I only picked Wal-Mart + McDonald's because those are examples everyone knows.

I think the same arguements can be made about all biz's -- big + small... niche + general public.

The two parts to every (successful) duck. The visible part -- floating calmly, magnanimously on the water (what could be called the front counter).

Then there's the feet UNDER the water -- furiously paddling like hell to stop from going over the waterfall (what could be called the back room).

I say that's the way it is -- and should be. It's dangerous to believe you can be a duck who has the top part without having to have the bottom part (too). Dangerous because it is an untruth. There's a very good chance you'll go over the waterfall.

-- TW