Competing with Data

March 23, 2021

Read The Full Prompt

Many organizations use large data and data analytics as an essential asset in their business. Think about how Waze collects and analyzes millions of queries every day to estimate traffic flows, or UPS uses hundreds of thousands of sensors to track millions of packages each day to feed users information about the progress of their shipments.

For this assignment, please choose a company that uses large data or data analytics to enhance its business. In other words, big data can be valuable in the context of offering a service or as a complement to another business process. What type of processes generate and renew that asset? What type of investments and process put that asset to use, and creates value for the company? How does the company capture value from large data and analytics? What challenges did the company have to overcome to make use of the assets? What challenges and opportunities do you anticipate for the company in the near term?

Devote most of the space to value creation, but feel free to make observations about aspects of the value capture strategy. (Once again, to make it interesting, please stay away from big data use by the big five – Amazon, Google, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft.)

Create an approximately 750 word post to make your contribution by March 23 at 6 p.m.

Please also respond to and comment on three other posts by March 24 at 8 a.m. Feel free to use graphics, data, videos and links to other sites to corroborate your points.

Selected posts will be discussed in class and also featured on the HBS Digital Initiative website.

Please prepare a 2-3 min summary of your blog post before class.

Submitted (33)

BCG – Putting Data at the Forefront of Consulting Services
Shekeyla Caldwell Sandore
Posted on March 23, 2021 at 5:55 pm
Many companies recognize the growing need for data but less have the capabilities to manage and implement their data. That’s where BCG comes in.
Disney Magic with Big Data
Almas Kaptagayev
Posted on March 22, 2021 at 7:58 pm
“Technology is lifting the limits of creativity and transforming the possibilities for entertainment and leisure.” - Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company
How Instagram Keeps Users Scrolling For More
Julia Kalanik
Last modified on March 21, 2021 at 11:04 pm
Instagram is using data analytics to keep us scrolling - but at what cost?
SpaceX: Enabling Space Exploration through Data and Analytics
Juan Carlos
Posted on March 23, 2021 at 3:07 am
SpaceX has disrupted the space industry by making launches more accessible – data has been key to their success
Whoop: Operationalizing Fitness Data to Help Athletes
Omar Aboulezz
Last modified on March 22, 2021 at 4:49 pm
Whoop is a fantastic subscription based fitness monitor that gathers and analyzes over 1,000 more data than its competitors and delivers personalized insights to its fanatical customers.
The Business of Predicting and Winning Elections
Daniel Campos
Last modified on March 22, 2021 at 10:50 pm
How data brokers and cutting-edge social science have reshaped the modern political campaign.
Nike: It’s Data Analytics, Just Do It
Francisco Cortes
Last modified on March 23, 2021 at 7:32 pm
Nike has proven itself since its start as a leader in innovation. It redefined shoe design and global supply chains. Now it is revolutionizing retail and sportswear through data analytics.
23andMe… and ~10 million other DNA samples
Julia Loughlin
Posted on March 23, 2021 at 9:47 am
23andMe has transformed its massive database into a research and revenue engine.
Eaze: Leveraging Data Analytics in the Cannabis Industry
Karl Njeim
Posted on March 22, 2021 at 11:34 pm
Eaze is a cannabis marketplace and delivery service that has enabled data-driven decisions in a nascent yet rising industry. While the industry still faces a lot of challenges, Eaze is helping alleviate some of these challenges
Tala – How data boosts access to credit for low-income individuals in emerging economies
Giulia Zaratti
Last modified on March 23, 2021 at 11:26 am
Tala is a data science company that provides micro-loans ranging from $10 to $500 to low-income individuals in emerging markets. Only 69% of adults worldwide (63% in emerging economies) have an account at a financial institution or through a mobile [...]
How Square Capital uses traditional and non-traditional data sources to extend loans to merchants
Molefe Choane
Posted on March 23, 2021 at 5:20 pm
Square was able to democratize small business lending by using traditional banking methods as well as using machine learning algorithms to better underwrite small businesses .
Game, set, match! How an assistant referee can boost fan engagement.
Tim Meulemeester
Last modified on March 23, 2021 at 2:42 pm
Hawk-eye made Tennis win the game!
Siemens MindSphere: Gathering and Interpreting IIoT Data
Rolando
Posted on March 23, 2021 at 4:06 am
Siemens MindSphere provides manufacturers with a platform that helps them manage the vast amounts of data they generate.
Starbucks: From Coffee Machines to Machine Learning
Stéphane V
Last modified on March 22, 2021 at 9:08 pm
With more than 20 million regular users on its US app, Starbucks collects more data in any single day than it serves Latte Machiattos. The result is a highly personalized, well-designed customer experience: “With whipped cream, as usual, I assume? [...]
ASOS: Meeting Your Fashion Needs with Data
Surabhi
Last modified on March 23, 2021 at 5:47 pm
ASOS is a British online fashion and cosmetic retailer. It reported a revenue of 3.3B GBP for the FY 2020 (19% growth over LY)[1]. The online retailer boasts of a highly data driven culture and attributes much of its growth [...]
Tesla: A Data driven future
Vikram Singh
Posted on March 23, 2021 at 5:57 pm
A brief look at how tesla leveraged data to become one of the most valuable auto manufacturers in such a short time
The Perfect Blend: Starbucks and Data Analytics
Max Pakapol
Posted on March 23, 2021 at 5:12 pm
Every day, Starbucks grinds through mounds of coffee beans to serve its customers. In doing so, the company has also been collecting mounds of data that could be used to improve customer experience and business performance. In this article, we [...]
Entera: Tuned-in to what SFR real estate investors want
Kyle R
Posted on March 22, 2021 at 10:10 pm
Entera is empowering investors to buy thousands of homes among hundreds of thousands of options.
Nubank’s data-driven decision making: democratizing data access for any internal team
Bruno Novarini
Posted on March 23, 2021 at 2:35 pm
As a former employee of Nubank both in an operations role and in a product management role, I have seen firsthand the power and the challenges of enabling data access to any internal team member to unlock data-driven decisions at [...]
Netflix: a streaming giant’s big data approach to entertainment
Vartan Pahalyants
Posted on March 24, 2021 at 2:38 am
Netflix used data analytics in its transformation from a DVD-renting service to the world's most valuable media company
How a traditional Brazilian Bank is using its big data to differentiate itself
Marcos
Last modified on March 23, 2021 at 12:14 pm
iti was born as a digital payment solution destined to become a full-fledged digital bank. The app had a clear mission to leverage Itau’s data in order to create value for consumers and merchants.
Symrise: AI to create new perfumes
Kanako Sakai
Posted on March 23, 2021 at 4:21 pm
For a long time, fragrances have been created by talented perfumers all over the world. Now, AI analyzes the formula and creates new scents that have a high success potential.
Duolingo: Language Learning through Deep Learning
Cristina Gallotto
Last modified on March 23, 2021 at 4:37 pm
Duolingo presents as a cutesy, unassuming layout on your screen. But here's how one of the largest language learning platforms masterfully utilizes machine learning and data to fuel core business functions.
Boxed: Boxing Out The Competition with Data Analytics
John V.
Last modified on March 23, 2021 at 12:37 am
Since its launch 8 years ago, Boxed has sent out tens of millions of boxes of groceries, and has been valued at over $600M. Big Data played an integral part.
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