AbsolutelyNew Blog

What's your modern-day AC?

Movie theaters long ago emphasized their air conditioning to draw summertime crowds in search of cool relief. What’s the modern-day equivalent: Barnes & Noble just announced that it’s offering free wi-fi in its bookstores.

The book retailer believes—smartly—that fast & free surfing will lure more people into its stores, and keep them inside longer... where they’re more likely to buy books and/or try out its new eBookstore. Smart indeed, especially when wi-fi set-up and maintenance will cost B&N so very little.

This brings up some relevant questions for you and your invention. What's your modern-day AC lure? In other words, how are you thinking about what you can “give away” to create more value for your target users... such that they’ll be more inclined to buy your invention? And are you looking for ways to grow your sales from your existing customers (in B&N's case, those peope who are already in the store) rather than focusing entirely on growth via new buyers?

(In giving kudos to B&N, we should note that Starbucks has offered limited, free wi-fi for more than a year... but we’re still scratching our heads on why it limits as it does—requiring people to first register Starbucks cards with at least $5 on them, and then only allowing free wi-fi access for two hours a day. Could it be that Starbucks really doesn’t want people to hang out in their “Third Place”—a term for your home away from home & work? Or have the Starbucks HQ folks simply drank a little too much of their own Kool-Aid?)

Is innovation bad?

Innovation is bad. Very bad. At least that’s what you might conclude from reading the paper or surfing the web recently. How so?:

1. Swimmers are setting world records faster than ever before, and they’re doing so because of their highly advanced, specially streamlined and buoyant swimsuits. Just today, phenom Michael Phelps got smoked by a German athlete who proudly acknowledged that his uber-buoyant Arena X-Glide suit probably shaved two seconds off his time and gave him a big advantage over folks like Phelps wearing the so 2008 Beijing Olympics Speedo LZR Racer. FINA, the organization that governs international swim competition, is now trying to wind back the clock on innovation by writing new policies to ban certain technologies in swimwear.

2. A group of computer scientists at an Association for the Advance of Artificial Intelligence conference has meanwhile started discussing how AI advances could put us at risk of one day being dominated by computers—you know, like in Terminator and 2001: A Space Odyssey. They fret that the computers they know & love could one day take control and/or be malevolently programmed to do evil, not good. As a result, the scientists are discussing how to force or motivate "good" research. And they’re suggesting some computer research be limited exclusively to high-security labs. 

We could go on & on. But what do you think?

Are these innovations good or bad? Should innovation be cut short in swimming, or for that matter, in golf (sorry Big Bertha), tennis, soccer, you name it? And should computer scientists put all their energy towards more innovation… or is it also wise to devote time towards keeping their innovations in check?

Without dipping our X-Glide-free toes too deep into the pool of societal questions, the debate does bring up good questions that each of us as an inventive person should think about. Does my innovative idea move the needle in a big way? And in a good way too? And have I really thought through the outcomes and implications of launch, including those much closer in like how it will affect my finances, my competitors, my everyday life?

All good food for thought… while we’re swimming tonight, of course.

Our fave sites

People often ask us what websites and blogs we love most. Such a tough question because we follow so many! And the answer has so much to do with individual's preferences and areas of expertise. So rather than flood you with a lengthy list, here are 10 sites (listed alphabetically) that we make a point of visiting very regularly – we’re talking at least once a day, sometimes more – because they dish good content on such a consistent basis:

Cool Hunting (general)

Core 77 (design)

Gizmag (tech)

Gizmodo (tech)

Inventor Spot (invention)

Mary’s Inventors’ Blog (invention)

Popular Science (tech)

Toolmonger (tools)

Seth Godin’s Blog (marketing)

Super Cool Pets (pet products)

Happy surfing. And let us know what else you’re on, that you think we should be checking out too.

The running shoe… reinvented for its users

We recently tried out new Zoot running shoes, and just had to talk about them with you.

Ever heard of Zoot? Maybe not, since it’s a company that focuses entirely on gear for triathletes. But there's an interesting invention angle in these $110+ shoes.

You see, the people at Zoot Sports completely reinvented running shoes for their users. They triathletes' very precise needs and biomechanics, and then developed running shoes from the ground up to serve them.

Among those special needs they IDed: being able to slip on fast for a speedy transition, being comfortable without socks, channeling water out so the shoes stay dry and light even when a hot athlete is pouring water over his or her body, and providing more mid-foot support because triathletes run differently than other runners when their muscles are fatigued from the swim and cycling legs that precede the running leg of a “tri.”

