Sharing is the New Buying in the Collaborative Economy
Uber, the ride sharing app, continues to skyrocket in valuation. In August 2013, it was valued at $3.7 billion. In June 2014, it was valued at $17 billion. And today, it’s reportedly worth $40 billion, making it the world’s highest valued startup. This is the financial impact of the new sharing economy, and investors need to take note. What is this new collaborative economy? Technology and communication has facilitated people in finding new ways of sharing assets such as homes, cars, and vacation rentals. Even more, investments and fundraising can also be shared through crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending. Bitcoin, using the blockchain, is also peer-to-peer in the way it operates. The benefits to consumers are obvious: lower prices, convenience, and sustainability. However, what investors need to know is that this new way of doing things can completely disrupt traditional industries. Look at the way AirBnB is disrupting hospitality, Uber is disrupting transportation, or bitcoin is disrupting the financial sector. These are opportunities, but also threats to the status quo. For investors with money in more traditional spaces, it is worth keeping an eye on the shared economy, simply because it could make your investment obsolete. Original graphic from: Vision Critical
on In today’s fast-paced world, companies need to stay relevant in order to survive. Because of this, it’s become increasingly more important for businesses to prioritize innovation. This chart looks at the top 50 most innovative companies in 2020, based on a survey by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The companies have been ranked based on four variables:
Global “Mindshare”: The number of votes from all innovation executives. Industry Peer Review: The number of votes from executives in a company’s industry. Industry Disruption: A diversity index to measure votes across industries. Value Creation: Total share return.
Breakdown of the Leaderboard
BCG has been ranking the most innovative companies since 2005. Here’s a look at the top 50 most innovative companies in 2020: When you think about innovative companies, Walmart might not be top of mind. However, the retail giant has moved up to the 13th spot on the list, an increase of 29 places since 2019. Walmart has put significant efforts into its e-commerce and omnichannel offerings. For instance, the company launched NextDay Delivery in 2020, and now offers one-day delivery to a majority of the U.S. population. The company also has a stake in the Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com, which has grown from 5% to 12%. Costco makes it to 30th place this year, and the company is known for its effective use of data. Thanks to the company’s members-only model, it has been able to compile a ton of information on its customers. It uses this data not only for marketing purposes, but to help streamline processes like recall notices. Costco also uses data monitoring sensors in its warehouses to save money on water usage and to spot any potential leaks before they happen. Another company worth touching on is Huawei—the Chinese tech company has taken the 6th spot, a 42 rank increase since 2019. This rise in the ranks is likely due to the company’s significant $19 billion investment in research and development (R&D) in 2019. These types of investments seem to be paying off, as Huawei sold more smartphones in 2019 than Apple.
Innovation Leaders Come in All Sizes
While people may picture startups when they think of innovation and adaptability, big firms aren’t lagging far behind when it comes to innovation output. In this context, firms with new product sales above their industry median are considered “innovation leaders.” Although 52% of small firms are considered innovation leaders, 43% of large firms still find themselves in the same boat.
In fact, because larger firms generally have more access to resources and manpower than smaller firms, they often have an advantage when it comes to research and development and the creation of innovation-focused programs. Investing in innovation shows a far greater payoff down the line—firms that invested 1.4x more in innovation input saw 4x the amount of new products sales.
Innovation as a Lifestyle
Unless you’re in a startup that’s hoping to get acquired by a larger firm, innovation can’t be a one-hit-wonder. Yet, despite its importance, innovation over the long term is hard to maintain. There have only been 8 companies that have appeared on the list every year. Here’s a look at the companies that have consistently made the cut since 2005:
These companies are serial innovators, and have managed to create innovation systems to perpetually foster creativity and agility. It’s an intentional, laborious process—but when done right, the payoff can be huge.
