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professional installer and only the top rail of each clos-
The ve
The very point of salery point of sale et attached to the wall. Payments technology has simi-
larly evolved from complex, heavy systems to lighter
cloud-based solutions.
• Secure, transparent: In addition to high weight-bear-
ing capabilities that can support up to 500 pounds, my
closet system has accessible, open shelving and display
Principled disruption cases that clearly show everything inside. Modern POS
systems also provide transparent, single-access views,
enabling users to track transaction flows in real time

By Dale S. Laszig and react quickly to issues or anomalies.
DSL Direct LLC • Unified, efficient: The system's efficient, consolidated
design gave my husband a closet that had formerly
ike countless others, I spent more time at home been his in name only. Our customized side-by-side
during the pandemic. As I moved from desk closets put my shoes and his baseball hats within easy
to deck to kitchen table, I noticed geologic lay- reach, with room left over for new purchases. Upgrad-
L ers from other places, other times. Things I had ing a payment system can also improve efficiencies
ignored when on the run—outgrown clothes in the closet, while opening new, expanded possibilities to mer-
old tech in the garage, food containers threatening to take chants, customers and service providers.
over the kitchen—were thrown into sharp relief. I decided
to reboot my house, beginning with the closets. Design inspiration

After a year of living virtually, it was a treat to embark
The first consultant who visited my house had designed on a physical project enhanced by digital commerce.
closets for the same company for over 20 years. Her system Loyalty rewards, curbside pickup and online reviews
would be permanently installed and built to last, she stated, were all part of the experience and inspired me to learn
with beautiful wood-finished drawers and shelving. It more about the retailer I ultimately used. I listened to the
would also cost a fortune. audiobook Uncontainable: How Passion, Commitment, and
Conscious Capitalism Built a Business Where Everyone Thrives
The next specialist worked at a retail store that sold a variety by Kip Tindall, founder and chief executive officer of The
of closet systems, ranging from utilitarian to luxurious. Container Store.
After reviewing my closet photos and requirements, she
designed a plan that met my needs without exceeding Tindall used seven foundation principles to build his
my budget. Happily, materials were in stock, enabling me business, believing that if business is fun and sustainable,
to swiftly complete the project. Throughout my closet profit will inevitably follow. These principles, also
transformation experience, I found the same foundational summarized on the company's website, are designed to
principles apply to good design, whether physical or reward all stakeholders, from employees and vendors to
digital. For example, the best designs are: customers and shareholders, he stated.

• Multipurpose, customizable: A closet adjacent to the
kitchen is now a multipurpose pantry for storing heavy "Retail is far, far too situational to attempt to achieve
appliances and paper supplies, with a separate area for anything through inflexible rules and policies," states The
coats and jackets. Our industry has undergone a simi- Container Store's website. "So, instead of using the typical
lar transformation from single-purpose POS devices phone-book-sized retail procedural manual to guide our
to platforms that support a range of business manage- decision making, we use these Foundation Principles to
ment activities. These systems can be customized ac- keep us on track, focused and fulfilled as employees."
cording to each merchant's unique needs. Seven foundation principles

• Affordable, flexible: My chosen solution cost less than Following is a list of The Container Store's seven Foundation
comparable closet systems. Its modular shelves, brack- Principles:
ets and drawers can be easily added, removed or re-
positioned, making the system easy to adjust as needs 1. One great person equals three good people.
change. Modern POS systems also have flexible frame- 2. Communication is leadership.
works with ancillary features, apps and cloud-based 3. Fill the other guy's basket to the brim. Making mon-
software services that can be changed on the fly.
ey then becomes an easy proposition.
• Agile, portable: Components for all three closets I 4. Provide the best selection, service and price.
redesigned were so lightweight and compact that I 5. Intuition does not come to an unprepared mind.
double-checked my receipt to make sure nothing was You need to train before it happens.
missing. Installation took a half day, with the help of a
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