Fix the Problem First, Not the Symptom

Hundreds of Barnes & Noble bookstores have closed since 1997. In the last five years, the chain has lost a billion dollars (or more) in market value.

Last weekend I went into a Barnes & Noble bookstore with my two granddaughters to get them some books. I was surprised at the store and the employees.

The book store looked a bit shabby and the employees walking around also were looking a bit shabby as well as “distant.” Now I know that B&N have been through some tough times, probably went through reorganization or two of some kind and have recently been acquired by a private equity firm. 

The private equity firm who owns the UK bookseller Waterstones recently bought Barnes & Noble. 

The Waterstones’ CEO, Mr. Daunt certainly has an immense challenge. In trying to describe the problems that Barnes & Noble faces, Mr. Daunt was quoted in the New York Times as describing the problem as follows:

“Frankly, at the moment you want to love Barnes & Noble, but when you leave the store you feel mildly betrayed. Not massively, but mildly. It’s a bit ugly — there are piles of crap around the place. It all feels a bit unloved, the booksellers look a bit miserable, it’s all a bit run down.”

Gee, I felt the same way. Maybe a lot of customers feel that also. 

In describing the problem this way, the CEO has, I believe, focused on the symptoms and not the causes. Sure, he could say that in today’s digital age, people prefer to read books on their E-devices, and that’s why they may come into browse, then go home and buy the book on Amazon, but this appears to be a symptom, not a problem. The lack luster appearance of the store and employees also seems to be symptom rather than the root problem.

It’s tempting for a bowling proprietor or any retailer to say their problem is that they are not getting enough traffic into their establishment. That very well may be a fact, but that is merely a symptom.

Too often, we try to solve the symptom by lowering our price or offering a “new” program. But these so called solutions aren’t addressing the real problem, I don’t think.

For example, could the real problems be:

  • Center is dull; employees don’t engage with the customers, it’s really not fun
  • Center’s food is overpriced and not a very good value
  • Center is just dirty. Not outdated necessarily, but just doesn’t feel clean and sanitary. Moms don’t like going to the restroom.
  • Some of the center’s parking lights are out and people just don’t feel safe going there at night.
  • Center attracts “rough crowd” on weekend nights and their foul language offends many people

Maybe if we look at the real problems, we’ll stop chasing knee jerk reactions to the symptoms. But that takes work.

Are you ready to keep digging until you discover the REAL problem(s?)

About Fred Kaplowitz
Marketing is in my DNA. I love to solve problems and meet challenges head on and I have successfully produced results for hundreds of clients. I love what I do and love helping to make my clients more successful and happier. I am a husband and father, consultant, a coach, a teacher, a motivator, a copy- writer, and a speaker. I look forward to working with anyone searching for a proven methodology out of mediocrity. May I assist you in taking your business to the next level. Please call me now @ 516 359 4874 to review your business goals and strategies.

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