ETD: 726 Strategy: Do it or die; Spyware; Emaline Brook
Specialties & Gift Services; WhimsiKidz Inc.; RFID enters the consumer
privacy debate
E-Tailer's Digest
etd_post@gapent.com
Thu, 02 Oct 2003 07:48:51 -0400
E-Tailer's Digest --- Everything for the Retailer
Issue #0726 October 2, 2003
George Matyjewicz, Moderator mailto:georgem@gapent.com
Published by: GAP Enterprises, Ltd. http://www.etailersdigest.com
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CONTENTS
[1] Greetings
[2] Strategy: Do it or die
[3] Spyware
[4] Emaline Brook Specialties & Gift Services
[5] WhimsiKidz Inc.
[6] RFID enters the consumer privacy debate
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[1] Greetings.
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Hi All:
I'm on the road again. I'm participating in a strategy retreat for a firm,
then to Atlanta for a major presentation.
The retreat got me to thinking - what do you do to strategize for your
future? Many companies, big and small use retreats to plan their
future. I include some thoughts today.
Be careful what you load on your machine. Innocent programs like e-cards
can contain spyware.
Today we have profiles on two list members. In addition to letting us all
know what they do, these members will be listed for posterity at
our "Members: Who Are You?"
http://etailersdigest.com/resources/members/index.htm And we have a form
there for you to tell us about you. As I said when I first proposed this
idea, we have "known" each other for a long time, yet we often don't know
anything about each other. So, tell us who you are and what you do.
Now, let's get to everything for the retailer.
Sincerely
George Matyjewicz, PhD
Chief Global Strategist, GAP Enterprises, Ltd.
mailto:georgem@gapent.com
http://www.etailersdigest.com
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[2] Strategy: Do it or die
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How do you and your management team strategize your future? Do you ever
analyze where you are and where you are going? You should. And, whenever
possible, get some outside assistance at these retreats to get an
independent view.
There are various statistics that state the atrophy rate in business is 10%
per year. That means if you don't get more business, you will lose 10% of
your existing customers every year. It doesn't mean you are out of
business in 10 years - it's sooner! You have fixed expenses which don't
change no matter how low you go. So you will be out of business when your
gross margin equals your fixed expenses.
We often talk about what we do to generate business. Today I ask what do
you do to strategize your future? Do you get away from the business and
discuss:
1. How did you do the past three years?
2. What does the market and economy look like over the next three years?
3. Where are you in this market? Are you losing market share (if you ever
had it)?
4. Should you be in this market?
5. What are your objectives in the next three years?
6. What will prevent you from reaching these objectives?
7. Who is your major competition? What differentiates you from the
competition?
8. Why should customers do business with you? Are you getting your
message across? Have you ever surveyed your customers to see what they
like and dislike?
9. What is needed to accomplish your goals over the next three years?
10. Should you fold your tent and go away?
Obviously there are other issues to consider, but this is the gist of
discussions during a retreat. The last one is always tricky - there is the
emotional issue and the practical issue. It's like Friends leaving TV at
the height of their popularity or a statement by Jon Bon Jovi who said they
will retire when the timing is right - they don't want to be the "fat Elvis."
What do you think?
George
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[3] Spyware
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We all know about peer-to-peer programs like Kazaa which are used to
download music. Did you also know that they can be used to extract
information from your system? You have given the world access to your
system, supposedly to look for music or video files. But who says I have
to search for those types of files only?
I just read about e-cards and how they place spyware on your machine which
can capture delicate information like account information and
passwords. You download a script which allows you to send a card. But you
don't know what's going on in the background. They could be snooping
around and capturing keystrokes. Then, when you are least expecting it,
your accounts are tapped!
We have discussed the scam/spam frauds which tell you to update your
accounts, and, of course we don't fall for them. Let me caution you on
this method of scam - it could be far more dangerous.
As an Aussie colleague always says - "the only security you have with a
computer is when it's off and the plug is pulled."
