Digital Innovation and Transformation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

May 02, 2020

Read The Full Prompt

The COVID-19 outbreak is a tragedy that will have long-lasting implications for our global economy. The pandemic has showcased the value of digital operating models and is likely to force many companies to speed up their digital innovation and transformation.

For this blog post assignment, please consider ONE of the following questions:

  • Identify an organization that was under significant threat from the COVID-19 outbreak but quickly innovated its operating model to mitigate the impact during the crisis. Please describe the capabilities and processes that enabled these changes and any generalizable lessons for other organizations.
  • Identify an organization that has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and recommend how it can leverage digital innovation to grow again.
  • Identify an organization that has experienced significant growth during the outbreak because of its digital operating model. Discuss whether this growth is short term or not and what actions the organization can take to sustain its growth.

Create an approximately 1000-word post to make your contribution on digit.hbs.org by 6 pm on May 2.

Please also respond to and comment on three other posts per assignment. Feel free to use graphics, data, videos, and links to other sites to corroborate your points.

Submitted (79)

Shell: investments in digital transformation to reduce impacts of COVID-19
Andres Perez
Posted on April 28, 2020 at 11:45 am
Energy companies have continuously invested on new technologies. Digital transformation will play a critical role to reduce the negative impacts of COVID-19 and future external shocks.
“Darlin’, we need a new couch. And desk. And chairs.”
Marius Westhoff
Last modified on April 30, 2020 at 6:21 pm
Wayfair – From Covid-19 loser to winner?
Doctolib: fighting covid-19 with digital transformation
Paul-Emile Landrin
Posted on May 2, 2020 at 3:54 pm
The use of teleconsultation has increased by a hundred time since the outbreak. With an exponential growth, and by supporting practitioners and hospitals, Doctolib is building an empire in digital health.
The Mickey in the Digital Middle
Sky Deck
Posted on April 29, 2020 at 8:32 pm
How The Walt Disney Company can adapt to be even stronger
Uber Medics and Uber Work: Limitless opportunities for Uber?
K Fukagawa
Posted on April 30, 2020 at 6:17 pm
While ride-sharing faces a huge decline, Uber has managed to keep its head above water through innovating new services.
Nike: Just do it. Differently!
Reinaldo Fioravanti
Posted on April 30, 2020 at 6:51 pm
Nike is responding to the COVID-19 by leveraging its digital resources to connect athletes with customers, strengthening its digital ecosystem and boosting online sales.
Zillow Falling Flat During this COVID-19 Pandemic
Robert Alexander
Posted on April 29, 2020 at 10:40 pm
“Never let a good crisis go to waste.” – Winston Churchill If only Zillow had the same mentality as Churchill during this global pandemic their actions might have led to a different strategy than the one they are currently pursuing. [...]
Airbnb: To be, or not to be
vertigo
Last modified on April 30, 2020 at 5:06 pm
Airbnb is facing unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19 hit. Even if Airbnb can weather the current crisis, can it sustain its business model?
MEI MEI: Dumplings, Delivery, and Delicious Doggedness
Choplife
Last modified on April 28, 2020 at 11:13 am
For small businesses, it’s not just digital innovation but also the doggedness of the entrepreneurial leader that matters. Mei Mei's team has rallied customers and staff and media to help this business survive.
The Need to Knead: How the “Bread Boom” is Forcing Adaptability
Jon Snow
Posted on May 2, 2020 at 3:16 pm
Cooped up in quarantine, people everywhere are turning to bread-baking for comfort and fun. Unprecedented consumer demand for flour and yeast has strained suppliers, resulting in secondary markets and new businesses leveraging digital platforms.
Nike: Overcoming the Coronavirus Crisis with Digital Ecosystem
Dora Du
Last modified on April 30, 2020 at 1:38 am
Nike is outperforming its peers during this challenging period due to the biggest shifts they’ve made to leverage the strength of their digital ecosystem to help consumers maintain their physical and mental well-being while at home
A24 and the Digital Democratization of Independent Films During COVID
Austen Eliot
Posted on May 2, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Hollywood may be changed forever due to COVID-19's impact on the movie industry. As independent films seem most threatened, will A24 be able to continue to deliver their impactful and esteemed films.
Thirty Madison – Urgent Care before Urgent Profits
Bastian P
Posted on April 27, 2020 at 7:06 pm
A look at Thirty Madison's efforts to utilize their resources for a positive impact in times of COVID-19
Live Nation: how to reproduce the thrill of live music from the comfort of your home
Miguel Dysenhaus
Last modified on May 1, 2020 at 4:15 pm
What can Live Nation do to survive in a context in which all live music events are cancelled throughout the globe and there's no certainty as to when they might be resumed.
Milk Bar continues to bring joy during the pandemic
GDC
Posted on May 1, 2020 at 3:27 am
The award-winning bakery Milk Bar, led by celebrity chef Christina Tosi, has pivoted to using digital content to drive its ecommerce business to beat the pandemic.
Majid Al Futtaim – Innovation in the Face of Threat, Leveraging Synergies across Businesses
DA
Posted on May 1, 2020 at 7:49 pm
MAF Group reacted quickly to the pandemic to support its mall tenants by launching a marketplace to allow them to service their customers online. The company relied on synergies across its businesses to support its swift reaction. Can it keep [...]
Valve and Steam – A Gamer’s Dream
London L.
Posted on May 2, 2020 at 6:04 pm
Valve has recently had a dramatic increase in gamers, but will it last?
COVID: A massive distraction or an opportunity to capture online market share for Target?
Tommy Tom
Last modified on April 29, 2020 at 11:08 pm
The retail industry has been going through tough times since the Great Recession and for many retailers, COVID-19 might be the final nail in the coffin. As the lists of winners and losers in retail are sorted out, a few [...]
Uber- COVID-19 speed bumps puts Uber’s suspension to the test!
Krish Sreedevi
Posted on May 2, 2020 at 12:42 pm
We all know Uber- a company that has achieved "verb" status! However, this doesn't mean that Uber is immune to failure. The COVID-19 pandemic could turn Uber into a "Xerox" of "Blockbuster" ! Or not...?
Lyft-ing Communities, Delivering Hope, and Winning the Rideshare Race
iBot
Last modified on May 2, 2020 at 5:02 pm
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, even the disruptors have been disrupted. Lyft has a unique opportunity to help communities while building a platform for growth, advancing the company's mission to "reconnect people through transportation and bring communities together."
Michaels: The Arts & Crafts Retailer Struggling to Stay Afloat
Jane Doe
Posted on May 1, 2020 at 8:02 pm
The brick-and-mortar retailer is facing large sales declines due to a slow roll out of their e-commerce efforts.
Patreon – From Followers to Paycheck
Leo
Posted on May 1, 2020 at 5:30 pm
Patreon offers alternate income sources to creators during COVID-19
The Sweat Spot Becomes The #SweatFest: a small LA dance studio reinvents itself on Instagram
Jack Q Ma
Last modified on April 29, 2020 at 5:52 pm
The flamboyant LA hippie-ness is accidentally saving humanity from its own insanity. As a stoic New York type who loved hating on LA, I now believe.
Chipotle: Are Burritos Meant to Be Digital?
Kendra T
Posted on May 1, 2020 at 11:46 pm
Chipotle has seen its investment in a digital business model pay off during COVID-19, but will its digital growth be sustainable?