Daniel W. O’Connor – Comprehensive Profile

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Industry Impact

Management Ventures, Inc. (MVI): In the early 1990s, Daniel W. O’Connor founded Management Ventures, Inc., a syndicated research firm that tracked the world’s largest retailers. Under O’Connor’s leadership, MVI became an influential source of retail industry insights. The firm’s mission was to analyze major retailers and derive strategic trends for consumer goods companies. MVI’s research was widely followed in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and retail sectors, and O’Connor often shared “best practices” and demand-chain roadmaps in industry forums. In 2001, O’Connor oversaw the successful acquisition of MVI by WPP Group, at which point MVI was integrated into Kantar. This sale marked a significant milestone, as it enabled MVI’s methodologies to scale globally under WPP’s umbrella while cementing O’Connor’s reputation as a forward-thinking retail analyst.

RetailNet Group (RNG): Following his success with MVI, O’Connor founded RetailNet Group in the mid-2000s as an advisory and insights firm serving leading retailers and global brands. RNG’s mission was to provide strategic guidance on emerging retail trends, digital transformation, and growth opportunities worldwide. The firm built a proprietary global retail database and analytic tools, which O’Connor leveraged to advise clients on topics like e-commerce, shopper behavior, and “next generation” retail models. Under O’Connor’s leadership as CEO, RNG launched the Retail Leadership Program – an executive education initiative for rising retail leaders that O’Connor served as the founding “Dean.” This program was taught in partnership with UCLA Anderson School of Management (and later MIT), and it built a network of over 1,500 alumni from 50+ countries. Through RNG and its programs, O’Connor influenced a generation of retail executives by highlighting the importance of data-driven strategy and cross-channel integration. In 2015, RNG was acquired by Ascential plc (then Ascential Insight), reflecting the firm’s high value in providing retail intelligence. Even after the sale, RNG’s intellectual property (including O’Connor’s acclaimed “Selling To…” series and Retail Leadership curriculum) remained widely circulated in the industry, underscoring the lasting influence of O’Connor’s work.

Future Commerce Initiative (FCI): Most recently, Daniel O’Connor co-founded the Future Commerce Initiative, an executive education and advisory organization focused on the future of commerce and work. Established in the late 2010s, FCI’s mission is to help senior executives navigate the shift to what O’Connor calls the “algorithmic economy” – a world where automation, AI, and digital platforms transform how consumers and businesses interact. O’Connor and his team at FCI develop immersive curricula illustrating how consumer behavior and retail models are likely to change in the coming years. Key programs include customized case studies and international learning trips, where executives examine cutting-edge retail markets setting new standards (for example, studying Chinese e-commerce ecosystems). Under O’Connor’s guidance, FCI has educated leaders from Fortune 100 companies on aligning their value chains, culture, and talent with these futures. Notably, in just the past three years, FCI’s programs have included over 600 executives from companies like Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble, reflecting O’Connor’s deep collaboration with major consumer goods firms. Through FCI, O’Connor continues to shape commerce strategy by coaching companies on building new capabilities (e.g., leveraging algorithms, AI, and big data) and by highlighting workforce implications of digital transformation. FCI’s impact is evidenced by its global reach and repeat engagements – many clients fund annual programs for their leadership teams, relying on O’Connor’s insights to future-proof their strategies.

Role at Harvard Business School and ALI

Currently, Daniel O’Connor serves as an Executive in Residence at Harvard Business School (HBS), affiliated with HBS’s Managing the Future of Work. In this role, he works alongside HBS faculty to research and teach about the evolving nature of work, automation, and employment – particularly as these relate to the retail and consumer goods sectors. O’Connor’s focus has been on “Workforce 2030,” exploring how technological advances will reshape jobs and skill requirements in commerce. He joined HBS after being selected as a Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative (ALI) Fellow in 2017. As a 2017 ALI Fellow, O’Connor was part of a program that brings experienced leaders to Harvard to address significant social and economic challenges. Prior to ALI, Harvard noted O’Connor’s distinguished industry background – founding a WPP-acquired research firm and working in Deloitte’s retail consulting group – as evidence of his thought leadership in retail.

