Warby Parker, an eyewear brand renowned for its direct-to-consumer (D2C) business model, and Allbirds, an eco-friendly shoe brand that went public on NASDAQ in 2021, exemplify innovation in connecting manufacturers directly with consumers without intermediaries. This model promotes a positive image by endorsing an eco-friendly business approach. However, the disclosure of the companies’ financial statements revealed that both had accumulated losses greater than anticipated. While it would have been ideal for manufacturers to supply products directly to consumers, the burden of inventory increased along with rising administrative and marketing costs. Distributors in the middle shared profits, but they also shouldered the financial burden. Choosing eco-friendly options often incurs higher costs due to the search for alternatives, which can lead to accumulating losses. Pollution negatively impacts both consumers and suppliers, and business deficits further inflict additional damage that c...
Success always has two faces. One is achievement and the other is complacency. There's a term in business administration called the " Competence Trap". It refers to the belief that if people cling to and repeat past successes, they will continue to be successful in the future. Xerox, which invented the world's first personal computer; Chrysler, which missed the SUV market because of the success of the minivan; and Kodak, which invented the world's first digital camera but failed to aggressively market it for fear of losing its main business, film. Humility is not an etiquette, but a shared destiny essential to success. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”