Monday, July 1, 2019
The Amazon Effect remains top of mind with CEOs. Whether they compete directly (which is less than 1% with my clients), supply or distribute for Amazon (which is a slightly higher percentage) or are just impacted by the Amazon Effect, it is a major source of concern and/or opportunity. Have you thought about what Amazon is doing lately and how it might impact your business? Better yet, have you thought about becoming the disruptor?
Here are a few of the latest headlines about Amazon (all in the last few days):
- Kohl’s will accept Amazon returns across the board starting in July – The pilot programs in Los Angeles, Chicago and Milwaukee have been successful. Kohl’s and Amazon see this as a win-win.
- Amazon announced that one-day free shipping will be the standard for Prime members – It is very hard to go backwards once you get accustomed to a new level of service. All organizations watch out!
- Amazon is interested in buying Boost from T-Mobile and Sprint – There is no telling what Amazon is thinking of disrupting next.
- Amazon seems to be saying it isn’t a retailer – It appears as though the threat of Amazon purging thousands of smaller vendors from its core business is coming true. Stay tuned…
- Amazon makes a big splash in the travel industry – In India, Amazon will offer flight booking services.
Amazon gets a ridiculous number of headlines. In the interim, one of the last Sears stores in Phoenix had a massive closeout sale recently. Sears used to be the Amazon of the times 50 years ago but lost its way with a few strategic missteps and lack of innovation. Waiting around for Amazon to determine your course is not a wise move. Instead, think proactively about your strategic advantage and how you’ll get out in front of the crowd.
Think about what Amazon and other competitors do not do well. Find a way to capitalize on these opportunities. Of course, you’ll have to adhere to the new model of doing business – rapid deliveries with short lead times and high tech opportunities. Find what is unique to you and your product or service and drive differentiation in your market segment.
We find that there is significant change occurring across the board. Perhaps the reason some companies are vertically integrating is to do what Amazon cannot do completely at this point: take control over the complete supply chain. Amazon seems to be pursuing this strategy as well when it comes to transportation infrastructure although last mile delivery is quite the challenge. If you’d like to get an assessment of your business and profit opportunities as it relates to the Amazon Effect, please contact us.
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About LMA Consulting Group – Lisa Anderson, MBA, CSCP, CLTD
Lisa Anderson is the founder and president of LMA Consulting Group, Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in manufacturing strategy and end-to-end supply chain transformation. She focuses on maximizing the customer experience and enabling profitable, scalable, dramatic business growth. Ms. Anderson has been named a Top 40 B2B Tech Influencer by arketi group, a 50 ERP Influencer by Washington-Frank, ranked in the top 46 most influential in Supply Chain by SAP and named a top woman influencer by Solutions Review. She recently published, I’ve Been Thinking, an inspiring collection of 101 strategies for creating bold customer promises and profits. A regular content contributor on topics including providing a superior customer experience with SIOP, advancing innovation and making the supply chain resilient, Ms. Anderson is regularly interviewed and quoted by publications such as Industry Week, tED magazine and the Wall Street Journal. She recently was recognized as a Woman in Manufacturing by Inland Empire Magazine. For information, to sign up for her Profit Through PeopleTM Newsletter or for a copy of her book, visit LMA-ConsultingGroup.com.
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