New Business Models: (via Emergic) A review in strategy+business
The key element of a blue ocean strategy is a value innovation: a combination of differentiation and low cost that sets a product line or service apart from its competitors. Consider, for example, the story of Yellow Tail, a wine created explicitly for the U.S. market and launched in 2000 by Casella Wines (http://www.casellawine.com.au/), a small, family-owned Australian winery. Casella challenged the wine industry’s givens: that wine is a unique beverage for the informed consumer who requires a complex, wide range of products and is best reached through marketing and brand building that drips with enological terminology.
Casella created a blue ocean by introducing a fun, nontraditional wine targeted at the U.S. drinker who does not normally drink wine, a market three times the size of the U.S. wine market. Soft, sweet, and fruity, Yellow Tail appealed to beer drinkers and ready-to-drink cocktail drinkers, without the traditional focus on tannins, oak, complexity, and aging. Casella made selection easy by offering only one white and one red wine and by replacing the technical jargon with a striking kangaroo logo.
The result: Yellow Tail became the fastest-growing brand in the history of both the U.S. and the Australian wine markets and the No. 1 big-bottle (750ml) red wine in the U.S. by August 2003 and Casella Winery grew to be one of the largest wineries in Australia.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Man Nobody Knows
Good Books: I have read the book recently; a classic account of Jesus as an entrepreneur, and here is what Richard M Fried has to say about The Man Nobody Knows.
Bruce Barton’s 1925 effort to reconfigure Jesus for the Roaring Twenties turned into one of the great best sellers of the century. In The Man Nobody Knows, Barton depicted Christ as a man’s man, not the meek, effeminate figure he had encountered in Sunday School. No Puritan or Prohibitionist, this Jesus turned water into wine and was “the most popular dinner guest in Jerusalem.” Here was the world’s first advertising man, whose parables sparkled as models for modern jingle writers. (Barton had co-founded the celebrated advertising firm of Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborn). Here was Christ, the world’s greatest business executive, who “picked up twelve men from the bottom ranks of business and forged them into an organization that conquered the world.”
When in the 1950s Barton felt compelled to revise his often-reprinted book for a new generation, he blurred its focus. In this new edition, the historian Richard Fried revives the primary source in Barton’s original language. In his Introduction, Mr Fried explores the book’s rich insights into the culture of the 1920s, revealing not only the union of religion and business but changing attitudes toward consumption and leisure, sexuality and the roles of men and women.
Bruce Barton’s 1925 effort to reconfigure Jesus for the Roaring Twenties turned into one of the great best sellers of the century. In The Man Nobody Knows, Barton depicted Christ as a man’s man, not the meek, effeminate figure he had encountered in Sunday School. No Puritan or Prohibitionist, this Jesus turned water into wine and was “the most popular dinner guest in Jerusalem.” Here was the world’s first advertising man, whose parables sparkled as models for modern jingle writers. (Barton had co-founded the celebrated advertising firm of Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborn). Here was Christ, the world’s greatest business executive, who “picked up twelve men from the bottom ranks of business and forged them into an organization that conquered the world.”
When in the 1950s Barton felt compelled to revise his often-reprinted book for a new generation, he blurred its focus. In this new edition, the historian Richard Fried revives the primary source in Barton’s original language. In his Introduction, Mr Fried explores the book’s rich insights into the culture of the 1920s, revealing not only the union of religion and business but changing attitudes toward consumption and leisure, sexuality and the roles of men and women.
Gem Testing
2007: Farn's views on how to run a gem testing lab as a business + working with endlessly complicated clients should provide insights for today's lab gemologists.
(via The Journal of Gemmology, Vol.10, No.1, January 1966) A E Farn writes:
Gem testing could well be the title of a book, a lecture, or merely the sum of all that gemological students imagine is the itinerary of a laboratory gemologist’s day.
Gem testing, generally speaking, is a mixture of items in infinite variety; and if variety is the spice of life—ours is spicy. We are fortunate in having no strictly routine work (in an orderly sense), but because of gemological classes, trade associations and earlier retail experience, we are fortunate in having contact with many aspects of the trade.
