Kinkos disfunctional business model
We're traveling this week and had to make some copies at Kinko's (now given the tongue twisting name of FedexKinkos... which causes one to consider - does a brand name have such ego that it needs to insert itself into a simple, effective name like Kinkos?). I've always thought Kinko's was dysfunctional - a combination of demanding customers, poor service provided by a staff that seemed to be hired because they lacked the people skills to become barristas, and ugly fluorescent interiors.
Well, Kinko's also has a completely backwards business model based on their main product: copies. Copies made by their service staff - collated and stapled if necessary - cost 8¢ per copy. If I hook up my laptop to their LAN system, I can print directly to Kinko's printers for 49¢ each, 600% higher. It's the only model I've ever seen where automating a procedure takes the back seat to giving employees something to do, like managing a copier.
It's backwards... I can't even think of an analogous model in real estate.
Didnt banks do basically the same thing by charging ATM fees to use an automated service while the personal service remained free?
Tony
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Then some banks tried to charge customers for teller face time, but that was a short lived idea... I think exploitation of senior citizens became the issue.
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If you can find a Staples store, it's usually cheaper than Kinko's or Office Depot or Office Max.
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