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Written by Allie Perkins, Global MBA class of 2018

 

It’s only been a few days since I’ve returned from my trip in Asia, and I already can’t wait to go back (even though the jet lag has been a struggle!). I’ve been reflecting on my time in Vietnam, and I’m still in awe at how wonderful of an experience it was. Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi could not be more different. Ho Chi Minh was a bustling metropolis, similar to a New York. The streets were packed at all hours and traffic never seemed to ease. It was loud, fast-paced, and wonderful. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, and is full of ancient wonder. Everything moves a little more slowly, but the city is still so alive.

The actual work with our client was extremely rewarding, though was not without its challenges. Working with people from a completely new culture is always a learning experience, and I appreciate the opportunity to engage with clients from a place so different from the U.S. I’m grateful to have been able to learn more about Vietnamese culture and business and work closely with top executives in a field new to me. The new skills I’ve learned will surely be useful as I enter the workforce this summer.

I’m not sure that I had any concrete expectations for my trip or for Vietnam beforehand, which I think ended up being a positive. I fell in love with Vietnam the minute I stepped off the plane, and every minute I spent in country only intensified it. The people are friendly and warm, the streets feel safe at all hours, the food is wonderful (though a bit of a challenge if you’re a vegetarian), and the energy is palpable. I learned so many valuable things about engaging with clients in an international space, including navigating the challenges of the time differences and communication preferences and styles. Everything about my trip was wonderful, and I can’t wait to return!

 

Feature Photo: Temple of Literature in Hanoi

In text image: The team at one of our client’s restaurants in Ho Chi Minh

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Written by Chris Baker, PMBA Class of 2018; Matt Cerce, PMBA Class of 2018; Phillip Cameron, PMBA Class of 2018; Eliza Kanovsky, PMBA Class of 2018

 

It is expected that autonomous vehicles (AV) will boost the global economy by $7 trillion by 2050 ($2 trillion in the US). 1 However, to capture this added value, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) need to maintain their position at the top of the industry value chain that is poised to make a dramatic shift. Essentially, OEMs need to adapt and selectively claim new touch points with their current and potential consumers. 2 That means, OEMs will have increased mobility to match the required connectivity and changes in vehicular value from 90 percent hardware and 10 percent software to 40 percent hardware, 40 percent software and 20 percent content. 3 Further supporting this shift is the $7 trillion economic growth cited herein. $3.7 trillion is attributed to Consumer Mobility-as-a-Service, $3.0 trillion is attributed to Business Mobility-as-a-Service, and $203 billion can be attributed New Pilotless Vehicles. The OEMs are adapting accordingly to capture this value as each piece of this added value is outside of their standard business model, General Motors (GM) vertically integrated through acquisition of Cruise Automation, a Silicon Value startup4, Ford acquired SAIPS, a company focused on machine learning and computer vision5, and Daimler’s use of car sharing via “Car2Go” and “Mercedes me” to further expand their portfolio and connectivity6.

It is paramount that OEMs continue to adopt an increasingly mobile approach to business so that they maintain a connectedness to the changing demands of the consumer and capture this added value. Consumer interest in AV centers on the ideas of increased safety, convenience and productivity7. That means spending more time with your family, but also gives access to individuals that previously couldn’t get to work such as the elderly and disabled. By staying at the forefront of this cutting-edge technology, OEMs can achieve new levels of success and maintain its position in the industry while increasing the connectedness of all individuals’ interactions with society.

 

This blog is part of a series created under the direction of Bonnie Pierce, Lecturer in Strategic Management and Public Policy, for the GW Business School class “Business and Society: Autonomous Vehicles.”

 

1 Marshall, Aarian. “RoboCars Could Add $7 Trillion to the Global Economy.” June 3, 2017

2 A.T. Kearney. “How Automakers Can Survive the Self-Driving Era.” 2016. A.T. Kearney, Inc

3 A.T. Kearney. “How Automakers Can Survive the Self-Driving Era.” 2016. A.T. Kearney, Inc.

4 Liuima, J. “Impact of Autonomous Vehicles on Auto Industry.” September 23, 2016.

5 Etherington, Darrell. “Ford Acquires SAIPS for Self-Driving Machine Learning and Computer Vision Tech.” August 16, 2016.

