Gorilla glass is just one example of the many innovations being deployed to enhance the consumer's experience. Both in the store and in the shopper's hand.
The hardware is resilient and inexpensive. What is lacking?
SX - Shopper Experience.
18.12.09
Long Live the AppStore - Or Not
So, you've invested millions of dollars/euros developing your App Store which still isn't quite up to snuff.
And today you log on to read your favorite shopper relationship blog prepared to pat yourself on the back for how hard you're working to engage your shoppers/customers. And suddenly you begin to worry. Just a bit.
Conventional wisdom says there will be both native apps and OS driven apps but either way the device manufacturers MUST improve upon the way they educate shoppers about their apps.
Recommendation? Go in-store. Go all in.
And today you log on to read your favorite shopper relationship blog prepared to pat yourself on the back for how hard you're working to engage your shoppers/customers. And suddenly you begin to worry. Just a bit.
Conventional wisdom says there will be both native apps and OS driven apps but either way the device manufacturers MUST improve upon the way they educate shoppers about their apps.
Recommendation? Go in-store. Go all in.
17.12.09
Data Visualization In Retail
How do you gauge the activity on your retail floor?
The tools available to software developers are quite diverse and improving at a rapid clip. PODO uses Silverlight to offer a detailed look at the number of shoppers in an area, which consumer electronics devices they are picking up, how long they held them before replacing them on the shelf, pictures & video of customers as they shop, theft and alarm notifications, customer queuing, etc.
The amount of data available to a retailer (or brand) is immense and the tools to display this information are available today.
Are you capable of gathering this information from your retail floor? All it takes in one CPU and a variety of inexpensive sensors to open the floodgates to a treasure trove of data.
The tools available to software developers are quite diverse and improving at a rapid clip. PODO uses Silverlight to offer a detailed look at the number of shoppers in an area, which consumer electronics devices they are picking up, how long they held them before replacing them on the shelf, pictures & video of customers as they shop, theft and alarm notifications, customer queuing, etc.
The amount of data available to a retailer (or brand) is immense and the tools to display this information are available today.
Are you capable of gathering this information from your retail floor? All it takes in one CPU and a variety of inexpensive sensors to open the floodgates to a treasure trove of data.
16.12.09
Smartphones - Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Every shopper faces this battle.
Companies are cropping up to help users make their decisions since the retailers have been unwilling to take this step.
Podo Technology takes this decision making process into the store.
It's not cheap. It's not easy. But aren't your customers worth the effort? Aren't your competitors' customers worth the effort?
Companies are cropping up to help users make their decisions since the retailers have been unwilling to take this step.
Podo Technology takes this decision making process into the store.
It's not cheap. It's not easy. But aren't your customers worth the effort? Aren't your competitors' customers worth the effort?
McDonald's Continues to Define Shopper Marketing
For the second time in a week I find myself posting about an unexpected source of "The right way to build shopper relationships".
McDonald's will begin offering free WiFi in all of their 14,000 US locations.
So, do you think the nation's road warriors would rather pay $5 for a cup of coffee and pay for internet access or pay $3 and get Wifi for free?
I suspect consumers will speak with their pocketbook.
Well done.
McDonald's will begin offering free WiFi in all of their 14,000 US locations.
So, do you think the nation's road warriors would rather pay $5 for a cup of coffee and pay for internet access or pay $3 and get Wifi for free?
I suspect consumers will speak with their pocketbook.
Well done.
14.12.09
Consumer Electronics Rebounds
Cautious optimism was undoubtedly the reigning attitude headed into this holiday season.
The optimism appears to have been well founded.
The optimism appears to have been well founded.
Got Touchscreens?
Really? You're a modern retailer and you're not investing in interactivity?
If you don't already have screens deployed you're in that safe place where the software has matured and the hardware prices are plummeting.
Now, if you WANT to spend lots of money on your touchscreen here's an option.
45 meters long.
If you don't already have screens deployed you're in that safe place where the software has matured and the hardware prices are plummeting.
Now, if you WANT to spend lots of money on your touchscreen here's an option.
45 meters long.
You Want a Shopper's Attention?
Invest in their loyalty BEFORE they even consider a purchase.
I saw these charger stands regularly while visiting India this Summer. It was one of those semi-regular "Why don't we have these everywhere in the U.S.?" moments.
Today's shopper expects you to add value to their lives. Not attempt to buy their influence.
Who would have thought the day would come when politicians were cheaper than shoppers?
That day is now.
I saw these charger stands regularly while visiting India this Summer. It was one of those semi-regular "Why don't we have these everywhere in the U.S.?" moments.
Today's shopper expects you to add value to their lives. Not attempt to buy their influence.
Who would have thought the day would come when politicians were cheaper than shoppers?
That day is now.
What If Google Decides to Provide Wireless Service?
What do I do if I'm Google and I know one of the most monolithic and slow moving industries in the world will do everything in their power to control my hardware and software?
Do I casually introduce unlocked products which can be used on the carriers' networks?
