Angelica Cionci

Thank you, Angelica, for writing about the “essential” industry, at least for many of us, ladies (and as I look at my own and my boyfriend’s hair…yea, hair salons need to be considered essential!). While I observed many industries to successfully shift gears, adapt to new norms, and, at times, even rehabilitate their market influence, I wonder how giants like Sephora is going to proceed in post-COVID times. I agree with what you said about a customer journey: for so many beauty shoppers, the tangible experience remains crucial and, often, determining element in purchase making decisions. As for me, in-person store visits do not compare to any augmented-reality substitutions. There is something magical in Sephora and other sophisticated beauty stores. It’s the atmosphere, the ability to try on the product, actually feel, or smell it. It is truly a multisensory experience that doesn’t quite translate into a digital format. As a short term solution, virtual consultations, augmented reality apps, etc. may maintain customer loyalty and enthusiasm. Nevertheless, there is no replacing the physical store experience. Therefore, I think thousands of seasoned and novice beauty lovers across the country will flood the stores as soon as they open!

Interesting post, Angelica. I am fortunate that my commute to my office is less than 15 minutes, so I don’t have to rely on navigation tools. However, I travel to South Carolina 3 to 4 times a year to visit my parents and siblings. The drive down 95 is unpredictable and painful. I never know what type of traffic I am going to hit. An 8 hour ride as taken me upwards of 12-14 hours. I would love if big data could help alleviate traffic congestion on major interstates like 95. Uber and Waze have definitely brought insightful technologies to the market, but I think we’ll need significant advancements in the technology before we see improvements in our daily commutes. Or maybe it isn’t the technology; maybe it is a lack of funding for infrastructure. Could it be possible that our DoT already has the data to validate the need for new road projects to improve traffic patterns, but insufficient funds prevent them from starting these projects?

I use GPS apps all the time, and whenever there is an opportunity to take a faster route, I do. I definitely think that big data is the way to go–everyone wants to waste less time on the road and more time doing whatever it is they were driving to do. Not only that, but traffic stresses many people out and doesn’t exactly put them in a good mood on their way to and from work. I think something definitely has to change. I’m a little skeptical about user provided information just because it could be inaccurate. I’m fairly certain there can be a way to verify the data provided by users to check its accuracy, but I”m unsure if tech companies would invest money in such technology to verify the information. Some definitely would and others, I think, will continue to rely on user provided information.

Great Post Angelica! I am an avid WAZE app user lol! I used to live roughly 25 minutes from work now I live 45min-1hour away in traffic! I agree that Big Data seems to help navigate the traffic better than just learning multiple routes on your own. I am just not fully convinced that Big Data is the complete solution. I also believe that infrastructure has much to do with traffic navigation as well as city planning. I’m always left scratching my head when they decided to re-pave 95 during the morning rush hour commute! “Ugghh….WHY?!” In any case, I am at least grateful to have WAZE help me figure out alternate routes.

Thanks Katherine! I have thought to myself that it is probably dangerous for a diver to enter information about hazardous roads and closures but I assumed that why Waze enforces the auto passenger pop up if the car is moving. (I’m sure it is rarely the passenger entering this information) The pop up is probably a way to protect themselves because it is clearly dangerous for a driver to enter that type of information unless they are pulled over. I also like to enter my destination before I leave to get an idea of my commute time and so I am not distracted trying to enter the address on my drive,