The core premise of the strategic concept of “proximity” is that, thanks to digital technologies, value is being created closer and closer to the moment of demand — not just in time but also ...

A few days later, the customer receives a custom-painted Beyoncé CD with her pet’s portrait painted on it. This is going above and beyond. What does that do? It creates conversations.

Retailers diligently stock their stands each morning with the goal of meeting customer demand for the day. The key insight here is that newspapers, like many perishable goods, have a limited shelf ...

Robert C. Wolcott , Ph.D., is Adjunct Professor of Innovation at the Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, and the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and a venture ...