Inertia and market "control". We had enough of the latter to get favorable siting in stores. I think our marketing department was actually pretty savvy with some exceptions. It was known as a place to be if you had a "Stanford" MBA, even if you left after 4-5 years, and they often did leave, it was up or out.
I had occasion to work with them some, some of them were quite smart. And there was a "System" for managing specific products, a little guy didn't have much chance of competing. I still prefer two of our products, but the rest I mostly buy whatever is on sale. I like Dawn and Charmin. The Costco brand paper towel is fine with me. Laundry detergent seems all to be about the same among better brands. Shampoo? Meh. I use some 3 in 1 cheap brand that does everything supposedly.
I very rarely think about work today unless something brings it up, which is a good thing. It's a closed chapter in my history except for a book I dabble with at times.
I do enjoy writing, but the urge comes and goes. Then we start traveling, which is today in fact.