Zoot running shoes have now won several awards, and athletes wearing them have won several major triathlons. They’ve also won our kudos.

Two key lessons for you and your invention:

1. Identify your bulls-eye target. Zoot branched into running shoes but never branched away from its focus on a narrow consumer target: triathletes willing to pay high prices for high performance gear. By knowing this target well, it’s able to serve this target well. Very well, in fact. It’s also able to grow its business faster because it is going deeper with a group that already knows the brand well and appreciates its track-record.

2. Make your target your compass. Zoot knew triathletes, but it didn’t know precisely how they run until its scientists studied the biomechanics in great detail... and then designing accordingly. Doing this put them ahead of Nike, Adidas and all the other established makers when it comes to serving this particular consumer segment. We can never say this enough: study your target, and then design with them—not you—as your compass. For Zoot, doing this is now enabling them to win market share from much larger running shoe leaders. Who wouldn’t want to do likewise in their invention category?

Notes from Factoryland... July 2009

Our senior VP of Operations Tom Krysiak is back from another round of factory visits in Hong Kong, this time as we ramp up production on several new inventions slated to reach stores in November.

Here are notes from his latest trip through Factoryland:

• Some factories seem to be busier than others. Those that cater to lower end and lower cost products are cranking along very well.
• Given the world’s ongoing economic slow-down, it remains a “buyers’ market” for factory time. This means U.S. buyers are able to secure very favorable payment terms, and high quality too, from factory operators that are hungry for opportunities. This is the case in Hong Kong and mainland China.
• Chinese factory unemployment is disturbingly high. Hong Kong also continues to be plagued with high unemployment and an unsettled economy. Much like in the U.S., Chinese families are now cutting back on expenses. For an American traveling on business, one way we’re seeing this all first-hand is that it makes it easy to get into the better restaurants that had previously been full.
• Hong Kong went entirely “smoke free” in all their restaurants and bars on July 1. It’s a very welcome relief for non-smokers who don’t care to inhale a pack or two with each meal.
  

Simplicity is key

Does a key really need its handle to be solid... or can that handle give you the hold you need while doubling as a keychain? Amron Experimental has designed with belief in the latter—its Split Key Ring is a key and key ring in one.

Amron is selling “blanks” (2 for $7) that can be cut to fit many leading household locks (we’re no locksmiths here, but a little digging indicates that the blanks work with Kwikset and Schlage locksets, among others).

We love the simplicity of this invention design. And we commend the designer for challenging decades of thinking on the role of the key handle. If only it could help us find our keys too.

(Side note: The inventor’s also selling a 30% stake in his patent rights, according to the Amron website. While this approach certainly isn’t right for everyone, it’s worth noting as one of the ways inventive people are looking for outside means to pursue invention success).

Notes from the NACDS Marketplace

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) annual Marketplace Conference recently wrapped up in Boston. With buyers representing more than 145,000 store locations – including most of the big guys like Costco, Walmart, Safeway and CVS stores – it’s one of the top events for people selling into drug, food and mass retailers.

Now that our very own Serena Soo is back from the conference, here are key notes from the NACDS:

1. Packaging innovation is huge. From beauty products that can be applied from their packages in new ways to BPA-free plastics to UV-blocking vitamin bottles, everyone was focused on new packaging. Are you? Perhaps it’s not appropriate for your invention… but definitely keep in mind that how you deliver your product – to protect it and to showcase it – matters… and can add a ton of incremental consumer value.

2. “As Seen On TV” may be As Seen Everywhere. If you’ve been in a Walgreens lately, you know they’ve devoted a whole section of every store to infomercial fare like the Ped Egg and Bumpits Hair Volumizing Leave-in Inserts (try to say that three times fast). And these are often the #1 selling products in Walgreens stores. Others are now taking note, and all those As Seen on TV products are branching out further. Expect a bunch of them in your local drugstore, supermarket, and big box soon too, if they’re not already there.

3. The Show was abuzz with talk of a new consumer segment and related new consumer shopping behavior: the “conservative shopper,” who is more concerned about protecting their finances and thus acting with the motto “buy less and buy more carefully.” Many of the retailers attending NACDS are working to ensure that they better convey their value so that folks in this new segment will feel comfortable spending in their stores. This talk is also a helpful reminder that every inventor should be sure to convey the value his or her invention provides… especially when people are minding every dollar so carefully.

The best inventions of 2009

What do you think are the best, most revolutionary new products of 2009?

