AI transforms how businesses create, maintain, and provide engaging content in Sitecore. Embedding AI, Sitecore allows developers, marketers, and IT professionals to improve workflows, enhance customer interaction, and fine-tune digital strategies. Let’s explore how AI is shaping Sitecore and what it means for businesses.

Key AI Features in Sitecore

From Content Hub to XM Cloud, products in Sitecore’s portfolio have embedded AI that provides speed and scalability to personalization. Noteworthy features include:

• AI-powered content creation: Marketers can utilize AI to write articles, rephrase language, or write content for a certain audience. This minimizes manual effort and allows teams to focus on their strategy projects.
• Personalization at Scale: AI leverages user behavior to provide scaled personalized engagement, like personalized product recommendations, or personalizing dynamic page layouts. This improves customer engagement and conversion rates remain on the rise.
• Smart Search: Based on user intents and behaviors, Sitecore delivers relevant results through AI-enabled smart search capabilities for visitors, so that they can find the information they are looking for in the blink of an eye, enriching their overall experience.
• A/B Testing: Real-time multi-armed bandit machine learning algorithms will continuously optimize the variations of content that an end user sees, showing the most efficient version of a web page or campaign.
• Augmented Analytics: AI improves the analysis of consumer data by detecting trends and patterns that support improved decision-making.

Advantages of Integrating AI with Sitecore

There are several important benefits for organizations with embedded AI in Sitecore:

• Improved Efficiency: Automating repetitive tasks such as content tagging, approval procedures, and translations allows focusing on more valuable activities.
• Enhanced Creativity: New product offerings like Sitecore Stream, brand-aware assistant, give marketers agility to work with brand assets in new ways that align creativity across brand campaigns.
• Predictive Modeling: With advanced machine learning algorithms, patterns are identified in client behaviors, which enable organizations to make data-informed predictions and improve decision-making, leading to better business outcomes.
• Improved Security: AI can identify patterns in data that suggest unexpected behavior, which could mean a security breach or fraudulent activity, enhancing website safety.

Sector-Wise Applications

Sitecore AI deployment is also being used widely across multiple verticals:

• Retail: Tailored product recommendations are based on browsing history, which helps boosting sales, and enhance the user experience.
• Media and Entertainment: Automated video content tagging simplifies media management workflows.
• Global Businesses: Businesses use AI translation programs to adapt content more quickly for a larger audience.

Challenges and Considerations

However, despite the clear benefits, integrating Sitecore with AI is not without its challenges. Organizations are forced to navigate additional challenges such as data security, implementation costs, and making sure the AI outputs maintain their brand identity. Skilled personnel are needed to manage these advanced tools effectively.

Conclusion

Sitecore is evolving into a high-performance, AI-infused platform that powers personalized digital experiences at scale. Sitecore provides businesses with the tools they need to automate tasks, encourage creativity, and derive actions from data analytics, allowing businesses to stay relevant in an ever-changing environment. In a time where upstanding customer relationships are just as important as an online approach, leveraging AI with their Sitecore development strategy can do wonders.

In the latest episode of the “What If? So What?” podcast, Jim Hertzfeld had the pleasure of speaking with Efi Pylarinou, a renowned FinTech expert, speaker, and author of “The Fast Future Blur.” Efi shares her journey from Wall Street to becoming a leading voice in financial technology and innovation. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the concept of everywhere banking, the impact of AI, and the future of financial services.

Efi Pylarinou’s career has taken her from the cutthroat world of Wall Street to the serene landscapes of Switzerland. With a background in traditional financial services, Efi has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technology in the industry and emphasizes the importance of adapting to new tech cycles and the challenges posed by legacy systems.

One of the key topics Jim and Efi discuss is everywhere banking, which encapsulates two industry trends: open banking and embedded finance. Efi explains that financial services are no longer confined to physical branches or mobile apps. Instead, banking can be integrated into commerce sites, travel platforms, and educational portals. This shift is driven by advancements in technology and changing consumer expectations.

