How far will one go just to gain market share?
So sad to hear in the recent weeks from numerous friends in the coffee industry that the supposed market leader in flavored syrups who ventured into coffee beans importation (from Italy) has been "blackmailing" clients; forcing them to get their inferior and more expensive coffee beans, otherwise they will stop supplying them with syrups and other accessories...
Does this type of selling work? Probably for a few dependent/helpless clients, but for most of those "victimized" they will find alternative solutions and suppliers. Free trade made the world smaller, thus customers have more options nowadays... The leader's loss of clients is to the gain of other industry players!
Here's my two-cents-worth on the whole issue: Being a coffee addict, drinking an average of 3 cups daily, I indulge in imported coffee beans OCCASIONALLY. My favorites being Illy, Zabar's (of New York) and Tully's (of San Fracisco). However, nothing beats FRESHLY ROASTED coffee, expertly roasted, JUST FOR YOU!
Can I guess who? I think I fairly have a good idea who this article is pertaining to. Nevertheless, being the "so-called" market leader doesn't mean they are the leaders in the industry. And besides, i don't think they are the market leaders, they just portray thrmselves to be. By the way they are doing things simply mean they are threatened by existing competitors that is why these acts of desperation are for them justifiable. Karma is a bitch, I wait for their doomsday to happen.
ReplyDeleteThough I'm not for wishing anyone ill will, sad to say the first poster is right -- said (self-proclaimed?) "leader" has sealed their fate with their underhanded market tactics, which would most likely backfire on them, which I agree would be a great opportunity of the other players.
ReplyDeleteAs to "Business Ethics VS Market Share" -- I don't think it has to "VS" -- both can co-exist with high rewards for both Customers & Vendors. Going below the belt may serve the purpose for a short run but not the long haul. Aside from non-practice of common business sense and ethics, this "leader" seem to have forgotten the basic adage in sales - the customer is always right! You don't give the client what they want, they go somewhere else, even if you were their first choice before. Customer Loyalty is rewarded only with Customer's Satisfaction. Cheers!
business ethics is the manifestation of one's character and values, I wonder how many more are worth emulating, this bullying tactics are malpractices that deserve the highest form of insult, but then again, we are not low, let them be, there will be a time of reckoning and that will be hard to beat...
ReplyDeletefollow the righteous path, the trail leads to more success, take the high road, you're sure to come out....a winner!
Thank you for your insightful comments... We all long for the day that more and more companies (big or small) would be able to practice the "Market Share AND Business Ethics" frame of mind...
ReplyDeleteIt's a dog eat dog world out there, specially with today's uncertainties, but given the right set of standards I believe it could be practiced. We can't have all the pie, but as long as we get a good and fair slice then that is sufficient.