Jeffrey Rayport

Jeffrey Rayport, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, shares insights on the pivotal decisions Ryan Cohen faced at Chewy.com regarding logistics strategy. The discussion highlights the delicate balance between outsourcing and in-house fulfillment amid rapid growth. Rayport explores Chewy's unique blend of technology and personal customer service, along with competitive pressures from giants like Amazon. The case study illustrates critical risks and rewards in scaling operations, ultimately revealing the lessons learned from Chewy's remarkable success.

Jeffrey Rayport, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School and co-author of a pivotal HBR article, discusses the hurdles startups face in scaling after initial success. He emphasizes the importance of adapting business models and addresses common pitfalls that lead to failure. Using case studies like Friendster and King Digital, he highlights the need for strategic planning and a strong organizational culture. Rayport also contrasts the growth paths of SoundCloud and Spotify, shedding light on the significance of effective market strategies for sustainable profitability.

Join HBS Senior Lecturer Jeffrey Rayport and Assistant Director Nicole Keller as they delve into Duolingo's bold plans to expand beyond language learning into subjects like math and music. They discuss the gamified, AI-driven strategies that have fueled Duolingo's meteoric rise, boasting 100 million monthly users. The duo explores the potential risks of diversifying while preserving brand identity and maintaining user engagement, all while considering the educational landscape's evolving dynamics. Can AI truly transform it into a super edtech app?