[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2024\/12\/20\/the-cats-meow-2024-best-content-of-the-year\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2024\/12\/20\/the-cats-meow-2024-best-content-of-the-year\/","headline":"The cat’s meow: Our favorite reads and top picks for best content of the year","name":"The cat’s meow: Our favorite reads and top picks for best content of the year","description":"Our favorite reads 2024 includes thought-provoking posts about AI, mind-blowing perspective on quantum computing, and the top trends in sustainability.","datePublished":"2024-12-20","dateModified":"2025-10-16","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/marcia-yusavage\/#Person","name":"Marcia Yusavage","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/marcia-yusavage\/","identifier":298,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f9929f6ff16e34cd6d43daf18411658f8565960b4c0fd78662963005f1aa9afb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f9929f6ff16e34cd6d43daf18411658f8565960b4c0fd78662963005f1aa9afb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Future of Commerce","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","width":172,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/best-reads-2024-FTR-2.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/best-reads-2024-FTR-2.jpg","height":375,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2024\/12\/20\/the-cats-meow-2024-best-content-of-the-year\/","about":[{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/marketing\/content-marketing\/","name":"Content Marketing","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Content_marketing","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q558685"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/customer-experience\/customer-experience-general\/","name":"Customer Experience","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Customer_experience","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q984142"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/commerce\/e-commerce\/","name":"E-Commerce","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/E-commerce","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q484847"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/commerce\/industries\/","name":"Industries","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Industry","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q2976602"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/marketing\/","name":"Marketing","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Marketing","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q39809"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/commerce\/sustainability\/","name":"Sustainability","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sustainability","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q219416"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/purpose\/thought-leadership\/","name":"Thought Leadership","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Thought_leader"]}],"wordCount":1151,"keywords":["AI (Artificial Intelligence)","Commerce","Content Marketing","E-commerce","Industry","Thought Leadership"],"articleBody":"As we put another year behind us and brace for the next, it’s time for the annual list of our favorite reads of the year.Despite all the headwinds\u2014like Google’s puzzling and infuriating algorithm changes and AI-generated content popping up online that reads suspiciously familiar\u2014we at the Future of Commerce persevered.After 11 years, we remain dedicated to our core mission of being a thought leadership site with diverse topics and points of view, all presented with our trademark eye-catching design.In 2024, we published practical advice across a broad range of industries, thoughtful commentary, and continued to publish explainer posts to help demystify topics like PLM vs. PIM and data clean rooms. We didn’t have as much bandwidth to write breaking news, but covered some big stories, including the hotel worker strike, holiday spending predictions, and Google dropping its plan to eliminate third-party cookies.It’s always hard to choose, but here are some of our favorite reads of 2024.All about AI: Favorite readsAs writers, we can’t say we’re big fans of AI-generated copy, but since AI is THE topic in boardrooms today, we covered it from all angles in 2024.AI customer experience: Doing AI versus actually being an AI organizationWith all the hype around AI, there’s a stampede to use it for anything and everything. But we can always count on Constellation Research‘s Liz Miller to tell it like it is. Her insightful piece sheds light on the truth no one talks about: getting the benefits of AI requires real change in an organization.Clippy, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore: AI copilots for your sales teamSales teams are super excited about the promise of AI, and SAP’s Steven Spears explained just why in his post about the technology’s practical applications in sales. His work inspired one of our favorite images and headlines of the year.AI agents are coming: Is digital commerce ready for business-to-agent interactions?In 2024, we were thrilled to welcome back one of our favorite contributors, Randy Kohl of Smith Commerce. His provocative piece about how AI agents will alter commerce is a shining example of thought leadership at its best.      