Online Free Webinar Series: Analytics Leadership in Uncertain Times

Upcoming online, free webinar looks to be of interest, note coverage of CPG, Retail and supply chain domains and Pandemic implications.  Looks to be useful for non-practitioners and managers who have to deal with analytics development  and operations.

Carl H. Lindner College of Business 2906 Woodside Drive
Cincinnati, OH, 45221
513-556-5710
UCBusAnalytics@ucmail.uc.edu

Analytics Summit 2020 Free Webinar Series

Analytics Summit 2020, the Center for Business Analytics' flagship event, has been recreated as a series of free webinars.  Join us on-line for the first episode "Analytics Leadership in Uncertain Times", featuring four speakers and leaders of analytics from McDonald’s, P&G, 84.51 and ADM. Details and the registration link are below.

This first event will be held on June 1 from 12:00-2:00 EST and is open to the public and *FREE*.  Additional episodes are scheduled for June 15 and June 29 and information will be available soon.

You can register for the first episode on June 1 here

Stay well!
Center for Business Analytics Team

Episode 1: "Analytics Leadership in Uncertain Times"
June 1, 12:00-2:00 PM

Session 1: "When a Data Geek Speaks"
Alex Gutman, Lead Data Scientist, 84.51

Abstract: Within many companies, there’s a communication barrier between decision makers and data scientists. As a result, business professionals, managers, and executives often find themselves making decisions based on data and analytic methods they do not fully understand. This talk addresses this communication barrier and aims to help business professionals become better consumers of analytics. By becoming more informed on the technical aspects and challenges your data scientists face, you’ll be able to ask smarter questions, form better opinions, and make better decisions about the analytics you encounter in the workplace.

Session 2: "Intelligent Disruption of the Global Food Chain"
 Jarrod Anderson, Emerging Technology Lead, ADM

Abstract: This talk explores disruption as a convergence of technologies that are coming together to unlock new possibilities within the global food and agriculture system. Technological disruption implies systems change, rather than simple product substitution. As with any industry transformation, feedback loops hold back the new in favor of the old. Once certain tipping points have been reached, however, such loops begin to favor the new over the old. The use of data science and artificial intelligence in the support of these changes are key in helping to feed the world.

Panel Discussion:

Join us as four seasoned leaders of analytics in the CPG, Retail, and Food industries discuss how they empowered their organizations to solve real-time problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Learn how agility counts when faced with significant disruption and how inspirational leadership matters.  The panelists will address such topics as: How did the pandemic change how your organization's work is done on a day-to-day basis? Has your leadership style changed as a result of this?  What lessons have you learned thus far and how will this affect how your organization works in the future?  ....   "  

More details:  Analytics Summit 2020 Free Webinar Series 

Procter Donates Face Masks, Hand Sanitizer

UPDATE: P&G to make and donate face masks, hand sanitizer in response to coronavirus  By Barrett J. Brunsman  – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier

Mar 26, 2020, 2:47pm EDT Updated Mar 26, 2020, 6:14pm EDT
Instead of selling the new products, Procter & Gamble will use them to safeguard its employees and to donate needed supplies of face masks and hand sanitizer to hospitals, health authorities and relief organizations.  ... " 

Next Level of Police Enabling Technology

Obvious next step.   I see this is being done with our local police nearby, will look into this and see if I can get a demonstration.

Axon Rolls Out the Next Level of Police Technology: Live-Streaming Body Cameras   The Washington Post     By Tom Jackman

Police body-camera supplier Axon has deployed live-streaming cameras to the Cincinnati Police Department, allowing officers to show dispatchers or commanders crises as they unfold in real time, and helping rescuers find officers in trouble. The system automatically turns the camera on when a gun is drawn, emergency lights are activated, or a Taser is powered up. While the cameras will not include facial recognition software, they will have face-detection capabilities so police can quickly find video segments with people and react faster when footage is required for wider dissemination. Said Barry Friedman, a New York University law professor and founder of the Policing Project, “Body cameras go into sensitive places. With streaming, it won’t just be the officer, but somebody else. There have to be serious limits as to whom the video is streamed.”....'

Faster Lab Results with Phone to Lab Chip Connect

Faster lab test results for infectious diseases.