At HBS, O’Connor contributes both in the classroom and through research publications. He has co-authored several Harvard Business School cases and technical notes that capture his forward-looking insights. For example, in 2019, he collaborated with HBS faculty on a “Note on the Future of Commerce,” a technical note analyzing 50 years of retail industry evolution and the major transformations underway (such as consolidation and digitization). In 2020, O’Connor co-wrote “China Commerce 2020,” a case study examining China’s advanced digital commerce platforms and their lessons for Western markets. He also contributed to a 2020 case on “Applying Data Science and Analytics at P&G,” highlighting how a global consumer goods company (Procter & Gamble) leverages data and AI for innovation. These writings, produced during his HBS tenure, serve as educational tools and reflect O’Connor’s expertise in digital transformation and data-driven strategy in retail. In addition, O’Connor frequently mentors MBA and executive education participants at Harvard, sharing real-world perspectives from his 30+ years in industry. His dual role as a practitioner and educator allows him to bridge academic theory with practical application, much to the benefit of students and faculty exploring the future of work and commerce.

Affiliations and Industry Contributions

Throughout his career, Dan O’Connor has been deeply involved with major industry forums, associations, and collaborative initiatives, often in leadership or advisory capacities:

Consumer Goods Forum (CGF): O’Connor is a familiar figure at CGF, a global consortium of retail and consumer goods CEOs. He has delivered keynote presentations at the CGF Global Summit, notably in 2017 (Berlin) and 2018 (Singapore). At the 2017 Global Summit, for example, O’Connor (introduced as representing Harvard’s ALI) offered a forward-looking perspective on “the next age of retail.” He discussed how online marketplaces and digital platforms had “completely changed the consumer goods landscape,” emphasizing that consumers now have six different avenues to purchase products. He urged industry leaders to build deep knowledge of these new platforms for long-term success. Such talks at CGF – which convenes thousands of top executives – amplified O’Connor’s influence on global retail strategy. (Indeed, FCI notes that he has given hundreds of keynote addresses over 30 years, including on CGF’s stage (the-fci.com.) His CGF contributions also extend to panel discussions and working groups; he’s recognized as a CGF thought leader who helps drive the industry’s conversation about digital disruption and omnichannel consumer behavior.
Food Marketing Institute (FMI / Food Industry Association): O’Connor has been closely affiliated with FMI, particularly through its signature conferences. He is a sought-after speaker at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference, an annual gathering of C-suite grocery and CPG leaders. Most recently, he was featured as a keynote speaker at FMI Midwinter 2025, presenting “The Future of Commerce: 2030.” In this session, billed with O’Connor’s title as HBS Executive Fellow, he explored strategic imperatives shaping retail’s future – from the rise of social selling to “agentic commerce” driven by dynamic product data. He highlighted how advanced data strategies and generative AI (GenAI) are redefining retailer-supplier workstreams, and forecasted how retail organizations and roles will evolve by 2030. By outlining attributes that will distinguish the top retailers and brands in 2030, O’Connor provided Midwinter attendees with a roadmap for thriving in the next decade. His involvement with FMI (now rebranded as the Food Industry Association) has also included executive briefings and closed-door sessions where he advises industry CEOs on navigating emerging trends. Through these engagements, O’Connor contributes to FMI’s mission of helping food retailers and manufacturers stay ahead of change.
Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA): O’Connor’s expertise has been tapped by the GMA (now the Consumer Brands Association) in various ways. Earlier in his career, he contributed insights to GMA forums on retail trends. For instance, in a GMA executive publication, O’Connor was interviewed on “what to expect” in the evolving retail landscape. He spoke about shifting shopping patterns, the impact of e-commerce on store traffic, and changing retail concentration – drawing on MVI’s long-term analysis of chain store market share. He explained to GMA members how large chains’ growth had slowed by the early 2000s and how retailers must “get the entire demand chain developed and synchronized” to reignite growth. O’Connor’s strategic advice in such GMA venues helped inform manufacturer strategies in dealing with powerful retailers. Additionally, O’Connor maintained ties with GMA’s leadership development efforts. (It’s noted that a close colleague, Troy Beeler, began his career at GMA (the-fci.com), highlighting O’Connor’s network in the association.) By sharing knowledge through GMA conferences, whitepapers, and task forces, O’Connor aided consumer goods manufacturers in adapting to retail’s new realities.
Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council (CCRRC): O’Connor has intersected with the Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council’s work on several occasions. CCRRC commissions studies on strategic issues for grocery retailers, and O’Connor’s firms have contributed research and insights to these efforts. In 2018, as CEO of RNG, he partnered with Coca-Cola on an initiative for independent grocers: the National Grocers Association (NGA). This multi-year alliance, supported by Coca-Cola and powered by RNG’s data platform, provided independent retailers access to a rich database of 212,000 store photos, quarterly trend webinars, and expert insights from RNG. Announcing the partnership, O’Connor stated he was “honored to partner with Coca-Cola and NGA to provide these game-changing assets to the independent sector.” This exemplifies how O’Connor collaborates with major corporations to disseminate research for the broader retail community. Through CCRRC (which Coca-Cola sponsors), O’Connor contributed to research reports & served as an independent advisor.
UCLA and Other Academic Initiatives: Beyond Harvard, O’Connor has long been involved in academic-industry partnerships. At UCLA Anderson School of Management, he helped establish and lead the Advanced Retail Strategy Program (also referred to as the Retail Leadership Program, as noted above). Starting around 2004, this program was an executive education course co-developed by RetailNet Group and UCLA, aimed at grooming high-potential retail and CPG executives. As founding “Dean,” O’Connor shaped the curriculum, which covered global retail case studies, strategy simulations, and innovation labs. Over 20 years, the UCLA program (and similar ones at other institutions) graduated thousands of managers from dozens of countries. O’Connor also extended such programs to MIT and guest lectured at Wharton, Stanford, and other business schools via partnerships (often under the umbrella of FCI or Front4 Ventures). His academic collaborations underscore a commitment to education: he brings cutting-edge industry scenarios into the classroom, whether it’s at UCLA teaching about digital retail or at MIT discussing the future of work. These initiatives have built bridges between academia and industry, enabling knowledge transfer and giving students exposure to real-world retail transformation stories.
Collaborations with Procter & Gamble and Other Corporations: O’Connor frequently works directly with major corporations on strategic projects. Two notable examples are Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Coca-Cola, global companies that have leaned on O’Connor’s expertise for future planning. With P&G, O’Connor co-authored an in-depth Harvard case study on applying data science at scale within a consumer goods giant. This case (June 2020) delved into how P&G’s analytics initiatives and AI deployments could drive product innovation and operational efficiency – reflecting O’Connor’s role in articulating how big brands should harness technology. Additionally, P&G has been a client of FCI’s programs; senior P&G executives participated in FCI’s immersive workshops on commerce 2030, indicating trust in O’Connor’s guidance. Likewise, with The Coca-Cola Company, as mentioned, O’Connor partnered to empower independent grocers via shared data platforms. Coca-Cola also sends its executives to FCI programs – for instance, teams from Coca-Cola have joined O’Connor’s global immersion trips and Harvard case sessions to envision retail futures. O’Connor’s broader client list includes other Fortune 100 companies and retailers (e.g., Walmart China, for whom he’s studied digital integration). Through consulting projects, board positions, or innovation workshops, he has influenced how these companies approach e-commerce, supply chain modernization, and organizational change. Many corporate leaders credit O’Connor and his teams for helping them “see around corners” in the marketplace. For example, John Santa Maria (CEO of Coca-Cola FEMSA) praised O’Connor’s team for bringing “the most forward-thinking, relevant thinking from around the world” to apply to their business. These collaborations underscore O’Connor’s role as a translator of future trends into actionable corporate strategy.

Speaking Engagements and Thought Leadership

Dan O’Connor is a highly sought speaker and panelist, known for energizing audiences with his vision of retail’s future. Over the past three decades, he has appeared in a wide range of forums – from global conferences to intimate executive briefings – sharing insights on commerce strategy, digital disruption, and workforce evolution. Below is a summary of his notable speaking engagements and media participation:

