Dominique Olivier
Raising the ghost of Smoot-Hawley
We can't guess where the tariffs and trade war will end up. Instead, we can just revisit the historical parallel. As the saying goes: history doesn’t always repeat itself, but it often rhymes. Dominique Olivier tells the story of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930.
Dominique Olivier
Adolescence: why do some things go viral?
There’s a temptation to treat virality like a shot in the dark. But virality isn’t an accident - it’s chemistry. And when it works, it works for a reason: a potent mix of psychology, social contagion, and cultural timing. Dominique Olivier uses Adolescence as a perfect example.
Dominique Olivier
Hot take: chillies and the human desire for suffering
Curry. Con carne. Arrabbiata. Peri-peri. In almost every corner of this world, you’ll find a dish that’s been given the signature bite of the chilli pepper. As strong as they are small, these pungent peppers have achieved the culinary equivalent of world domination, when all they really wanted to do was to get us to stop eating them. Dominique Olivier explains.
Dominique Olivier
Temu Teslas no more: how China won the EV race
In case you've been living under a rock, the Chinese vehicle onslaught is causing massive disruption in the automotive sector. It's even more severe in the EV world, something we aren't exposed to in South Africa. Dominique Olivier explains how China did it.
Dominique Olivier
Ozone: how a hole taught humanity to collaborate
In a world of polarised viewpoints and much shouting, Dominique Olivier took the opportunity this week to write about something rare: a moment when the world didn’t just come together, but actually got it right. A global effort so successful, so decisive, that it stands as one of the greatest acts of collaboration in human history.
Dominique Olivier
Click or brick: where does the future of shopping lie?
Online shopping was supposed to take over the world - so why are more people demanding access to physical stores? The numbers tell an interesting story about the need for omnichannel strategies.
Dominique Olivier
Watch out for the wellness wave
For decades, alcohol and cigarettes have been the go-tos for taking the edge off life’s chaos. With Gen Z opting out of these vices, Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco are scrambling to stay relevant in a world where wellness is the new rebellion. Dominique Olivier explores this phenomenon.
Dominique Olivier
Get rich or dope tryin’ – business lessons from Lance Armstrong
Some people will do absolutely anything to win. In some instances, we call that determination. In others, we call it greed. Just how blurry is the line between those two things? Take a lesson from the most tested athlete in the world: Lance Armstrong.
Dominique Olivier
Woodstock ’99: a recipe for a riot
What do you get when you combine an unused airforce base, 220,000 teenagers, a couple of angry nu metal bands and some very expensive water? Part concert, part scene from an apocalyptic movie, the Woodstock festival that took place in 1999 was practically doomed from the start.
Dominique Olivier
Spotify: mafia tactics that work!
What does the world’s most popular music streaming service have in common with the mob? Aside from some playlists of Italian classics, only its (very effective) conversion strategy.
Dominique Olivier
Netflix: the Originals gamble
With Netflix now boasting more than 300 million subscribers, they are clearly doing something right. Netflix Originals sits at the heart of the strategy, with the company now responsible for numerous cult classics. Dominique Olivier explores the power of Netflix.
