For many, the holiday season is a time of reflection, both from a personal and professional standpoint. I won't get too deep into politics and pop culture, but can't reflect on 2016 without thinking about the 2016 US presidential election and the Chicago Cub's finally winning the world series after 108 years. In my professional life I recall the challenges faced and overcome, the triumphs and even missed opportunities. Hopefully there were more triumphs than missed opportunities in your professional life, but reflecting on both can help prepare and potentially create your own opportunities in the new year – particularly if you work in digital commerce. If you're a digital commerce professional, either an online retailer or a B2B seller, last year saw a few milestones that are sure to impact your business in 2017 and beyond.

It's Friday afternoon and, while leaving office, you receive a weather alert on your mobile from your favorite retailer -- a thunderstorm will be in your area in about three hours. Your daughter's birthday is tomorrow and you need to buy few items on your way home. Lucky for you, the retailer has a cognitive agent in its app so you can check to see if you can order your daughter's gift online using the app. You ask the cognitive agent "What I should buy for a 5-year-old girl's birthday?" The agent gives you various options as well as new fashion trends in girls' clothing and provides the popularity of these products.