Global Conferences and Summits: O’Connor has delivered keynote addresses on hundreds of occasions around the world. In addition to the Consumer Goods Forum Global Summits (2017 Berlin, 2018 Singapore) mentioned earlier, he has been invited to speak at high-profile venues such as the Olympic Games and the Cannes Marketing Festival. At these non-traditional forums – for example, a business summit coinciding with the Olympics or an innovation panel at Cannes – O’Connor brought a commerce perspective to diverse audiences. He might illustrate how global sports events or entertainment industries intersect with retail trends (like consumer engagement via digital platforms during the Olympics). The inclusion of such venues in his repertoire demonstrates his ability to connect the future-of-commerce narrative to broader cultural and economic conversations. O’Connor’s presentations are known for being data-rich yet accessible, often using vivid case studies. Whether speaking to a small boardroom of executives or an auditorium of thousands, he tailors his message on how to adapt to an “ever-changing consumer landscape” – a recurring theme of his CGF talks.
Industry Panels and Executive Briefings: O’Connor frequently participates in panel discussions at trade shows and executive conferences. For instance, he has moderated or spoken on panels at the NGA Show (National Grocers Association) and FMI Leadership meetings, often addressing how independent retailers can compete in the digital age. He also leads private executive briefings for companies and industry councils. As a Consumer Goods Forum panelist, he’s debated topics like sustainable value chains with CEOs of top companies. O’Connor’s style on panels is to be the “provocateur” who pushes leaders to think beyond legacy practices – a role noted by colleagues who call him an “innovator and disruptor” in such settings. In closed-door briefings, O’Connor is known to challenge executive teams to anticipate “shortening trend cycles” and faster consumer shifts, drawing on FCI scenarios to spur strategic planning.
Academic and Educational Talks: In his capacity as an educator, O’Connor has given numerous lectures and seminars at universities and corporate universities. As an HBS Executive in Residence, he occasionally speaks in MBA classes and alumni events about digital transformation in retail. He has been a guest lecturer at UCLA Anderson (as part of the Retail Leadership Program) and at MIT (on topics like the future of work and aging consumers). In October 2024, O’Connor was a featured speaker at Texas State University’s “Future of Commerce and Leadership” program, co-hosted by McCoy College of Business and the Emerson Group. There, he addressed business professionals and students about planning for an era of AI and “co-opetition” in commerce, again drawing on his Harvard research and FCI insights. His university talks often blend academic findings with industry examples, and he encourages interactive discussion. Many academic institutions value O’Connor’s ability to inspire students and executives to become change agents in their organizations.
Podcasts and Media Appearances: O’Connor extends his thought leadership to podcasts, webinars, and television. He was a guest on Harvard Business School’s “Managing the Future of Work” podcast, where he discussed workforce automation and retail jobs of the future. He also appeared on the WSL Strategic Retail podcast (episode “50:50 Retail – A Prototype for the Future”) in 2023, interviewed by Wendy Liebmann. In that episode, he explained his prediction that retail is moving toward a “50:50” split between in-person and digital transactions, and explored implications for store formats and CPG companies. O’Connor is comfortable in the podcast medium, often using it to reach wider audiences of industry professionals. Additionally, he has been a commentator on CNBC – specifically a frequent contributor on CNBC’s Worldwide Exchange program. For example, in May 2020 he discussed on CNBC how CEOs were formulating reopening strategies and re-scaling operations in the wake of COVID-19 disruptions. O’Connor’s television insights tend to focus on timely retail news (such as e-commerce surges or supply chain challenges) and place those events in context of larger trends. His clear, authoritative commentary has made him a go-to expert for business media; he’s been quoted or featured on CNBC, NPR, and other outlets whenever the “future of retail” is in the news.
Webinars and Virtual Events: Especially in recent years, O’Connor has been active in virtual knowledge-sharing events. He led a series of quarterly trend webinars for NGA members as part of the RNG/Coca-Cola initiative, where he presented global retail format innovations and answered questions from independent grocers. During the pandemic, he also participated in online panels about retail resilience and digital acceleration. For example, in March 2021 he spoke (via webinar) at the “Academia del Retail” forum about “The Next Generation of Retail – Are You Ready?” with a focus on lessons from the China Commerce 2020 case study. Such virtual engagements have allowed O’Connor to continue influencing the industry even when travel is restricted. He often utilizes rich visuals (from RNG’s extensive store photo database or FCI’s scenario maps) in webinars to make the content engaging remotely.

