Offcuts Ep 151: Is System Design A Luxury Or A Necessity For Modern Brands? with Luke Hodgson co founder of Commerce Thinking & High Cohesion
Apr 23, 2025
Luke Hodgson, co-founder of Commerce Thinking and High Cohesion, dives into the critical nature of system design for modern brands. He discusses whether it's a luxury or a necessity, stressing the importance of establishing systems from the outset. The conversation touches on the impact of AI, common pitfalls brands face, and the significance of aligning processes with business goals. They also explore the relationship between system design and geopolitical issues, particularly how trade tensions influence branding strategies.
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Systems Design Defined
- Systems design for brands includes tools, processes, and outcomes working together.
- It's not just tech but also the people and workflows enabling business goals.
Start Systems Design Early
- Founders should consider systems design from day one.
- Early planning for 12-24 month growth helps scale smoothly and avoid complexity traps.
Plan Before Expanding Channels
- Avoid expanding channels or inventory locations without proper system design to track actuals.
- Plan operations and reporting upfront to prevent operational chaos and poor data.
