Harvard Business Review

NOVEMBER 27, 2018

We have algorithms for recommender systems, merchandise buying, inventory management, relationship management, logistics, operations — we even have algorithms for designing clothes! This way the data scientist focuses more on driving business value through testing and learning, and less on technology.

Learning-by-Doing 9

Learning-by-Doing Engineering Metrics Cost 9

Harvard Business Review

AUGUST 8, 2013

Everything from Manga to make-up , and more is being sold in this very simple and direct platform, leveraging additional free technology like WhatsApp (customer service), PayPal, and Square (transactions) to make the business infrastructure as simple as possible.

Company 8

Company Merchandising Entrepreneur Globalization 8

Harvard Business Review

JANUARY 27, 2017

At one American retailer, an autonomous ensemble of algorithms replaced the entire merchandising department. They frequently find the technologies are less of a hassle than the people. It’s a different kind of engineering.” The top-down approach invariably creates interpersonal and inter-process frictions.

Outsourcing 8

Outsourcing Software CAPEX Competitive Advantage 8

Harvard Business Review

OCTOBER 17, 2013

Who doubts Microsoft’s technical core competencies in software, networking and gaming technologies? JC Penney and its failed CEO Ron Johnson had many admirable and effective core retailing and merchandising core competencies. The same is equally and painfully true of Nokia and Blackberry, as well. company like Apple.

Core Competence 8

Core Competence Prahalad Supply Chain Hamel 8

Harvard Business Review

NOVEMBER 19, 2018

And academic research has found that rising industry concentration correlates with the patent-intensity of an industry, suggesting “that the industries becoming more concentrated are those with faster technological progress.” Walmart went from a 3% share of the general merchandise retail market in 1982 to over 50% today.

Software 8

Software Company Competitive Advantage Henderson 8

Harvard Business Review

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

For example, retailers like Wal-Mart and Kohl's are making use of sales, pricing, and economic data, combined with demographic and weather data, to fine-tune merchandising store by store and anticipate appropriate timing of store sales. Consider how the New York Police Department is using Big Data to fight crime in Manhattan.

Real Estate 8

Real Estate Merchandising Retail Chemicals 8

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 26, 2017

Each of these companies has aligned and integrated its culture and brand to create a powerful engine of competitive advantage and growth. As the industry moved toward an emphasis on customer service and merchandising, the company fell behind, because its employees were focused more on increasing inventory turns and sales per square foot.

Brand 8

Brand Company Operations Merchandising 8

Harvard Business Review

FEBRUARY 8, 2013

P&G's vaunted ability to launch breakthrough products isn't just a matter of R&D; it requires an integration of competencies, including consumer insights, engineering, external partnerships and brand marketing. The most distinctive, differentiating capabilities are almost always cross-functional. Frito-Lay Inc.,

Supply Chain 8

Supply Chain Real Estate Short-term Merchandising 8

Harvard Business Review

MAY 4, 2015

Here are a few examples: Gery (some of these are the individuals’ real names; others are pseudonyms) is an IT consultant, freelance writer, engineering technician, freelance marketing and PR consultant, and world-class bullwhip performer.

PR 8

PR Long-term Consultative Career 8

Harvard Business Review

AUGUST 6, 2014

search engine company Inktomi in 2002. Zhou departed in 2005 and went on to found Qihoo 360 Technology, a $12 billion company that now trades on NASDAQ. The previous year the company had generated more than $4 billion in gross merchandise sales through its platform, yielding about $50 million in revenue.

Chief Financial Officer 9

Chief Financial Officer Learning-by-Doing Operations IPO 9