We’ve got some picks of our own... but we’ll keep them to ourselves right now and wait to hear back from the editors are Popular Science – they’re gearing up to answer this question for the magazine’s annual “Best of What’s New” awards. PopSci’s now accepting applications for a range of categories including everything from Gadgets to Home Technology to Recreation.

If you’ve commercialized a truly revolutionary invention – PopSci doesn’t give out awards for evolutionary products, no matter how absolutely awesome they may be – definitely consider applying. Note: your invention must either be available for purchase by 9.30.2009 or a future sales date must be formally announced by 9.30.2009.

And if you’re not yet ready for this year’s competition, that’s OK too. The important thing is that you’re acting to advance your invention, to make it big next year. For inspiration, here’s a link to last year’s winners. Pictured above right is one of 2008’s picks: the sweet-looking, compact, and reportedly very easy-to-operate Icon A5 seaplane.

A tale of two inventions

We’re reminded of Charles Dickens’ famous words (you know, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....”) in two inventions we recently came across: the Early Bird™ alarm clock and the Shape Up™ alarm clock, both from the company Fred & Friends.

We like the company behind these – its a group of playful designers who appeal to the kid within each of us, creating fun things like tooth-shaped candy dishes and cheese plates made to look like giant mousetraps – but we also think the two clocks are representative of how one invention can hit the mark while another can fall a touch short:

The Early Bird clock gently chirps and illuminates to wake you up. Since many people don’t want or need a jarring buzzer waking them up, and still others need a little bit of sun-like light (especially on those dark winter mornings), we think this clock hits the mark dead-on. Some of us here will be placing our amazon orders shortly.

Meanwhile, the dumbbell-sized Shape Up won’t stop buzzing until you lift it for 30 reps. The idea’s cute for about two seconds, but we suspect the novelty will be gone about a second later... and the clock will be in a box in the garage, or yard sale fare, soon afterwards. We prefer for an invention to have a little more life to it.

What can we learn from the two inventions?:

1. Be novel. There’s a huge market for new & different products, especially those that are affordably priced to serve everyday needs. In this regard, the $28 Early Bird can chirp all the way.

2. Be THE solution. The Shape Up solves one problem by creating another. It’s like punching someone in the arm to make them stop thinking about their headache... or invading Iraq so that... well, you get the idea. So while we give a quick nod to the attempt at inspiring early morning workouts, we advise everyone out there to reflect on whether you’re really, truly providing the total solution or simply replacing one problem with another.
3. Be buzzworthy. We learned of the Shape Up from Gizmag, which designated it as gift-worthy for people you dislike. From here, we discovered the Early Bird. The lesson: whatever you’re selling, media attention is good. And yes, it can tactically serve you very well to use one buzzworthy product to draw attention to another that you’re more keen to actually sell.

BTW, Dickens continued with “… it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness….” Here’s to learning from both in order to make your invention better!

(Full disclosure: we’re guilty of playing in the novelty clock arena too, most recently with our Flying Alarm Clock on QVC. Objectively speaking, the Early Bird gets the worm ahead of ours; however our clock comes in well above the Shape Up on balancing practicality and playfulness).

Sinful invention and the 4th of July

We recently discovered The Voodoo Doughnut Burger at the Original diner in Portland—it’s a juicy cheeseburger served on a glazed doughnut that’s been halved like a bun, buttered and then toasted to perfection. Talk about sinful.

What sparked this invention? Creativity. Curiosity. Perhaps a tired cook playing with leftovers in the kitchen one night.

Whatever the case may be, and irrespective of whether you order it with fries, soup or a salad (yes, you can have it with a salad... although we feel that greatly diminishes the "You did what?" response after you tell people what you ate), we like this invention. Why?:

1. It’s new & different. True to the name of their diner, the Original folks came up with an original idea, and they’re getting credit for it. We advise every inventor to make sure his or her product offers meaningful, differentiated benefits… and it’s nice to recognize those who do so.

2. It’s tasty. Really. Just like salty and sweet work well in Thai food and chocolate-covered pretzels, this combination hits the spot. New & different matters, but an invention also needs to deliver on its primary benefit.

3. The timing is right. With plans to grill on July 4th (aka: the day the U.S. was invented), we might just have to make our own doughnut burger. After all, not every one of us can build a robot or mag-lev vehicle, but we sure can stop at the Krispy Kreme on the way home from the butcher shop. And what better way to celebrate a new product and the birth of a nation!

The founder fathers would likely be proud… after a very big “Ye did what?”