Retail trends 2025: All eyes on AI as tough competition and price sensitive customers test industry                While inflation may have slowed, consumers remain price sensitive as retailers look to AI to drive growth. The top trends for the retail industry include AI-driven personalization and omnichannel integration.      Perspectives across industriesIn 2024, we ramped up our coverage of industries, publishing guidance and perspective from SAP experts and others on AI and other hot topics.How to attract and retain young talent in construction and transportationJulie Brown, product marketer extraordinaire, penned this super interesting article about a huge shift happening as more young people look towards vocational and trade schools instead of a traditional four-year college degree.AI in wholesale distribution: Finding human-machine synergyIn their excitement about the potential of AI to transform business, distributors need to consider their workers and find a balance, Marie-Anne Bailey of SAP wrote in her thoughtful debut post.Top 5 banking industry challenges in 2025\u00a0A news story about supposed data theft from the US Federal Reserve inspired this comprehensive post by SAP’s Falk Rieker about all the challenges plaguing the banking industry.Fashion technology: 7 startups strutting innovation and growthSAP’s Lior Weizman provided a fascinating look into startups that are driving innovation in the fashion industry with cutting-edge technology.      How monolithic and composable commerce platforms can coexist                Both modernized monolithic and composable commerce platforms have their places in the digital ecosystem, each catering to different business needs.      Favorite reads: Working towards sustainabilitySustainability is a core topic for us, and in 2024, we kept a close eye on trends promoting better stewardship of the planet and its people.Beyond plastic recycling: What businesses need to do to reduce waste, for realWith so much plastic still ending up in landfills and polluting the oceans, pressure is growing on businesses to go beyond traditional recycling. Emily Morrow wrote our favorite lead of the year in this recycling reality check.Inside the recommerce trend: Everything old is new againHaving covered the recommerce trend since its early days, Emily’s an expert on the subject. In this update\u2014a must-read for retailers\u2014 she shows how far the trend has come.The energy transition: Definition, benefits, trends in renewable energySlowly but surely, the transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy is happening SAP’s Brent Potts provided an in-depth post that explained everything you need to know about this critical global trend.      Packed with purpose: Sustainable packaging examples, stats, and how-to tips                As 85% of single-use plastic packaging ends up in landfills, brands are looking to reduce their environmental impact through sustainable packaging.      From mind-blowing concepts to tortured poetsOur favorite reads of 2024 illustrate the breadth of our coverage, from techie topics to workplace culture and Taylor Swift.Ready for quantum commerce? How quantum computing could impact e-commerceIn this eye-opening article, Randy Kohl considers the potential impact of what seems to be the stuff of science fiction\u2014quantum computing\u2014on the way we do business online.Whatever, nevermind: Generation X: Years, stats, work, spending trendsWhile published at the end of 2023, Marcia Savage’s piece on Generation X RESONATED hard with audiences, making it our most-viewed piece of 2024. The post is both factual and poetic, weaving the story of an unseen generation with stats, data points, and content that enticed readers to stay until the very last word.This content is hosted by a third party ( player.simplecast.com ).To view the content, either update your cookie preferences or view it in a new browser window.Cookie PreferencesNew WindowVibes over productivity? Meet the personality hireIf you\u2019ve scrolled #CorporateTikTok, you\u2019ve probably seen the personality hire. If not, you may want to sit down \u2013 just in case you’re about to realize that you’re a personality hire. Emily Morrow takes a deep dive on the personality hire: someone who was hired for their temperament, rather than their technical skills.A tale of two work cultures: French vs. American outlooks and realitiesWith Paris playing host to this year\u2019s Summer Olympic Games, France was in the spotlight, inspiring Erin McClure to write this terrific post about the sharp differences between America and French work cultures. (For instance … did you know the French have a lunch culture? We didn’t, either).The Tortured Poets Department songs for work: TTPD lyrics that have us screamingWhat would the year be without a Taylor Swift post from our fearless leader Editor in Chief Jenn Vande Zande, who again proves the power of the superstar’s music to resonate.  Happier customers. Simpler processes. AND a 300% INCREASE in online order revenue.The future of commerce is\u00a0HERE."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2024","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2024\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"12","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2024\/\/12\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"20","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2024\/\/12\/\/20\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"The cat’s meow: Our favorite reads and top picks for best content of the year","item":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2024\/12\/20\/the-cats-meow-2024-best-content-of-the-year\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]