CEO Global Network Podcast
🎙 Hosted by John Wilson, founder of CEO Global Network and author of GREAT CEOs and How They Are Made, this podcast delivers powerful insights for CEOs and executives looking to grow as leaders and drive lasting success.
Each episode features candid conversations with high-performing business leaders, expert speakers, and industry trailblazers—all focused on sharpening your leadership edge, building resilient companies, and improving your life, your team, and your impact.
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CEO Global Network Podcast
Anindo Dey, CEO of Alibris - Scaling a Global E-Commerce Marketplace While Driving Innovation
In this episode of the CEO Global Network Podcast, John Wilson sits down with Anindo Dey, CEO of Alibris, the leading independent e-commerce marketplace for books and related products. With over eight years at the helm, Anindo shares insights on scaling a global business, managing operations across continents, and how AI is reshaping the book retail and publishing sectors.
From overcoming supply chain challenges to maintaining a customer-first approach that drives profitability, Anindo discusses the importance of building a high-performing, experienced team and fostering an inclusive, accountable workplace culture. He also dives into the future of e-commerce, including AI-driven search and strategic partnerships that are transforming the industry.
Whether you’re a business leader, CEO, or entrepreneur, this episode offers practical strategies and real-world insights on leadership, innovation, and growth in a competitive marketplace.
00:00 – Introduction
John Wilson: Anindo, I can't thank you enough for being on the CEO Global Network podcast today. It's great to see you again.
00:06 – Guest Introduction
Anindo Dey: Great to see you too John.
00:08 – Host Introduces Guest
John Wilson: You are the CEO of Alibris, an industry-leading independent e-commerce marketplace for books and related products. You’ve been there for over eight years now.
00:31 – Question 1: Challenges in Scaling
John Wilson: What are the biggest challenges that you've faced scaling Alibris?
00:46 – Answer
Anindo Dey: Supply chain has always been one of the biggest challenges. As a global business, we had to modernize workflows designed decades ago to meet customer expectations for speed and efficiency.
01:41 – Question 2: Role of AI
John Wilson: How do you see the role of AI and automation evolving in the book retail and publishing sectors?
01:51 – Answer
Anindo Dey: AI is a major enabler for revenue generation, particularly in search. Customers need fast and accurate search results, and AI plays a key role in that front-end efficiency.
02:32 – Question 3: Operational Challenges Across Continents
John Wilson: What has been the biggest challenge in managing operations across different countries?
02:43 – Answer
Anindo Dey: Managing operations virtually during COVID was tough, especially with lease expirations and physical assets. My experienced team stepped in to handle the operations effectively.
03:48 – Question 4: Balancing Profitability with Innovation
John Wilson: How do you balance profitability with innovation and customer experience at Alibris?
04:17 – Answer
Anindo Dey: Customer experience drives everything. A focus on efficient, high-quality service naturally ensures profitability. We maintain 24/7 support and high customer ratings as a key metric.
05:16 – Question 5: Future Partnerships and Technologies
John Wilson: What partnerships or technologies are you most excited about for the future of e-commerce?
05:23 – Answer
Anindo Dey: AI-driven search is a major focus, including the rise of ChatGPT for organic search. This is more technical and predictable than influencer-driven platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
06:58 – Question 6: Fostering Inclusive Culture
John Wilson: How do you foster a strong, inclusive workplace culture in such a globally distributed team?
07:10 – Answer
Anindo Dey: Decision-making is shared through a pyramid structure, empowering diverse teams and creating accountability and ownership. This drives efficiency and success against industry giants like Amazon.
08:30 – Closing Remarks
John Wilson: Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights with us today.
08:52 – Guest Sign-Off
Anindo Dey: Pleasure is mine, John. Thank you for having me.
