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Interesting reading. I think that media companies are one of the most challenged with digitalization. Just think about it, several years ago we basically consumed news as television, radio or printed newspapers. Printed channels had many barriers to entry as distribution networks, investment in printing facilities, journalists etc. Today, we barely pay for news. With the internet and cellphones, we are connected in real time with the world and a new platform has emerged, a platform in which the field is leveled for both small and big players as the distribution of information is much easier. Having said that, the interesting part of the story is how the media companies, like The Wall street Journal, adapt to this new environment. I like that you suggest to have a varied pricing to make easier the new customers acquisition process; however, I also agree with you that the most important thing they have to do is producing quality content. Internet is flooded with free news, but quality is not necessary the best.

Amanda, thanks for your article. Very interesting to know how technology is also helping humans take care of our planet. I think that WWF’s mission and efforts are incredible! This organization is fighting to create a world in which humans and other species can live together in a sustainable way. WWF efforts against poaching using digitalization are remarkable; however, I think that we must do much more.

According to National Geographic (1), central Africa has lost 64% of its elephants in only one decade. This implies that by 2025 we could have no elephants. This horrible situation is happening because the ivory trade in Asian countries has grown to become a billion-dollar business. With such high incentives and low budget to fight poachers, chances are low for elephants. Having said that, I like a lot that Google.org made a $5M USD contribution to the cause, but just to put things in perspective, this investment vs a billion-dollar business is like a drop in the sea. So, besides technology appliances to protect elephants (which are great and very important), I think we should focus on eliminating this market. Ivory should be illegal everywhere! In my opinion, the most profitable investment we could make is one that eliminates the root cause. In the meanwhile, great to know that digitalization will help our gray giants!

(1) http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/08/140818-elephants-africa-poaching-cites-census/

Chantal, great article! It’s always good to read how the new technologies are not only creating value for those at the top but also having a big impact in vulnerable communities. Even though I find this very exciting and I know that Zipline is testing the model in Rwanda to continue improving with the learnings, I believe there is a lot of work pending to be done before drones can reshape the healthcare industry. According to Mayo Clinic (1), drones hold great promise for medical products transport but the field is still in its infancy. There are several risks associated, like the number of aircrafts that could fly at the same time, how to install coolers to make sure that blood or certain medicines preserve their properties, and government regulations as you mention. The good thing is that companies are exploring the area and in the near future we will have new capabilities to improve health services in many regions of the world, saving many human lives!

(1) http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/clinical-updates/trauma/medical-drones-poised-to-take-off

Very interesting article about Groupon! I’ve used it several times in my life and I recognize that it offers great deals for customers. In one hand, I agree with you that more than a tech company Groupon is a sales and marketing company. They have created a model in which companies can find a good trial and promotion mechanism which is very easy to use. In the other hand, I do think that they don’t have many barriers of entry and their business model is very replicable and not sustainable in the long term. Only in Mexico City, as of today, I know 4 companies that do what Groupon does. As a result, my question for Groupon’s leadership team is: How are you going to evolve your business model to make it sustainable in the long term? Can’t wait to see what this smart people will do. In the meantime, I’ll get a Groupon!

Great article! As frequent traveler I can’t imagine my life without Google Maps. It has made my life not only efficient but also easier. Talking about efficiency, I want to share a personal history. Mexico City’s traffic is CRAZY and unpredictable! Google Maps has helped me reduce the amount of time I am in the car telling me which is the most efficient rout to use at any time. Talking about how easy it is to use, let’s remember how complex it was in the past to move in a new city. You needed to buy a paper map and later try to find where you were and later carefully design the most efficient route without taking into account traffic conditions. With Google Maps you can do all these steps with few clicks! Finally, as you mention, I wonder what is the future of this application. Will Google be able to create 3D maps of instore areas, like shopping malls? Can’t wait to see how maps continue doing my life easier!

