s15152036 - A1 - Weekly Blog Post - Portfolio

 Business Analytics Introduction Data is the new DJ. In the ever-evolving music industry and streaming services, radios are being tuned out. Yet with millions of songs at our fingertips, choice paralysis stings listeners. This week, Spotify is playing to the tune of Business Analytics, to transform how we discover, listen and engage with music. Through combining descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics, Spotify personalises the music experience for nearly 300 million users globally. The Post this week explores how Spotify engages, not only listeners, but also Business Analytics, to solve its core business weaknesses and deliver value through intelligent, data-driven recommendations.  Main Reflection A few questions come to mind when considering Spotify's user retention and engagement, their Cold-Start problem and their recommendation accuracy struggles. With so many music options available, how can Spotify keep users engaged and loyal? How can the platform reco...

 Rabawa and the Rise of Social Computing in African Commerce Introduction Hello. This week's reading was on Social Computing. Social computing happens when people, not institutions, become creators, curators, and connectors of digital content and value, such as Wikipedia, TikTok or your local buy-and-sell WhatsApp or Facebook Marketplace groups. It's people-powered, community-driven and trust-based platforms.  Social commerce involves selling and buying through social platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook. It's personalised, informal, and hyper-local. In Africa, where formal retail infrastructure is often inaccessible, this model isn't just popular but also transformative to the local economy.  Main Reflection Rabawa, a Nigerian startup launched in 2021, is making vast changes by turning anyone with a smartphone into a digital entrepreneur. Here is how it works. - Anyone can sign up as a reseller. - Sellers have access to a virtual catalogue of thousands of p...

E-Business and E-Commerce  Introduction: in a world where online giants like Amazon dominate the retail landscape, it's easy to assume that brick-and-mortar stores are on the brink of extinction. However, commerce is not that simple. Retailers like Costco and Best Buy have not only survived the e-commerce wave but also innovated and adapted to the new environment. Their success offers a valuable case study like the one in this weeks reading, where resilience, strategic innovation and unique value of physical presence in a digital world.  Main Reflection: The challenge of e-commerce, often referred to as the "Amazon Effect," has reshaped how people shop. Customers expect convenience, fast delivery, and seamless digital experiences. This shift was accelerated by COVID-19, which forced entire nations into the online world. Yet despite the sudden shift, physical retailers were able to flourish by leveraging their strengths and redefining what in-person shopping can offer.  Wh...