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“People are the operating system.” — David Fischer, facebook
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Virginia's plantations have learned the culture of "free." -
Having family visit often means touring the local sites. Being in central Virginia, one of the local plantations is a popular choice. There isn’t much to them but a tour of “The Big House,” a walk along the grounds, and standing on historic soil.
I give a lot of credit to these destinations for giving their tour away online for free. (re: Chris Anderson’s Free.) They’ve recognized that seeing relics and gardens is only Cracker Jacks—that the prize is feeling a connection. Being where our founding Presidents stood, where T.A.P.S. was composed, and where civil war troops rested often gets talked about in terms of the tangible. It is the intangible that your $11 admission buys.
Plantations have taken a great step by giving away the sights and inviting people to the “real” tour. There is a great opportunity to campaign the connection and sensation of visiting.
Rubbermaid | Innovating a 100 Year Old Brand | Fast Company -
Bert DuMars, VP E-Business & Interactive Marketing at Rubbermaid was interviewed about crowd-sourcing innovation. He talks about something that is becoming a trend with some of the brightest companies: using customer feedback.
It seems like a no brainer given that customer feedback has been collected for as long as I can remember. But DuMars has taught an old dog a new trick. What he has changed is how feedback is being used. At Rubbermaid DuMars launched a feedback channel to specifically gather usability information. With this method it took no time to discover communication issues and affect fast, positive, and effective change.
It is no secret that consumers love to review products and DuMars has given us a great case that proves it is a valuable conversation to have. Be on the lookout for more customer feedback campaign as a tool to bring a product to market.
My New Dyson Ball Vacuum Really Sucks -
Moms love this vacuum because it sucks. The product has always had really good reviews. Part of what makes this brand so successful is that they invest in innovation. The machine costs more, like an Apple Computer costs more, but the system will always be well made and super innovative.
The “Ball” allows Dyson’s newest vacuum to lower its center of gravity. That means more stability at high speed and speedy is something everyone loves chores to be. No wonder there is love for this vacuum.
AI will surpass human intelligence after 2020 - Computerworld -
YIKES! Maybe in 10 or so years we can just have computers create innovations for us. Hello Wall-e, hope you’re not a Terminator.
First Images: BlackBerry Watch is FOR REAL! | CrackBerry.com -
Blackberry’s new watch works in tandem with the smartphone. If owners are willing to submit to a name like Crackberry, there must be a need for their phone to have a pet screen. Truly innovative? Eh, seems like less of a life altering device and more of a tech gadgetry charm. How many “cool” gadgets are produced in the name of innovation? (See http://www.asseenontv.com/)
Non-the-less, maybe it will help keep more Crackberry eyes on the road.
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