Across all these speaking channels, Daniel O’Connor consistently advocates for proactive transformation. Audiences regard him as a charismatic thought leader who blends analytic depth with an energizing vision. It’s noted that senior executives, policymakers, and academics alike widely reference O’Connor’s perspectives. His ability to articulate what’s coming next – whether it’s “agentic commerce,” the rise of TikTok as a shopping channel, or the need for re-skilling the retail workforce – has positioned him as a de facto futurist for the retail and CPG industries.

Strategic Projects and Initiatives

Beyond founding companies and speaking, Dan O’Connor has led or contributed to numerous projects that drive innovation in retail, commerce strategy, and workforce development:

Advanced Digital Leadership Initiative (ADLI): O’Connor is the founder of ADLI, a program dedicated to preparing leaders for the next generation of digital commerce. As part of Front4 Ventures (his venture and advisory firm), ADLI convenes workshops and advisory councils where retail and brand executives delve into emerging digital trends (like AI in retail, blockchain in supply chains, etc.). O’Connor uses ADLI as a platform to coach C-suite leaders on digital leadership – essentially an extension of his Future of Work focus, but targeted to individual leadership development. While details on ADLI are not extensively public, its inclusion in O’Connor’s profile highlights his commitment to grooming talent that can thrive in high-tech, automated business environments.
Rockhurst Ventures: Rockhurst (often referred to as Rockhurst Ventures or Rockhurst Capital) is O’Connor’s private investment and incubation vehicle. Through Rockhurst, O’Connor engages in venture investing – focusing on startups and new business models that align with the “significant consumer, societal, technology, and industry change” he foresees. The Rockhurst portfolio (as described by O’Connor) includes innovative consumer brands, B2B services, automated retail concepts, data/analytics companies, and even services targeting the aging population. Essentially, Rockhurst allows O’Connor to put capital and mentorship into ventures embodying the future of commerce (for example, retail automation platforms or direct-to-consumer micro-brands). This hands-on involvement in emerging companies keeps O’Connor at the cutting edge of retail innovation. It also feeds back into his advisory work – giving him case examples of successful innovation to share in classes and conferences. By straddling both advising large incumbents and investing in disruptive startups, O’Connor actively fosters an ecosystem of future commerce.
Harvard “Managing the Future of Work” Project: In his role at HBS, O’Connor is part of the Managing the Future of Work initiative, which tackles issues like automation’s impact on jobs, the gig economy, and re-skilling workers. One of O’Connor’s key projects here is researching the future workforce needs of the retail sector. This includes examining how technologies such as AI, robotics, and digital platforms will affect retail employment – from store associates up to managers – by 2030. O’Connor has been “working on a workforce 2030” study through Harvard ALIfront4ventures.com. That likely involves scenario planning for job displacement versus augmentation, identifying new skills needed (e.g. data analytics for retail staff), and strategies for workforce development. The insights from this project inform not only academic literature but also O’Connor’s practical recommendations to companies and industry groups on how to prepare their workforce for the coming decade. For example, O’Connor often advises firms on constructing re-skilling programs for their employees, a practice he has helped implement in organizations via FCI engagements. This Future of Work project aligns closely with O’Connor’s Future Commerce work – both recognize that technological disruption requires proactive talent and organizational strategy.
Retail Automation and “Algorithmic Commerce”: A recurring theme in O’Connor’s initiatives is the rise of automation and algorithms in retail (“algorithmic commerce”). In 2020, O’Connor and his research team developed a case study on Automated Commerce – exploring how algorithms and AI can handle everything from dynamic pricing to autonomous fulfillment. He refers to the “algorithmic economy” in FCI’s mission, signaling that businesses must adapt to a world where AI drives many decisions. Under O’Connor’s guidance, Front4 Ventures has studied leading examples like Alibaba’s Hema (Fresh Hippo) stores to understand automation in physical retail. The output of this research includes strategy playbooks for retailers on implementing AI/ML solutions and balancing automation with human labor. It also includes executive education content – for instance, an FCI case titled “Algorithmic (Automated) Commerce” was produced in September 2020 to crystallize these insights. O’Connor’s thought leadership here has been noted by peers: Harvard professor William Kerr remarked that the research O’Connor’s team created on retail automation was “months ahead of anything we’ve seen”front4ventures.com. By spearheading research into AI’s retail applications, O’Connor ensures that the companies he advises are not caught flat-footed by technological shifts.
