Innovation is the name of the game in business, today. It's bandied about as if each and every one of us not only understands it but have created teams to build it. Truth is, few companies are being innovative. Few companies, large or small, are doing more than paying lip-service to innovation. And, yet, innovation is the only thing that can save us from falling behind in the growing world of business 3.0. (That's business online, where most attention is focused today)
I discovered a great article on a grocery chain recently that proved to be innovative in its approach to innovation. The surprising part is that it's a grocery chain. HOW, one might question, can a grocery chain innovate in a world of digital business? Well, Giant, the Carlisle, PA division of Ahold USA has come up with the answer.
No, it's not a better way to buy online. It's a better way to serve customers and help them shop. Giant opened a small store in Lancaster, PA that combines convenience store assortment and service with "more elaborate food presentation including produce, meats, deli and bakery." It also supports the Giant loyalty card.
What does this mean? Well, it means smaller and more local is where the success is. It means, being bigger and fancier and more complicated, might be okay for one or two grocery stores in specific locations. But, in neighborhoods (which I think are the powerhouses of the entire country), it pays to be smaller and more focused. More focused to the point that Giant understands the people in each neighborhood and will be supplying their smaller stores with the actual products those people want and need.
This Press Release discusses Giant's committment to "local" in farm fresh produce and speaks volumes to me, as a woman, a grocery shopper, and a person who believe in the local movement: "
Giant Food Stores STands Out in Farm Fresh Produce." The release says, "...not only do local companies benefit, but so does the local economy as money and resources stay within that community. In addition, supporting local companies also helps reduce the carbon footprint in the fight against global warming by reducing fuel costs and air emissions to ship products by truck or rail."
Wow. That's all I can say. Innovation at the grocery level. Where we get the food we eat. I like it. Are you innovating with an eye on saving the planet, serving your local customers, and creating a way to support local businesses beyond your front door?
If you're not, a whole lot of women are taking their business elsewhere.
Often we forget the little guy, the SMB, in our discussions of the comings and goings of the Internet marketing industry. Sure there are times like this when a report surfaces talking about their issues and concerns but, for the most part, we like to talk about big brands and how they do the Internet marketing thing well or not so well.
www.onlineuniversalwork.com
Posted by: coetsee | January 15, 2010 at 02:45 AM