THE FACTORY FLOOR IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
Key Point: Three building blocks — cloud computing, virtual reality, and augmented reality — provide the elements necessary for factory workers to join their desk-bound team members and work remotely. But how can someone who works on an assembly line accomplish the tasks without being there? No problem, according to Supply Chain Brain’s Robert J. Bowman — “Think of it as button-pushing from afar.” Bowman’s conversation with Plex CTO, Jerry Foster, turned up this thought-provoking observation: “VR takes the ability that the cloud gives office workers, and extends it to those who normally would have to be on site.”
ELON MUSK STEPPING DOWN FROM TWITTER CEO POSITION
Key Point: Twitter polls are closed, and results are in: 57.5% of voters said Musk should “step down as head of Twitter.” Musk launched the poll himself following widespread criticism over his heavy-handed business tactics. Following the vote, Musk tweeted: “I will resign as CEO as soon as I find someone foolish enough to take the job!” His own focus at the company will then move to the software and servers teams.
This BBC article covers the story well. From Musk’s firing of near half of Twitter’s staff to the hornet’s nest the rambunctious billionaire stirred up at the United Nations, it’s another chapter in the saga of the often surprising billionaire, Elon Musk.
WALMART LAUNCHED DRONE DELIVERY SERVICE
Key Point: Walmart partnered with DroneUp to provide same-day delivery to customers within a mile of select stores near Phoenix, Tampa, Orlando, and Dallas. Plans are to expand the service rapidly to other states. Orders are accepted daily from eight in the morning until eight in the evening.
You’re not likely to get drone delivery of a new sofa or lawnmower, but the 10-pound allotment could get milk, eggs, and potatoes to your door within 30 minutes of placing the order. Right now, shoppers can get drone delivery service for just $3.99 extra per trip. Does the drone land in the customer’s yard and knock on the door? Not quite. Get current particulars on the developing story here.
WHAT CAUSES INFLATION?
Key Point: Everyone from the nightly newscaster to the grocer down the street is using the term these days — but what exactly is “inflation,” why does it happen, and what is being done about it? The Harvard Business Review tackled the topic recently, and that article is recommended reading for every marketer.
Calling inflation “one of the biggest threats to global prosperity,” the author turns up the fear level a bit by pointing out the disruption caused by hyperinflation. He also explains how interest rates relate to inflation and goes on to dig into the primary causes. You don’t need to be an economics major to get plenty of insight from the coverage.
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