Consumer Behavioral Insights

  Noise in 2006 is an innovation. Every commercial issue in 2006 was full of ads promising innovation if you only bought this or that product. I believe that innovation leads to competitive advantage, and I believe that innovation is the most important success factor in a highly competitive and networked retail business. I also believe that this is the hardest thing a company can do on purpose. Many successful companies tend to have cultures that innovate in organization, development, products, and customer service. While technology does not create this type of culture, it can make it happen. Technology can provide managers with the same version of truth across the company at the same time. Technology can give retail companies the research tools to generate insights. Insights can lead to innovative and exciting consumer opportunities that encourage customers to walk through multiple stores to get to their favorite store. Technology can enable savvy retailers to quickly take advanta...

  China is hot right now. With Europe and North America easing under the continuing pressure of the global financial crisis and Japan in such a predicament, China remains the only major economy with significant medium-term growth prospects. With a middle class now larger than the population of the United States, all with disposable income, China is a desirable market for your goods to trade. Unfortunately, it is no secret that the Chinese market offers significant opportunities. China's potential has attracted many companies from all over the world. All the major western brands are there, with seemingly endless resources and best practices from overseas. Many companies from neighboring Asia are thriving, often with the advantage of proximity, a better understanding of Chinese culture, and a large ethnic Chinese population. And in China, many local businesses have good market share, sometimes with government-imposed profits and a relatively strong understanding of China. And everyon...