Your morning cup of coffee may start to taste even better after a major government study found that frequent coffee drinkers have a lower risk of dying from a variety of diseases, compared with people who drink little or no coffee. Good news for beverage manufacturers who are continuing to look for alternatives to carbonated soft drinks. For the rest of us, just another reason to enjoy a second (or third) cup of coffee. (more…)
Add comment | May 17th, 2012
I recently returned from a ski trip at Deer Valley in Park City, Utah. Since it is habitually rated as a top ski resort in the US and the world, I had some relatively high expectations as well as a healthy dose of skepticism. As a longtime laid back west coast skier, I seriously could not imagine how I could possibly fall in love with a resort that reeks of exclusivity and elitism. Well, I am slightly embarrassed to admit that after just one day I was a convert. Why? Because every single element of the Deer Valley experience permeates a commitment to detailed attention to customer needs. It actually struck me (the research geek that I am), that wherever I went on the property there was not a single thing I wished for. Get to the top of a lift in the cold? Adorable little ski lodge waiting with stunning views, roaring fireplace, freshly made hot cocoa or specialty coffee drinks, and outragious baked goods. Need the restroom? No worry, there is one at every lift, and along the way to the base lodge. Cold hands or cold boots? Heaters galore and hot water in the restrooms. Legs tired from that last run? There’s a place to rest your skis on the long lift ride back up. I think you get the idea. Whomever is running Deer Valley has figured out that delighting a customer is possible in every element of a product experience. And what’s the payout for that level of commitment? I am going back next year and bringing friends.
P.S. For those who know me well, don’t be horrified. Tahoe is still and always will be the location of my home mountain.
Add comment | April 16th, 2012
I recently read an article in The Economist dissecting the crisis at Kodak which really struck a cord. As a professional who strives to help companies innovate, it was heartbreaking yet compelling to read the tale of a formerly powerful company crumbling under the challenge of managing its’ own innovation. The article further describes the fortunes of Fujifilm and how they managed to avoid the same fate as their competitor. A worthwhile read here.
Add comment | February 2nd, 2012
If you have no clue what that means, then pay close attention. “Absolutely Fabulous” was in its way groundbreaking, yet it also harked back to an earlier era of television comedy. Some of the most memorable sitcoms of all time revolve around a pair of daffy women (think Lucy and Ethel). Eddy and Pats as they are known introduced the world of earned, but undeserved wealth, satirizing the materialism and cult of celebrity ushered in during the 1980’s. That was a me decade that lasted almost three, and “Absolutely Fabulous” spanned most of it: the series had only three seasons, but the duo kept coming back in mini-series and specials. Twenty years ago the heroines of “Absolutely Fabulous” were wacky heralds of a new age of extravagance. Now they are the last blinkered women in the bunker, hoarding designer shoes and awaiting an Evite back to the glamorous life. They don’t belong there, and that’s what makes them so welcome. Set the DVR for 10PM on Sunday on BBC. Girls, you won’t be disappointed. (more…)
Add comment | January 6th, 2012
Fascinating piece from CBS on Vogue and the power of photography, print, instinct, and branding. It introduces the Vogue online archives which sound fascinating although I don’t think I have the stomach for the $1,500 price tag. (more…)
Add comment | December 12th, 2011
Here’s an interesting piece from the BBC on the changing definition of the HH in the USA. It highlights two families and one is Mexican. Worth watching for the few minutes to see the different levels of acculturation under one roof as well as taking a peek into this trend that does not seem to be slowing down whether due to economic downturn or cultural tradition.
Add comment | December 7th, 2011
Recent experiences with the white Coca-Cola holiday cans have some consumers seeing red (couldn’t help it — just too easy). A vocal few are complaining that the cans look too close to the Diet Coke cans and have led to confusion. Coke regularly tweaks its packaging to create buzz and has a long tradition of holiday marketing, which it says has even helped shape the image of Santa Claus in his red suit with its 1930s advertising. It does seem like the initiative has succeeded for Coca-Cola on multiple levels but this is a perfect example of how even little tweaks to a beloved brands/products can be met with resistance. UPDATE: So we had these in our home over the holidays and countless number of people made the had issues — grabbing the wrong cans out of the fridge. Whoops. (more…)
Add comment | December 2nd, 2011
One of my favorite innovations perhaps because the founders saw something that others could not. Learn about the High Line here
Add comment | October 7th, 2011
Generation text is a term referring to those members of society who have grown up with cell phones from a young age. Furthermore, it can be applied to adolescents and teenagers who feel that they are unable to function without a cell phone. More specifically, it is a term applied to people born from 1990 to 1999. According to Nielsen Mobile, in the first quarter of 2009, the average U.S. teen made and received an average of 191 phone calls and sent and received 2,899 text messages per month. By the third quarter, the number of texts had jumped to a whopping 3,146 messages per month, which equals more than 10 texts per every waking non-school hour. Preteens sent and received 1,146 texts per month. Glad we have unlimited texting.
Add comment | August 21st, 2011
