Eric Jacobson

JANUARY 22, 2012

You can learn from Recreational Equipment Incorporated , better known as REI -- an outdoor gear and apparel co-op. As described in Amy Lyman's new book, The Trustworthy Leader , REI concisely articulates its core values in this series of statements: Authenticity -- We are true to the outdoors. So what makes it different at REI?

Reis 66

Reis Apparel Examples Ethics 66

In the CEO Afterlife

MARCH 26, 2012

For brands that are not first-in, conventional wisdom suggests creating a better product than the leader. However, the energy drink category is not about product differentiation. An entire chapter is spent on avoiding the urge to “line extend” versus creating unique new products.

Reis 240

Reis Brand Apparel Energy 240

Harvard Business Review

NOVEMBER 1, 2016

CQ tries to assess what draws customers to certain brands, like REI, Wegmans, Dove, and Marriott. Take REI, for example. Last year REI announced it was closing all its stores on Black Friday to encourage employees and consumers to spend the day outdoors with their families and friends. increase in revenue, to $2.4

Brand 8

Brand Reis Loyalty Bottom-up 8

Harvard Business Review

MAY 14, 2015

As a practitioner of a design-led form of product development, and in my own research and writing about an empathetic approach to product design, I’m overtly critical of the Lean manifesto. While many startups fail because of poor execution, I would argue that the majority fail because their product has no market.

Productivity 8

Productivity Products Reis Definition 8

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 22, 2016

PwC has observed that niche products, experiences, and services uniquely suited to individual tastes, interests, and aspirations have become “the new consumer indulgence.” Ikea uses its warehouses to stage fully furnished rooms where people can experience its products in situ and get decorating ideas.

Retail 9

Retail Discount Reis Supply Chain 9