Newton’s Third Law Goes Shopping

November 24, 2012 — consumerism, local, online, shopping, small business, Zappos

In case you need to refresh Sir Isaac Newton gave us some basic concepts that we use today.  He broke down movement and energy to define inertia.  The third law of motion states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.  This may be easy to imagine in terms of tug boats or bumper cars, but how does this law pertaining to matter have significance we can use to make smarter purchases?  When we play billiards we consider the angle, the trajectory, the speed of the ball as we direct it on its way.  Do we ever think about the economic repercussions we create with our spending decisions?

Today is shop local, Small Business Saturday.   At the same time the mega retailers are bringing in customers with loss leaders to hunt for extreme bargains.  Santa is in business all over the country promoting the concept that a big spending binge is healthy, cheery, and designates the participants as Christians.  Giant light displays and seasonal music beckon to those who are attracted to all that.  Office parties with cocktails and perhaps secret Santa designate this month as Slack for Seasonal Cheer time.  Monday while employees are paid to be working, a day to shop on line will be granted by workers to workers.  Only a Grinch or a Scrooge would interfere with Cyber Monday.  Culturally this is the time to allow employees to take it easy around the office as a reward for doing their jobs for 11 months.  What equal and opposite harm can come from that?

Meanwhile over at Zappo’s every single employee is brushing up skills, checking them twice, because it does not matter if you are naughty or nice….you will be answering the phone and delivering happiness to customers during this busiest shopping season.  The core values that run the best retail experience on earth include full collaboration from all staff all the time.  When needs of the customers’ shift, they shift to accommodate.  They do not carry the myth that by giving them a party in December the company fulfills the promise to make employees happy.  The Zappsters know that an overall commitment to serve the happiness of both customers and staff is in place and being improved constantly.  Their benefits, their work environment, and their personal satisfaction are at the very foundation of the success enjoyed by the company. I do enjoy on line shopping, in spite of the fact that it does not support my local economy. Since I am a speed shopper, I am not so much into the comparison of prices as I am into a superior selection and customer service.  The happy Zappsters deliver,  so much more than shoes.  I like the idea that my purchase contributes to a happy healthy workplace if not to my micro economy.