Category Archives: Leadership and innovation

“The responsibility for this company to be successful is not just with the C.E.O. It’s them.”

Three firms, each once dominant in their industry, are attempting to transform their operations and culture, and while it won’t be clear for a few years whether or not they will succeed, it is fascinating and instructive (and sometimes painful) to watch:

Microsoft, where a long-time, hard-charging number two has taken the reins from the man [...]

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Of rubber boots and TV knobs

Today’s Wall Street Journal reported on consolidation in LCD manufacturing with the agreement of Innolux Display Corp. to buy Chi Mei Optoelectronics, both of Taiwan, in a $5.3 billion stock deal.
Innolux was founded six years ago by Terry Gou, who also founded and is chairman of Hon Hai Precision Industry, the world’s largest ( by [...]

Also posted in Industry evolution, Management challenges, New product/service introduction | 1 Comment

A bridge too late

Verizon Wireless confirmed that they’re going to stop selling their “Hub” home phone product.
When the Hub was launched nine months ago, their press release claimed . . .
Only Verizon Wireless can launch a new touch screen home phone system designed to replace old-style home phones with a souped-up home communications system, bridging wireline and wireless [...]

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The company – customer disconnect

A recent survey (link to slides) sponsored by PowerReviews, a company that provides a product review service, is another reminder of the disconnect between companies and their customers.
The surprising finding, as shown in the first chart below: Not the importance of reviews or the popularity of social media–Facebook, Twitter, and the like–but the very low [...]

Also posted in Channels, Consumer behavior, Management challenges, Marketing, New product/service introduction, Social media | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“Would you consider yourself a shopper?”

A good friend of mine, legendary retail entrepreneur Gary Hoover . . .

. . .  read some of Buying in a Post-Store World and sent a note that included this question:
Lee, would you consider yourself a shopper or not?   Do you like stores, hate stores, etc?
I love finding a great store, but there are so [...]

Also posted in Retail stores, The competition between the Web and bricks and mortar stores | Tagged , | Leave a comment