Convoluted Carpool Lanes Carpool lanes started as a simple energy-conservation and pollution-reducing incentive: multiple people riding in a car get access to a special lane that typically moves faster than other lanes of traffic. Over time, transportation agencies and regional governments have piled on a range of goodies into these lanes. Electric vehicles and hybrids […]
A friend with a healthcare startup discussed pricing strategy with me after reviewing Y Combinator’s Kevin Hale in the video “Startup Pricing 101.” My friend learned that setting prices too low can hurt a startup by undermining the brand and perceived value for the early adopters critical to young startups. Revisiting Past Insights on Pricing […]
Planning a family trip can be daunting. Parents and guardians must balance a myriad of preferences across eating, sleeping, and entertainment preferences all while maintaining a budget. A wrong turn or a small mishap can cascade into major vacation disruptions and undermine the best plans and budgets. I recently faced these important analytics challenges while […]
My son recently taught me about better decision-making. He wanted to celebrate his birthday at California’s Great America amusement park with his closest friends. An imminent winter storm complicated the planning. While he and his friends were determined to go almost no matter the weather, I was hesitant. I psyched myself up for braving the […]
Ahan Analytics, LLC helps to unlock the data capabilities of non-profit organizations. So, I took great interest in a recent research paper published in Big Data & Society titled “Developing data capability with non-profit organisations using participatory methods.” Authors Anthony McCosker, Xiaofang Yao, Kath Albury, Alexia Maddox, Jane Farmer, and Julia Stoyanovich provided a data-driven […]
American football is experiencing a data analytics movement. One of the most visible signs of this movement is the National Football League’s (NFL) partnership with Amazon AWS to create “Next Gen Stats” and “Stat That.” NFL coaches are also apparently increasingly turning to “the analytics” to make game critical decisions. Announcers and fans alike endlessly […]
Inflation has been a hot topic in the pandemic economy. Beyond base effects (the artificially low prices produced by a shutdown economy), in many industries the prices for materials, goods, and even labor have soared. Suddenly, businesses need solid pricing strategies not only to earn attractive profits but also just to stay solvent. Marketplace recently […]
I prefer soaps with no additives, scents or other assorted chemicals. Accordingly, I have purchased Tom’s of Maine natural soaps for almost 20 years after a dermatologist introduced me to this friend of sensitive of skin. The soap is a bit expensive and sometimes hard to find. So when I find a reliable source, I […]
The Football Game Scenario The football game was early in the fourth quarter on November 15, 2020. The home team Carolina Panthers were down 32-17 to the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bucs). Hope came alive for the Panthers after quarterback Terry Bridgewater ran up the middle for a 3-yard touchdown. With over 11 minutes to […]
The topic of pricing is one of my favorite on this blog. Over the years, I have developed a keen sense of pricing dynamics. So when I find (apparent) pricing anomalies, I feel compelled to talk about and explain them. I made a quick 2019 New Year’s Eve run to Target and decided to take […]