George
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[4] Emaline Brook Specialties & Gift Services
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I'm Kaye Snyder, Owner of Emaline Brook Specialties & Gift Services. Our
products include specialty gifts, gift baskets, and corporate gifts. We
offer many unique gift items that are personalized, such as family photo
albums, initialed jewelry, custom designed gifts baskets,etc.
Our Corporate Gift Service is a valuable tool in the business world today,
and a corporate gift program shows a professional image on the part of any
company. The successful business owner understands the importance of
building business relationships that contribute to the overall success of a
company, and our services can take care of all these needs.
Customer service is our number one priority, and we work hard to earn "word
of mouth" advertising which cannot be bought. We keep our prices very
reasonable, and for our corporate customers, we work within their budget.
We also deliver and ship.
My business started sixteen years ago as a hobby out of my home, soon grew
into home based, and then into its present location.
I have a web site, send out newsletters, mailings, participate in local
events in our area.
Costs varies, but I have learned to do different types of advertising
randomly, except for my on-line newsletter which is done monthly.
To sign up for the newsletter visit http://www.emalinebrook.com. Not every
product we have is offered on the site, so we can be reached by email or by
calling our toll free number 888-604-3030.
Kaye Snyder, Owner
Emaline Brook Specialties & Gift Services
5005 West US Highway 64
Lexington, NC 27295
Tel: 336-787-3030 Fax: 336-787-3131
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[5] WhimsiKidz Inc.
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My name is Larry Verkeyn, General Manager Retail Operations and Web
Developement of WhimsiKidz Inc. We offer an unusual selection of
children's clothing, gifts and accessories from infant to size fourteen.
The majority of our clothing consists of European imports. We are also
offer "Cuts for Kidz", our children's hair salon, featuring professional
hair stylists trained at the art of cutting children's hair. And we offer a
variety of children's themed parties.
We have had an informational web site for 3 years, but we are adding
e-commerce in the next month. (The reason I signed up for e-tailers
digest.. I had been a member during the first year of the digest when
working for my previous employer... I even met with George for breakfast in
NY when on one of my buying trips... good to be back on the list!)
Larry Verkeyn, General Manager
Whimsikidz inc
13406 Watertown Plank Rd
Elm Grove, WI 53122
Tel: 262-785-9012 Fax: 262-785-9045
+++ [Moderator's Comments] +++
Thanks Larry. Glad to see you back on E-Tailers Digest. Don't be
shy. Let's hear what you have been up to and how your newly gained
knowledge will help us all.
We'll have to do breakfast again. Last time was when you were at Art.com eh?
George
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[6] RFID enters the consumer privacy debate
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You know a technology has hit the big time when the American Civil
Liberties Union (ACLU) starts warning people about it. In a January 2003
report, the ACLU listed RFID-along with biometrics, GPS and ubiquitous
security cameras-as part of a growing "surveillance monster" that threatens
Americans' right to privacy.
While major retailers and manufacturers have lined up to support RFID's use
in the retail supply chain, negative publicity around the privacy issue has
caused companies like The Benetton Group, Treviso, Italy, and Wal-Mart,
Bentonville, Ark., to tone down their public enthusiasm for item-level RFID
tracking.
As plans for widespread RFID tagging inch closer to reality, consumer
advocates worry that the tags will be used to track people to their homes
or scan their purchases after they've left a store.
But these fears are unfounded, say industry representatives, because the
technology is not currently capable of such widespread tracking, and even
if it were, consumers would never let the retail industry get away with it.
"Privacy issues are not new," says Richard Varn, technology policy advisor
at the National Retail Federation, Washington, D.C. "There are four layers
to look at here: What can the technology do? What are consumers willing to
accept? What's the privacy policy of the company involved? And finally,
what does the law allow? A new technology won't be used for everything it's
capable of. Market forces and laws affect its use."
Details at...
http://www.frontlinetoday.com/frontline/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=68974
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