As a small business owner, thank heavens for the resurgence of Apple Computer and the Apple Store. Seriously, as I was soaking up the energy and absorbing the hip-ness of their Southdale store, I couldn’t help but think that I was experiencing a text-book case of retailing genius. A living, breathing Harvard Business Review case study.
Here’s what I mean: normally, I wouldn’t be caught anywhere near a shopping mall at Christmas time. However, the Apple Store is different. I slogged through traffic mania and mall madness to find sanctuary in the Apple Store. Sure, it was crazy busy…but I didn’t mind bumping into people. Hmmm…the store is cool, the energy is hot and those little hand-held credit card swippers are sick! (that means really, really cool in teen lingo.) I bought something sexy, I spent good money for a MacBook Air, and it felt great.
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Then earlier this week I went back! A colleague and I spent 90 minutes in the presence of Apple Rock Star Josh. He and his business consulting partner Scott helped us envision a virtual consulting world driven and operated by the iPad. The possibilities with Apple are endless, the brand is electric and store just makes you want to spend money! Josh and Scott sent me a proposal and we are considering ‘when’ not ‘if’ we will make the leap.
And just today, our tech guy Justin visited my home office to complete all the set-up and synchronization necessary to operate a virtual firm. Just as I was about to throw out the boxes that contained my sexy new iGear…Justin said: “Don’t you just love their packaging? I can’t bring my self to throw it away.”
If you ever visit our home office (doubtful, but if you did)…you’ll find a sexy Apple box that I just can’t seem to throw away. Now that should be part of that Harvard Business Review story.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]