Cristina's Profile

Bruna, thank you for your post! I agree with you that there are still some opportunities for traditional grocery stores to address the customer needs that e-grocers cannot. Nevertheless, I think that many of these opportunities should include some innovative experiences that include more advanced technology. For instance, in many grocery stores we still get the printed coupons that we have to store and then remember to bring back the next time we go to the grocery store in order to get the discounts. Some store chains already use coupons via mobile app; however it’s not largely widespread. Also, via app, grocery stores could inform their customers of the days in which they are providing specific in-person experiences of cooking and eating. I think grocery should focus on these and other experiences that are up-to-date with our increasing digital world and that help keeping their customers engaged.

I agree with Iryna and Levi that Disney could even more enhance its magic and become more innovative. To this regard, in my opinion MyMagic+ is more addressed to parents than to their children (even though the kids are the ones wearing the band, as seen in the last picture), since many of the benefits it provides (not carrying credit cards, booking FastPass+, unlocking hotel rooms) are more directed to increase the convenience of the adults’ experience rather than the children’s experience. In the end, children are the ones that are more used to live with the most advanced technologies and the ones that will ask their parents to go again to the park if they enjoy the Disney innovative experiences.

Coursera is one of the many online education platforms that universities and organizations in the educational space have launched, and I think it is a great idea to keep up with digitization. However, my concern is how far it can go beyond supplemental courses such as the ones Coursera provides (“make convincing arguments”, “build your own android app”,etc.). Do you think these platforms will start to offer more “complete” programs such as full degrees or MBAs? If that’s the case, do you think they could be equally valued as the ones offered in-person at universities? This might be the future of education – I hope not!

Great post!
I agree that NBCUniversal must embrace a digital transformation however it shouldn’t be in the long term, as you mention, since as time passes platforms such as Netflix and Amazon are gaining market share on the video space. It is unlikely that elder people adapt to the digitalization of TV providers, however it is not the case for younger people. Already two years ago Nielsen reported that streaming video subscribers aged 18-to-34 watch 20% less TV than they used to before signing up for a service and those in the 25-to-54 bracket watch 19% less (http://www.wsj.com/articles/netflix-amazon-have-the-measure-of-tv-heard-on-the-street-1416432393). Thus, NCBUniversal must start engaging their customers with something more than Hulu, which still lags behind its digital competitors Netflix and Amazon. And I believe one key differentiator is content, which is king in video. Thus, I suggest one way to keep them engaged is by creating more interesting content like Netflix does.

Alicia, this is a very interesting post!
You mentioned that Progressive estimates that nearly 80% of the drivers save on average 10-15%. However, it seems odd that just 25% of the customers have opted-in. I believe that, with the increasing use of IoT and personal data gathered by large corporations, people are more and more concerned with the use of their data, and thus regulators are reacting accordingly. Reforms to data protection rules have recently taken place in the EU (http://ec.europa.eu/justice/data-protection/reform/index_en.htm) and I’m sure this is also the case for the U.S. Hence, I disagree with your statement about insurance providers eventually requiring all drivers to participate in usage-based insurance. For this to happen, I believe many regulations should be changed, which seems highly difficult in this moment of data sensitivity. Many people spend several hours a week driving their cars and I’m sure they don’t want to be constantly monitored. Neither does your sister nor do I 😉

Thank you for your post! I agree that, even if USPS doesn’t have the resources that its competitors DHL and UPS have, it can still address how to make its operations more sustainable. I am thinking about what role the end consumer (and recipient of USPS packages) could play towards turning the firm’s operations more sustainable. Maybe incentivize them to recycle the carton/paper from the packages? I am sure there could be several ways to engage the consumers on this!

Thank you for your post Priya. To sko’s comment above, I wonder why you didn’t mention H&M’s program called “Long Live Fashion”, that offers customers a discount in their final purchases if they bring in old clothes (http://www.hm.com/us/garment-collecting). They accept any brand of clothing at any condition, which I find very convenient. I am sure that, although they still encourage people to frequently replenish their wardrobe with new clothes, they are also partially compensating this by recycling their customer’s old clothes.

Very interesting post, thank you for sharing! I’m an intense consumer of GM’s products and I didn’t know about their role in climate change. This makes me think that, like me, millions of people consume (and thus, see) GM’s packages every day. Hence, I thought that, as an additional measure, they could advertise the actions the firm is taking towards sustainability or even educate the consumers by writing different quotes in their packages. This quotes should be short actions that consumer could easily take at home (use less water, control the use of light, etc.). This would also help GM improve its image among consumers. It’s a win-win!

I agree with TPA’s comment about whether people in this industry actually feel the real pressure that climate change can have on them.

You mentioned that the fierce independence of growers will make it difficult for NVVA to make a positive impact by helping them. If they don’t feel real pressure they might not react to this help.Thus, I am wondering whether the NVAA could set some incentives in order to make the different growers take the measures the NVAA is proposing. Maybe offer free resources to help them towards this change? Or make the government subsidize these changes?

Very interesting article, Eric! I didn’t know about all the efforts Marriott is making towards turning into a more environmental conscious company.

One of the efforts you mentioned Marriott is making is investing in education of associates, guests, and partners. Unfortunately, educating people does not always translate into them actually taking measures – many people need incentives in order to change their current behavior.

In a comment above it was mentioned that Starwood has a large sustainability program for its customers that allows them to earn more loyalty points (a big incentive for many guests). I am wondering what could be the incentives for Marriott’s employees to further develop into more sustainable practices (less use of water or light among others). Maybe Marriott could offer them extra days of vacation, bonuses or free nights. I am sure these and other ideas would make them more committed towards Marriot’s goal of turning into a more environmental conscious company.