Entrepreneurs can become masters at e-commerce with help from FedEx

Business success is more dependent on e-commerce and online presence than ever before. To help small businesses maximize their online growth, FedEx teamed up with nonprofit partner Accion Opportunity Fund to create the FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab. Now in its fourth year, the FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab is a multi-faceted program designed to help small business owners who are looking to develop or expand their e-commerce operations as they continue to adapt their business models in an increasingly digital world.

The Master E-Commerce webinar series, a core part of the Learning Lab, dives deep into topics that are most relevant for small business owners looking to grow online. 

The first two webinars of the 2024/25 four-part series were in September and October, covering Planning for Peak Sales Times and Managing Inflation and Pricing Strategy for Retail Businesses. 

The third and fourth webinars are coming up in January and February, covering Content Generation to Boost Ecommerce Traffic and Building Community for Ecommerce Businesses, respectively. 

2025 Upcoming Webinars

The January webinar, Content Generation to Boost E-Commerce Traffic, will help business owners learn how to attract more customers and boost e-commerce sales with effective content and SEO strategies.

You will hear from Accion Opportunity Fund and FedEx experts on topics including: 

  • Learning how to enhance your SEO by crafting informative blog posts and optimized product descriptions
  • Engaging your target customer and build your brand by telling your story

Content Generation to Boost E-Commerce Traffic will take place virtually on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 1pm Eastern Standard Time. Register here to save a seat.

The fourth and final webinar of the 2024/25 Master E-Commerce with FedEx webinar series will be held in February covering Building Community for E-Commerce Businesses.   

Owning an E-Commerce business can be isolating due to the unique needs of online-only businesses. It’s normal to feel lonely. Creating community with fellow entrepreneurs is still possible! It just requires business owners to be more intentional about building their small business owner network. 

Learn how to build your customer community as an e-commerce business owner and how to strengthen your ties to local communities and fellow entrepreneurs. Join Accion Opportunity Fund, Hello Alice, and FedEx to discover strategies for building a thriving network and customer community that will help your e-commerce business grow and succeed.

Building Community for E-Commerce Businesses will take place virtually on February 5th, at 1pm Eastern Time. To attend, please register here.

2024 Fall Webinar Recaps 

For those entrepreneurs who didn’t attend the fall webinars, here’s a brief run-down of what was covered. 

The first Master E-Commerce session of the 2024/25 series was Planning for Peak Sales Times. As all small business owners know, understanding and preparing for your own peak sales time is critical to maximizing revenue and business growth. But how do you identify, plan for, and make the most of increased sales times? 

The conversation featured the expertise of Kevin Chung, a marketing principal at FedEx, where he supports e-commerce strategy and go-to-market execution. Joining Kevin as the entrepreneur expert for the discussion was Sensi Graves, owner and founder of Sensi Graves Swim, a sustainable swimwear line for active women. 

Predicting peak sales time is an art, not a science. Kevin and Sensi generously shared their insights on identifying your peak sales, with these key takeaways: 

  • Review historical sales data, if you have it
  • Analyze customer behavior patterns using industry data, social media, and customer interactions 
  • Consider industry trends, seasonality, and influencers 
  • Monitor competitor activity, sales, and promotions cycles 

By understanding your peak sales time, preparing thoroughly, and implementing strategic e-commerce marketing strategies, you can turn these periods into significant growth opportunities for your small business. Stay focused, be adaptable, and always prioritize your customers’ needs and experiences. With the right approach, your business can thrive during peak times and beyond.

To learn even more from these experts, watch a full recording of the Planning for Peak Sales Time webinar here.

The second Master E-Commerce webinar last fall focused on Managing Inflation and Pricing Strategy for Retail Businesses. Many small business owners have felt squeezed by the challenges in the global economy since at least 2020. Retail businesses have seen increased costs, customers with decreased purchasing power, and significant inflation. 

This webinar featured Marianne Senkowski, Managing Director of Revenue Management Analysis at FedEx, and Viridiana Ponce, a business consultant and food expert who is dedicated to helping small businesses launch and grow. These two experts discussed strategies and tips to help small business owners, particularly in retail and e-commerce businesses, manage inflation and setting pricing strategies to maximize revenue, all without losing their customer base.

In challenging economic times, resilience is key. By implementing an intentional pricing strategy, managing operational costs, and focusing on customer loyalty, small businesses can not only survive but thrive in the face of inflation.

The complete webinar write-up and recording are available here for anyone who missed it or wants to revisit the wealth of information shared. 

 

***Photo courtesy of Accion Opportunity Fund