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<h4 id="-"> </h4><h4 id="listen-to-the-full-episode-of-“the-critic's-corner”-podcast-&gt;"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-there-is-a-will-there-is-a-way-with-jasmin-guthmann/id1801794414?i=1000725953323">Listen to the full episode of “The Critic's Corner” Podcast &gt;</a></h4> <hr /> When <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jguthmann/">Jasmin Guthmann</a> joined me for a recording of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cms-critic-the-critics-corner-podcast/id1801794414">“The Critic’s Corner” podcast,</a> I already knew about her impressive professional credentials. We’ve known each other for a few years through our board roles at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/agency-powered-ai-wpp-and-mach-alliance-partner-to-help-brands-win-in-the-age-of-ai">MACH Alliance,</a> and we shared the stage for the opening keynote at the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cms-critic-the-critics-corner-podcast/id1801794414">Boye &amp; Company CMS Summit in Frankfurt</a> earlier this year.What I didn’t know was just how accomplished an athlete she is. Over the years, I've seen periodic LinkedIn posts of her posing with medals at some festive finish lines. As I learned during our call, she’s completed two of the grueling <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ironman.com/races">IRONMAN full-distance triathlons</a> and 12 shorter IRONMAN 70.3 races (the latter are half the distance, but still a massive grind). If you don’t “run” in these circles, the IRONMAN is recognized around the globe as the pinnacle of all triathlons. It’s a punishing 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride, and 26.2-mile marathon rolled up in one race. Only elite athletes attempt this breathtaking competition – and many struggle to even complete it.  Get this: In 2023, she was a Championship finisher, meaning she successfully completed the challenging, long-distance IRONMAN World Championship race within the event's strict time cutoffs. For her next act, she's tackling mindboggling ultramarathons. <figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:47.11%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/09/image-1758140217898.png" /></figure>A medal-moment after completing a 56KM ultramarathon. Source: LinkedIn As a long-distance runner myself with multiple half and full marathons under my belt (along with a bunch of other crazy training distances), I have mad respect for the mental and physical hurdles of such an endeavor. But admittedly, I find her IRONMAN accolades impressive – and even swoon-worthy. Competing at this level was more than a goal for Jasmin. It was a passion. It sparked joy. Still, getting there required a huge commitment. As she told me, it took 15 to 20 hours of training each week, to say nothing of the persistent fatigue, aches, and pains that accompanied it. But like she says: “If there is a will, there is a way.” That’s been a guiding principle for this inspiring trailblazer. Along with her athletic achievements, Jasmin is an accomplished digital leader with deep experience in the CMS space. She spent over three years at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/contentstack">Contentstack</a>, shaping corporate communications and supporting the marketing strategy as the headless player transformed into a composable DXP – one that’s now challenging the top of the market with its agentic vision. But she also worked on the other side of the partner fence. Her agency heritage includes global heavy hitters like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/valtech/posts/?feedView=all">Valtech,</a> and today she’s the Vice President of Composable Consulting at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/accenture-song/">Accenture Song</a> – the technology-powered creative arm of the mammoth professional services firm.As mentioned, I know Jasmin from our intersection within the MACH Alliance. She was a fixture all the way back in 2020, working with co-founder and former Alliance president <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonjakeerl/">Sonja Keerl.</a> As she related to me, their conversations at the time revolved around a common phrase in Jasmin’s lexicon: We’re better together. <h3 id="navigating-change,-from-mach-to-ai">Navigating change, from MACH to AI</h3>But getting to that plateau of collaboration took more than just the planets aligning. There was serious effort involved – and the gut-feeling of knowing when to take a few risks to put things into action. “When we say, ‘Opportunity presents itself,’ it doesn’t just present itself,” she said. “Your hard work is what puts you where the good luck can find you.”During our recording, Jasmin talked about her journey to CMS, which is seldom a straight line. She got frank about the evolution of the MACH Alliance, particularly in the age of AI. We also discussed what’s at stake as vendors compete for the same RFPs and wallet share – and