Gem testing to the student is usually visualized by stones being tested on the refractometer, or careful wavelength measurement by a spectroscope, crossed-filter work, immersion inspection by microscope, suspension in jars of clerici solution or density work by balance—plus, of course, the mysteries of the endoscope, that unique instrument understood only by a few and capable of use only by the very dextrous, X-rays, fluorescence, phosphorescence, short wave lamps and electro-conductivity tests on rare and pale shades of diamonds. These together with immersion contact photography, Lauegrams and direct radiographs, all join to add to the importance and interest of gem testing.
Strangely enough, a good sense of color, cut and make of stones together with a 10x lens still remain the most useful versatile and flexible adjuncts to the trained gemologists. Gemology, and by that I mean ‘jewelry’ testing, is basically a bread-and-butter science revolving chiefly round the stones which matter: stones such as diamond, emerald, sapphire, ruby, chrysoberyl, peridot, tourmaline, topaz, zircon, quartz, spinel and beryls. These together with opal, pearl, and turquoise, constitute the major importance in the world of gems.
Practically all the money in the gem trade is made by use of these stones in settings of precious metals. The occasional advent of a rare stone in jewelry is interesting to the collectors and non-trade gemologists. Here lies their skill and expertise. Many non-productive hours may be spent in the pursuit of interference figures, refractive indices, indications of positive or negative signs in uniaxial or biaxial stones. Enjoyable as these results may be, they net no cash and cash spells quite a lot of useful things even to gemologists non-trade.
However, fortunately for us, there are still a lot of people who want to know what the center blue stone in a cluster is, or whether the emerald in their Aunt Jane’s pendant is real or not. Probate valuation of deceased person’s jewelry, where the beneficiaries cannot agree as to who have Aunt Maria’s pearls, can be a very useful source of gem testing, for here even the smallest items must be detailed, if only to please the Inland Revenue.
All in all, gem testing, whilst varied, is mundane and concise—very ordinary jewelry set with usually quite small gemstones or pearls of the well-known varieties and, like many other trades or professions, it always seems more interesting to the non-participants. Like watching a plumber wiping a joint—someone else’s job always makes my fingers itch, which brings me to a case in point.
A very good friend of mine, watching with keen interest a test being carried out on a customer’s ring said, ‘You know, you go the wrong way round in your testing. You fly to the most spectacular instead of the more fundamental test in routine matters.’
Here was a challenge flung down on our own doorstep. However good an amateur may be (and he may well be ten times enthusiastic as the professional)—he does testing for love whereas the professional does it for money.
To a professional gemologist, even though he may be a little jaded, the challenge remains constant. He might be right, backed by incontestable facts. To say his facts must be crystal clear (as the gemologists punned it) are the remarks of a gemological pundit.
Gem Testing: ( continued)
(via The Journal of Gemmology, Vol.10, No.1, January 1966) A E Farn writes:
Gem testing could well be the title of a book, a lecture, or merely the sum of all that gemological students imagine is the itinerary of a laboratory gemologist’s day.
Gem testing, generally speaking, is a mixture of items in infinite variety; and if variety is the spice of life—ours is spicy. We are fortunate in having no strictly routine work (in an orderly sense), but because of gemological classes, trade associations and earlier retail experience, we are fortunate in having contact with many aspects of the trade.
Gem testing to the student is usually visualized by stones being tested on the refractometer, or careful wavelength measurement by a spectroscope, crossed-filter work, immersion inspection by microscope, suspension in jars of clerici solution or density work by balance—plus, of course, the mysteries of the endoscope, that unique instrument understood only by a few and capable of use only by the very dextrous, X-rays, fluorescence, phosphorescence, short wave lamps and electro-conductivity tests on rare and pale shades of diamonds. These together with immersion contact photography, Lauegrams and direct radiographs, all join to add to the importance and interest of gem testing.
Strangely enough, a good sense of color, cut and make of stones together with a 10x lens still remain the most useful versatile and flexible adjuncts to the trained gemologists. Gemology, and by that I mean ‘jewelry’ testing, is basically a bread-and-butter science revolving chiefly round the stones which matter: stones such as diamond, emerald, sapphire, ruby, chrysoberyl, peridot, tourmaline, topaz, zircon, quartz, spinel and beryls. These together with opal, pearl, and turquoise, constitute the major importance in the world of gems.