UC Smartphone Lab Delivers Test Results in 'Spit' Second
University of Cincinnati
Michael Miller

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have developed a portable lab device that plugs into a smartphone, connecting it to a doctor's office through a custom app. The device uses a specialized plastic lab chip to diagnose infectious diseases with only a single drop of blood or saliva. A patient simply places a single-use plastic lab chip into his or her mouth, then plugs it into a slot for testing; the phone provides the power and test protocol for the lab chip. Said UC professor Chong Ahn, "The performance is comparable to laboratory tests. The cost is cheaper. And it's user-friendly."

Kroger Unveils Cinci Food Hall

Look forward to seeing this in person.   Particularly interested in seeing their multiple food court idea.   Have in the past seen some of their test restaurant in town, and found them good but not good enough.   My advice is to get this right up front.   Excite people enough to come in and repeat visit.  Food first and then translate it to good, diverse food at home, on the run, in the office ...

Kroger Unveils Cincinnati Food Hall in WinSightGrocery
Two-level downtown store features local restaurant outpost and expands 1883  ... "

In a move Kroger officials describe as a physical expression of its “food-first” culture, the retailer this morning will unveil a new store in downtown Cincinnati that features the company’s first food hall, among other new attractions.

The 52,000-square-foot unit in Cincinnati’s central business district is a block away from Kroger’s headquarters and in reach of the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. It anchors an 18-story residential tower.


The food hall, to be known as the On the Rhine Eatery, features Cincinnati restaurant brands, including Django Western Taco, Dope Asian Street Fare, Eli’s BBQ and Queen City Whip, as well as Kitchen 1883 Cafe and Bar, Kroger’s American food restaurant concept. The opening comes as Kroger attempts to align itself more authentically with food culture and improve customer experience in stores as part of its Restock initiative. It follows the opening of the 1883 concept, the establishment of a Culinary Innovation Center and an expansion of elevated own-brand items under its Simple Trust, Private Selection and HemisFares labels.  .... "

Kroger to Create Digital HQ in Cincinnati

More Kroger plans locally for digital expansion.

Kroger Co. will create a digital headquarters in downtown Cincinnati.
By Erin Caproni  – Digital Producer, Cincinnati Business Courier

The Cincinnati-based grocer (NYSE: KR) received unanimous approval of an incentive agreement for the project, which will eventually include 1,000 employees, from Cincinnati City Council on Wednesday.

As a result, the company’s digital team will be housed in Atrium Two at 221 E. Fourth St.

Kroger will move about 500 existing employees from its Blue Ash location to Atrium Two starting in July along with 100 employees from its headquarters on Vine Street. The new office is expected to house more than 1,000 workers in the next three years.

Kroger’s technology campus is expected to have a $40 million payroll following the company’s $5 million investment in leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment.  .... " 

Kroger to Build Robotic Warehouse for Home Delivery

Kroger continues to advance.   Now testing home delivery robotic warehouses.   Also direct robotic delivery testing in Arizona. The latter being a particularly tough challenge, given its need for autonomous decision making in varying environments.

Kroger announces first US robotic warehouse for home delivery in Monroe in Cincinnati.com

The Cincinnati-based supermarket chain will spend $55 million constructing the facility that will create 410 new jobs.

Called a customer fulfillment center, the facility will be heavily automated with "innovative robotics technology, allowing for next-generation automated storage and retrieval." Also nicknamed a "shed," the center will be 335,000 square feet – two to three times the size of the typical Kroger Marketplace. ... "

Also more in Chain Store Age.

Kroger Making Cinci a High Tech Hub

Good information and details here.  Have followed Kroger's efforts since we collaborated with our innovation center. Very impressed at what Kroger is doing now.   I make it a point to visit every demonstration store and report on the tech here.  My clients often comment on what is going on.  Consider also the University centers here as well.  Keep it moving!

 ... If anyone wants to collaborate with me and my blog in helping drive the hub forward,  connect with me on Linkedin and lets talk. ... Franz Dill

Kroger Is Intent on Making Cincinnati a True Tech Hub    By Randy Hofbauer -  in Progressive Grocer

The Kroger Co.'s technology arm is partnering with the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber to attract top technology talent from across the globe and turn the city into a true tech hub.

The effort begins with CincyisIT.com, which is powered by Kroger Technology. The portal will reach new markets through digital outreach, national conferences, career fairs and special events, all while introducing a new audience to Kroger's technology arm and businesses throughout the Cincinnati area.

"CincyisIT.com invites technology talent from our city and around the world to explore career opportunities, engage with regional training events and discover our vibrant community," said Denise Haskamp, manager of human resources for Kroger Technology. "Kroger Technology is committed to partnering with the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber through exciting initiatives like this program to continue designing a region with endless opportunities."

