Perspective
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David vs. Goliath, continued ...Published: March 01, 2010
Back in the day, UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden didn’t bother
scouting much. Instead, he felt his time was better spent making sure
his Bruins played to their potential.
This appears to be Celestino’s strategy. Do what you do best. Don’t worry about the competition; let them worry about you.
My
initial panic about the future of Celestino’s has given way to reasoned
optimism. I never believed that Walmart was driving local small-town
merchants out of business; I figured consumers eventually got what they
wanted. If Walmart gave customers lower prices, better selection and
improved services, then it would win over a marketplace. But it’s not
an automatic victory.
For example, I am to handymen what
Kirstie Alley is to diets. But being a homeowner, once in a while I’m
forced to at least try and make some home repairs. I have two choices
of where to shop near my home: a small Crown Ace Hardware store and a
large Home Depot.
I always stop by the Crown Ace Hardware
store first. It’s a more intimate, pleasant experience, right down to
the parking. And the employees will unhurriedly teach me how to do
certain repairs and, more importantly, they won’t laugh at my stupid
questions.
It seems to me that all of us in business can
learn from Crown Ace Hardware, Celestino’s and even John Wooden: Stay
focused on what you do better than anyone else. Remember, sometimes a
slingshot – in this case, incredible customer service, quality products
and fair prices – is enough to slay a Goliath.
William
Lobdell, a longtime Orange County journalist, is author of “Losing My
Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America—and
Found Unexpected Peace”
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Readers Feedback:
Celestino's is a fine place, but have you actually shopped at the Meat House? Their staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and the store was beautiful! The way I was treated made me feel like I had been going there for years. Competition is how it is in business, I enjoy having more choices and I am excited that the Meat House decided to come to CA...and the meal i cooked was AMAZING!!!
Comment at 3/8/2010
When I went to the Meat House, I got multiple store tours, free samples of fabulous product and simply a warm inviting and very clean shopping experience. Every time I have gone back, I have felt the same: warmly treated. really like a neighbbor. Maybe goliath is darn hospitable!!! (By the way, I saw Celestinos phone number and logo in the article, but not The Meat House's. What perspective are really seeing from Mr. Lobdell??)
Comment at 3/9/2010
| David vs. Goliath, continued ...Published: March 01, 2010 |
This appears to be Celestino’s strategy. Do what you do best. Don’t worry about the competition; let them worry about you.
My initial panic about the future of Celestino’s has given way to reasoned optimism. I never believed that Walmart was driving local small-town merchants out of business; I figured consumers eventually got what they wanted. If Walmart gave customers lower prices, better selection and improved services, then it would win over a marketplace. But it’s not an automatic victory.
For example, I am to handymen what Kirstie Alley is to diets. But being a homeowner, once in a while I’m forced to at least try and make some home repairs. I have two choices of where to shop near my home: a small Crown Ace Hardware store and a large Home Depot.
I always stop by the Crown Ace Hardware store first. It’s a more intimate, pleasant experience, right down to the parking. And the employees will unhurriedly teach me how to do certain repairs and, more importantly, they won’t laugh at my stupid questions.
It seems to me that all of us in business can learn from Crown Ace Hardware, Celestino’s and even John Wooden: Stay focused on what you do better than anyone else. Remember, sometimes a slingshot – in this case, incredible customer service, quality products and fair prices – is enough to slay a Goliath.
William Lobdell, a longtime Orange County journalist, is author of “Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America—and Found Unexpected Peace”
<<< PREVIOUS PAGE
Readers Feedback:
Celestino's is a fine place, but have you actually shopped at the Meat House? Their staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and the store was beautiful! The way I was treated made me feel like I had been going there for years. Competition is how it is in business, I enjoy having more choices and I am excited that the Meat House decided to come to CA...and the meal i cooked was AMAZING!!!
| Comment at 3/8/2010 |
When I went to the Meat House, I got multiple store tours, free samples of fabulous product and simply a warm inviting and very clean shopping experience. Every time I have gone back, I have felt the same: warmly treated. really like a neighbbor. Maybe goliath is darn hospitable!!! (By the way, I saw Celestinos phone number and logo in the article, but not The Meat House's. What perspective are really seeing from Mr. Lobdell??)
| Comment at 3/9/2010 |
