There was a discussion of how Home Depot's business is becoming stagnant over on the ICS board. I related my experience of touring an old battle field in New Orleans. I thought I'd share what I wrote with you guys and gals here.
The year before Katrina hit New Orleans, Nancy and I were in New Orleans for the ISSA trade-show. On one of our free days we were looking for something to do, so we decided to take one of the river boat tours that runs along the Mississippi river. The tour stopped at the famous battle field where Andrew Jackson defeated the invading British forces. I have never been much of a history buff, so I figured I would be bored. Instead I learned a couple of things that can be applied to business. I guess history isn't so boring after all.
Copied from the ICS board...
A lesson from the Battle of New Orleans
Posted By Rick Gelinas on 8/22/2007 at 6:02 PM
To add to what my friend Bill Yeadon said that Home Depot has lost sight of serving the customer… It also makes me think of the tour I took of the battle field in New Orleans where Andrew Jackson wiped out an invading British Army back in 1814.
There is a creek bed in New Orleans (it's still there) where a weary rag tag army of Americans laid in wait for an arrogant British general to run his troops headlong into the soldiers who were waiting for them.
The British recognized that they had the upper hand on Jackson and his men. They ASSUMED that this fight would be an easy victory. After all, they had the US army outnumbered better than 2 to 1.
On the other hand, the weaker American forces could not afford to be so pompous. Jackson's army was made up of soldiers, farmers, slaves, Indians, anyone he could find. Whereas the British troops were professional soldiers.
Thus Jackson and his men had to be resourceful. They dug out a creek bed and fortified it. And there they laid and waited for the invasion of the mighty British army.
The British forces charged out onto the field (including their generals). Jackson knew this would have to be their point of entry. The dug out creek bed just beyond the open field proved to be a strategic vantage point for Jackson's troops to wait. And as the British troops crossed the field, their army met a tragic defeat.
When it was all said and done, the British were defeated: The British lost 385 men with 1,186 wounded. The US lost 13 men with 58 wounded.
As I thought about what our tour guide was telling us, my mind naturally reflected on how this could be paralleled to business. What lessons could I learn from my visit to this old battle field in New Orleans?...
I learned that you can't afford to be pompous and arrogant in business. You can't assume that you have the advantage in the market. You have to think creatively every day! Just because the competition may appear stronger, they may very well lose the battle for the customer in the end. And it demonstrates that it may be easier (perhaps out of necessity) for a smaller organization to think outside the box and respond quickly as needs arise.
I see Home Depot as well as well as many "solid" staid businesses looking a lot look the arrogant British army. On the other hand, Lowe's is in a good position to pull an Andrew Jackson on them. Lessons of this battle made an impression on my business mind. I could see the value of being small and responding quickly to change. And I think that any company who assumes they can rest on their alleged strengths may, in the course of time, be beaten on the battlefield of commerce.
Rick Gelinas
rick@excellent-supply.com
