by jim muehlhausen | Mar 17, 2010 | coca cola business model, coke business model, Public Companies
Coke ranks as the 4th most valuable brand in the world behind Google, GE and Microsoft with a brand value of $58.2 billion. Truly one of the world’s most iconic brands, does Coke have a business model issue as the drumbeat of the “empty calorie” movement intensifies?...
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...