Business Turnaround

It shouldn’t have been a surprise, really.

The local Blockbuster shut down last week. Online rental, video streaming, and movie on demand dominate the brick and mortar video industry. And, although I’m sure all of these in-home options played a part in the demise of our local Blockbuster, there was another factor involved here. In our little central Texas town “going out to rent a movie” is considered “Entertainment.” So I think what really took this big boy down was the little kiosk called Redbox. It’s convenient, it’s cheap, and you still get to leave the house to choose your movie. Never mind the fact that browsing takes place on a video screen. Hey, I told you it’s a small town. We’re easily entertained.

Twelve years earlier Blockbuster moved into our town and ran almost all of the mom-and-pop video rental stores out of business. Ironic that this giant was brought down by a little red kiosk with a footprint the size of a phone booth.

Did Blockbuster see Redbox coming? Or were they scanning the horizon for a bigger predator competitor? What about your business? It’s not always the big-boxes and the mega-retailers you have to worry about. Sometimes competition comes in a small package.

Just ask Goliath.

Yep. You’re right. I shoulda’-woulda'-coulda' posted this back in January before Valentine's Day. But, in spite of the seasonality of the video, it’ll still make its point. And that is this – 2007 is the year of video – on your Web site, your blog, your wherever and anywhere your imagination takes you. For example, banks are using “virtual tellers” for their drive through customers. The screen shows sports, weather,  trivia, etc. while you wait.

Realtors have been wise to this idea ever since someone posted the first “virtual tour” of a home for sale. Now customers can get a virtual tour of your store, or office, or even a video of you and some of your staff taking care of business.   

I created this holiday video for Brickwood, a retail shop owned by my friend, Gina Angelo, by using One True Media - and no, I’m not receiving anything for the mentioning One True Media. I’m sure you can do the same thing with YouTube. I think OTM is for the technologically challenged, like me. And if you want a professionally produced video, check out my WOA partner, Rex Williams, of SunPop Studios who creates professional Video inSites that you'll just have to see to appreciate. 

Use your imagination to come up with ways you can use video to give another dimension to your business.

Please share your ideas.