Defying Conventional Wisdom: Flying Bazaars

Blue Ocean Strategy Articles : Defying Conventional Wisdom: Flying Bazaars

Blue Ocean Strategy is all about challenging conventional wisdom – questioning taken-for-granted assumptions, and overstepping industry boundaries. It’s a frame of mind of continuously questioning and searching for a different angle and fresh perspective. You can draw inspiration from everyday life, and train your mind by having a discerning view of the world around you. Consider the following bit of comic insight as example of challenging conventional wisdom.

Flying Bazaars

Duty-free shopping is one of the more irritating things about flying. Think about it: The duty free carts are invariably wheeled out right after the principal meal of an overseas flight, when you either want to visit the toilet to freshen up, or simply close your eyes and relax. Both are impossible as the carts, working in perfect unison on parallel isles, block all traffic, and necessitate that the lights stay on in case of a potential transaction. And for those passengers who actually want to buy something at 30,000 feet, chances are that the exact product they are looking for is not available, or they can’t get change in the very currency they hold. So here is a solution: Why not institute specially designated “shopping flights?” Such flights would feature a wide array of vendors whisking products up and down the aisles during the entire flight. This way mid-air shoppers can browse at leisure and are sure to find something special from the much-expanded selection, insuring a rich shopping experience. And best of all, such flying bazaars would not bother regular travelers, who could then have the option to choose “shopping-free flights.”

Source: http://blueoceanstrategy.typepad.com/creatingblueoceans/2007/11/defying-conve-1.html