While brick and mortar retail is facing the biggest challenge in years, retail stores as a channel are not going away. The key to running a successful brick and mortar store lies in executing a careful trade-off between high efficiency and high customer experience. An excellent work by an operations colleague Kesavan shows that “treating your employees with stable schedules” does not have to be a trade-off.
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Amazon has tripled its profit margin in 2018. Is this the year investors were waiting for? The year in which Amazon “turns on” the profit faucets? I argue (using the recent news on 1-day delivery) that we will see more reinvestment and continued scaling with thin margins.
Leave a CommentTesla is making it harder to order the 35K Model 3 vehicles. I have argued that such a low price should not have pursued by closing showrooms, in the first place. Shutting showrooms for 35K cars makes it appear as if Tesla needs those less loyal, price-sensitive customers at the cost of diluting the high-service expectation that its top-line customers have.
Leave a CommentIt was not Amazon that killed Toys ‘R’ Us. This is evident from their debt data, and also by a comparison with Target, which was also collaborating with Amazon then. Private investors chortled Toys ‘R’ Us — without focus on e-commerce efficiency or on customers — sending it south, even as Amazon was hurtling north.
Leave a CommentReviews of two (very) short books on China, as we explore the world, with a closer lens.
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Egon Balas was an inspiration to researchers. His will to freedom is a parable for all of us. Egon exemplified the virtue of nobly bearing one’s misfortunes while being a shining light for everyone.
Leave a CommentBoeing and FAA controversy sheds light on the inspection and certification process.
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