Recently, for our logistics company, we had another example of the ease of the modern era. We’re in Florida, and our driver was picking up a load in California. He ran out of bolt seals, which serve as padlocks. In another time, this would have been a problem. Meaning, he would have to figure out where he could find those bolt seals in a location he did not know. Instead, I got on my cell phone, and with a few quick taps at the keys, I ordered the bolt seals (for 22 percent less than our current supplier). More importantly, they were delivered quickly at an Amazon Locker near where my trucker was loading up his truck. In other words, our driver did not have to deviate from his route, thus ensuring we did not have additional costs.
What Is An Amazon Locker?
I’ve been speaking about Amazon, and the massive changes its effecting in the retail industry for some time. But, there’s a lot of debate with entrepreneurs, especially small ones, about whether or not they can compete against the global giant. My answer is that it’s possible and it only takes developing one skill. However, before I tell you what that is, what is an Amazon Locker?
Amazon Lockers have been popping up in cities and towns across the country. They’re hard to miss, and they make modern life so convenient. Those lockers are secure self-service kiosks where people, like our driver, can pick up orders. What’s more, people can also drop off returns, if necessary. What makes Amazon Lockers a game-changer? Well, how about the fact that anyone can access the lockers any time, day or night, to pick up or drop off a package. They could be in their hometown, or like our driver, clear across the country.
One Skill to Develop to Compete with Amazon
Not too long ago, and before our experience with our driver and the Amazon Locker, I wrote a critical piece about creativity. You can read it here if you’re interested. Creativity is an essential ingredient for a small business entrepreneur. And, you can take it from me as the owner of more than six operating businesses and brands. I enjoy the challenge of making money, and if you’re an entrepreneur, so should you. But, one of the things I most enjoy is the process of being creative. In other words, in a world of global giants such as Amazon that are continually innovating (and dominating), such as with its lockers, I enjoy figuring out ways to be creative. Meaning, I too drive my team to think out of the box. All. The. Time.
If you were to read the article about creativity, you would learn about the spaghetti challenge. Essentially, it’s a challenge given to architects to build a bridge with only spaghetti strips, string, and paper clips. If it sounds hard, you would be right. It’s a tough challenge, but it forces students to think creatively. You’ll also read about Microsoft game that was featured in Barking Up the Wrong Tree: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Success Is (Mostly) Wrong, written by Eric Barker.
Kindergarten Students Beat Managers, MBAs, and Engineers
Amazon created the lockers because it realized that its customers want convenience. We don’t live in a world where people are at home and can wait for packages and orders. Also, our modern world is about on-demand service. So, it’s only natural that Amazon Lockers would begin to dot our city and towns. People want what they want when they want it. They seek creative solutions to ensure they have things when needed—on their time schedules.
Finally, as you’ll read in the article, just because you seem to have all of the intellect, experience, and knowledge, you can get beaten by a kindergartener. In other words, a small fry can beat you just by thinking creatively, and kids know how to do that well. Perhaps as a business owner, you’re thinking to yourself, Amazon has all the money and power in the world. But, while that may be the case, small businesses have something better than the entire management team of Amazon. Being small could mean that you can develop creativity and be much more nimble in executing it. In other words, with a little ingenuity, you can compete.
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