6 Daimler Company Website. https://www.daimler.com/products/services/mobility-services/

7 Based on Industry Interview with Daimler Company Representative

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Written by: Andrew Brennan, PMBA Class of 2019, Idan Erez, Global MBA Class of 2019, Samuel Lada, PMBA Class of 2019

 

Advancements in technology continue to pave the way for the implementation of autonomous vehicles. Effective deployment of such technologies could dramatically reduce the number of automotive-related deaths each year.  Continually testing the technology is imperative as it becomes increasingly more complex and sophisticated. According to RAND research, deploying and testing technology by 2020 will accelerate its perfection and potentially save 500,000 American lives over the next 50 years.1

Over the last few years, only 21 states2 and 17 cities3 have enacted legislation addressing the advancement of this technology. At the federal level, the House and Senate are working to pass legislation that would help accelerate the development. Other state regulations, and hesitant policymakers, however, prohibit testing and are only delaying the realization of significant reductions in automotive-related deaths. These states are at a competitive disadvantage as technology companies, automotive manufacturers and other key stakeholders look to deploy AVs and invest in the states open to testing and improving the technology.

 

Machine learning, like the human driver, relies on experience. The more miles traveled today, the faster the technology can develop and the more quickly lives are saved tomorrow. With more than 37,000 automotive-related deaths each year, the time to act is now. Policymakers must work with key stakeholders to develop appropriate legislation that allows for the testing, refinement and advancement of the technology. Waiting for near-perfect technology will delay the realization of economic and societal benefits, and more importantly, result in preventable deaths.

 

This blog is part of a series created under the direction of Bonnie Pierce, Lecturer in Strategic Management and Public Policy, for the GW Business School class “Business and Society: Autonomous Vehicles.”

 

1 Bauman, Melissa, “Why Waiting for Perfect Autonomous Vehicles May Cost Lives”, November 7, 2017, RAND Corporation

2 National Conference of State Legislatures, “Autonomous Vehicles - Self-Driving Vehicles Enacted Legislation”, January 2, 2018

3 Bloomberg Philanthropies – The Aspen Institute, “Is your city getting ready for AVs? This is a guide to who’s doing what, where, and how.”

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The only thing that kept me going all Fall semester was knowing at the end of it all, I will be sitting outside of a swanky Parisian cafe with the Eiffel tower in the distance while sipping on an espresso channeling my inner Audrey Hepburn.

But before I could put on my barrette, I had a lot of work to do. Finals, moving out from DC, spending the holidays at home, figuring out where to live in Paris, picking classes, finding time learn French, and the worst task of them all... PACK my entire life into one suitcase for three months! If you know me, I have a LOT of clothes/boots/accessories, so this one suitcase life was not something I could do. Being a Florida girl, I am not used to the cold (anything under 70 degrees is freezing by Florida standards), therefore, I have no idea how to dress for temperatures in the 30-50s. I knew I was going to be walking around a lot, so I needed to layer up to stay warm.  Naturally I left packing to the last minute and ended up with two FULL suitcases- NBD (No Big Deal).

Throughout the Fall, I tried to learn French via Duolingo (amazing app to learn new languages) The premise of the app is to teach a new language by introducing basic concepts which are reinforced by having to read, speak, and write the correct answer. Only one or two lessons per day are given lasting about 10 minutes each, but you are allowed to do refreshers on older lessons. The cute pictures and phrases are entertaining, I highly recommend for anyone trying to learn a new language. While taking 21 credits last semester, learning French was not high on my priority list but the quick lessons taught me the basics. I know the difference between boy/girl, man/woman, and the most important phrase- "je veux manger" (I want to eat)!

As if packing and learning French wasn't hard enough, I had to pick out what classes I wanted to take at ESSEC - because this obviously isn't a 3-month long vacay :/ My main reason to attend ESSEC was their Luxury Brand Management program as these classes are not offered at GW or at many schools in the US, and what better place to learn about Luxury than in one of the most luxurious cities of them all- PARIS! When I opened the course catalogue it was filled with the most amazing course titles such as Global Strategy and the Luxury Business. I finally settled on 3 courses that I felt would get the most out of- Anthropology of Luxury Brands, International Luxury Distribution, and Luxury Retail Management (Side note- I have to take two online classes to finish out my MSPM degree or else I would’ve taken more classes).

One of my favorite and time-consuming parts of this was trying to find a place to live. ESSEC is in Cergy, which is about an hour outside of central Paris. Because I want to take advantage of my Study Abroad, I decided to live in Paris. As with all major cities, Paris is extremely expensive to live in. I was fortunate to find a roommate off the ESSEC Facebook page that was looking for the same living arrangement as me. We hit it off and were on the hunt for Airbnb. After countless days of figuring out what arrondissement (district/area) we wanted to be in, we found a lovely 2-bedroom apartment in the 18th arrondissement. One thing to note about Paris (and probably Europe), the two-bedroom option on Airbnb means actual rooms- not bedrooms. This means there is 1 true bedroom and there is a couch in the living room that converts into a bed- not ideal if you are spending 3 months.

It is now hours before my flight to Paris and I cannot control my excitement! I hope I can sleep on the plane to avoid being jet lagged when I land. I cannot wait to meet my roommate. ?

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