How Crocs Embraced Their Love-Hate Status And More

Now You KnOW features quick insightful takes on the issues of the day that matter most to you. ? ?

Weekend must read?

As the president of Crocs, Michelle Poole has led the polarizing brand to icon status with record-breaking sales in 2023, global expansion, and a spot on Time's 100 Most Influential Companies list. On Lippincott’s Icons In the Making podcast, Michelle talks through her three decades of experience in brand building for global fashion and lifestyle companies, how she embraced the love-hate for Crocs to supercharge growth, and her approach to building teams that deliver in challenging times.?

Did you know??

We estimate specialty finance is a $5.5 trillion asset opportunity in the United States alone, where private credit today has less than a 5% share.?

The need to secure access to these new asset classes is prompting private credit players to change tack, looking to partner up with banks rather than be their adversaries. We explore what private credit 2.0 might look like — for banks and investors.?

Industry briefing?

Productivity gains for grocery: Given an onset of challenges — cost inflation, labor shortages, and wage increases — retailers find levers to drive down costs and reduce required labor hours in their stores. One of the most effective of these is taking an end-to-end view of retail operations with a focus on store processes, where they identify, assess, and prioritize efficiency levers across the full value chain from supplier to customer.?

The economic case for net zero: Investments in renewable energy technology and manufacturing in recent years have had the effect of reducing the cost of production, increasing the efficiency with which power is generated (especially through solar panels), and increasing their lifespans. All of this has brought down the levelized cost of power from renewables such that even today, the most efficient sources of renewable energy are already more cost efficient than fossil fuel sources.?

Corporate scoop?

Accelerating corporate climate action: To drive tangible progress, companies need to invest more heavily in decarbonization and green transition initiatives. They also need to develop and scale up low-carbon products, services, and technologies. Then, companies need to drive decarbonization in their supply chains, engage with customers to incentivize them to limit emissions, and restructure core business processes like budgeting and performance frameworks to align with climate goals.?

Data is the new gold: The evolution of data continues to evolve rapidly, with emerging technologies shaping the future of data management, storage, and analysis. This is against the backdrop of data management and data privacy becoming more complicated through the exposure of new data sources and introduction of regulations. Personal data has immense value and potential for generating insights and driving innovation, but companies must strike a balance between the creation of data-led products and services with data privacy frameworks.?

Oliver Wyman in the news?

The Wall Street Journal: Private Equity and Traditional Insurers Spar Over Risk Rules?

Financial Times: UK asset managers lose their way?

Bloomberg: Banks Sell Loans to Private Credit in Balance Sheet Twist?

Forbes: How Building A Relationship With AI Can Improve Your Work?

Axios: Hospitals forced to revamp business models or risk losing patients?

Who to follow?

Sebastian Maus, partner in our Payments Practice?

Claus Herbolzheimer, partner in our Digital Practice?

Sandra Villars, partner in our Financial Services Practice?

More insights?

Turning climate intent into action?

Leading in the age of acceleration?

Harnessing risk and economic disruption??