how the agentic race is reshaping the landscape. In the mounting chaos and complexity, the biggest challenge she sees for companies is finding uniformity.She also reflected on the pressures that agencies are under as AI casts the specter of job displacement and automation. There's a lot of uncertainty ahead, but this is a moment for change. Even revolution. “As agencies, we all need to rethink our revenue models,” she said. “Billing by the hour may not be very relevant moving forward. That’s the pink elephant in the room. Who goes first to challenge the market with new models? We're all seeing the same things, and we need to discuss them together.”Jasmin also reflected on her involvement with programs like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/mach-alliance-empowers-gender-equality-with-new-women-in-mach-deib-scoring-tool">Women in MACH,</a> where she's helping to elevate her peers in the technology industry through mentorship and community. It's just another inspiring example of how she has turned passion and resolve into real impact.Here’s a few minutes of the podcast to whet your appetite:<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtu.be/YFr_1UfkTFQ"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YFr_1UfkTFQ" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><h3 id="finding-your-‘true-north’">Finding your ‘True North’</h3>It’s not surprising that Jasmin has now added “author” to her illustrious resume. In fact, there might not be anything she can’t do if she's passionate enough – and that’s kind of the point of her new book. Finding your passion is the key to everything, but to take action, we might need a little help unblocking ourselves. In <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.amazon.com/If-There-Will-Way/dp/1035879395">If There Is a Will, There Is a Way,</a> Jasmine draws on her professional and life experiences, sharing big-picture mindsets and practical ideas for dreaming big, taking bold action, and mastering the behaviors that can lead to success. She gets real about her early challenges, eventually finding a passion that “lit her up like a Christmas Tree.”Jasmin’s story blossoms from the early trauma of losing her father and feeling, in her own words, that “Dreams were not for me. Dreams were for the more fortunate.” And while many labeled her perseverance as brave, she never saw it that way. Instead, she used her pain to build a relatable narrative – and help others.Borrowing from her personal and professional tribulations, Jasmin’s book offers a framework for navigating authentic and illusory goals and uncovering your “True North.” She shares strategies for planning, taking action, and (she says irreverently), “getting shit done.” As she relayed in our conversation, becoming an IRONMAN triathlete required diligence, commitment, and consistency – and she translated those lessons for readers who are eyeing big goals.“We often want to rush things, and we’re setting ourselves up for failure,” she said. “Instead of trying to do it all in a day, instead of running a full marathon, look at the reality and take incremental steps.”As Jasmin explained in the pod, we’re all trapped by the limitations of time. None of us has more than 24 hours in each day, so regardless of your goal – whether it’s business or personal – the real resistance is around making space, and saying “no” is your real superpower.<h3 id="the-finish-line">The finish line</h3>Jasmin Guthmann is a champion – and she keeps breaking through with her personal and professional accomplishments. Much like her IRONMAN training, she's always preparing for the next race, and we're lucky to have smart, motivated people like her helping to shape the trajectory of our industry. Regardless of your field or background, If There Is a Will, There Is a Way is a fantastic primer for inspiring bold action toward your dreams. This book is the real deal: it's honest, authentic, and truly written from the heart. Whether you’re considering a new personal goal (like running a marathon) or a big shift in your career, this quick read will give you practical tools, a relatable foundation, and a whole lot of hope that you can get what you want from life.You can run to your local bookseller and order a copy – <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.amazon.com/If-There-Will-Way/dp/1035879395">or buy it here. </a><h3 id="“the-critic’s-corner”-podcast-with-jasmin-guthmann">“The Critic’s Corner” podcast with Jasmin Guthmann</h3> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-there-is-a-will-there-is-a-way-with-jasmin-guthmann/id1801794414?i=1000725953323">Listen to the full episode &gt;</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cms-critic-the-critics-corner-podcast/id1801794414">Subscribe on Apple Podcasts &gt;</a> <figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:50.07%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/09/critics-corner-apple-podcast-jasmin-guthmann.jpg" alt="" /></figure> <h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

