Comments on: The Next Structural Change, The End of Wal-Mart http://rodalan.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/the-next-structural-change-the-end-of-wal-mart/ Discussions about Business, Managerial Excellence and Entrepreneurship Now and in the Future Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:38:25 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: rodalan http://rodalan.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/the-next-structural-change-the-end-of-wal-mart/#comment-63 rodalan Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:38:25 +0000 http://rodalan.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-63 Great point! The conscious consumer comes first. Industry is driven by demand. The problem is that changing the consumer mindset on a local, national and global scale is a massive, nearly impossible task. Too many people are unconscious and don't care. The problem would be more easily addressed from the supplier; however, committing to do so would mean that prices would go up and sales would radically drop. Therefore, it will be the long and arduous process of changing the consumer mindset fueled by small, caring suppliers who cater to the emerging niche. The niche provides must become proficient at educating and fueling the movement and building and maintaining a following. There have been several that have tried this, but they are too independent and dispersed to create real power. They need to unify under the direction of a clear and concise leader who can keep many points of light pointing the same direction. Great point! The conscious consumer comes first. Industry is driven by demand. The problem is that changing the consumer mindset on a local, national and global scale is a massive, nearly impossible task. Too many people are unconscious and don’t care. The problem would be more easily addressed from the supplier; however, committing to do so would mean that prices would go up and sales would radically drop. Therefore, it will be the long and arduous process of changing the consumer mindset fueled by small, caring suppliers who cater to the emerging niche. The niche provides must become proficient at educating and fueling the movement and building and maintaining a following. There have been several that have tried this, but they are too independent and dispersed to create real power. They need to unify under the direction of a clear and concise leader who can keep many points of light pointing the same direction.

]]> By: Adhis http://rodalan.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/the-next-structural-change-the-end-of-wal-mart/#comment-62 Adhis Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:19:37 +0000 http://rodalan.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-62 Oooh, interesting idea! The other day I watched a video about businesses hired by banks to clean out foreclosed homes that are "trashed" by previous owner's left-behind things: furniture, food, toys, appliances, computers, etc. The order is to simply throw the things out as quickly as possible, no sorting. I was sick watching both the perfectly good items that could be serviceable to another family and the useless crap/knick-knackery go into a dumpster headed for a landfill. That's not sustainable! Which comes first, the conscious consumer or the conscious supplier? If companies become more conscious in their stocking, will customers be more conscious in their purchasing? Or is it the other way around? Oooh, interesting idea!

The other day I watched a video about businesses hired by banks to clean out foreclosed homes that are “trashed” by previous owner’s left-behind things: furniture, food, toys, appliances, computers, etc. The order is to simply throw the things out as quickly as possible, no sorting. I was sick watching both the perfectly good items that could be serviceable to another family and the useless crap/knick-knackery go into a dumpster headed for a landfill. That’s not sustainable!

Which comes first, the conscious consumer or the conscious supplier? If companies become more conscious in their stocking, will customers be more conscious in their purchasing? Or is it the other way around?

]]> By: Mark http://rodalan.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/the-next-structural-change-the-end-of-wal-mart/#comment-49 Mark Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:56:34 +0000 http://rodalan.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-49 Agreed. One other problem with the WalMart model is that it doesn't leverage it's workers very well. WalMart just sees itself as a huge "restocking" institution. If they could leverage the talents and ideas of its employees what ever they may be they could innovate better. That being said the "on-demand" model is the way of the future. What will be interesting is to see if our instant buy attitude changes or we get more efficient in storing and distributing these products and services. Thanks for the post! Agreed. One other problem with the WalMart model is that it doesn’t leverage it’s workers very well. WalMart just sees itself as a huge “restocking” institution. If they could leverage the talents and ideas of its employees what ever they may be they could innovate better.

That being said the “on-demand” model is the way of the future. What will be interesting is to see if our instant buy attitude changes or we get more efficient in storing and distributing these products and services.

Thanks for the post!

]]> By: Mark McGuire http://rodalan.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/the-next-structural-change-the-end-of-wal-mart/#comment-48 Mark McGuire Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:57:55 +0000 http://rodalan.wordpress.com/?p=155#comment-48 Great post Rod. We're working on a different way to shop for home essentials that avoids a trip to the store in a new and unique way. Great to see you asking some of the same questions we did at Alice.com! Great post Rod. We’re working on a different way to shop for home essentials that avoids a trip to the store in a new and unique way. Great to see you asking some of the same questions we did at Alice.com!

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