Meg Checks In From Down Under

I won't include her detail-rich email question, but the answer is my standard argument...

To wit:

Hey Megan,

Thanks for your kind words...  

A couple of points...  "off the shelf" items have several challenges...

1. It is likely they have been tried, and did not work, for whatever reason.

2. If they do work, all those other people who've been to both places say "o goodie... I can do that too..." and then it is a race to the bottom, who can work for the least, wins.

3.  Off the shelf is selling already, and suppliers are desperate for what is next, not more people selling the same, since it usually means targeting customers already served.  As a start up biz, we need to represent new biz to get any traction.  Our small marginal efforts get us a place at the table for greater things as we get experience.

That being said, once you have started, there is nothing to keep you from folding in some ready-made product into your line of products, and seeing what happens.  Usually it is not so good, but it spurs ideas from feedback on what to do.

How come we can't start like that?  AS a newbie you are desperate to get something, anything to work.  After you have built a line, you have some experience as to what might be better.  And once your org is adept at design and redesign, your customers and suppliers may relax regarding such an effort.

Drucker argues against organizing around your resources.  It would not surprise me to learn all of the products you mention are made in China.  So the Aus-Usa nexis doesn't pay.

Partnerships thrive better faster than sole proprietors, and it sounds like you have a good one.  As an exercise, I'd forget all your resources, and think in terms of Queen Elizabeth... If I were turned out of my realm in my petticoat, I would prosper anywhere in Christendom.  (I, not II)  Where are you as clever as Liz, in your way?  What were you born to rule?  What did you do as a kid when you had time and opportunity?  Jerry Garcia said it is not enough to be the best at what you do, you must be the only one.  Of course, that is just division of labor.  What is the world waiting for you to do?

You may find yourself trading racing pigeon nutrition supplies processed in Belgium and sold wordwide... who knows?

John

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