
When Apple opened their first Apple store in 2001 there were many skeptics that thought, with so few products it is too narrow of an appeal, it just won't work. It also happened when electronics retailers were on the decline and after all what did Apple know about retail stores? But somehow Apple pulled off a big win and approximately 14 years into the “experiment” they have the most profitable retail space per square foot in America! Not only that but it has magnified and promoted their brand in ways that were unimaginable before the Apple store.
It might seem logical to outsource something that is not your core strength but not if it needs to be. For instance, retail sales was not Apples strength and it may not be yours but it may provide an opportunity for you to clarify product differentiation and promote brand value better than any other way and therefore it needs to be in-house and not outsourced. Think of all your business processes and determine if you know of a unique product or process that is more effective, cheaper and/or faster than what subcontractors can or are willing to produce. If you do have an insight on some part of the business you don’t currently control, it might be a big innovation game changer to bring it in house and make it one of your strengths.