I think it is sometimes easy to confuse what consumers want vs. what they will put up with.
A funny example of this occurred on a panel that I participated on the other day. One of the panelists was arguing that consumers want shorter and shorter snippets of video to watch. To support the argument he pointed to broadcast television and noted that 30 minute shows used to have 27 minutes of content, then 26, now we’re down to 22!
Um, I don’t think that consumers were begging for more advertisements and shorter shows. By and large, they have been willling to put up with it, though time-shifting is showing that perhaps a wall has been hit there.
The main thing that I took away from this is that big mistakes can be made with products and services if there isn’t some serious pragmatism and honesty about which direction you are pushing towards. And here’s a hint: consumers are willing to put up with much less today.
1 year agoI’m really surprised by people who seem chronically unhappy with their work or other situations for that matter. I have distilled my advice down to two choices.
1) Get happy
or
2) Get out
I realize that not everyone is in a situation where quitting is a reasonable option and the work/situation really does suck. But most people I encounter who are vocal in their complaints do have a choice. Life is too short to waste time complaining and being unhappy, unless deep down that makes you, um happy.
1 year agoBiked 7 miles - 18.75MPH
Ran 2 miles - 6.5 MPH
*Sprint Tri is nothing like the Iron Man. It is .5 mile swim + 12 mile bike ride + 3 mile run…
**So far, all training has been in gym with no incline. actual real world results will vary ;-)
Biked 6 miles at 18MPH pace
Ran 1.5 Miles at 6.5MPH pace
Gotta pick it up.
1 year ago1) Over time, gain 15 lbs of unwanted weight. Cheer your spouse on as she trains for and competes in a sprint triathlon.
2) In August, go to a dinner party (eat and drink a lot) and in front of several friends and spouse, casually agree to do a sprint triathlon. It’s not until July, big deal.
3) Spend 7 months gaining a little more weight and exercising only very occasionally.
4a) Go to a dinner party (eat and drink a lot) and make sure that someone reminds attendees of your late Summer bravado.
4b) Let that small part of you that still prevents you from wisely swallowing your pride rise up, and reaffirm your plans to do the deed.
5) Panic.
6) Begin ridiculous training regimen. Watch the pounds melt away!
1 year ago