March 2016

Early Observers

Re: The New Space Race

A nice overview, but what was neglected was the important contribution of earth observation (remote sensing) technology and spin-off ventures to the current array of commercial space activities. Digital imagery from space is the backbone of virtually all digital maps, an integral part of everyone’s mobile devices and car navigation—think Google Earth. It started with the Landsat program at NASA in the early 1970s, but small startups appeared, including one that I started after graduating from HBS in 1976 to process the immense amount of data inexpensively on a desktop. I ran a small “Skunk Works”-like program at Lockheed Martin in the early 1990s that produced the IKONOS satellite, the first high-resolution commercial satellite that has evolved over time into an industry operating a wide array of privately owned and operated satellites. This pioneering effort is now a multibillion-dollar industry.
—Donn Walklet (MBA 1976) via alumni.hbs.edu

Community from Cuisine

Re: Doug Duda (MBA 1985)

Food is love, and love drives consumer behavior. As the developed world becomes increasingly fascinated with the quality and creativity of its food, the health and safety of its consumers will fare better as well. All countries maintain their social fabric through food and family. Doug realized early on that food is fun, and food drives community and wellness. Enormous business opportunities had to follow such a powerful force in our society.
—Don Wiviott (MBA 1984) via alumni.hbs.edu

Trust as a Tenet

Re: Pamela Meyer (MBA 1986)

I am convinced that trust is the grease that makes business work. We have to trust that our bosses will deliver on their promises (overt and implied). We have to trust that our teammates will support us and not undercut us. Our employees have to trust that we will deliver on our promises. We have to trust that business partners will deliver on their contracts. But I find it hard to know whom to trust, and I have proven to myself that I am bad at this. I wish business schools in general put more time into focusing on this issue, as it is the key question any manager needs to ask in all their relationships. I appreciate [Meyer] giving us this food for thought.
—Albert Baker (MBA 1984) via alumni.hbs.edu

Photo courtesy of Lovepop

Photo courtesy of Lovepop

Collect Them All!

Re: Lovepop “Case Study”

Dutch airline KLM used to have a program where business/first-class passengers would get a lovely ceramic Dutch Delft house (filled with gin!) when flying transcontinental. KLM probably had 75 different house models, and frequent-fliers looked forward to collecting them all. I wonder if Lovepop could design a similar program where its cards can be given to frequent-fliers or very high-value customers to drive retention and repurchase for the client company.
—Andy Kaplan (MBA 1978) via alumni.hbs.edu

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