Dollar General’s secret to success, why scooters are taking off in Israel, and more top insights from Clay Christensen

Today’s Daily Rundown is a selection of big ideas from special guest editor Clayton Christensen, professor at the Harvard Business School and author of The Prosperity Paradox: How Innovation Can Lift Nations Out of Poverty.

A stove that could do both well and good: I’ve always loved the idea of the “double bottom line,” the idea that businesses can aim for profitability and social impact. Eric Reynolds, the “pretty out there” founder of Inyenyeri, is attempting to do just that by selling a wood pellet-powered, clean burning stove to Rwandan citizens who would otherwise use fire, which poses tremendous health risks. Most entrepreneurs would shy away from a customer base mired in poverty, but Reynolds is optimistic. If Inyenyeri succeeds, it will fuel prosperity and wellbeing for millions of Rwandans.

More locations than McDonald’s or Starbucks: As retailers across the U.S. close brick and mortar stores, Dollar General opened more than 2,000 new locations in 2017 and 2018, with plans to open 975 in 2019. What gives? The company has nailed what my team calls the customer’s “Job to Be Done.” Dollar General’s smaller footprint offers customers a quick and convenient way to get the essentials — at extremely low prices. Rather than endure a mile-long journey through a superstore, customers enjoy a seamless experience on every visit.

It’s time for schools to think outside the books: Most adults seem to intuitively understand the value of networking, and for good reason. Maintaining a diverse cache of advice-givers and door-openers is critical. So, why would it matter less for children and teenagers? If we want to narrow the opportunity gap in America, we must arm all kids with a network of caring adults. My colleague and friend Julia Freeland Fisher unpacks the importance of young people’s networks and what schools can do to help.

Employers face the opioid crisis head on: The opioid epidemic is an unrelenting struggle for millions, with the CDC suggesting it is partly to blame for recent declines in U.S. life expectancy. Individuals are taking a stand, but our best hope will come from those who wrap their arms around the problem in an interdependent way. Planet Money’s The Indicator highlights several companies that are doing just that. Rather than turn a blind eye to workers struggling with addiction, these companies are offering treatment plans and wrap-around support for employees in need.

The rise of Sabbath scooters: One of the key markers of a disruptive innovation is accessibility. In Tel Aviv, one in 10 people have taken a ride on an electric scooter. The rides are occurring on the Sabbath, when traditional transportation options are shut down in the city. These windows of “nonconsumption” — circumstances that prohibit individuals from accessing a product or service — are perfect places for disruption to take root.

One last idea: In the world of innovation, it’s easy to become myopically focused on “solutions” — better technology for better products. In this TEDx talk, Suzie Sheehy makes a refreshing case for curiosity-driven research, underscoring the importance of discovery for discovery’s sake. As J.J. Thomson toasted after discovering subatomic particles:

“To the electron. May it never be of use to anybody.”

Want to get ahead at work? Looking for advice from the pros? Share your burning career questions in the comments with #YouAsked and we’ll get experts to weigh in.

— Clayton Christensen