Hi, you know by now that I am a fan of videos that I discover on the web. This one is a really entertaining one, but more than that it is related to a project I worked on a while ago. Have fun watching...
I also admire how consequently this professor in Indiana University created his Syllabus based on the "game theory". http://gamingtheclassroom.wordpress.com/syllabus/.
Enjoy, its a little different from other talks but I think they have a point there, there are thousands of untapped possibilities...
Wednesday 26 January 2011
Thursday 20 January 2011
Update mobile social applications - Hot stuff
Hi,
you might want to check these two as well if you are into location based social networking application strategies:
Gowalla.com
Yelp.com
Both are really interesting concepts, we will see how and where future touch-points emerge. Other applications and websites will be competing fiercely and dependent on some considerable external funding to survive the crowding out, which obviously will happen some time in the future. Prove me wrong on that one!. I just hope the niches are as stable as expected by the tech-world and the contestants stick to a certain level of differentiation in between each other. Different animals require different strategies....as I realized today even Tuenti.com gets into it...hot stuff for entrepreneurs.
Gowalla
Yelp
you might want to check these two as well if you are into location based social networking application strategies:
Gowalla.com
Yelp.com
Both are really interesting concepts, we will see how and where future touch-points emerge. Other applications and websites will be competing fiercely and dependent on some considerable external funding to survive the crowding out, which obviously will happen some time in the future. Prove me wrong on that one!. I just hope the niches are as stable as expected by the tech-world and the contestants stick to a certain level of differentiation in between each other. Different animals require different strategies....as I realized today even Tuenti.com gets into it...hot stuff for entrepreneurs.
Gowalla
Yelp
Monday 17 January 2011
The new travel world...2.0, Cool & Interactive
A close friend of mine and me got into the topic of travel guides not too long ago. Even though we had no clue about the industry at the beginning we quickly realized that it is one of the hottest start-up areas right now.
So check out part of our research or simply have fun travelling!
We think it will be one of the core markets for recommendation based social interaction applications (like the famous Foursquare.com) that will add to everybody's travel experiences. Additionally to that there is a strong trend to experience travel as an interactive experience or even as a game (see the famous Geocaching.com website, video below).
To keep a long story short: We love to play, hate to see churches, desperately seek the twists and cool stories behind the scenes and please get us a drink in the coolest secret bar nearby...we pay for that, mobile devices will drive this market niche and I bet you the conventional city map will be history in 5 years. Just look what Alacartemaps.com is doing...
Ladies and gentlemen, here are my personal winners so far and if you want to travel "the new way" are down there. Great business models, I bet bucks on that as the future of travel, not only leisure, but also professionally (develop that area, its more profitable I bet!). All operate on different business model and plan engineering axis. There is probably 100 more of them around, so please feel free to post it!
The winners are:
Whaiwhai.com
Gogobot.com
Geocaching.com
Have fun travelling or starting up...its worth it.
So check out part of our research or simply have fun travelling!
We think it will be one of the core markets for recommendation based social interaction applications (like the famous Foursquare.com) that will add to everybody's travel experiences. Additionally to that there is a strong trend to experience travel as an interactive experience or even as a game (see the famous Geocaching.com website, video below).
To keep a long story short: We love to play, hate to see churches, desperately seek the twists and cool stories behind the scenes and please get us a drink in the coolest secret bar nearby...we pay for that, mobile devices will drive this market niche and I bet you the conventional city map will be history in 5 years. Just look what Alacartemaps.com is doing...
Ladies and gentlemen, here are my personal winners so far and if you want to travel "the new way" are down there. Great business models, I bet bucks on that as the future of travel, not only leisure, but also professionally (develop that area, its more profitable I bet!). All operate on different business model and plan engineering axis. There is probably 100 more of them around, so please feel free to post it!
The winners are:
Whaiwhai.com
Gogobot.com
Geocaching.com
Have fun travelling or starting up...its worth it.
Sunday 16 January 2011
Crowdsourced Design Competitions
I) need a logo for a project.
A professional custom logo design in Europe or the US costs approximately 500-1500 €. Ok, if you want to spend that on 6 proposals and unlimited corrections you should go and visit a doctor I guess. They will most probably be out of business by 2030.
Here is the fix, that I think changes the game: Crowd-sourced Design Competitions, one of my best friends from business school came across and he had some great results!
99designs.com is a startup that hosts design competitions on logos, businesscards, etc. The platform links us to a pool of freelance designers who want to earn some extra bucks. Based on the amount you pay for you project, they compete for your project based on the description, customer info and requirements you post.
