Austin

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San Antonio Spurs’ Data-Driven Approach to Win Games
Austin
Last modified on November 22, 2015 at 6:58 pm
The San Antonio Spurs were recently named "Best Analytics Organization" at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. How has the big data revolution impacted the NBA and how has it helped the Spurs in creating value?
Intrade: Crowdsourced Wisdom?
Austin
Posted on November 1, 2015 at 11:03 pm
Intrade leveraged the wisdom of crowds by allowing users to bet on future world events and displaying shockingly accurate predictive power in the process.
Textbook Network Effects: How Instagram Achieved Instagrowth
Austin
Last modified on October 5, 2015 at 12:01 am
Instagram is the textbook example of how a business initially attracts users in the absence of network effects and quickly grows by leveraging those network effects.
How Little Roku Dethroned the Big Apple… But Can They Stay On Top?
Austin
Last modified on October 19, 2015 at 6:03 pm
Roku's open platform, close relationship with Netflix, and seamless user experience catapulted them to King in the U.S. But will they persist?

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On December 1, 2015, Austin commented on How Little Roku Dethroned the Big Apple… But Can They Stay On Top? :

Apple has always targeted the more premium user in their products. Nobody has ever beat them simply because their product was just cheaper.

Price certainly is a factor when consumers choose which device to buy, but to ignore the open platform (thousands of more channels and options), Apple’s limited updates, Roku’s close relationship to Netflix, and a more customized UX and just chalk it up to “PRICE” falls way short of comprehensive analysis.

On December 1, 2015, Austin commented on Crowdsourcing Entertainment: has Amazon found the Magic Bullet for Content Creation? :

It’s an interesting method that has its benefits, but I’m skeptical it will help Amazon studios in the end. Amazon desperately needs a tent-pole show (a high quality blockbuster show) that drastically moves its reputation. It’s a typical blockbuster strategy that keeps rearing its ugly head of increased probability of success. I’m not sure this crowdsourced approach will help to that end.

On December 1, 2015, Austin commented on Everyone on the Internet is an Expert :

This post resonates. You certainly do pick up a lot of garbage in a crowdsourced effort, but the process works relatively well for a certain type of question. It’s amazing how easy (and quick) it is to ask a question online and get a great answer. I definitely trust Quora answers more than Yahoo answers.

On November 22, 2015, Austin commented on DoorDash; Delivery Made Better by Data :

Nice post. We really like DoorDash and have been interested in how it successfully gets these many moving pieces working effectively. I always wondered how it used data to accomplish this, and it sounds like it is integral to their performance.

On November 22, 2015, Austin commented on Slice: ‘data exhaust’ and creating value from byproducts :

Slice is really interesting. I wonder how these barriers (and lack of) will impact this industry in the long run.

On November 22, 2015, Austin commented on Caesar’s Entertainment: What happens in Vegas ends up in a $1billion database :

Really interesting. I’ve always suspected casinos optimize basically everything about their operations based on consumer data. This loyalty program is a really interesting way to use data so effectively.

On November 22, 2015, Austin commented on NBA introduces big data to push league to next level :

Great post. NBA Teams certainly do believe they can gain a competitive edge in the use of analytics. That’s why most teams have an analytics department these days. Actual impact of the analytics is tough to gauge, especially when it could be neutralized by other teams also using analytics. More information, even if it mostly just confirms what you already believe, can be a good thing. And it’s a great thing when it helps you discover things you otherwise wouldn’t couldn’t have seen.

On November 1, 2015, Austin commented on Finding the Next Unicorn with Product Hunt :

Thanks for the article. Product Hunt is one I check quite often, as it consistently mines out gems I otherwise would not have found. Some are better than others, and the site does cater more to designers than anything else (which impacts the type of products that rise to the top), but the community is expanding and broadening. They’re also expanding into different verticals such as podcasts. They’ve wisely controlled the size and quality of their community, which is its greatest asset at this point. Well done so far and excited to see what comes of it.

