In industry after industry the internet continues to be a game changer. How can you get ahead of the curve and be a hame changer rather than be a victim of a game changer? Here are some examples to ponder.
Eyeglasses: The supply chain for eyeglasses is being shaken up by online retailers like Zenni Optical who sell eyeglasses direct to customers without the distributors and retailer markups. This is threatening the traditional optical stores. For example, read how these optical providers are reacting to potential customers coming in looking for a PD measurement.
Travel: I just read that increasingly customers will not book in a bed and breakfast unless they can book it online. The B&B owner that does not offer online booking is now missing out on business. A room to stay in can’t be duplicated online, but how it is sold is certainly changing.
Accounting: When I started my first set of accounting books I went to the store and bought Simply Accounting for DOS. It beat the paper based systems I learned accounting on by a mile! The latest system I set up was on Kashoo! This is a web hosted application accessible from anywhere in the world, by as many people as you like. This allows me to log in from where ever (the beach?) and invoice customers, check balances and input expenses. My Virtual Assistant in the Philippines can also log in and work remotely. As data is entered it updates in real time so I can watch my virtual assistant work. Users don’t need to bother with backups either since that is part of the service. These feature allow me to live the lifestyle I want to live and engage in locational arbitrage, all impossible with paper or software hosted on my computer.
You can see many more examples if you look around with open eyes. How are you getting ahead of the curve today?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I think travel is definitely one of those things hit hard but I actually wouldn’t know because I’ve always done my booking online.
It would actually feel silly going to a travel agency to do the work when you can get everything at your fingertips – and at a better rate!
The net is truly amazing at helping us get what we want.
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Or just have your $1 per hour VA hunt down the best deals online.