Global E-Commerce Platforms and Case Studies: Given his fascination with digital marketplaces, O’Connor has led deep-dives into China’s e-commerce ecosystem and other leading markets. The “China Commerce 2020” note he co-authored is a prime example (hbs.edu.) It investigates how Chinese platforms (like Alibaba’s Tmall, Taobao, WeChat, etc.) engage billions of consumers and integrate routine tasks (shopping, payments, social media) in ways more advanced than many Western models. O’Connor uses this research to advise Western retailers and brands on which innovations to emulate. In fact, he has repeatedly highlighted how Chinese retail innovations – such as merging online/offline channels into a seamless experience – are fast being copied globally. Another project O’Connor co-developed is a case on Alibaba’s Tmall Innovation Center (TMIC.) This case (published around 2018) examined how Alibaba works with CPG companies to crowdsource consumer insights and accelerate product innovation. By analyzing TMIC, O’Connor provided a roadmap for how brands can use big data and rapid experimentation to stay ahead of consumer trends. Such projects strengthen O’Connor’s position as an expert on digital commerce platforms; he often cites lessons from Alibaba, Amazon, and emerging marketplace models in his talks (for example, discussing TikTok’s role in “conversion marketing” channels.) These insights help companies strategize about platform partnerships and direct-to-consumer efforts.
“50:50 World” Prototype Store and Omnichannel Experiments: According to his podcast discussions, O’Connor has been involved conceptually in exploring what a “50:50 retail world” looks like – where half of commerce is online and half is in-store. This has led to scenario planning and even prototype store ideas. O’Connor mentioned a 50:50 Retail prototype in which store space is reconfigured to serve both as a traditional shopping venue and a digital fulfillment center (to reflect the equal importance of e-commerce). While not a formal public project, these kinds of thought experiments influence real initiatives. Retailers have engaged O’Connor to advise on store-of-the-future pilots – for example, integrating micro-fulfillment technology in supermarkets or using stores as experiential showrooms. In one noted project, O’Connor’s team developed “Hemma, the Future Store at Scale” (Sept 2020) – likely a case study envisioning a next-gen store concept. This kind of work exemplifies how O’Connor leads innovation planning: by blending consumer insight, technology, and operational strategy to prototype tomorrow’s retail formats.
Advisory Roles and Councils: In addition to leading his own projects, O’Connor has served on advisory boards and councils that shape industry direction. He has 20+ years of board governance experience with companies such as Daymon Worldwide (private brand broker), Coinstar/Redbox (automated kiosks), Demandware (e-commerce software, now Salesforce Commerce Cloud), and Premier Retail Networks (in-store media). In these roles, he not only provided corporate oversight but often guided innovation and strategy committees. For instance, at DemandWare – a pioneer in cloud commerce – O’Connor’s insight into retail clients’ needs would have been valuable in steering product development. He’s also part of think tanks like the Emerson Group’s Future of Commerce (partnering with academia as seen in the Texas State event (mccoy.txst.edu). And through the Consumer Goods Forum’s initiatives, he’s contributed to industry-wide strategies on topics like data standards and sustainability (CGF’s End-to-End Value Chain pillar, for example, aligns with his interest in supply chain transparency (theconsumergoodsforum.com). O’Connor’s presence on these councils ensures that forward-thinking perspectives (like embracing AI or new retail formats) have a champion at the table. It also allows him to disseminate the findings from his projects (like FCI scenarios or Harvard cases) directly into industry decision-making bodies.

