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I once took a class on business operations. In it, we studied the value discipline model of the firm: To succeed in the marketplace, companies must embrace a c
by roymurdock 11y ago
I once took a class on business operations. In it, we studied the value discipline model of the firm:
To succeed in the marketplace, companies must embrace a competitive strategy. Authors Michael Treacy and Fred Wiersma describe three generic competitive strategies, or value disciplines: operational excellence, customer intimacy and product leadership. These are described in their book, The Discipline of Market Leaders (1997).
The author’s main premise is that companies must choose—and then achieve—market leadership in one of the three disciplines, and perform to an acceptable level in the other two. [1]
Operational Excellence: Amazon, Walmart
Product Leadership: Apple, Mercedes Benz
Customer Intimacy: Nordstroms, Home Depot
We studied Amazon and Walmart as case studies for companies that have pushed the boundaries of operational excellence. You can also think of these companies as the ones who cut costs on a race to the bottom; companies at which efficiency is prized above all else.
Don't have a kid while working for a company that demonstrates a strict adherence to the value proposition of operational excellence. You will be regarded as just another expendable cost on the bottom line, and you will be replaced by a younger, hungrier individual with less commitments outside of work. The company will find a way around the laws that generally protect mothers/fathers in these situations - that is why they are a market leader, because they will go where no other companies are willing/able to in order to uphold the mantra of operational excellence.
[1] http://www.marsdd.com/mars-library/competitive-strategies-in-operational-excellence-customer-intimacy-and-product-leadership/ http://www.marsdd.com/mars-library/competitive-strategies-in...
- alex_doom 11y agoHow is Home Depot a model of "Customer Intimacy". Have you been to one of their stores? If you do, god forbid, don't ever go on the weekend and look for help.
- roymurdock 11y agoGot the Home Depot example from an HBR article. [1] Just realized it was dated 1993. Home Depot has definitely changed a lot since then. Better examples might be Trader Joe's or Virgin Airlines. [1] https://hbr.org/1993/01/customer-intimacy-and-other-value-disciplines https://hbr.org/1993/01/customer-intimacy-and-other-value-di...
- smtddr 11y agoI don't know where you are... but in Bay Area, California my experience with Home Depot locations around here have always been very positive. There's always someone walking around with those orange aprons and they always know where something is in the store. Note though, that before I go to Home Depot I've done all the research I can on what I need to fix/create whatever I need in my home. I've watched youtube vids of people making repairs very similar to what I'm trying to do. So I don't go in like a deer in the headlights; when I show up at Home Depot I know exactly what item I need or very specific question to ask.
- saboot 11y agoThis widely varies. In Livermore (technically Bay Area) I asked a simple question of whether they sold a compass. The man in the orange apron had no idea what a compass was, and I had to correct his spelling of 'compass' as he searched for it on homedepot.com . It was very bizzare.
- shostack 11y agoAre you by any chance referring to the RWC or EPA stores? I've been to both and had miserable experiences each time. Employees that I can only describe as the "B-team" with no answers. Looking at my like deer in headlights when I ask a simple question on where to find a grout scraper, etc. Decided to go to my local ACE hardware store and the experience was night and day. Never going back to Home Depot if I can avoid it.