WHY IT MATTERS: Digital Transformation

WHY IT MATTERS: AI delivers real value in the manufacturing and production side of business. The McKinsey report shows ML and AI impacts bottom line more than top line, and that the field remains immature with the need for center of excellence and help from academia. Overall a useful reference when planning for back office and supply chain improvements.

WHY IT MATTERS: delivery is the last problem to solve for eCommerce to explode. Not only do delivery fees need to be reduced via automation and "milk runs", but it is impossible for retailers and restaurant to support the rent of mostly empty space (during covid and I assume some time after) in prime locations. The overall business model has to change. Ghost kitchens, dark stores, and other solutions are required.

WHY IT MATTERS: the impact of self-driving cars for cities that were designed and built around cars remains unknown. Phoenix being one of them where Google waymo self-driving taxis is being tested at scale today. This article explores the possible impacts and they are fascinating, going well beyond transportation.

WHY IT MATTERS: holiday season starts with black friday / cyber monday. Companies need to prepare to get their logistics and delivery ready. Some useful insights in this shameless plug from Canada Post...!

WHY IT MATTERS: very interesting future projection regarding logistics and parcel delivery in the future by a world leader in the field - DHL.

WHY IT MATTERS: we think of autonomous vehicles as self-driving cars. But we are more likely to see business and professional applications such as this self-driving cargo ship appear first.

WHY IT MATTERS: we focus on the financial use cases of the blockchain. However there are many more - and potentially more important - use cases for blockchain outside payment and financial transactions. They must be considered careful by anymore preparing a digital strategy today.

Also:

- more recent infographics (2018): https://www.reddit.com/r/CryptoCurrency/comments/7y2zld/infographic_use_cases_for_blockchain/

- another list: https://www.experfy.com/blog/blockchain-use-cases-that-have-potential-to-disrupt-society

- other financial use cases explained: https://hackernoon.com/popular-use-cases-of-blockchain-technology-you-need-to-know-df4e1905d373 

- slideshare presentation: https://www.slideshare.net/IBTSMG/blockchain-use-cases-75417476 

A detailed white paper from capgemini on how to improve the last mile, from your warehouse to the customer door and back if required. Full of ideas, strategies and solutions to improve logistics, returns, supply chain, etc.

Jeff Bezos said during Code conference that Amazon will not get into the delivery business to replace partners - but will supplement it heavily.

I wrote before that amazon will get into the grocery food delivery business because it is the only way they can reduce their delivery costs - costs they have to give to fedex, purolator, USPS and others. So basically they will go into grocery business to break even and get free local delivery in certain key market areas. 

Recently, Walmart has begun pilot tests to deliver groceries using UBER (http://www.reuters.com/article/us-wal-mart-groceries-idUSKCN0YP0H6?il=0). This sounds like a great idea, focussing on each other's strength (walmart = products & logistics, uber = delivery) with no investment to access huge volume. This option may not be as efficient as the Amazon model however but be a great solution in periods of high volume.

To see what I wrote about this, see http://www.scoop.it/t/digital-transformation-of-businesses?q=amazon+fresh 

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

Delivery remains the biggest cost for online retailers. Between 10% to 20% of retailer costs are sunk into delivery. This remains a huge hurdle for both retailers and consumers compared to physical stores. I expect online retailer to be more and more creative on the delivery front to reduce costs and deliver faster.

Established eCommerce retailers should look for opportunities to improve delivery and newbies to never underestimate delivery as it is the CORE to make or break their online retail business. Mark my words...