Or do I take a bold step and introduce my own wireless network?
If I truly want to transform the way people communicate I'd go all in. But then, Google wouldn't admit this even if it were their intention.
So what is the end result of this announcement? Just a little fear and trepidation on the part of the current wireless carriers? Or lose-sleep-at-night-because-your-company-might-be-irrelevant-in-three-years kind of fear?
There is a solution. Leverage your physical presence. Embrace your shoppers. Transform the SX.
If your shoppers were loyal what would be the impact? #1 Churn rates would obviously fall markedly. #2 Perhaps they talk to their friends about their carrier the same way they currently talk about their mobile devices.
Have no doubt that if you do nothing they will leave when given the opportunity. Maybe they leave for Google. Maybe they leave for Comcast. If they are not loyal they will not hesitate to leave.
Do I casually introduce unlocked products which can be used on the carriers' networks?
Or do I take a bold step and introduce my own wireless network?
If I truly want to transform the way people communicate I'd go all in. But then, Google wouldn't admit this even if it were their intention.
So what is the end result of this announcement? Just a little fear and trepidation on the part of the current wireless carriers? Or lose-sleep-at-night-because-your-company-might-be-irrelevant-in-three-years kind of fear?
There is a solution. Leverage your physical presence. Embrace your shoppers. Transform the SX.
If your shoppers were loyal what would be the impact? #1 Churn rates would obviously fall markedly. #2 Perhaps they talk to their friends about their carrier the same way they currently talk about their mobile devices.
Have no doubt that if you do nothing they will leave when given the opportunity. Maybe they leave for Google. Maybe they leave for Comcast. If they are not loyal they will not hesitate to leave.
13.12.09
Socialnomics in Your Store
Your shoppers are radically different than they were just 2 years ago. You'd better stop thinking about next year's ad budget allocation and start thinking about how you're going to prepare your house for the shopper experience tsunami which is about to reach every retailers shore.
Key takeaways:
"Why are we trying to measure social media like a traditional channel anyway?" Erik Qualman
And
"You can't buy attention anymore. Having a huge budget doesn't mean anything in social media... The old paradigm was PAY TO PLAY. Now you get back what you authentically put in. You've got to be willing to PLAY TO PLAY." Alex Bogusky, Co-Chairman, CP&B
Key takeaways:
"Why are we trying to measure social media like a traditional channel anyway?" Erik Qualman
And
"You can't buy attention anymore. Having a huge budget doesn't mean anything in social media... The old paradigm was PAY TO PLAY. Now you get back what you authentically put in. You've got to be willing to PLAY TO PLAY." Alex Bogusky, Co-Chairman, CP&B
12.12.09
Even McDonald's is Investing Heavily in Shopper Experiences
If you're a major consumer electronics brand and you're not spending heavily to embed technology into your shopper's experience you're already falling behind the curve. See attached article.
Proof point #2? When my kids opened their Happy Meals today (yeah, we're that healthy) inside was not the typical somehow-unswallowable plush toy but instead an "Avatar" character. Nothing surprising there except this toy lights up when any sound is emitted near the toy. So, in a $3 meal McDonald's can afford to include a toy with a sound sensor and a battery? McDonald's get it. Do you?
Proof point #2? When my kids opened their Happy Meals today (yeah, we're that healthy) inside was not the typical somehow-unswallowable plush toy but instead an "Avatar" character. Nothing surprising there except this toy lights up when any sound is emitted near the toy. So, in a $3 meal McDonald's can afford to include a toy with a sound sensor and a battery? McDonald's get it. Do you?
Intel Goes Tera - Leaving Poor Giga Behind
48 cores. The impact advances in hardware are going to have on the retail floor are enormous.
"Minority Report" retail experiences can't be too far behind.
"Minority Report" retail experiences can't be too far behind.
11.12.09
Too Big To Quit?
Windows Mobile 7 had better take the world by storm. Apple has set a high bar and it is no longer "good enough" to arrive 5 years late to the party (as MS did in spreadsheets, browsers, etc.)
If Microsoft loses the mobile developers they'll never be relevant. I doubt this will happen - MS can't afford to give up on this game.
If Microsoft loses the mobile developers they'll never be relevant. I doubt this will happen - MS can't afford to give up on this game.
Apple's Soft Underbelly
As enamored as the world seems to be with Apple's AppStore the game obviously isn't over.
Nokia is pulling out all the stops to engage developers to write apps which they hope will draw shoppers to purchase their devices. Apple is tightly controlling their environment (as usual) so Nokia is blowing the doors wide open hoping developer innovation will save their digital bacon. Apple's control-freak nature, while an important component of their success, may also prove to be their undoing.
Assuming Nokia is successful the question remains: How do shoppers, who are unwilling to spend hours scouring the internet to learn about device capabilities and applications decide which product to buy?
At Apple it is quite simple. You effectively have 1 phone option. At Nokia, Samsung, Blackberry, Motorola, etc you have dozens (if not hundreds) of confusing choices.
