In this Valentine's Day themed podcast, they cover topics such as a grocery store with top-notch produce, woodworking innovation, a risk-taking basketball player, a book on raw materials, a play connecting financial crises, and a podcast on corporate intrigue.
California grocery stores offer an unmatched variety and quality of produce and products.
FastCap's innovative approach to improving processes highlights the value of small changes to enhance efficiency.
Deep dives
A Celebration of Grocery Stores in LA
The podcast episode explores how a move from New York to LA led Sarah Gonzalez to discover the amazing selection of produce and products at California grocery stores. She expresses her love for the fresh juices, hand-made tortillas, guacamole stations, and Mexican ice cream sections. This Valentine to grocery stores highlights the unmatched variety and quality found in California supermarkets.
The Power of Process Improvement
The podcast episode praises the company FastCap for its innovative approach to improving processes. Employees are encouraged to spend the first 30 minutes of each day fixing any issues or inefficiencies they encounter. These improvements are recorded and shared on YouTube, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. This tradition aligns with the concept of total factor productivity and highlights the value of implementing small changes to enhance efficiency.
Reevaluating Efficiency in Sports
The podcast episode showcases the extraordinary basketball skills of Caitlin Clark, a player on the University of Iowa basketball team. Despite her shooting percentage being below average, she excels at taking difficult shots, including long-range shots, which are her specialty. The episode emphasizes that focusing solely on shooting percentage misses the point and highlights how individual expertise and the ability to take risks can contribute to overall team success.
L, is for the way you Listen to Planet Money O, is for the Only podcast I hear V, is Very, very, fiduciary E, is for... ECONOMICS!
Every February, we dedicate a show to the things in our lives that have been giving us butterflies. Whether it's an obscure online marketplace or a piece of stunt journalism that made us green with envy. And then we go out into the world to proclaim our love...in the form of a Valentine. And we have a great roster this Valentine's Day:
- A grocery store in Los Angeles with the very best produce - A woodworking supply company with an innovative approach to... innovation! - A basketball player that makes a strong case for taking risky shots - A book that catalogues the raw materials that shape our world - A play that connects the 2008 financial crisis to the sale of the island of Manhattan in the 1600s - And, a podcast that turns corporate intrigue into watercooler chit-chat
So cozy up with a special someone and hand them the second earbud as we take you through our 2024 Valentines! Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.