Making a Hit out of Time
Several businesses in Japan are becoming popular not from introducing completely new services or products but by becoming flexible with the times they provide their services. Blatter Massen Corporation, a cleaning delivery service based in Tokyo is one of many of these new businesses taking advantage of the demand for midnight and early morning services.
Blatter Massen’s competitive advantage is being able to provide services after 8pm when the average cleaner is closed. Customers do not hesitate with their high pricing since most value the convenience of being able to call at two in the morning for delivery services.
In the case of Japan, it is usually assumed that services offered early in the morning and late at night are targeted towards the young and elderly. However these timeslots are actually the most ideal for targeting working men and women who have difficulty finding time within their heavily scheduled weekdays to run errands or simply relax.
From package delivery services to accommodate late night pickup at nearby convenience stores, McDonalds franchises in selected business districts where times are adjusted for late night workers, to selected health clubs open early in the morning to accommodate those who wish to work up a sweat before going to work–more and more services are being introduced to support the busy lifestyles of working Japanese men and women.
B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Puget Sound in Washington.