Efi also highlights the critical role of AI in financial services. While AI is not new, recent advancements have opened up new possibilities for intelligent banking. However, she stresses that simply using AI as a tool is not enough. Businesses need to adopt an AI-native mindset to truly harness its potential.

Another significant trend is the evolution of digital identity and blockchain technology. Efi talks about how these innovations revolutionize our thoughts about money and financial transactions. With more than 90% of central banks exploring digital currencies, the future of money is poised to change dramatically.

Listen to the full episode to stay updated on the latest trends in FinTech and financial services.

Subscribe to the “What If? So What?” podcast for more engaging conversations with industry experts.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or visit our website.

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Meet our Guest

Efi Pylarinou, Top Global Tech Thought Leader On FinTech

Dr. Efi Pylarinou is a seasoned Wall Street professional and ex-academic who has become a Top Global Fintech, Linkedin, and Tech Thought Leader. Author of The Fast Future Blur, she’s also a domain expert with a Ph.D. in Finance, founder of the Financial Services Intelligence Hub, a prolific content creator, and Faculty at Fast Future Executive.

Connect with Efi

Meet the Host

Jim Hertzfeld is Area Vice President, Strategy for Perficient.

For over two decades, he has worked with clients to convert market insights into real-world digital products and customer experiences that actually grow their business. More than just a strategist, Jim is a pragmatic rebel known for challenging the conventional and turning grand visions into actionable steps. His candid demeanor, sprinkled with a dose of cynical optimism, shapes a narrative that challenges and inspires listeners.

Connect with Jim:

LinkedIn | Perficient

In this episode of the “What If? So What?” podcast, Jim Hertzfeld talks with Brian Solis, a renowned futurist, author, and the head of global innovation at ServiceNow. Brian’s work has been instrumental in shaping digital strategies and customer experience  strategies for many organizations. In this episode, He shares insights from his latest book, “MindShift,” and discusses the evolving landscape of leadership and innovation.

Brian’s journey began in Silicon Valley in the 90s, and since then he has been at the forefront of understanding technology trends and their impact on human behavior. In his new book, Brian emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, cognitive bias, and the explores the importance of self-awareness, cognitive bias, and explains how the beginner’s mindset can drive business transformation

Brian explains how storytelling can inspire creativity and imagination and help leaders envision and communicate a better future for their organizations. He also highlights the impact of Generative AI on business transformation and the need for leaders to embrace new technologies to stay ahead of the curve.

Listen now to the “What If? So What?” podcast to learn more about the evolving role of leadership and the impact of Generative AI on the future of work.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or visit our website.

Subscribe Where You Listen

Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Overcast

Meet our Guest

Brian Solis, Head of Global Innovation, ServiceNow

Brian Solis is the Head of Global Innovation at ServiceNow, a nine-time best-selling author, international keynote speaker, and digital anthropologist. Recognized by Forbes as “one of the more creative and brilliant business minds of our time” and by ZDNet as “one of the 21st-century business world’s leading thinkers,” Brian is a thought leader on innovation and transformation.

In his latest book, “Mindshift: Transform Leadership, Drive Innovation, and Reshape the Future,” Brian shares empowering insights from his career and inspiring leaders to embrace change and drive progress. His message: the time to change the world is now, and it starts with you.

Connect with Brian

Meet the Host

Jim Hertzfeld is Area Vice President, Strategy for Perficient.

For over two decades, he has worked with clients to convert market insights into real-world digital products and customer experiences that actually grow their business. More than just a strategist, Jim is a pragmatic rebel known for challenging the conventional and turning grand visions into actionable steps. His candid demeanor, sprinkled with a dose of cynical optimism, shapes a narrative that challenges and inspires listeners.

