Will Shopify's "Mastery" program destroy its own company?

Last February, Shopify unveiled a compensation policy called "Mastery,"

• It aims to recognize and reward employees who consistently try to improve their skills and dedication within Shopify.

While Mastery seems like an innocent reward system (meant to incentivize excellence and dedication), the way it's implemented has sparked concerns.

Here's the concerns:

• Employees are assigned a numerical score reflecting their "mastery" level.

• Only those whose scores increase during a review period are eligible for a raise.

• This essentially puts colleagues against each other in a competition for limited pay raises.

Shopify emphasizes that Mastery is meant to reward those who go above and beyond, yet some employees perceive it differently.

• They feel the system creates comparisons and hostility, where collaboration might suffer as individuals focus on their own score gains over teamwork.

Experts also warn that a competitive system could backfire in the long run. Consultancy CTOL Digital highlights the risk for less cooperation, a more tense work environment, and difficulties in attracting top talent, all from the pressure to outperform colleagues.

Note that Shopify offers employees the choice between two tracks: individual contributor ("crafters") or manager.

• However, the core issue remains, which is the focus on individual improvement over collective success

Shopsense AI makes TV instantly shoppable

Did you know that 85% of Gen Z use their phones while watching TV?

Shopsense AI is taking advantage of this by making it possible for any TV channel to let you shop while watching.

• They partner with broadcasters and streaming services to create curated online storefronts.

• These virtual stores show products based on the shows, movies or sporting events you're watching.

In the recent CMT Music Awards red carpet pre-show, Paramount Global partnered with Shopsense AI to let viewers shop for items inspired by the hosts' and performers' outfits.

• Viewers simply used a link to access a collection of similar clothing and accessories.

This AI mainly benefits two groups:

• Viewers effortlessly find and buy products seen on TV

• Broadcasters get new advertising and revenue streams (they can use the popularity of their shows to reach a huge audience of people who are already interested in buying)

Shopsense AI is also developing a tool called "Lens":

• It lets you use your phone's camera to snap a pic of something you like on TV and buy it right there.

Here's why the environment (still) needs pre-loved goods

Buying preloved items is becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason.

A report by Carousell Group, a secondhand marketplace platform in Southeast Asia, found that users saved 116,577 tons of carbon emissions in 2022 by choosing preloved goods over brand new ones.

Carousell Group's survey also showed that 55% of those surveyed reported buying and selling more secondhand items in 2022 compared to the year before.

Research by Dami Moon has also showed that people tend to use secondhand items even more frequently than new ones.

The study also found that people are less worried about potential damage on secondhand items, further encouraging frequent use.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emphasizes that reusable products are still the way to go, especially when it comes to tackling plastic waste.

• In the US alone, 40 million tons of plastic waste end up in landfills and oceans every year.

• Daily Mail also found that you'd have to use a reusable bag 7,100 times to make up for all the pollution created when making it.

While reusable products might take a while to offset their initial environmental impact, they're far better than the endless cycle of single-use plastics.