://www.leadinglights.io/post/tales-from-the-edge-of-the-journey-checkout</link><guid isPermaLink="false">621f7f473b92af27cd47c685</guid><pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2022 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c11e1_e883325e05554f90b8acfe46fe6abfef~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jenn MacFarlane</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>