Competitions last for up to 7 days (or even 3 days for quick designs), so expect some 30-200 design proposals depending on the amount you bid and some other factors. I have seen competitions with + 500 proposals.All you have to do is select the proposals that match your needs and dump the rest. Corrections to designs are possible. The more you bid, the more you proposals you get. Easy Adam Smith stuff right?
I'll keep you posted on how my competition goes...Since I am a tight guy I'll spend some 300 US (250€) lets see what happens...after 2 hours I had 2 designers work on it already. If I am not happy with that I'll obviously bid more on the go.
Cheers.
Saturday 15 January 2011
Unconventional ventures tell a story
Hi,
sometimes entrepreneurs have to give something back.
Granniesin.co.uk or Goldenhook.fr are of the special kind of ventures I really like to highlight, simply because they create a win-win situation, that benefits all involved parties not only economically but also from a social point of view. More on the customer side, for me as an ex-fashion marketer, it is a no-brainer that we are living the trend to demand more and more customized and unique DIY-products in the industry. Just look at all the fair trade, ecological and non-child labour must have best practices in fashion stores worldwide to see the trend.
What's the story? Well, its an easy concept, everybody is a born designer, but not everybody has a granny to produce some some of the basic items that we like to wear especially if we think about a pure urban-alternative target market. These companies provide it. The granny, the scarf and the special touch that only a customized scarf made by granny can provide. Overall: The story is key.
Sounds dodgy to rent a grandma to knit you new scarf, beanie, etc?! See a trend? Can this apply to other areas in which older people can contribute and receive recognition for their (barely forgotten) passion? I think yes. Think about it, its a beautiful project that has already found copycat examples in other countries:
Netgranny.ch from Switzerland.
Oma-strickt-es-dir.de from Germany
sometimes entrepreneurs have to give something back.
Granniesin.co.uk or Goldenhook.fr are of the special kind of ventures I really like to highlight, simply because they create a win-win situation, that benefits all involved parties not only economically but also from a social point of view. More on the customer side, for me as an ex-fashion marketer, it is a no-brainer that we are living the trend to demand more and more customized and unique DIY-products in the industry. Just look at all the fair trade, ecological and non-child labour must have best practices in fashion stores worldwide to see the trend.
What's the story? Well, its an easy concept, everybody is a born designer, but not everybody has a granny to produce some some of the basic items that we like to wear especially if we think about a pure urban-alternative target market. These companies provide it. The granny, the scarf and the special touch that only a customized scarf made by granny can provide. Overall: The story is key.
Sounds dodgy to rent a grandma to knit you new scarf, beanie, etc?! See a trend? Can this apply to other areas in which older people can contribute and receive recognition for their (barely forgotten) passion? I think yes. Think about it, its a beautiful project that has already found copycat examples in other countries:
Netgranny.ch from Switzerland.
Oma-strickt-es-dir.de from Germany
Tuesday 11 January 2011
Business Plans & Networking
Hi there,
I came across something I find quite intriguing, since it is a simple thing to implement and ties in some networking trends online for entrepreneurs. Ever came across the problem that friends and family are not objective enough to give you an unbiased opinion on your business plan or you were struggling to find a qualified team member to start up? You may have a look at these projects:
1. Feedbackers.biz offers an objective look on your business ideas and plans, your marketing strategy, and some other details that need some objective criticism before launching. For just $99. Well, thats some well invested money if the guys lieve up to the expectations they creat. I just wonder how they assure quality, but I checked their profiles and they seem to be an interesting bunch of people. Just give it a shot, they even offer more tailored in-depth consulting on projects. Well, just give it a try and tell me how they work...or just send your stuff over to me, I actually enjoy doing this type of work!
2. Spanish business school EADA (Barcelona) gets more and more serious about entrepreneurship. The value proposition is similar to the Venture Lab approach IE Business School is using, yet much more informal and maybe even more productive (anarchy and time pressure sometimes are a big plus). You get the chance to meet up to 40 professionals in short 2 minute speed dates ans basically pitch yourself, your idea, etc. According to a spanish newspaper article, the event has been a great success and outsiders are allowed. Maybe you just want to give it a try, its always worth it. I actually attended some courses with EADA staff, and the talks were always excellent, so I guess the people there are good. Maybe other business schools should pick up on that idea as well...
