y’know, I always thought it was kinda odd that Shaw of people immediately treated Madelyne as an individual from the get-go, and despite his past with Jean he didn’t for one second confuse the two even though they had just met and she looked exactly like her, like he didn’t even comment on it or wonder about that (or if he did, we didn’t get to see those thought balloons) As far as I can tell, he never even brought it up or asked her about it, ever.
but it occurred to me, that kinda makes complete sense for him actually? Not that he never wondered or asked (that’s still weird) but that he saw and treated her instantly as a completely separate individual entity regardless of her appearance. Because this is the dude whose greatest brag, the thing he wants everyone to know about him, is that he is a “self-made man”, whose greatest treasure is his own self and agency and being the sole arbiter of his life/destiny, who chose to risk death over possession, who screamed “I’ll make my own fate!” even while he was bleeding on stretcher, who believes that, I quote, “The individual is all.”
Shaw is the bootstrapper Atlas Shrugged social-darwinist from hell, I love him. Come to think of it, maybe that’s what Maddy saw in him too besides dem tits
The Downfall of Q-Commerce: Lessons for Startups & Entrepreneurs
Introduction
Q-commerce, or “quick commerce,” was once a promising e-commerce startup that focused on quick delivery times and a wide range of products, typically through mobile apps or social media platforms. However, the company has recently faced a major downfall, leading to layoffs and financial struggles. So what went wrong? Through analyzing the factors that contributed to Q-Commerce’s decline, we can identify important lessons for other startups to consider in order to increase their chances of success.
One of the main reasons for the downfall of Q-commerce platforms is a fragile profit structure. Q-commerce companies often have to balance the cost of providing fast and convenient delivery service with the need to keep prices low to attract and retain customers. This can lead to a situation where the cost of providing the service exceeds the revenue generated by the service, making it difficult for the business to be profitable. One of the main drivers of this issue is the high cost of delivery, which can make up a significant portion of the overall cost of providing the service. Q-commerce companies often have to rely on third-party couriers and delivery partners, which can add additional costs and complexity to the delivery process.
Additionally, the lack of economies of scale, compared to larger e-commerce companies, can make it difficult for Q-commerce platforms to negotiate favorable deals with delivery partners. Another factor that can contribute to the fragile profit structure is the low margin on products. Q-commerce platforms often sell products at a relatively low price, making it difficult to generate a significant profit margin on each sale. This can make it challenging to cover the costs associated with running the business, such as marketing, technology, and overhead. Ultimately, an increase in sales alone does not guarantee the success of a Q-commerce business (see also “Key Differences between Sales & Business Development”).
Furthermore, another major challenge is the intense competition from well-established e-commerce giants such as Amazon and Alibaba. These companies have significant resources and brand recognition, making it difficult for new Q-commerce platforms to gain market share. Additionally, the market is also saturated, with revenue in the eCommerce market is projected to reach $4.48tn in 2023, making it harder for new players to stand out.
To overcome these challenges and turn around a struggling Q-commerce platform, there are a few strategies that can be considered. While the previous article “5 Ways for Startups to Survive Recession” offers a general overview of strategies that can be implemented for startups, there are few considerable strategies for Q-commerce platforms:
Focus on niche markets: Instead of trying to compete with larger e-commerce players in broad markets, focus on niche markets where there is less competition and you can differentiate yourself. This can help to attract customers who are looking for specific products or services and may not find them on larger e-commerce platforms.
Improve customer experience: Offering a seamless and personalized shopping experience can help to attract and retain customers. According to a study by Epsilon, 80% of consumers are more likely to purchase from a brand that offers personalized experiences. This can be achieved by investing in technologies such as AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics to personalize the shopping experience for each individual customer.
Diversify revenue streams: Diversifying revenue streams, for example, partnering with brands, offering services, or subscriptions, can help to reduce dependency on one revenue stream. This can help to increase the overall revenue and stability of the business.
Invest in technology: Investing in new technologies such as AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics can help to improve the shopping experience and increase efficiency. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global AI in e-commerce market size is expected to grow from $2.3 billion in 2018 to $15.2 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 44.4% during the forecast period. This can also help to streamline internal processes, such as inventory management, customer service, and marketing.
Develop and maintain strong partnerships: Developing strategic partnerships with other businesses and organizations can help to expand reach, increase access to resources, and leverage existing customer bases. According to a report by Business Insider, partnerships and collaborations are becoming increasingly important for companies looking to expand reach and access new resources. This can be done by forming partnerships with complementary businesses, such as those in the logistics or payment processing industries, or by partnering with influencers or social media platforms.
Innovative pricing strategies: To overcome the fragile profit structure, Q-commerce platforms could consider different pricing strategies, for example, subscription-based or membership-based models, which could provide a more stable revenue stream. Additionally, they could also explore alternative revenue streams such as advertising, or cross-selling other products or services.
Innovative logistics solutions: Innovative logistics solutions are crucial for Q-commerce platforms to reduce costs and stay competitive in the market. Implementing strategies such as utilizing a network of independent contractors for crowdsourced delivery or automating key aspects of the delivery process, such as sorting and packaging, can greatly increase efficiency, lower labor costs, and improve the customer experience.
Conclusion
Q-commerce is a rapidly growing market with many opportunities for new players, but it can also be a challenging market to navigate. Intense competition, market saturation and fragile profit structure can make it difficult for new Q-commerce platforms to gain traction. However, niche markets, personalization, diverse revenue streams, technology such as AI and advanced analytics, strong partnerships, innovative pricing strategies and logistics solutions can increase chances of success. Q-commerce platforms must stay agile and adapt to changing market conditions while delivering value to customers and building strong partnerships. By addressing intense competition, market saturation, and fragile profit structure, Q-commerce platforms can build a sustainable business model.