Practically all the money in the gem trade is made by use of these stones in settings of precious metals. The occasional advent of a rare stone in jewelry is interesting to the collectors and non-trade gemologists. Here lies their skill and expertise. Many non-productive hours may be spent in the pursuit of interference figures, refractive indices, indications of positive or negative signs in uniaxial or biaxial stones. Enjoyable as these results may be, they net no cash and cash spells quite a lot of useful things even to gemologists non-trade.
However, fortunately for us, there are still a lot of people who want to know what the center blue stone in a cluster is, or whether the emerald in their Aunt Jane’s pendant is real or not. Probate valuation of deceased person’s jewelry, where the beneficiaries cannot agree as to who have Aunt Maria’s pearls, can be a very useful source of gem testing, for here even the smallest items must be detailed, if only to please the Inland Revenue.
All in all, gem testing, whilst varied, is mundane and concise—very ordinary jewelry set with usually quite small gemstones or pearls of the well-known varieties and, like many other trades or professions, it always seems more interesting to the non-participants. Like watching a plumber wiping a joint—someone else’s job always makes my fingers itch, which brings me to a case in point.
A very good friend of mine, watching with keen interest a test being carried out on a customer’s ring said, ‘You know, you go the wrong way round in your testing. You fly to the most spectacular instead of the more fundamental test in routine matters.’
Here was a challenge flung down on our own doorstep. However good an amateur may be (and he may well be ten times enthusiastic as the professional)—he does testing for love whereas the professional does it for money.
To a professional gemologist, even though he may be a little jaded, the challenge remains constant. He might be right, backed by incontestable facts. To say his facts must be crystal clear (as the gemologists punned it) are the remarks of a gemological pundit.
Gem Testing: ( continued)
Kornerupine
Chemistry: Magnesium aluminum iron boro-silicate.
Crystal system: Orthorhombic; radiating columnar habit; water-worn pebbles.
Color: Transparent to translucent; yellow green, brown, colorless; some chrome-rich green; phenomena: chatoyant (golden eye) and asterated stones.
Hardness: 6.5
Cleavage: Prismatic; Fracture: conchoidal.
Specific gravity: 3.3
Refractive index: 1.67 – 1.68; Biaxial negative; 0.013
Luster: Vitreous.
Dispersion: Low
Dichroism: Brown/green.
Occurrence: Star: Burma; Cat’s eye: Sri Lanka; Green: Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya.
Notes
Collector’s stone; constants near Enstatite; strong spectral band in the violet and a weak band in the blue 503nm; faceted and cabochon.
Crystal system: Orthorhombic; radiating columnar habit; water-worn pebbles.
Color: Transparent to translucent; yellow green, brown, colorless; some chrome-rich green; phenomena: chatoyant (golden eye) and asterated stones.
Hardness: 6.5
Cleavage: Prismatic; Fracture: conchoidal.
Specific gravity: 3.3
Refractive index: 1.67 – 1.68; Biaxial negative; 0.013
Luster: Vitreous.
Dispersion: Low
Dichroism: Brown/green.
Occurrence: Star: Burma; Cat’s eye: Sri Lanka; Green: Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya.
Notes
Collector’s stone; constants near Enstatite; strong spectral band in the violet and a weak band in the blue 503nm; faceted and cabochon.
Rembrandt
Memorable quotes from the movie:
Rembrandt van Rijn (Charles Laughton): And of a sudden he knew that when one woman gives herself to you, you possess all women. Women of every age and race and kind, and more than that, the moon, the stars, all miracles and legends are yours. Brown-skinned girls who inflame your senses with their play, cool yellow-haired women who entice and escape you, gentle ones who serve you, slender ones who torment you, the mothers who bore and suckled you; all women whom God created out of the teeming fullness of the earth, are yours in the love of one woman. What is success? A soldier can reckon his success in victories, a merchant in money. But my world is insubstantial. I live in a beautiful, blinding, swirling mist.