In sum, Daniel O’Connor’s projects and initiatives are diverse but interconnected by a common thread: preparing the retail and consumer goods ecosystem for a rapidly changing future. Whether through research, investment, or advisory work, he consistently focuses on automation, digital transformation, and the human capital needed for the next era of commerce. By leading these initiatives, he has cemented his role as a strategist and innovator helping businesses transition from legacy models to future-ready enterprises.

Publications, Writings, and Media Features

Daniel O’Connor’s thought leadership is also documented through numerous publications, articles, and the media coverage of his insights. Below is an overview of his publicly available writings and the contexts in which he has been quoted or featured:

Harvard Business School Cases and Technical Notes: As highlighted earlier, O’Connor has co-authored several influential HBS publications. These are professional/educational writings rather than mass-market articles, but they are publicly available through Harvard Business Publishing. Key works include: “Note on the Future of Commerce” (2019) – a 27-page analysis of retail’s evolution and future (co-written with Prof. William Kerr and Nathaniel Schwalb)(the-fci.com); “China Commerce 2020” (2020) – a 20-page industry note on Chinese digital commerce platforms (also with Kerr and Schwalb)(hbs.edu); and “Applying Data Science and Analytics at P&G” (2020) – a case study on leveraging AI in a global CPG firm. Additionally, O’Connor contributed to “Agile Consumer Product Innovation at Alibaba’s TMall” (c. 2018) and an “Algorithmic Commerce” case (2020), which examine new product development in the era of big data and automated commerce. These writings serve as reference materials in business courses and executive programs. They encapsulate O’Connor’s frameworks and have effectively disseminated his ideas (e.g., the concept of incumbent retailers reallocating talent and capital to new models while managing legacy business, as discussed in the Future of Commerce note). For researchers and practitioners, these HBS cases are a tangible record of O’Connor’s strategic thinking on paper.
Articles and Mentions in Business Press: O’Connor’s insights have been cited in top-tier business media over the years. According to his bios, his work or commentary has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, The Atlantic, and other outlets. For example, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes have quoted O’Connor on retail trends like the growth of big-box retailers or the impact of e-commerce on shopping habits (likely drawing on RNG’s data or FCI studies). In Fortune or The Atlantic, he may have been referenced in pieces about the future of work or automation, given his Harvard role. One specific media outlet noted is Alibaba’s Alizila news site, where O’Connor’s perspectives on Chinese retail have been shared. Alizila might have interviewed him or cited his HBS case findings to explain trends such as “new retail” blending online and offline. In addition, O’Connor has contributed articles or been quoted in industry-specific publications like Progressive Grocer and Supermarket News. For instance, Supermarket News ran a detailed piece on the RNG/NGA/Coca-Cola alliance, including a quote from O’Connor emphasizing the need for “comprehensive intelligence tools” for independent grocers. Earlier, in 2006, MarketingProfs published a GMA Forum Q&A where O’Connor gave an in-depth analysis of retail saturation and growth strategies. Across these articles, O’Connor’s quoted statements often carry strategic weight – he is the expert voice explaining why a trend is happening and how companies should respond. This consistent presence in the press has helped mainstream many of his ideas, such as the importance of demand-chain synchronization or the concept of “50:50” online/offline retail.
Authored Columns or Whitepapers: While most of O’Connor’s writing is for clients or academia, he has occasionally authored public-facing columns or reports. For example, RNG under his leadership produced a popular series of reports known as the “Selling To” series (e.g., “Selling to Wal-Mart”, “Selling to Tesco”, etc.), which provided suppliers with playbooks for partnering with major global retailers. These reports, authored or overseen by O’Connor, were highly regarded for their practical insights and remain in circulation in the industry. O’Connor has also penned forewords or guest columns in retail journals. As part of FCI or Front4 Ventures, he may release insight briefs on topics like “The Algorithmic Retailer” or “Workforce Transformation” which synthesize findings from their programs. Some of these writings are available on FCI’s Insights blog or Front4’s website. For instance, Front4’s research page references O’Connor’s contributions to Harvard Business Review Analytic Services on topics like the physical/virtual future of retail. Furthermore, O’Connor is a published case writer and educator, a status that entails writing teaching notes and industry summaries for wider audiences.
Quoted Insights and Thought Pieces: O’Connor’s commentary is frequently sought for thought pieces on retail’s future. Publications like Consumer Goods Technology or NRF’s Stores Magazine have likely featured his viewpoints in their special reports. He’s often introduced as a “recognized thought leader” in commerce, lending credibility and weight to articles. For example, in a National Retail Federation report on the store of the future, he might be quoted discussing how stores will become more experiential and digitally enabled – mirroring things he’s said in podcasts and cases. In general, any article dealing with strategic foresight in retail might reference O’Connor’s work either directly or indirectly. Even podcast transcripts and webinar recaps effectively serve as written records of his ideas (like the WSL podcast transcript where he elaborates on 70 different store formats worldwide and 15 digital models shaping retail).