One of the key hallmarks of capitalism is growth. At a macro level, we use statistics like gross domestic product (GDP) to measure the health of an economy. A country with a rising GDP is viewed as strong and innovative, while the opposite is said of a country with static or declining GDP. Similar conclusions are drawn at the industry level, where we judge a company’s strength by its growth rates, in metrics like revenue, profit margin, volume, and cash flow.[i] Continue reading →

If you asked the average American when they last searched online for customer reviews of a product or service, they would probably say “within the past few days.” Internet reviews have become ubiquitous for almost everything that we purchase. Google a local restaurant, hotel, barber, bike shop, or hardware store, and instantaneously, you will see a map, photos and customer reviews. Dig further on popular sites such as Yelp, Amazon, TripAdvisor, or Angie’s List and you will find additional detailed feedback such as quality, value, location, durability, satisfaction, etc. Continue reading →

As we settle into autumn and turn our collective consciousness to American football, we are reminded of the ever-present risk of physical injury, particular to the head. A flurry of media reports and clinical studies in recent years have highlighted concerns about traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its long-term effects on players. Fortunately, this focus is also leading to the development of new technologies geared toward early detection and diagnosis of brain injury. Continue reading →

I have to admit. I’m not yet fully sold on health and fitness wearables. I guess my impression of these products is similar to most Americans who are relatively healthy.

     Do I need to know my heart rate, steps taken, or stairs climbed throughout the day?

     If so, how accurate is the information and how do I use it to improve my health?

     Do I have to upload the data to an app on my phone and then figure out the analytics? Continue reading →