Kroger has been furthering its technological prowess and working hard to put Cincinnati on the map as a major tech hub. Recently, it announced a planned innovation lab within the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub. Housed within the Uptown Innovation Corridor, the 1819 Innovation Hub serves as a “beacon of community innovation and impact in partnership with higher education,” and is claimed to be the region’s newest destination for “thinking, making, doing, discovery and delivery.” ... "  ... ' 

Procter has the Factory of the Future

Lots more opportunity to make these innovations work elsewhere.

P&G’s second-oldest plant called ‘factory of the future’     By Barrett J. Brunsman  – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier

Procter & Gamble Co.’s soap manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic, which dates to 1875, has been recognized as a “factory of the future.” 

P&G’s second-oldest plant is one of the nine most advanced factories in the world based on a successful track record of implementing technological innovation, according to the World Economic Forum.

The plant operated by the Cincinnati-based maker of consumer goods (NYSE: PG) manufactures Ariel, Lenor and Dash laundry detergents as well as Jar and Fairy hand dish soaps. 

P&G’s Home Care division manages the Rakona plant. It employs more than 400 people in the city of Rakovnik, which is about 38 miles west of the capital of Prague.

The World Economic Forum, a nonprofit foundation in Switzerland that engages business, political and other leaders to shape global, regional and industry agendas, selected P&G’s Rakona plant and eight others as the nine best out of more than 1,000 manufacturing sites considered.

P&G’s Rakona plant was chosen for its end-to-end synchronization, modeling and simulation, and other cutting-edge technologies.  ... " 

Cincinnati as an Alt-Silicon Valley?

More, now from a retail group. 

Can Kroger turn Cincinnati into an alt-Silicon Valley?  by Tom Ryan in RetailWire

The Kroger Co., based in Cincinnati, announced plans to open an innovation lab as part of the University of Cincinnati’s (UC) new 1819 Innovation Hub.

The nation’s largest supermarket operator will staff the lab with resources, including R&D engineers and software developers alongside UC faculty, to support its innovation efforts. Said Chris Hjelm, Kroger’s EVP and CIO, in a statement, “This innovative collaboration is driven by Restock Kroger and provides the Kroger Technology team another creative space to partner and develop solutions to redefine the grocery customer experience.” ... "

Kroger Creates Partnership with UC for Innovation

Note other partnerships methioned in the last paragraph such as with Centrifuse.

Kroger creates partnership to boost innovation in Winsight Grocery Business

Kroger will work with the University of Cincinnati to launch an innovation hub staffed with engineers and software developers. The hub's goals will be to create systems that improve the customer experience and to nurture tech talent, said Kroger executive   ...  Chris Hjelm.

Kroger to Open Innovation Center at University of Cincinnati
Restock-fueled initiative will provide creative space for developers to work with faculty, students

The Kroger Co. has revealed its plans to operate an innovation lab out of the University of Cincinnati (UC) in a move that company officials say is fueled by Restock Kroger. 

Kroger plans to staff its lab, located in UC's new 1819 Innovation Hub, with research and development engineers and software developers who will work closely with UC faculty as well as student co-op members and interns. 

Chris Hjelm, Kroger's EVP and chief information officer, said the effort is another way the company is investing to create the "now and future of retail," and it will provide the Kroger Technology team with a "creative space to partner and develop solutions to redefine the grocery customer experience."

"The 1819 Innovation Hub is a coworking community where we will build and discover the next generation of technology and talent," Hjelm said. "Our vision is to create a talent pipeline that supports our business and positions the region as a place for digital and technology students and professionals."

Additionally, Kroger Technology is partnering with the  Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber's "Cincy Is IT" initiative to bring top tech experts into the area and support Cincinnati-based Cintrifuse, a public-private partnership that works to stimulate growth in the Midwest through innovation delivered by startups. .... " 

By Rebekah Marcarelli  

Kroger Moves Tech HQ

Kroger Moves Digital Team to New Downtown Cincinnati HQ in ProgressiveGrocer

 Intending to help Cincinnati become a “destination for digital and tech talent,” Kroger, which is based in the city, will begin moving about 500 existing digital jobs from Blue Ash and 100 from its general offices to the Atrium Two building, located at 221 East Fourth St.

