How Passenger launches new markets in weeks with AI-powered translations

No one has been more sceptical of AI than me. AI isn't a shiny tool; despite how distracting it can feel, it is a new ingredient that we can add to the mix and create Operational Leverage.

Optimising your listings before investing your ad spend on new markets is a crucial checklist item. Without it, you'll get visitors but fewer conversions and miss out on the SEO opportunity.

This is how we've been using Airtable AI-powered Translations to enable Passenger Clothing, CurrentBody, and (very soon) Represent to translate their stores and launch in new markets.

The biggest win is how the translation workflow centres around the person using it—it's human-centric. Productivity author Cal Newport called for a Human API Manifesto, similar to how Amazon built its systems with an API Manifesto. Solving this problem for ecommerce, particularly around product data, is gold because the handoffs (interfaces) couldn't be less automated and streamlined.

It's all about creating Operational Leverage. Taylor Holiday considers it one of only three genuine competitive advantages alongside a large social audience, e.g., professional athletes, and margin leverage, e.g., a 95% margin on jewellery. I enjoyed listening to him on the 9Operators podcast, and you will, too.

Vendor Highlight: Pretty Damn Quick

Meet PrettyDamnQuick (PDQ), a company transforming the seemingly straightforward world of Shopify checkout into a powerhouse of innovation. Led by Avi, their CEO and Co-Founder, PDQ uses an experimental approach and rigorous A/B testing to optimize and enhance the checkout experience for profit uplifts and improved customer experiences. Avi’s deep-dive videos on LinkedIn and X provide a clear glimpse into how they’re making a real impact.

Read more about them here or schedule a demo here now.

On the topic of ERP

• Have you outgrown your all-in-one? Here is how to plan for a change.
• How to assess whether to replatform from your ERP
• Checklist for buying mission-critical software for your 8-figure brand

🔥 The Miro template that changed the game for Sean

👋 The intro deck to what we do at Nolo Apps

💬 How we do Tech Stack Reviews & Workshops

🔍 Start your search for new tools here

If you're tech-stuck, curious about Airtable, or want to chat about something else, you can book time with me here.

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Thanks, Oliver