Old news: technology and consumerism are intertwined. Simple example, the cheque book and then the debit card were tech replacements for cash.
Today’s smart phones and the rush of tablets we’re about to see really are changing the landscape now, not just tomorrow. Watch Scoble interview the head of eBay mobile, Steve Yankovich to see how serious one of the globe’s largest retailers is about mobile.
They’re serious about augmented reality; serious about decoupling from the desktop PC; and serious about going truely global. It’s 25 minutes long but hang in there, the second half is more ‘business’ than the first.
All businesses want to control their own destiny. Surely, it’s natural. The old-fashioned classic is to cut out the middleman and access the wallet yourself. After all, why go to the trouble of producing a wonderful product, only to pray fickle retailers buy into it and run the gauntlet of the supply chain? It’s sorely tempting to improve margins and go B2C not B2B.
And, as retailers become ever more aware that globalisation is but a mouse click away, why would they pay top dollar for widgets they can source, spec and put on a boat from Taiwan themselves. Again, in the pursuit of margin, it’s tempting to bite the hand that’s fed you.
A couple of recent examples:
Fresh out of bankruptcy, General Motors are showing an eagerness for change and sales by trading on eBay. With no one denying the car dealer network needs napalming, will this be the air raid warning for their atrocious service?
And Which? are looking to raise finance to launch a range of own-brand products and services. This 52-year-old charity organisation is taking the goodwill of 1 million subscribers and completely reengineering their business model.
What’s next, the BBC’s political editor running for Number 10?
By day, Nick Fluck is a director of Tredz, a bicycle retailer with a strong web presence. By night, Nick can be found moonlighting on Digitally Minded, waxing un-lyrically about marketing, business, new media, technology and innovation. This semi-personal, part-professional blog is a collection of Nick’s weekly(ish) ramblings as the wannabe business partner/love child of Seth Godin Want to know more?
And, as retailers become ever more aware that globalisation is but a mouse click away, why would they pay top dollar for widgets they can source, spec and put on a boat from Taiwan themselves. Again, in the pursuit of margin, it’s tempting to bite the hand that’s fed you.