I came across something I find quite intriguing, since it is a simple thing to implement and ties in some networking trends online for entrepreneurs. Ever came across the problem that friends and family are not objective enough to give you an unbiased opinion on your business plan or you were struggling to find a qualified team member to start up? You may have a look at these projects:
1. Feedbackers.biz offers an objective look on your business ideas and plans, your marketing strategy, and some other details that need some objective criticism before launching. For just $99. Well, thats some well invested money if the guys lieve up to the expectations they creat. I just wonder how they assure quality, but I checked their profiles and they seem to be an interesting bunch of people. Just give it a shot, they even offer more tailored in-depth consulting on projects. Well, just give it a try and tell me how they work...or just send your stuff over to me, I actually enjoy doing this type of work!
2. Spanish business school EADA (Barcelona) gets more and more serious about entrepreneurship. The value proposition is similar to the Venture Lab approach IE Business School is using, yet much more informal and maybe even more productive (anarchy and time pressure sometimes are a big plus). You get the chance to meet up to 40 professionals in short 2 minute speed dates ans basically pitch yourself, your idea, etc. According to a spanish newspaper article, the event has been a great success and outsiders are allowed. Maybe you just want to give it a try, its always worth it. I actually attended some courses with EADA staff, and the talks were always excellent, so I guess the people there are good. Maybe other business schools should pick up on that idea as well...
Monday 10 January 2011
Awesome talk!
I barely forgot: This is the guy behind http://1000awesomethings.com. Its a brilliant and down to earth talk, that can be linked to the Trendwatching report in respect to marketing socially driven marketing campaigns. Maybe you think its bollocks, but I'd say its the pure essence of value generation 2011.
Consumer Trends 2011
Yesterday they released the new consumer trends for 2011 on Trendwatching.
Ok, I will admit that it takes me a horrible lot of time to write about this today. This is simply due tot the fact that I am disappointed to see the ever returning 2010 startups like Groupon, vente-privee.com, Jetsetter, Foursquare, Zipcar, P1international.com etc...come on please! A little turnoff are also the classic rent a fashion bag (http://www.bagborroworsteal.com) or even rent a calculator stuff (http://www.renac.ca). Clear mainstream no trendsetting.
For my part I would have divided more clearly the axis planned spontaneity and social-lites comparison to Made for China and Urbanomics. The The reason is quite simple: Local marketing and physical delivery is a clear driver for emerging markets and a repeating phenomenon. If you want to talk about trend-settting developments there is still a clear divide in between the two worlds. The generation G idea clearly is a link in between the two worlds, they do a nice job in mapping out the differences and cracks between the two worlds.I'd expect them to do that even more in the future.
However, it is worth a read, as usual they did a great job nailing down the driving forces behind marketing and entrepreneurship for 2010.
Here my favourites that will not bore you too much:
www.vouchercloud.com, www.swoopo.com, www.gogobot.com
Have fun!
Ok, I will admit that it takes me a horrible lot of time to write about this today. This is simply due tot the fact that I am disappointed to see the ever returning 2010 startups like Groupon, vente-privee.com, Jetsetter, Foursquare, Zipcar, P1international.com etc...come on please! A little turnoff are also the classic rent a fashion bag (http://www.bagborroworsteal.com) or even rent a calculator stuff (http://www.renac.ca). Clear mainstream no trendsetting.
For my part I would have divided more clearly the axis planned spontaneity and social-lites comparison to Made for China and Urbanomics. The The reason is quite simple: Local marketing and physical delivery is a clear driver for emerging markets and a repeating phenomenon. If you want to talk about trend-settting developments there is still a clear divide in between the two worlds. The generation G idea clearly is a link in between the two worlds, they do a nice job in mapping out the differences and cracks between the two worlds.I'd expect them to do that even more in the future.
However, it is worth a read, as usual they did a great job nailing down the driving forces behind marketing and entrepreneurship for 2010.
Here my favourites that will not bore you too much:
www.vouchercloud.com, www.swoopo.com, www.gogobot.com
Have fun!
Friday 7 January 2011
Watch your health...
I little thought on a very basic thing even an MBA does not cover...get yourself a health insurance or rethink your sporting habits!
Just came back from skiing yesterday and I think I partially broke or at least twisted my right wrist to an extent I barely can type or sleep. How shall I keep on working on my projects if my right hand is ******?! Honestly, these were my first thoughts when that guy drove into me and I heard the sound of my wrist being bent in a quite unusual way and I am a good skier...
