Episode 20 – From Retail to B2B: The Journey of Mirakl and the Future of Digital Commerce

Welcome to the next episode of Platform Disco! Today, our guest is Dickel Sooriah, Global VP B2B offer of Mirakl.

Mirakl, founded in 2012, initially focused on helping retailers expand their reach through e-commerce, achieving a remarkable 50% year-over-year GMV growth.  The company has since expanded to serve approximately 450 clients globally, employing over 700 people.

WHAT IS THE EPISODE ABOUT?

In the episode we talk about the significant opportunities within the under-penetrated European B2B marketplace. Mirakl addresses common concerns regarding scaling, market power, and regulatory compliance by offering adaptable solutions that empower businesses of all sizes. Dickel highlights the importance of strategic positioning and branding to avoid conflicts with existing distribution partners. Three key target groups are identified: wholesalers, manufacturers, and procurement organizations.

We also talk about several real-world examples to illustrate the impact of Mirakl. Conrad Electronics exemplifies the transformative potential for wholesalers, achieving a tenfold increase in catalog size. Manufacturers benefit from streamlined supply chains and enhanced customer data collection, as illustrated by Toyota Material Handling’s success in acquiring new customers. The Driven Brands example showcases the application of Mirakle’s platform within a franchise network, highlighting the efficiency gains and potential for strategic direction. The discussion also addresses the challenges of integrating with existing systems and the importance of collaboration with distributors and wholesalers.

Finally we dive into the technological aspects of Mirakle’s platform, including its AI-powered catalog management tools that simplify data integration and address implementation concerns. Dickel talks about the importance of user adoption and the digitization of various business flows (ordering, invoicing, payments).  Dickel shares a case study with Eiffage and BlueOne that shows Mirakle’s contribution to sustainability initiatives in the construction sector. 

All links to Dickel and Mirakl:

Dickel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dickelsooriah/

Mirakl: https://www.mirakl.com/

All links to Alex, David, Peter and McFadyen Digital:

Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-pesjak-business-ecosystems/

David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddetjen/

Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-c-evans-phd-217b8/

McFadyen Digital: https://mcfadyen.com

Podcast produced by: https://www.lehnertmedia.de

About the Podcast

Gain firsthand insights into the challenges and triumphs experienced by top executives, providing you with the knowledge and inspiration to effectively design, build, and expand your marketplace initiatives.  

Platform Disco has episodes in English and German with new releases dropping 7 AM CEST every Wednesday. To learn more, explore the individual episode listings below.

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Meet the Hosts

Alex Pesjak

VP, EMEA

Alex is a seasoned platform professional who is passionate about creating value in ecosystems and platforms. With a deep understanding of strategy, transformation, and innovation, he is driven by the vision of a thriving Ecosystem Economy across Europe and beyond. Pesjak specializes in aligning purpose, ambition, and circularity to create strategic frameworks that drive success. He is skilled in transforming legacy businesses while simultaneously leading ecosystems through agile and dual operating models.

Alex has a 20 year Brand and Innovation Background in Coca-Cola and Kraft Foods while working as a consultant for the last 12 years in the fields above. With a passion for creating value for all stakeholders, he is dedicated to driving the transformation to networked business models and organizations. Alex currently serves as McFadyen Digital’s VP, EMEA as a leader in their Strategic Advisory practice.

David Detjen

Sales Director

David is a digital professional with over 15 years in e-commerce as well as on the operator and partner sides of the equation in a variety of roles. This experience, both operating a platform in the form of an online marketplace, and serving in more of a consultative role, provides David with a unique perspective, able to “walk in the shoes” of far more than most while providing solutions.

Prior to joining McFadyen Digital, David honed his skills at the likes of Siemens, Arvatis, Mindcurv (Accenture Song), and Eccelerate, helping clients to transform their digital commerce capabilities. With McFadyen Digital, David continues this work leveraging the advantages of composable MACH approach to technology while utilizing the latest platform business models to provide scalable growth to his clients.

Peter C. Evans

Chief Strategy Officer

Before becoming the Chief Strategy Officer at McFadyen Digital, Peter Evans was a Managing Partner at the Platform Strategy Institute, a consultancy dedicated to management strategy and application of platform business models across a wide range of sectors. Dr. Evans has over 20 years of experience leading teams in identifying, framing, assessing, and communicating high-priority marketplace trends and disruptions that support business planning and investment prioritization.

Peter received his master’s degree and Ph.D. degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations and an International Academy of Management Fellow. He is also the co-chair of the MIT Platform Strategy Summit and the Founder of MusicTech Connect in Atlanta.

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