Rembrandt van Rijn (Charles Laughton): And of a sudden he knew that when one woman gives herself to you, you possess all women. Women of every age and race and kind, and more than that, the moon, the stars, all miracles and legends are yours. Brown-skinned girls who inflame your senses with their play, cool yellow-haired women who entice and escape you, gentle ones who serve you, slender ones who torment you, the mothers who bore and suckled you; all women whom God created out of the teeming fullness of the earth, are yours in the love of one woman. What is success? A soldier can reckon his success in victories, a merchant in money. But my world is insubstantial. I live in a beautiful, blinding, swirling mist.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Art Programs Taking Off At Airports
James Hannah writes about why more and more airports in the United States are using art to boost tourism + improve the image of the community + soothe the passengers + the phenomenon of artport + the effect on the economy + other viewpoints @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20070723/ap_tr_ge/travel_trend_airport_art
In my view display of gemstone inclusions at the airports + bus terminals across the world should become a new phenomenon in the art world. They are stunning + inspirational + you fall in love with gemstones + the 'natural' inclusions.
In my view display of gemstone inclusions at the airports + bus terminals across the world should become a new phenomenon in the art world. They are stunning + inspirational + you fall in love with gemstones + the 'natural' inclusions.
Blink
Good Books: I have read Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, and here is an excerpt from the book.
Trust your instincts
Don’t think—blink
An art expert sees a ten million dollar sculpture and in a flash realizes it is fake. A fire fighter makes a split-second decision to get out of a blazing building just before it collapses. A marriage analyst studies a fifteen-minute video of a couple and accurately predicts whether they will stay together. A police officer reads a life-or-death situation in the heat of the moment. A speed dater suddenly clicks with the right person…..
Blink is all about those moments when we ‘know’ something without really knowing why, and how this ability is one of the most powerful we possess. A snap judgment made very quickly, Malcolm Gladwell reveals, can actually be far more effective than one made deliberately and cautiously. By blocking out what’s irrelevant and focusing on narrow slices of experience, we can read a seemingly complex situation in the blink of an eye—and discover a radically new way of understanding the world.
This book show us how we can hone our instinctive ability to know in an instant, helping us to bring out the best in our thinking and become better decision makers in our homes, offices and in everyday life. Just as he did with his revolutionary theory of the tipping point, Gladwell reveals how the power of ‘blink’ could fundamentally transform our relationships, the way we consume, create and communicate, how we run our businesses and even our societies.
You will never think about thinking in the same way again.
The concept is not new but the application is. I would very much like the concept applied in the gem and jewelry context + other businesses where 'impulsive buy' is the norm + when you see something you like, you respond. It's spontaneous. Perhaps a unique blink concept? Could be. Anyway it was fun reading the book.
Trust your instincts
Don’t think—blink
An art expert sees a ten million dollar sculpture and in a flash realizes it is fake. A fire fighter makes a split-second decision to get out of a blazing building just before it collapses. A marriage analyst studies a fifteen-minute video of a couple and accurately predicts whether they will stay together. A police officer reads a life-or-death situation in the heat of the moment. A speed dater suddenly clicks with the right person…..
Blink is all about those moments when we ‘know’ something without really knowing why, and how this ability is one of the most powerful we possess. A snap judgment made very quickly, Malcolm Gladwell reveals, can actually be far more effective than one made deliberately and cautiously. By blocking out what’s irrelevant and focusing on narrow slices of experience, we can read a seemingly complex situation in the blink of an eye—and discover a radically new way of understanding the world.
This book show us how we can hone our instinctive ability to know in an instant, helping us to bring out the best in our thinking and become better decision makers in our homes, offices and in everyday life. Just as he did with his revolutionary theory of the tipping point, Gladwell reveals how the power of ‘blink’ could fundamentally transform our relationships, the way we consume, create and communicate, how we run our businesses and even our societies.
You will never think about thinking in the same way again.
The concept is not new but the application is. I would very much like the concept applied in the gem and jewelry context + other businesses where 'impulsive buy' is the norm + when you see something you like, you respond. It's spontaneous. Perhaps a unique blink concept? Could be. Anyway it was fun reading the book.
The Luxury Of Dreams
Chaim Even-Zohar writes about the World Diamond Congress + the impacts of the diamond dream + diamond demand, supply and market structure + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp?TextSearch=&KeyMatch=0&id=25842
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