Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Rod points to a quote made during a debate in NZ about how TradeMe (NZs eBay) got marketing right.

As a marketing guy I’d say that Sam’s genuis was taking an idea that was working stunningly well offshore and being first to market in NZ with a very good replica with some better features and racing stripes.

As far as eschewing conventional marketing, that was smart and reflected exactly what others did also.

As both a user and marketer I’d say what is really broken is product development and management in most Web2.0 companies and start-ups. Some get it right, most don’t even have a crew focused on the user. The full extent of their marketing effort – if they have one at all – is a couple of marcomm specialists or a PR agency. So, before blaming marketing – get a marketing function or leader.

It’s sheer nonsense to draw a correlation between insight into marketing being broken, then, marketing communications, then building a better product.

I could equally pepper the world with ludicrous notions like:

"Most software and web developers are brainless idiots who while great at code writing have no real understanding or care for how real people use products. Most have never met or spent time with a customer. Sam’s genuis was not putting-up with this and forcing developers to build a product that users would not just want to use but love to use. And, to infuse software/web development with some marketing nouse."

In short, what Sam really did right was make the User and customer a priority for every function in the company. Me thinks the engineers and developers protest too much!

I love what Silverjet and others are doing. The first opportunity I get, I’m getting myself on one of these jets. I’m begging you guys – get a service to San Francisco pronto. And for that matter – into the Asian markets.

Rod has a couple of terrific posts on the iPhone. I haven’t posted because I am still stunned at what they have pulled off. They redefined the device. Things that got me excited:

1. Screen size. I’m one of those weird people that watch videos on their iPod – normally while working out. The bigger screen and format mean more viewing and one less device.
2. OSX. One less interface to learn. One platform to love. One platform for all my apps.
3. WiFi. I live on WiFi. This is a real coup for them. Cingular made Nokia take the WiFi out of the E61 and rendered it useless. 
4. Camera. Finally, one device for everything.

The other big news that Office 2008 will be ready for the Mac next year and, I hear, Parallels will run Windows apps inside OSX (you don’t have to switch between OSs) means I am back on a Mac full-time by December. Brilliant!

One thing I love about Apple is that they just seem to care about their customers. Contrast this to my recent experience on the Microsoft Office 2007 beta and trial and Apple wins hands-down. They seem to just revel in what they are – a product company.

Rod, I’ll be standing in line to get you one mate!

I enjoy the Change This Manifestos and this one is a really good one. Here are a few excerpts from “Elegant Solutions – Breakthrough thinking the Toyota Way” by Matthew E. May. Thanks to Guy Kawasaki for the pointer.

“An elegant solution is one in which the optimal outcome is achieved with the minimal expenditure of effort and expense.”

A big lesson – “Avoid the Temptations

1. Swinging for fences. This is the “homerun or bust” trap, which invariably destroys a strong batting average over time. It carries with it huge risk, usually accompanied by high cost.
2. Getting too clever. This is the “bells and whistles” trap, which can easily get out of control in an effort to outdo competitors. It carries with it the danger of complexity and customer alienation.
3. Solving problems frivolously. This is the “brainstorm” trap, which is misguided creativity far afield from company direction. It’s a symptom of poorly defined work, and fraught with waste. There’s a reason we call it an organization.
4. “Keep it Lean. Complexity kills—scale it back, make it simple, and let it flow. More is often just more. Unless it’s more simple, accessible, timely and efficient, which really means it’s less complicated and complex. When it comes to solutions, size and sprawl matter. Be-all, end-all, feature-rich solutions almost always miss the mark. Because they’re over-scoped and too complex. They’re usually proof that we lack real insight into our customer’s desires. Complexity destroys value, which is what matters most to the customer. The most elegant solutions always seem blazingly simple. “

WSJ covers Lifehacker. Worth a read. One of my fave blogs.