‘If There Is a Will, There Is a Way’: Jasmin Guthmann talks MACH, AI, triathlons, and her new book on living your best life

matt-garrepy

<hr /> Global business transformation agency <a target="_blank" href="https://usw2.nyl.as/t1/154/29ddxp9gsglii7j8p6mnwli8g/3/b2c82cff406369556a3108d566bce2ae32384d8263ed2551e674dfd054ba5201">Valtech</a> today announced it has developed the first connector to act as a bridge between <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/salesforce-unveils-composable-storefront-a-digital-commerce-solution-to-help-retailers-go-headless-fast">Salesforce Commerce Cloud</a> and leading experimentation and digital experience platform <a target="_blank" href="https://usw2.nyl.as/t1/154/29ddxp9gsglii7j8p6mnwli8g/4/82e0e9974cb7f5ba9f69d8830a681273ea0299dd8bdd3a46bbcd62caf449f268">Optimizely</a>. The new connector allows businesses within B2C retail commerce to easily synchronize their products, catalogs, content, and other relevant information between the two platforms. By integrating the connector, businesses eliminate the need for manual data transfers and ensure real-time data consistency, leading to faster time-to-market and the ability to deliver personalized e-commerce experiences to customers. "We’re seeing businesses in B2C retail commerce face various challenges," said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/janaka-fernando-omvp/">Janaka Fernando</a>, Director of Optimizely Practice at Valtech. “They’re reaching a marketing and merchandising dead-end, hitting a wall when it comes to personalization and experimentation, and dealing with lengthy upgrades or migrations of existing Commerce Cloud implementations. The market is changing at an accelerated speed as consumer expectations rise. We launched this connector with Optimizely to help businesses maintain pace with these changes and truly elevate their customer experiences. Our partnership shows that when industry technology players work together, they enable an exciting future for experience innovation."<h3>Increased demand for personalization </h3>According to Salesforce’s <a target="_blank" href="https://usw2.nyl.as/t1/154/29ddxp9gsglii7j8p6mnwli8g/5/bdeffd47c9295c8f8febf849f84c7d733a6286340a8e3e51e1a01f13b9cc2e44">State of the Connected Customer</a> report, 52% of customers expect offers to always be personalized – up from 49% in 2019. As a result, <a target="_blank" href="https://usw2.nyl.as/t1/154/29ddxp9gsglii7j8p6mnwli8g/6/775a7837875a417c5d72d0b2766fbe85cc9b782c9badd2a8dfe93b84a727cced">most retailers</a> (56%) are prioritizing technology that enables customized experiences. With the help of the connector, businesses can leverage advanced <a target="_blank" href="https://cmscritic.com/what-is-a-content-management-system-cms">CMS</a>, experimentation, targeting, and personalization capabilities to optimize their websites or apps, drive better customer experiences, and improve business outcomes. "Valtech's Optimizely to Salesforce Commerce Connector seamlessly unifies two powerful platforms, offering our joint customers an unparalleled blend of capabilities,” said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anielsud/">Aniel Sud</a>, Chief Technology Officer at Optimizely. “Valtech has created an exceptional opportunity for Salesforce Commerce clients, addressing challenges related to customer data activation, personalization, experimentation, and marketing agility, while harnessing the added value of Optimizely. We’re excited to see how this new offering will streamline processes, elevate customer experiences, and drive revenue growth for our clients."  <h3>Powering commerce with CMS</h3>Interestingly, the connector was born from Valtech’s work with a global fashion footwear brand. At its core, the technology enables merchandising opportunities via the CMS by syncing the Salesforce product catalog with Optimizely. It also gives editors rich and highly flexible digital experience management by effortlessly serving Optimizely CMS content through Salesforce Commerce Cloud. All of these benefits provide businesses with the ability to personalize their engagements using real-time customer segments and achieve faster time-to-market.In terms of performance, the connector accelerates a typical project from start to dev completion within 60 days. Once deployed, it synchronizes a typical 4,500-product catalog in 5 minutes and keeps it up to date so marketers can focus on merchandising. Content from Optimizely to Salesforce Commerce Cloud can be loaded in milliseconds, providing a fast response to optimize performance. Real-time personalization can also be delivered using ODP segments to the client – without any performance costs. The development of the connector was a joint venture between Optimizely and Valtech, and has been validated by their internal SMEs. It complements other accelerators that Valtech is developing for Salesforce. While Valtech will be performing customer implementations, they are currently verifying it through Optimizely’s Marketplace.The accelerator is currently accepting early access participants and will be available for GA by the end of this year. <h3>Announced at Opticon 2023</h3>The new connector was announced today at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.optimizely.com/opticon/">Opticon San Diego 2023</a>, where Valtech is conducting live demos. According to Fernando, the company is bullish about the connector's potential to help both existing customers and new prospects – not just in B2C, but B2B as well.“This is a tremendous opportunity for Valtech to grow its footprint in the market. It will of course be beneficial for existing customers, but will also be an excellent way to help us improve the customer experience and increase conversion and operational efficiency for new Salesforce customers.”There's also a plan to make the connector available to other CMS platforms in the future. Valtech's marketing science practice is already implementing Optimizely experimentation with other platforms. “We’re driven to continue to innovate in this space and use our learnings across all platforms,” Fernando said, “and we expect to do so with this accelerator as well.”In addition to demoing the connector at Opticon San Diego, Valtech will also be presenting at Opticon London and Opticon Stockholm. More details can be found <a target="_blank" href="https://usw2.nyl.as/t1/154/29ddxp9gsglii7j8p6mnwli8g/7/f3f26b20b817b396c425a51f43389be1a7e708a9e2a210f66856b9bef9f55ece">here</a>.

Valtech Launches First Connector to Seamlessly Integrate Salesforce Commerce Cloud with Optimizely

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‘If There Is a Will, There Is a Way’: Jasmin Guthmann talks MACH, AI, triathlons, and her new book on living your best life

Valtech Launches First Connector to Seamlessly Integrate Salesforce Commerce Cloud with Optimizely