- Simon Carpio is the Vice President of Products at CarsParts.com. Prior to his role at CarParts.com, Simon spent time with companies such as US Auto Parts, JDH Pacific Inc., Raphael & Associates, and TRG Customer Solutions.
- Simon attended the University of Southern California where he received a B.S. in Business Administration. Following this experience, Simon earned a Project Management Certification from the California Institute of Technology.
Key Insights:
(00:16) Simon’s role at AutoParts.com
- Simon works to build not just a better shopping experience on the website, but the post-purchase experience as well: shipping, communication of WISMO, power contact center handles, customer complaints, and folding that back into an end-to-end experience for the customer.
(01:22) How is ecommerce evolving?
- For Simon, the ultimate goal is to continue to improve the capabilities of the online shopping experience by creating a more personalized experience that will meet the exact needs of the consumer at that specific time.
(02:52) What type of data is important to collect?
- In Simon’s professional experience with CarParts.com, he has been able to identify two consumer segments to distinguish data: DIY (the Do It Your Self-ers) and the DIFM market (Do It For Me).
- For Simon, working to architect the site to respond to real time signals will be crucial to collecting data that can understand the consumer’s needs.
(06:54) How is AI and ML being applied to short-term user behavior?
- Simon predicts that ML will scale in a similar fashion to marketing campaigns, but will target a numerous amount of specific consumer needs. This will make for a more efficient process that can adjust to changing circumstances.
(07:43) What is continuous intelligence?
- For Simon, continuous intelligence is an additional layer to the customer data platform (CDP) that continues to adapt to the actions of customers.
- Debjani adds that each customer represents a stream of continuous intelligence which requires the brand to react with a specific technological stack in place.
(08:46) What technologies do you plan on implementing in the near future?
- Simon addresses the need to continue to implement and develop machine learning to aid in the personalization experience.
- Additionally, Simon anticipates the possibility of feedback loops where customers can communicate directly with an agent or the website to address concerns they may have about a product or the status of their order.
(10:21) What are the keys to success over the next few years?
- Moving forward for Simon, it will be important to identify a user as a DIY’er or DIFM’er, and proceed to create either a frictionless or guided experience based on customer needs. After this is met, having the post-purchase experience be reflected back within the site will be crucial.
- Simon also acknowledges the importance of including segments such as geographical distribution and seasonal products to account for varying consumer needs.
