Ron Johnson, Apple’s former retail chief, is looking to revitalize J.C. Penney. A recent article on Reuters and a new ad in the Wall Street Journal hints at what J.C. Penney’s new CEO is up to. Looks like Ron is aiming to bring the same sensibilities he brought to the Apple Store. This is good news and I’m very eager to see what J.C. Penney can do!
In the past 10 years or so, the traditional brick and mortar retailer has been in trouble. The most obvious ones that come to mind are companies like Blockbuster and Best Buy, both of which have had many failings due to missteps in their ability to bring a solid retail experience to customers. Even Walmart has not been immune. The problem stems from two things:
- Isolated pricing and availability between in-store and online inventories
- Lackluster in-store shopping experience
People are tired of the disparate nature between a company’s in-store and online experiences. Why companies don’t tie the two together into a seamless experience baffles me. How do these companies intend to compete with the likes of online only retailers without it? Doesn’t make sense.
People are also tired of the seemingly lackluster shopping experiences that most brick and mortar companies are offering. No one likes to be hassled when they shop nor do they like being toyed with. Bring back the days when customers received true customer service from the retail experience. Give customers a straight-up great shopping experience.
If the results of the Apple Store are any indication, I have a feeling Ron Johnson aims to nail both of these issues with the new and improved J.C. Penney. Might have to do some clothes shopping when they do.
How do I get out of this chickenshit outfit?
Ever have one of those days when you feel like Hudson from the Aliens movie?
Gorman: Any questions?
[Hudson raises his hand]
Gorman: What is it, private?
Hudson: How do I get out of this chickenshit outfit?
Apone: You secure that shit, Hudson!
- From Aliens (1986)
Merlin Mann talked a bit about bringing change to a company in an episode of Back to Work. Promoting change in a work environment can be tough, especially when corporate culture is so ingrained. What companies need to realize is that innovation doesn’t come by setting policies that will mystically create innovation. Innovation can’t be created per se. Instead, innovation is a by-product of people actually doing stuff. Some of the things people create stick and become successful and, as such, others may call it innovation.
But unless you promote an environment that allows people to go against the grain and do something different you’re never going to repeat the same level of innovation that you had once before. After all, isn’t that by definition what innovation means? Doing something that hasn’t been done before? A company can’t expect great results unless they’re willing to embrace people who know well enough when to step outside the restraints of corporate culture, think outside of the box, and create stuff that challenge the status quo and lead to innovative results. If a company can’t do that then, well, I guess their just another chickenshit outfit. Stack, repeat.
Actually, I think I feel more like Tom Hanks in Joe Versus the Volcano. Except, instead of a flickering light, it’s the incessant cackles of laughter that have my eyes rolling into the back of my head. It’s not like nails on a caulk board; that I can take. More like the sound of constant feedback from a microphone being too close to a speaker. Damn annoying!
Nicol Williamson 1936 - 2011
Rest in peace, Merlin.
America Wakes Up to the Reality: Inequality Matters
How would you react if you learned that 21 U.S. CEO’s had golden parachutes of $100 million each? On top of that, what if you learned that poverty has increased by 27% between 2006 and 2010? Bill Moyers talks a bit about an obvious inequality that exists and why it matters.
Here’s his take on the Occupy Wall Street movement:
The people we met from Occupy Wall Street get it—you could tell from their slogans. One of the younger protesters wore a t-shirt emblazoned with the words: “The system’s not broken. It’s fixed.” That’s right – rigged. And that’s why so many are so angry. Not at wealth itself. But at the powerful players who win by fixing the game instead of by honest competition; at the crony capitalists who resort to tricks, loopholes, and cold cash to make sure insiders prosper – and then pull up the ladder behind them.
After reviewing what many within the Occupy movement had to say, my reaction was pretty much the same. People know there’s something wrong but can’t tell you exactly what it is. Crony capitalism and plutocracy are a few of the obvious byproducts for sure though.
How the U.S. Lost Out on iPhone Work
The President, in his State of the Union address, is talking about bringing manufacturing jobs back to the United States. Here’s the stark reality: China is efficient…REAL efficient:
A foreman immediately roused 8,000 workers inside the company’s dormitories, according to the executive. Each employee was given a biscuit and a cup of tea, guided to a workstation and within half an hour started a 12-hour shift fitting glass screens into beveled frames. Within 96 hours, the plant was producing over 10,000 iPhones a day.
“The speed and flexibility is breathtaking,” the executive said. “There’s no American plant that can match that.”
96 hours to throw together a plant that produces 10,000 iPhones in the United States? Not a chance…not without some serious infrastructure changes and education reform.
If Star Wars Were Made Today…
Taylor Kitsch as Han Solo? John Noble as Obi-Wan? Jeremy Irons as Grand Moff Tarkin? Bring it! (Oh, and some of the others are pretty darn good picks too!)
What Would ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’ Look Like In Real Life?
The one of Beavis is really creepy! I feel like I’ve seen these before though. Even then, still pretty cool work…even if they are creepy as hell!
The new normal for organizations
Interesting thought by Al Pittampalli, writer of Read This Before Our Next Meeting. Here’s the part that brought it home for me:
In a world that is ever faster and more unpredictable, cultures that encourage (or at least tolerate) individuals and small teams to bypass the bureaucracy when necessary, appear to be winning.
This is especially true in the web development world. Everything changes constantly and, at times, moves at a breakneck pace. As such, those that can’t keep up and get locked into typical corporate bureaucracy usually get left behind. Leads to a “do or die” situation at times.
David Stockman, former budget director for President Reagan, talks with Bill Moyers about the rise of crony capitalism. This is a segment that aired on Moyers & Company, a new program by longtime journalist Bill Moyers.
I met Moyers back when I was in school while he was on a book signing tour. He struck me as a fair, balanced, pragmatic journalist. He was very kind and generous and offered the best advice when signing his book, “Talk about it with others!” Indeed, when you look at Bill’s show, you’ll notice that he doesn’t surround himself with just people who share his viewpoint. Rather, he tries to get people who share different viewpoints in an attempt to create a well-rounded understanding of an issue.
This pragmatic view can be seen in the Crony Capitalism segment with David Stockman. What’s interesting about it is that Bill and David are at opposite ends of the political spectrum. Bill openly says he’s a Democrat and David is a Republican. But when it comes to seeing the true nature of politics in Washington, both of them are able to put political difference aside and view things as they are. I really wish more folks out there in the media can do the same.
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