My girlfriend told me that her dad stopped skiing as soon as he set up his business, so well, I guess I learned the lesson by hard. Most of the times you smile at people taking it these type of things too serious, but there is obviously some thought behind that decision her father took back in the days. Shall I do the same?
Especially when you are starting up alone this kind of accident can be an essential danger to your business
Conclusion: I guess that's why successful people play golf...and by the way, never tell a banker that you ski. I would most definitely cut your credit line in half.
I'm off to the doc...
Just came back from skiing yesterday and I think I partially broke or at least twisted my right wrist to an extent I barely can type or sleep. How shall I keep on working on my projects if my right hand is ******?! Honestly, these were my first thoughts when that guy drove into me and I heard the sound of my wrist being bent in a quite unusual way and I am a good skier...
My girlfriend told me that her dad stopped skiing as soon as he set up his business, so well, I guess I learned the lesson by hard. Most of the times you smile at people taking it these type of things too serious, but there is obviously some thought behind that decision her father took back in the days. Shall I do the same?
Especially when you are starting up alone this kind of accident can be an essential danger to your business
Conclusion: I guess that's why successful people play golf...and by the way, never tell a banker that you ski. I would most definitely cut your credit line in half.
I'm off to the doc...
Wednesday 5 January 2011
An idea for young moms & dads
I just talked with one of my best friends (congratulations, you are a mom!) about your first kids. There is an awful lot of stuff out there to read but nothing quite fits the need that young moms & dads have to understand what is going on, what is normal, what is not normal with the behavior of their kids. Its a nightmare, honestly.
I bumped into this one (http://momentgarden.com/) on Springwise the other day and think its a brilliant way to visualize things for young parents.
As usual I kept it in the back of my brain but did not quite realize until the moment that we talked about it, that the way to display and to visualize the steps and baby makes when it grows up. It is perfect but the content is way to passive! This is pure pull interaction, not more than a mere photoalbum to collect memories....useless, sorry. A nice idea, but quite passive. More important: Show me the money! Where are the profits to make the thing take off? I wouldn't put a dime on that project right now...sharing moments is a nice idea, if you can convert them into viral marketing that is something I would invest in.
What about matching it with useful information that is pushed to mom & dad?
What about timing things, matching marketing activity and adding some valuable information about babies?! Everybody knows that there is a huge checklist of things to be bought, that make or to be prepared etc...depending on the stage your kid is in. Why not push some marketing through this channel?
"Your kid should get the first teeth by now. Buy some "xyz" to make yours and your kids lif easier. I am not talking about earplugs here, but I bet Pampers would pay a fair amount of money to develop on this idea...imagine the problems sucha information platform your fix within an instant, while at the same time proposing solutions to problems every mom&dad face when kids grow up...I see some fair money in there.
I leave you alone with that idea....I think its an easy one....Maybe I'll pitch it to that website...
I bumped into this one (http://momentgarden.com/) on Springwise the other day and think its a brilliant way to visualize things for young parents.
As usual I kept it in the back of my brain but did not quite realize until the moment that we talked about it, that the way to display and to visualize the steps and baby makes when it grows up. It is perfect but the content is way to passive! This is pure pull interaction, not more than a mere photoalbum to collect memories....useless, sorry. A nice idea, but quite passive. More important: Show me the money! Where are the profits to make the thing take off? I wouldn't put a dime on that project right now...sharing moments is a nice idea, if you can convert them into viral marketing that is something I would invest in.
What about matching it with useful information that is pushed to mom & dad?
What about timing things, matching marketing activity and adding some valuable information about babies?! Everybody knows that there is a huge checklist of things to be bought, that make or to be prepared etc...depending on the stage your kid is in. Why not push some marketing through this channel?
"Your kid should get the first teeth by now. Buy some "xyz" to make yours and your kids lif easier. I am not talking about earplugs here, but I bet Pampers would pay a fair amount of money to develop on this idea...imagine the problems sucha information platform your fix within an instant, while at the same time proposing solutions to problems every mom&dad face when kids grow up...I see some fair money in there.
I leave you alone with that idea....I think its an easy one....Maybe I'll pitch it to that website...
Tuesday 4 January 2011
Mykea - customize your Ikea furniture
Yet another great example how startups hop on the back of bigger players to generate some extra profits for small businesses and freelance artists. How come Ikea did not come up with that for the poster and frames section? Brilliant and simple.
http://www.thisismykea.com/
http://www.thisismykea.com/
The empathic civilization..
A great video that makes you connect the dots that matter....should be a must see for any marker. Unconventional point of view from my side but probably true, think about it.
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