Create Synergy by Engaging With Higher Education

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Today, it feels like everything has changed—it’s either been closed, postponed, or canceled. Some states have officially shut down. You’re working from home, while watching your kids (and trying to teach them). You haven’t seen or hugged your loved ones in weeks.
Traditionally, the BWE has been studied in serial supply chains. That is also the setting of the famous beer game, where the typical demand pattern across the supply chain looks like this: for a relatively small change in demand seen by the retailer, the demand variability progressively increases at the more upstream wholesaler, distributor, and factory (see the figure below). This leads to capacity shortages, stockouts, excess inventory, and increased operational costs. No wonder BWE has received a lot of attention among academics and practitioners alike.

It also can help to remind yourself that these catastrophic thoughts aren’t “expressions of facts,” Rajaee said. Rather, they’re “expressions of fear”—our brain’s way of trying to protect us, she said.

For that, we teamed up with Bill Schmidt from Cornell and Jing Wu from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and turned to data. First, we had to build a supply network and determine the positions of firms in the network: which firms are more downstream and which are more upstream? In a network that looks like the one on the left, it is not easy. We used the distance to final consumers as a measure of upstreamness.

What can managers take away from this study?

First, suppliers can use the network of customers to shield from the adverse effects of demand distortion exhibited by downstream customers. A right mix of customers can help smooth out spikes and dips in their order patterns. That, in turn, helps maintain steady utilisation of resources, and give employees predictable schedules.
Maybe even deeper ways. For example, tap into technology by using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime to virtually play games together, said Sheva Rajaee, MFT, founder of The Center for Anxiety and OCD in Irvine, Calif.Or try these additional connection boosters with your loved ones, which come from Clinton Power:

  1. Watch the same movie at the same time and text about your reactions
  2. Create a shared Spotify playlist and listen together
  3. Read a chapter of the same book every day and talk about it

New York City psychotherapist and coach Kate Crocco, MSW, LCSW, suggested being the first person to reach out. “Often the best medicine for fear and sadness is being there for someone else.”

6 Comments

  • Gilbertfek

    February 5, 2026 - 7:33 am

    Loose hinges make the glasses slide down the nose again and again. It is interesting to see how different people value different aspects of a product. For coats and blazers I usually go one size up if I want to layer sweaters under them. I am still learning and testing different brands and styles over time. Reading comments with real body photos is one of the best ways to check sizing.

    If anyone is interested in real user experiences, I sometimes write short notes about the shops I test.
    You can find one of the pages here:

    see more details

    Even a short note like 鈥渢his size runs smaller than expected鈥?can help someone. Smaller shops can be surprisingly friendly if they care about repeat customers. I like when a shop clearly shows PD, lens height and bridge width in millimeters. Reading comments with real body photos is one of the best ways to check sizing. For fashion and clothing I pay attention to fabric thickness and stitching details.

    Maybe this is useful for someone.

  • Gilbertfek

    February 8, 2026 - 9:35 pm

    Over the last months I noticed that some of my favorite items are not the most expensive ones. A good store usually answers questions quickly and does not hide behind canned messages. Loose hinges make the glasses slide down the nose again and again. I like when they mention whether the fabric has stretch or not, that detail matters a lot.

    If anyone is interested in real user experiences, I sometimes write short notes about the shops I test.
    You can find one of the pages here:

    click here

    If the first order is a disaster, I prefer to move on and not waste time with support. At least here we can see more honest opinions and not only polished marketing content. I think this is one of the few real advantages we have compared to shopping blindly. Even big and famous brands sometimes send generic replies that are not very helpful. Now I am more careful with impulse buys and limited time offers. For daily use items I try to balance price, build quality and real user feedback.

    Hope this helps someone.

  • Gilbertfek

    February 11, 2026 - 10:35 pm

    I try to look for real photos of the insoles and soles, not only the outside of the shoe. Now I am more careful with impulse buys and limited time offers. Sometimes I experiment with different materials just to see how they feel in daily life. Each material has advantages and disadvantages depending on season and activity. Footwear is even harder because different brands cut shoes very differently. On the other hand, a well made pair of glasses can last a long time and feel comfortable all day.

    If anyone is interested in real user experiences, I sometimes write short notes about the shops I test.
    You can find one of the pages here:

    see more details

    Now I try to read as many real user reviews as possible before I buy anything. Otherwise they become clutter in the closet after the trend is over. In the past I have wasted money on items that looked good in photos but felt cheap in real life. Comfort around the heel and toes is more important than super fancy design. I do not trust only the star rating, I like to see detailed photos and longer comments. Sometimes customer service can fix a bad experience, but not always. Even a short note like 鈥渢his size runs smaller than expected鈥?can help someone.

    Just sharing my personal feedback.

  • Gilbertfek

    February 13, 2026 - 9:54 pm

    If a deal looks too good to be true, it usually has some kind of catch. Of course we all have different taste, but patterns still appear in long discussions. Of course shipping delays can happen, but good communication reduces stress. A simple and honest answer like 鈥渨e do not have that option鈥?is better than marketing fluff.

    If anyone is interested in real user experiences, I sometimes write short notes about the shops I test.
    You can find one of the pages here:

    visit this page

    Sometimes I even measure an existing frame with a ruler before ordering anything new. I also like when stores show real photos without heavy editing or strange angles. I like when a shop clearly shows PD, lens height and bridge width in millimeters. I enjoy reading threads where people honestly share what worked and what failed for them. I try to balance my budget between basic everyday items and a few special pieces. Each material has advantages and disadvantages depending on season and activity. Cheap frames can look nice at first but bend easily or become loose after a few weeks. In the end there is no perfect shop, but some stores are clearly more consistent.

    Hope this helps someone.

  • Kenelulk

    February 13, 2026 - 11:52 pm

    Если требуется опытная строительная бригада Санкт-Петербург — выполняются работы любой сложности. Строительство домов, кладка стен, монтаж перегородок, фасады, кровля, бетонные работы и отделка. Каждый объект начинается с осмотра и точного расчёта. Смета прозрачная, без скрытых доплат. Строительная бригада СПб работает строго по технологии: соблюдение уровней, геометрии, нагрузок и сроков. Используются сертифицированные материалы, современные инструменты и проверенные решения. Бесплатный выезд, консультация и подбор оптимального варианта под бюджет. Работа выполняется аккуратно, чисто и по договору. Строительная бригада Санкт-Петербург — уверенность в результате и спокойствие на каждом этапе строительства.

  • Jamestoive

    February 13, 2026 - 11:54 pm

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