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Thank you for your post! I do think there are some clear benefits to consumers. However, I am still wondering how Samsung will deal with the risk of technology obsolescence. Similar to the iPhone, will consumers need to buy a new refrigerator more often? Given the hefty price, will consumers be willing to purchase an appliance that may be dwarfed by other competition in the future given that there will be significant upgrades in the future (voice control, etc)? It would also be interesting to know more about how Samsung is able to track expiration dates for each product in the refrigerator given that this seems to be a very important feature for consumers.

Thank you for your post! This platform could really help with the overfishing and pirate fishing that happens even though quotas are put in place by fisheries. By holding suppliers accountable for each batch of fish they catch, purchasers and fisheries can both better police and prevent overfishing. This platform also provides benefits to the consumer as well. By having insight into where one’s food comes from, it is easier for customers to make more informed decisions about the food that goes into their bodies. This can also help food retailers fully understand their supply chains to make sure that if an outbreak of a food borne illness does occur, they know exactly which supplier it came from and act swiftly.

Thank you for your post! I agree that the Enterprise platform can really provide benefits to wholesalers and grocery retailers. The ability to manage waste and spoilage is becoming even more important as grocery chains are increasing the amount of perishable items and prepared foods in their stores. For instance, Whole Foods currently has 67% perishables, Fresh Market has 66% and Fairway has 65%[1]. The growth in fresh prepared foods creates additional challenges for grocery retailers as they need greater insights into demand for each type of dish/product and truly understand the cost of waste given that these items typically have a one day shelf life. Digital platforms that allow these retailers to track demand and waste real time can really create competitive advantages in the space.

[1] Company filings

Joy this was a great post! I think it is great that the organization is adapting and incorporating technology into its business model. The Digital Cookie initiative seems like a great way to engage the girls and really give them business and financial exposure. Going forward, I think the Girl Scouts can really make a difference in the future career paths of the girls. They could partner with Girls Who Code and other organizations to give young women the tools they will need to succeed in their future jobs. Given that the number of women holding computing roles has declined from 35% in 1990 to 26% in 2013, the importance of equipping young women with technical skills is more important than ever [1].

[1]http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/27/women-in-tech_n_6955940.html

Thank you for your post. I agree with you that this platform is a democratization of knowledge and has many applications. It seems like this platform could really complement the way schools teach art. In many cases, schools are too far away from many of the iconic museums and galleries and by using the Google Art Project, students have the ability to “walk through” the galleries to see the paintings that they have been learning about. Despite the fact that they are not physically at the site, there is a tangibility factor that makes the learning more interactive. Additionally, I believe smaller galleries could benefit from using this platform as well. Small galleries have had difficulties expanding their collector base and have failed to innovate their business models [1]. By incorporating their pieces onto the Google Art Project, these small galleries increase exposure to potential new customers and can give them the infrastructure needed to really compete on a digital level.

[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-30/why-do-so-many-art-galleries-lose-money-

Thank you for this post. Food waste is definitely a huge issue with grocery chains, especially ones that specialize in a greater percentage of produce and prepared foods. While it is great that Whole Foods has found ways to give away their unused food, I would like to know if they have or are looking into systems that would allow them better insight into customer demand. This way, Whole Foods is really working to face the food waste problem head on and truly match supply with demand, thereby reducing their overall footprint.

Thank you for this interesting article. I had no idea Coca Cola had introduced these initiatives and it sounds like they have had substantial wins thus far. I would be interested to know how the Company is handling the fluctuations in pricing and supply of its commodity ingredients. Echoing our discussion of IKEA, are there ways that the Company can control more of the raw material procurement process to minimize some of the risks?

This article brings up some very interesting points. Ocean acidification and rising sea levels are starting to have a dramatic impact on the ecosystems beneath the water. While I agree that most of the carbon impact comes from the travel to the scuba locations, I wonder about the long term implications of carbon taxes to prevent more individuals from traveling to locations. For instance, will this lead more individuals to evade the legal and regulatory structures and still scuba in the Great Barrier Reef? In doing so, could the lack of oversight cause more damage to the already delicate ecosystem? Further, would scuba divers be interested in exploring artificial environments?

This was a very thoughtful article. I thought Tyson’s diversification into meat substitutes could be a good strategy given the environmental and health impacts of processed meats. In 2015, the World Health Organization declared that processed meats and red meats as carcinogenic. I wonder if these findings will have any impact on long-term consumption patterns and Tyson itself. If so, Tyson may then want to consider adding even more meat substitutes to its product portfolio.

I liked your insights about vertically integrating the coffee production phase. Cacao farmers benefit from learning best practices from more established companies/experts and it seems like coffee producers could also stand to benefit. Additionally, it would be interesting to see if Starbucks changes its to-go packaging from plastics to compostable and biodegradable materials to minimize the impact its product has on the environment.