KatFranklin's Profile

It’s so great to hear that airlines are taking a step in the right direction to reduce the headache of checking bags for flights. What kind of broader effects do you think this will have on the turnaround time for airplanes entering and leaving airports? Does the new scanning system reduce the amount of time it takes for the bags to be loaded/ unloaded from the plane now that they do not each have to be scanned by their barcode? I love your idea for the baggage carousel to display passengers names or seat numbers once their bags are offloaded… It is so frustrating to fight with other passengers to grab your back after a flight! Perhaps the new technology can even send a push notification to the customer’s smartphone once their bag is ready for pickup. Furthermore, perhaps the technology could include a tracking device through the Delta app so customers can see where their bags are at all times, similar to how Uber customers can track their car before pick up and during the ride.

Do you think there is more opportunity to upsell and increase customers throughput time with the use of the smartcart? Why are they currently only using this technology in their new smaller stores? Perhaps Whole Foods could use data on their consumers to integrate the online and in-store shopping experience so instacart knows what the customer purchased last time they were in the store and recommend these purchases again. Additionally, I like your suggestion to partner with a smart refrigerator company to ensure that Whole Foods is top of mind for all customers even when they aren’t planning a trip to the store.

I think it is great that this company has found a way to increase hiring rates for recent university graduates. That being said, I am confused how this platform truly differentiates itself from other job search platforms except for in it target market. How can Handshake further utilize data to extend the connection between companies and potential hires and ensure that the recruiting process is seamless and produces a good match?

I really like your idea to implement a supplemental pricing model for employers. Perhaps employers could pay additional fees to have the highest ranked “suggested” job listing for top candidates.

Under Armour produces many types of products beyond its sneakers. How can they integrate this technology with their athletic shirts, pants, sweatbands, cleats, etc.? While the acquisition of many fitness apps is interesting and a step in the right direction, do you really think this is very different from what their competitors are trying to do? Nike has a Nike+ Training App that incorporates this technology with additional workout recommendations and training tips (1). What does the future of hardware look like to match these digital innovations through smartphones and fitness tracking bands?

(1) http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/nike-plus/training-app

How can hotels make a guest’s stay feel special and personalized without the hands-on touch of staff? While many prefer the ease of checking in through their smartphone, there are still guests that want to feel welcomed by someone in the lobby when they first walk in. Besides the social impacts of displacing jobs, do you think this makes it more difficult for hotels to compete for loyal guests in an age of digitalization?

How can hotels use technology to improve the customer’s stay once they are in their guest rooms? Are there technologies being developed to turn the rooms into “smart home” like experiences?

Great post! It’s interesting that there is now technology to process plant based proteins to be so similar in taste and substance to real meat. What do you think is the biggest challenge for Impossible Foods? How can they position their product to be the most successful and gain the most sales from meat eaters? With so many competitors entering this market, what should meat eaters be looking for when shopping for substitutes?

This is a very interesting topic, Angelo! How does maker’s mark bourbon compare in sustainability to other forms of liquor or wine that has to be held in casks? Do you think there is an opportunity to create reusable casks that still maintain the flavor profile or a liquor stored in oak? Many wines bottlers have moved to using screw caps instead of cork due to a cork shortage and customers’ preferences have changed to no longer mind this switch.. Maybe the same can happen for bourbon and other liquors! Thanks!

What an interesting topic, Heather! I have been to Shake Shack a few times and did not know about all of the great efforts they put into increasing sustainability and helping the planet. As a customer, I could tell that they try to set the table through their “enlightened hospitality” model through their in-store presence though. I think they have a unique opportunity as the market leader in the high-end burger joint space with a trendy brand to spread the word about sustainability and their efforts to improve their supply chain and recycle. This would hopefully garner positive press and inspire other companies to do the same. I also like Dave’s idea of partnering with Impossible Foods or other sustainable meat-replacement burgers as additions to their menu. Perhaps they’ll even consider going so far as using cricket protein?

I agree with you that H&M is taking a step in the right direction to contribute to the recycling of clothes, but there is still a lot of progress to be made. Are other retailers making efforts in the right direction that H&M can look to for guidance? How does donating clothes to the Salvation Army/ similar resell stores play a role in this? Are any big fashion brands trying to make clothing out of more sustainable fabrics?

Thanks for this interesting post. I think it is a great start to the conversation and makes me want to learn more about sustainability in the fashion world!

It is admirable that General Mills is trying to reduce it’s carbon footprint and take a stand against climate change. I am wondering what type of effect this has on the company’s cost of goods sold and whether or not this is sustainable for them to maintain their low everyday prices. You mentioned in the post that the use of clean energy can reduce costs- but for who? I imagine that the engineering involved in finding new methods for processing their ingredients is very costly and it is difficult to source from “clean” places. Do you think General Mills is using these changes to increase positive PR or are they truly concerned about sustainability in development as our world changes?

Thanks for the thought provoking post. Great job!