The news comes one week after Kroger reported digital sales growth of 66 percent during its first quarter, and that its existing seamless coverage area now reaches approximately 75 percent of its customers. This includes its network of ClickList locations, stores offering home delivery through Instacart and other partners, as well as ship-to-home capabilities  .... " 

Free Talk on How Small are our Big Data

The 27th Annual E. Leonard Arnoff/Milton J. Schloss Memorial Lecture on the Practice of Business Analytics

Wednesday 04/18, 2018, 6:00-6:45PM
Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center (Ballroom on the 2nd Floor)
University of Cincinnati
Free & Open to the Public

“How Small Are Our Big Data: Turning the 2016 Surprise into a 2020 Vision”
Xiao-Li Meng, Harvard University 
Whipple V. N. Jones Professor of Statistics
Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Xiao-Li Meng is well known for his depth and breadth in research, his innovation and passion in pedagogy, and his vision and effectiveness in administration, as well as for his engaging and entertaining style as a speaker and writer. Meng has received numerous awards and honors for the more than 150 publications; he has delivered more than 400 research presentations and public speeches. His interests range from the theoretical foundations of statistical inferences (e.g., the interplay among Bayesian, frequentist, and fiducial perspectives) to statistical methods and computation (e.g., posterior predictive p-value; EM algorithm; Markov chain Monte Carlo) to applications in natural, social, and medical sciences and engineering (e.g., complex statistical modeling in astronomy and astrophysics, assessing disparity in mental health services, and quantifying statistical information in genetic studies).

Abstract: The term “Big Data” emphasizes data quantity, not quality.  However, much of the current measures of statistical uncertainties and errors are adequate only when the data are of perfect quality.  We show that once we take into account the data quality, the effective sample size of a Big Data set can be vanishingly small.  Without understanding this phenomenon, Big Data can do more harm than good due to drastically inflated precision assessments that cause gross overconfidence. This overconfidence leads us to be caught by surprise when reality unfolds, as we all experienced during the 2016 US Presidential election. Data from the Cooperative Congressional Election Study (conducted by Stephen Ansolabehere, Douglas River and others, and analyzed by Shiro Kuriwaki), are used to assess the data quality in 2016 US election polls, with the aim of gaining a clearer vision for the 2020 election and beyond.

Sponsor: Department of Operations, Business Analytics, and Information Systems, Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati    More.

Update: Adversarial Risk Analysis Talk

 Talk given this week by Dr David Banks of Duke University and sponsored by Yichen Qin,  Assistant Professor, Department of Operations, Business Analytics, and Information Systems,  Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati,  on April 6, 2018

Adversarial Risk Analysis Talk, full announcement.

Speaker: Dr. David Banks, Duke University

Title: Adversarial Risk Analysis

Abstract: Adversarial Risk Analysis (ARA) is a Bayesian alternative to classical game theory. Rooted in decision theory, one builds a model for the decision-making of one's opponent, placing subjective distributions over all unknown quantities. Then one chooses the action that maximizes expected utility. This approach aligns with some perspectives in modern behavioral economics, and enables principled analysis of novel problems, such as a multiparty auction in which there is no common knowledge and different bidders have different opinion about each other.   .... " 

Here are the slides from the talk  (Technical)

Good talk. In particular because it dealt with  how people work in interactions.   Either versus nature, or versus other humans, here in some sort of competition.  The most common game example used was the Auction.  In the cases described these were adversarial.  Under the structure of this  'game' to win the auction.   Humans in any interaction build a model of who they are interacting with.   The methods proposed construct numerical methods to define the value of alternative strategies.

 But it immediately came to  mind that these methods don't need to be adversarial.   When people converse, or ask for help from an adviser  (Human or machine).  they are looking to maximize the value of the interaction.   In a chatbot, for example a person wants to solve a problem, the chatbot has defined knowledge.  How should the interaction proceed?   How should these advisory approaches be strategically designed?  Under constraints and costs?   How do we rate Assistants in an approach to provide value?  Whats the structure of that game?    Examining.

Amazon Prime at Whole Foods

Am a shopper at Kroger and Whole Foods since their inception.  Watching the expansion of tech closely.