Connect with Jim:

LinkedIn | Perficient

It’s difficult, in the consulting services industry, to explain the requirement for existence of a core thought leadership group to augment the sales and marketing teams that are tasked with collection of logos. In today’s hypercompetitive and fast evolving marketplace, the lines between thought leadership and sales are increasingly intertwined… Thought leadership, when done right, isn’t just about looking and talking smart (though that’s nice); It’s about building credibility, earning trust, and yes, making sales easier. Banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies know this dance all too well, and their recent playbook is packed with lessons for the rest of us.

The Synergy Between Thought Leadership and Sales

Let’s face it… Thought leadership in a consulting business isn’t just about dumping PDFs on your website or spouting off buzzwords at conferences. It’s about serving up fresh, insightful perspectives that make your audience say, “Wow, they really get it…” For sales teams, it’s the perfect assist. Instead of chasing down leads with worn-out pitches, they’ve got something substantial, something that sparks meaningful conversations. Imagine this: An insurance exec armed with a research-packed whitepaper on managing industry-specific risks… suddenly, they’re less of a salesperson and more of a trusted advisor. Boom.

In the financial sector, where trust is paramount, thought leadership plays a crucial role in establishing credibility. By sharing valuable insights and demonstrating deep industry knowledge, consulting partners can position themselves as trusted advisors rather than mere service providers, or worse, body shoppers.

Real-Life Examples

1. A major American Bank’s Initiative “Women’s Global Banking Insights” – The large bank struck gold with a series of reports focused on empowering women financially. Did they post cute slogans and call it a day? Nope… They dug deep, offering data and advice that real businesses could use. The payoff? Corporate clients who not only took notes but also opened accounts. Talk about turning insights into income…
2. Insurance Providing company’s Sustainability Commitment – They went all-in on sustainability and climate resilience, and they didn’t just stop at fluffy PR. They published juicy whitepapers and hosted can’t-miss webinars about sustainable investing and ESG trends. Cue the applause from institutional investors. The result? Not just warm fuzzies… they scored big with sustainability-linked insurance sales. Proof that doing good can be good for business.
3. Card Business’s Small Business Advocacy – During the COVID-19 chaos, this card company became a lifeline for small businesses with its Recovery Insights platform. It was like a treasure trove of data on consumer trends and recovery strategies… Think actionable, not academic. Businesses loved it. Mastercard’s sales of related tools and products? Through the roof. Who doesn’t love a partner who really gets their pain points?

Thought Leadership Directly Aids Sales

1. By Lead Nurturing: Blogs, webinars, and reports give your prospects reasons to stick around and reasons to buy… eventually.
2. By Priming Brand Preference: By demonstrating deep understanding of industry challenges, companies can become top-of-mind when customers seek solutions.
3. By Creating Urgency: Well-crafted thought leadership content can highlight emerging issues, creating a sense of urgency for potential clients to act.
4. By Facilitating Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: In complex B2B sales, thought leadership helps engage various decision-makers within an organization by providing relevant insights for each role.
5. By Transcending Transactional Relationships: Thought leadership enables sales teams to build long-term, value-driven relationships with clients, moving beyond one-time transactions.
6. By Upselling Opportunities: Your clients see your content and think, “Wow, these folks are ahead of the curve…” Suddenly, they’re buying more because they don’t want to miss out

Bottom line?

As we move towards what some are calling “AI Powered Thought Leadership,” the integration of thought leadership and sales is likely to become even more pronounced This evolution will likely see a greater emphasis on data-driven insights, personalized content delivery, and the use of AI to identify and address emerging industry trends. By committing to strong thought leadership initiatives, companies can directly enhance their sales efforts, build stronger client relationships, and establish themselves as trusted industry leaders. As the landscape continues to evolve, those who master this synergy will be well-positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Thought-Leadership isn’t just about flexing your brainpower… It’s a full-on growth strategy. When done well, it’s a win-win for the sales team, the clients, and let’s be real, your bottom line. Who says being thoughtful doesn’t pay off?