Thanks for your article. I liked it a lot! In the one hand, it is amazing to read that BMW is working hard to offer electric-powered options in all the segments in which it competes. As BMW lover, I think this move is great as the company will be able to compete in a growing segment while reducing complexity in production lines (as you mention, many parts of the car are actually removed) and generating less impact in the environment. In the other hand, I still think that BMW, and the rest of auto manufacturers, have to work harder to bring electronic-powered cars closer to the entire population. By closer, I mean having cheap options for low income consumers. On average, one car with this technology costs $43,500 dollars which is unaffordable for a big part of the population. In my opinion, electric-powered cars are currently a luxury item rather than a car. There is a lot of work pending to be done to change this a create a real and meaningful impact in the world.

It is great to read how an important player in the food and consumer packaged goods industry, like Unilever, is making significant progress to reduce its environmental impact. I like the way you position the efforts and provide an overall perspective of the situation; however, I would have liked to read more detail on the specific interventions, besides joining international committees, that the company is doing to reduce their footprint. I am sure that they are taking similar actions of those of the CPG industry leader, P&G, like working on product innovation to help consumers be more environmental friendly or making sure that their palm oil supply chain does not deforest. In addition, it’s great to read how a CEO of a huge corporation is putting sustainability as priority for a company in a very competitive industry. I think he is giving an example to others CEO’s on how matching growth targets and sustainability are not divorced objectives.

Great article! It provides a clear and concise overview of the main efforts that PepsiCo is doing to address climate change challenges. After reading your article and as Lays loyal consumer, I think that the company should focus on expanding their sustainable agriculture practices to continue reducing the use of fresh water. It is very shocking to know that agriculture is responsible of 70% of the global fresh water consumption and there is not too much media attention to bring political action on this problem.

I like the idea of a big player, like PepsiCo, taking aggressive actions to move in the sustainable agriculture field as it can easily become a role model for other companies in the industry. Finally, even though PepsiCo has made significant progress, I think that there are still many things to do, for instance, an intervention to reduce the amount of plastic used in bottles or a new technology that makes a material that decomposes faster.

As someone who loves cruises, I like the topic you chose. However, I think that cruise companies, including Carnival, are not doing enough to reduce their impact on climate change. Did you know that the cruise industry is responsible for at least 17% of the worldwide emissions of nitrogen oxides (One of the gases responsible of global warming)? (Please see the following link for more information: http://ecobnb.com/blog/2013/07/how-does-cruise-ships-impact-on-the-environment/)

In addition, according to the same source, cruises CO2 emissions can be up to 1000 times more than those of a train. As a result, I think that as responsible citizens we have to find new ways of entertaining/traveling that do not affect as much the environment. Regarding the cruise companies, I feel that all the things they are doing are either because they help reduce costs or because they don’t want to get media attention for their emissions and don’t have a compelling plan to respond. In the other hand, as MBA student, I understand that these companies have to make profit and generate good results for their investors.

As Latin American, I grew up going to Miami every summer both to shop and to visit my family. I also fall in the statistic of latinos buying properties in Miami, as my relatives held some properties in Florida as investments. As a result, I agree with you that many Latin Americans see this great city as a great place to invest in real state. It is important to mention that this tendency is not just because; political instability and currency devaluation have forced Latin Americans to seek new horizons for their investments.

I also like the name you chose for your article and I think it reflects the reality of the real state situation in Miami. According to an article published by the newspaper Miami Herald, In 2015 50% of South Florida real state buyers were from Latin America (See the following link for more details: https://www.miamire.com/docs/default-source/international-articles-and-advertisements/intl-article-2016-02-10-miami-herald.pdf?sfvrsn=2) Especially from Venezuela, supporting my previous point on political instability and currency devaluation influence. I would like to have read more about what other cities in similar flooding risk are doing. For instance, you could have compared what NYC is doing vs what Miami is doing. I also think that is very complex to ask our politicians to communicate something that will happen in 75 years, when we currently have many urgent matters to work on. I’m not saying is not important, I’m only stating that I understand the natural response to focus on what help them gain votes in the short term.