Amazon Prime Now gives Whole Foods a price edge: report
Barclays study of Cincinnati market shows savings over Kroger/Instacart    Mark Hamstra in Supermarket News

Ordering grocery delivery from Whole Foods using Amazon Prime Now may be cheaper than buying from Kroger using Instacart, despite higher in-store prices at Whole Foods, according to new research from Barclays Capital. .... " 

Inferring Emotion and Cognitive Changes

The OBAIS department at the Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati, invites you to attend a research seminar:

Date and time: Wednesday, March 28th, 2018, 11:00AM-12:00PM

Location: Lindner Hall 608
Speaker: Prof. Joe Valacich, Eller Professor in MIS, University of Arizona

Title: Inferring Emotion and Cognitive Changes through Human-Computer Interaction Devices: From Basic Research to Communalization
......

Best wishes,

Yichen Qin, Assistant Professor
Department of Operations, Business Analytics, and Information Systems
Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati
Website: http://business.uc.edu/academics/departments/obais/faculty/qinyn.html
Email: qinyn@ucmail.uc.edu

Kroger Opens Culinary Innovation Center

Always interested in how we can innovate, was part of a number of innovation center efforts. Surprised that Kroger has not done this before.  Now I would ask, how will this do things like spot trends in foods, in consumer process, in connecting resources to customers?   And link those trends to consumer behavior and purchase?    Start thinking about data and pattern and directions. 

Kroger opens Culinary Innovation Center
Downtown Cincinnati facility to facilitate development of food service concepts and products for entire chain

Richard Turcsik in Supermarket News

The Kroger Co. today debuted its Culinary Innovation Center, featuring a commercial kitchen with multiple cooking stations, spaces and capabilities, including technology that allows video streaming of educational sessions to Kroger associates across the country.

Kroger spent a reported $2.5 million remodeling the two-story brick building at 901 W. Elm St. in downtown Cincinnati, not far from its corporate headquarters, into the LEED-designed facility. Construction on the Center began in March 2017. .... " 

Amazon to Deliver from Whole Foods

Toured a Cincinnati Whole Foods twice recently, noting the diversity of SKUs.    With exactly this thought in mind.   Had examined some advanced sign tech in Whole Foods some years ago.

Amazon will start delivering Whole Foods groceries to Prime members  in FastCompany

On Thursday the company announced that it will add Whole Foods groceries to its Prime Now service in four cities: Austin, Cincinnati, Dallas, and Virginia Beach, reports Reuters. Prime Now delivers products to Amazon customers within two hours of ordering. Customers will be able to get their Whole Foods grub within two hours for free or within one hour for an additional fee of $7.99 per order. Amazon purchased Whole Foods last year and since then has been using the acquisition to change the way people shop for groceries. Though Whole Foods Prime deliveries are only available in four cities at the moment, it’s likely Amazon will quickly expand on the number of locales sooner rather than later.MG ... " 

Best Grocery Store in America

A place I have shopped many times.   Worth a tour.   Is telling stories a profitable grocery venture?  Can it work elsewhere?   Here is the best effort I know of.

Best Grocery Store in America
Jungle Jim's and the Art of the Tourist-Attraction Grocery Store
By Matt Siegel in Epicurious

A Los Angeleno travels to Ohio to meet the man behind the country's biggest weirdo supermarket. What he finds is a businessman who couldn't care less about food.

On the cover of the brochure for Jungle Jim’s International Market is an image of a middle-aged man in a wizard’s costume holding the notoriously stinky durian fruit high in the air as if an offering. Above the image, highlighted in yellow, it says, “FREE ADMISSION!” Free admission to a grocery store seems a given, but Jungle Jim’s is a “World of Food,” a “Foodie Wonderland,” an “International Food Lovers’ Paradise.” This according to the lengthy, hyper-color brochure, which is only a preview of the inevitably lengthy, hyper-color shopping experience that some 80,000 visitors per week enjoy at the seven-plus acre food-based freak-out in suburban Cincinnati.  ... " 

Kroger and Boxed

Still speculation, but other possible buyers also lining up.  A response to Amazon's supply chain wins.

Kroger may acquire digital bulk retailer Boxed  In Cincinnati Enquirer

" ... Kroger is considering acquiring online wholesaler Boxed as traditional retailers look to beef up their digital capabilities, according to multiple news reports.

The New York-based startup is considering selling itself to several potential suitors. Aldi, Costco, Target are others mentioned as possible buyers, according to Forbes and Reuters, citing unnamed sources.

Supermarkets and big-box retailers are scrambling to ramp up their e-commerce and delivery abilities after digital juggernaut Amazon acquired Whole Foods last year. The deal threatened to further dilute an already saturated market by a deep-pocketed competitor who would use lower priced food to drive customer traffic. ... " 

(Update) Discussion in Retailwire.