Well-Thought-Out Approach to Business

Have you ever wondered why some companies are more successful than others? Why do we often choose specific products over those offered by the competition?

Let me share a story :)

Last year was all about movement. I lived in Warsaw, moved to Berlin for a few months, returned to Warsaw, and eventually settled back in Berlin. During this time, I resided in three different flats before finding my current, stable home. Each new flat came almost bare, lacking essential furniture and kitchen or bathroom accessories. And you know what? Most of these items I acquired from Ikea, whether second-hand, new, or 'second-life.' On second-hand online platforms, Ikea is a category unto itself. Most items there hail from this Swedish brand. With a limited budget, I frequently visited "Free your stuff Berlin" groups and spent time driving around Berlin in my Toyota, collecting various items from different city areas. Ikea was a constant during this period, helping me explore the city and its diverse people. I met individuals from Turkey, China, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, the Netherlands, India, Germany (of course :)), and even made some friends. Interestingly, the Albanian guy who gave me a bed frame turned out to be a courier in my area now bringing packages to me. I found an Ikea wardrobe, bed frame, rack, table, and more. Transporting these bulky items in a packed car was challenging at times. However, dealing with Ikea furniture means mastering the art of disassembly and reassembly. Gradually, I appreciated the simplicity of this process and the Swedish logic behind each new piece. Assembling various components with screws and wooden sticks became an enjoyable adventure.

Ikea focuses on user experience throughout the journey—from finding the right product online, in-store, or via the app, to drawing inspiration, purchasing, transporting, assembling, and finally using the products. You might leave the store without a purchase but end up enjoying a lunch of tasty, affordable food. You can try Swedish dishes and buy typical Swedish products like jam, sausages, fish, and sweets. An Ikea store is akin to a Swedish Embassy, inviting you to experience a slice of Sweden, possibly leading you to one day stroll the streets of Stockholm for a full country experience.

And their marketing? Just read this:

"Now even cheaper

Our Swedish restaurant's prices remain as low as you know them from us. We've also permanently reduced the price of some dishes and products in the Sweden Shop. It's worth stopping by!"

Tempting, isn't it?

While writing this post, I discovered you can now buy Ikea dishes to prepare at home! But one of the most pleasant surprises was learning that if you're missing small Ikea parts (like screws), you can get them for free at the store. If they're not available, Ikea will send them to you by post, free of charge! This approach exemplifies effective business.

"Ikea is like Lego for adults," I often say, but the range of experiences offered by the company is much broader. Ikea is actively working on its program to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become climate positive . The company never becomes monotonous, always managing to surprise.

Affordable and functional products?

Sustainable business practices?

Customer-centric approach?

Simplistic design?

I believe Ikea embodies all these qualities and much more. The Ikea team consistently innovates, strengthening relationships with existing customers and winning over new ones.

This exemplifies what I consider a Well-Thought-Out approach to business.