Access-Based Consumption

The Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) model is a business strategy where a company manufactures and ships its products directly to buyers, bypassing traditional intermediaries like wholesalers or retailers. This approach primarily leverages e-commerce platforms and digital marketing to establish a direct relationship with the end consumer, enabling greater control over branding, customer experience, and pricing structures.

Malcolm Gladwell's "Tipping Point" theory posits that social epidemics are driven by three key types of people: Mavens, who are information specialists; Connectors, who have vast social networks; and Salesmen, who are persuasive communicators. The spread of an idea, product, or message reaches a critical mass or "tipping point" when these three archetypes are effectively engaged.

The Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a widely used market research metric that measures customer loyalty and their willingness to engage in word-of-mouth marketing. It is based on a single survey question: "How likely is it that you would recommend our company/product/service to a friend or colleague?" The score is calculated as the percentage of "Promoters" minus the percentage of "Detractors."

Access-based consumption is a market-mediated transaction where no transfer of ownership takes place. Consumers pay for temporary access to a good or service, prioritizing the experience and utility over possession. This model is a cornerstone of the sharing economy, decoupling the benefits of consumption from the burdens of ownership, such as cost, maintenance, and storage.

General relativity predicts that accelerating masses generate ripples in the fabric of spacetime called gravitational waves. These waves propagate outwards at the speed of light, carrying energy as gravitational radiation. They are created by cataclysmic cosmic events like the merger of black holes or neutron stars, causing spacetime to stretch and squeeze as they pass.

The functional unit is a critical concept in LCA that defines the quantified performance of a product system for use as a reference unit. It ensures that comparisons between different systems are made on a fair and equivalent basis. For example, when comparing paint, the functional unit might be 'to protect 1 square meter of wall for 10 years'.

The Peer-to-Peer (P2P) platform model is a technological and business framework that directly connects individuals to transact with each other, bypassing traditional intermediaries. In the sharing economy, these platforms facilitate the exchange of goods, services, or capital. They typically provide the underlying infrastructure, including search functionalities, payment processing systems, and crucial reputation and trust-building mechanisms.

Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) is a design philosophy that models human industry on nature's processes. It views materials as "nutrients" circulating in closed-loop systems. The framework distinguishes between two cycles: the biological cycle, for biodegradable materials that can safely return to the soil, and the technical cycle, for materials that are continuously reused or upcycled in industrial processes without losing quality.

Collaborative consumption is an economic model based on sharing, swapping, trading, or renting products and services, enabling access over ownership. It is facilitated by technology and online communities, shifting consumer values from private ownership to shared use. This model leverages underutilized assets, promoting sustainability and community interaction by connecting owners of assets with individuals who need them.

A Digitally Native Vertical Brand (DNVB) is a specialized type of DTC company that originates online and controls its entire value chain. The 'vertical' aspect refers to their integration of design, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution. Unlike traditional brands that may adopt a DTC channel, a DNVB's primary mode of customer interaction, transaction, and brand-building is digital from its inception.