On November 1, 2015, Austin commented on Is Crowdsourcing the Future Of Film? Not really :

Great post. I’m also interested in this one. I think it’s a great thing that certain projects are getting funding that otherwise may not have done so through traditional means. It’s not just about a “market for lemons” as we discuss sometimes with these crowdfunding markets. While there is some truth to that, it may also be about innovation at the grassroots level. These experiments are useful as we all discover which crowdfunded projects will turn to be worthy of its price. As we explore, both the users and the platforms they use will become more efficient in producing valuable products, even in the entertainment industry.

On November 1, 2015, Austin commented on Crowdsourcing your Day :

TaskRabbit is a fascinating service. The indirect network effects have proved to be quite successful to date. I’m excited to see how it expands in the future.

On October 5, 2015, Austin commented on Reddit: When bigger isn’t necessarily better :

I always thought the whole Victoria fiasco was more a lesson on bad management than the disadvantages of network effects, but it’s true that when your users are a loud, tight-knit community, you have to tread carefully. Even when all of these subreddits starting going private to protest, there were hyperbolic news articles about Reddit’s downfall. The storm quickly passed; subs started carrying on as before, the CEO was ousted, and now I think management will be more careful in the future to not alienate their vibrant, core user base.

On October 5, 2015, Austin commented on Same network effects responsible for Amazon’s rise might lead to its undoing :

“Amazon’s undoing” may be a bit hyperbolic, but it is true that they cannot be the best shopping resource for all verticals. Produce and apparel have characteristics that just make it harder to succeed on Amazon’s platform. They’re definitely exploring all areas for growth.

I’m very interested to see if/how Amazon Flex disrupts the delivery industry.

On October 5, 2015, Austin commented on Goodreads: What are your friends reading? :

I’ve been a Goodreads user for awhile… None of my friends really use it much, so I care less about the social features. I was initially attracted to the platform because it was a very easy way to track books I was reading. It provided standalone value, and I would have used it, even if I was the only person on Goodreads. However, I did discover it was quite useful for discovering new books by reading reviews of strangers, joining online book clubs/groups, etc. So while I was initially hooked by its standalone value, the network effects added value that I initially was either uninterested in or unaware of.

On October 5, 2015, Austin Archibald commented on Swing-by-swing: Network Effects Drive Success for(e) this Golf App :

Interesting. I will definitely have to check out the SBS app. How is it different than the host of other Golf GPS apps? Do they also harness any network effects? Is the marginal SBS user valuable to the network only if they help in mapping a course? Or does the marginal user help refine previous mappings?

On September 13, 2015, Austin Archibald commented on Google and Its Chromecast :

I did my blog post on this market as well. Going to be quite the war in this space… but the Chromecast has a long way to go as far as functionality. It lags significantly behind the other 3 IMO.

On September 13, 2015, Austin Archibald commented on DraftKings – How a fantasy is changing the sports industry :

It’s amazing how much money FanDuel and DraftKings have pulled in… this market is massive and is blurring the line between fantasy sports and sports betting. Once sports betting is finally legalized and loses its social stigma, I see many innovative markets arising. Can’t wait for a fully liquid sports prediction market that disrupts the existing sportsbook model.

On September 13, 2015, Austin Archibald commented on Slack, a Digital Open Office :

Slack is awesome. It’s a favorite amongst tech startups, but especially in the software development community. They’ve exploded on the scene. Their acquisition of ScreenHero is also pretty important. Both of those applications are open on my computer at all times!

On September 13, 2015, Austin Archibald commented on USPS: Innovating at a Snail’s Pace :

Thanks for the article. The only innovation I’ve seen from the Post Office is in shutting down better, more efficient competitors since the 1800s! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Letter_Mail_Company

On September 13, 2015, Austin Archibald commented on Viber: Who needs a cell phone plan anyway? :

Really interesting! The choice to exclude basic functionality in product offerings for many of these disrupters is becoming more common. And these acquisition prices are just crazytown.