  We discuss the non-perturbative and the radiative corrections to inclusive B
decays from the point of view known from QED corrections to high energy e^+ e^-
processes. Here the leading contributions can be implemented through the so
called ``radiator function'' which corresponds to the shape function known in
heavy hadron decays. In this way some new insight into the origin of the shape
function is obtained. As a byproduct, a parameterization of the radiatively
corrected shape function is suggested which can be implemented in Monte Carlo
studies of inclusive heavy hadron decays.
