by jim muehlhausen | Mar 23, 2010 | blockbuster video, Business Model Tips, Failure Stories, Public Companies
Is there any fixing Blockbuster’s business model? Last week it was rumored that Blockbuster might be filing for bankruptcy. As I went to return a couple movies I rented over the weekend, I found this. In Blockbuster’s glory days, this very store had deep lines...
by jim muehlhausen | Mar 5, 2010 | bean counter, Business Model Tips, cost cutting, Failure Stories, holiday inn, Public Companies
When I travel for speaking engagements, my accommodations are often booked for me. I checked in early to my Holiday Inn Express room in Houston yesterday. As I looked around my room, signs of bean-counter hell abounded. As I scratched my itchy skin, I noticed that...
by jim muehlhausen | Feb 24, 2010 | Failure Stories, hooters, Public Companies
For its entire existence, Atlanta-based Hooters has been mocked and reviled for its entire concept; from its double-entendre name, to its tight bright-orange short shorts, to its efforts to be a “family-friendly” restaurant. Hooters’ CEO is even appearing on CBS’...
by jim muehlhausen | Feb 22, 2010 | Failure Stories, kmart, Public Companies
For those of us old enough to remember the 1970’s, we remember a world without Wal-Mart. This was a world ruled by Kmart. During this period, Kmart was the Wal-Mart. What happened? First and foremost, Wal-Mart created a superior business model for a discount...
by jim muehlhausen | Feb 5, 2010 | blockbuster, Failure Stories, Public Companies
Fifteen years ago, Blockbuster controlled nearly 80% of the video rental market and practically printed money. What happened? Wal-Mart did not event discounting, Woolworth’s did in the 1800’s. However, Woolworth’s got out-Woolworthed by Kmart and now Kmart has been...
