I´ve only recently heard of Richard Florida. A good read; and I read a lot of this kind of thing. But what caught my attention was Florida refers to Brad Anderson of Best Buy´s Customer Centricity. This is the method of customizing the store according to the buying patterns of the people who shop in it.
Interesting anecdote: Went into a Best Buy to get a transcription-style tape recorder 3 years ago when I started working with my friend David. They had one left on the shelf and I remember thinking, only one! These guys are really low on stock...
When David starting sending me .mp3 files, the tape recorder started to gather dust in the corner, then a friend came over and everything got ´tidied up´. When David handed me a tape, and a really good coffee, and a sheepish look, I froze...tape recorder? Remember those anachronistic marvels?
Well, I went into Best Buy and wouldn´t you know; they had one! Yes! One was all I needed. Then I found the other one in a last ditch search and returned the never opened package happily while previewing some handsome prince movie. (Lovely.) It´ll be waiting for me for next time.
...and following from that:
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine
Where Fast Company interviews Brad Anderson, who in turn references the work of Marcus Buckingham (Read Marcus on HR.com .)