If you're unwilling to simply your product portfolio you had better be willing to expend the effort necessary to educate consumers about your product. If you don't they'll likely choose to visit The Fruit Stand instead.
Nokia is pulling out all the stops to engage developers to write apps which they hope will draw shoppers to purchase their devices. Apple is tightly controlling their environment (as usual) so Nokia is blowing the doors wide open hoping developer innovation will save their digital bacon. Apple's control-freak nature, while an important component of their success, may also prove to be their undoing.
Assuming Nokia is successful the question remains: How do shoppers, who are unwilling to spend hours scouring the internet to learn about device capabilities and applications decide which product to buy?
At Apple it is quite simple. You effectively have 1 phone option. At Nokia, Samsung, Blackberry, Motorola, etc you have dozens (if not hundreds) of confusing choices.
If you're unwilling to simply your product portfolio you had better be willing to expend the effort necessary to educate consumers about your product. If you don't they'll likely choose to visit The Fruit Stand instead.
10.12.09
The Struggle for Relevance
Nokia's home office appears to be quite focused on transforming themselves into a software and content firm built upon the back of their current device business.
What is lacking? Product education. Their customers simply don't have access to many of their devices in NA retail locations (though they're working to fix this) and when they do see them they're undifferentiated. One would think the world's premier mobile device marketing machine would commit to an inimitable retail experience. They have one of the greatest distribution systems in the world and yet it is not only not being leveraged but with the closing of their flagship stores their presence is even being marginalized.
In my typical less-than-humble opinion Nokia needs to use current marketing technologies (i.e. a platform such as Podo Technology's) to better educate their potential customers about their offerings.
Fear in retail plays an enormous role in a shopper's purchase decision. If they don't understand your devices they will NOT buy them. Nokia is huge but North American shoppers simply do not know them.
How much is a relationship worth?
What is lacking? Product education. Their customers simply don't have access to many of their devices in NA retail locations (though they're working to fix this) and when they do see them they're undifferentiated. One would think the world's premier mobile device marketing machine would commit to an inimitable retail experience. They have one of the greatest distribution systems in the world and yet it is not only not being leveraged but with the closing of their flagship stores their presence is even being marginalized.
In my typical less-than-humble opinion Nokia needs to use current marketing technologies (i.e. a platform such as Podo Technology's) to better educate their potential customers about their offerings.
Fear in retail plays an enormous role in a shopper's purchase decision. If they don't understand your devices they will NOT buy them. Nokia is huge but North American shoppers simply do not know them.
How much is a relationship worth?
3.12.09
Nokia Sticks to Symbian Platform
I wonder if Nokia is afraid. It is very easy to strut proudly around the world and boast incessantly about your 40%+ market share.
Motorola used to do that. They now have 7%.
Interesting side note? I'm beginning to see more and more articles focusing on Mobile OS market share and ignoring the device manufacturer altogether.
What does this tell us? All manufacturers should be afraid. Be very afraid.
Motorola used to do that. They now have 7%.
Interesting side note? I'm beginning to see more and more articles focusing on Mobile OS market share and ignoring the device manufacturer altogether.
What does this tell us? All manufacturers should be afraid. Be very afraid.
1.12.09
Online Search is Only Going To Get Better
Retailers have one last bastion of opportunity. It is there. They own it. It is begging to be used. It is their building.
And yet most of the industry continues pandering to the POP advertising crowd and co-marketing with the brands because they don't have the vision necessary to take control of their own marketing destiny.
Tomorrow your shopper's are going to have tools like Google Squared in their hands while in your store. You'd better hope you have SOMETHING engaging in-store to make them want to visit you rather than your competition.
If this opportunity is missed retail will continue down its current path toward irrelevance where "geographic convenience" is the only factor which enters a shopper's mind.
Is it fun to shop in your stores?
And yet most of the industry continues pandering to the POP advertising crowd and co-marketing with the brands because they don't have the vision necessary to take control of their own marketing destiny.
Tomorrow your shopper's are going to have tools like Google Squared in their hands while in your store. You'd better hope you have SOMETHING engaging in-store to make them want to visit you rather than your competition.
If this opportunity is missed retail will continue down its current path toward irrelevance where "geographic convenience" is the only factor which enters a shopper's mind.
Is it fun to shop in your stores?
And You Thought Wireless Devices Were Already Pervasive...
We're all familiar with NFC (Near Field Communication) but Sony is finalizing/perfecting their "Transfer Jet" technology as well.
The ability for wireless devices to communicate at high speeds is going to substantially improve the functionality of every gizmo bearing one of these chips.
A time is coming when all your devices will finally communicate with one another.
Is your Retail Floor going to be ready to communicate with the devices your shoppers are carrying?
The ability for wireless devices to communicate at high speeds is going to substantially improve the functionality of every gizmo bearing one of these chips.
A time is coming when all your devices will finally communicate with one another.
Is your Retail Floor going to be ready to communicate with the devices your shoppers are carrying?
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