Your point 8. is only true for marketing driven features instead of need driven ones.
For example I agree that "fits in a manila folder" was a novelty feature with undetermined usabilty (and still is, when we look at Ultrabooks). At some point you might want some less coolness, and trade it for more usability like more ports, more battery life, or a lower price.
But you might need exactly that feature.
Same is true for whole product ideas. If my product meets a real need, it will have a determined usability, even though it might be a complete novelty to the world.
This won't be true for products without a need to fill. Most often you recognize these items when they are not marketed by stating what their purpose is, but instead how they look or feel. Something like "it's magic", or the first feature to be shown is "the circular etching in the aluminium casing" - both on electronics!
At the moment given what products are released, and what are axed, I've got the feeling that the design principle of "form follows function" has been replaced by "function follows style".
Keep watching the global shift away from US Dollars as reserve currency. The US economy is now being propped up by central banks like the Federal Reserve and the European central banks to protect reserves but the bubbles are bursting everywhere. We no longer have a robust domestic manufacturing base so this one is going to approach the bad old days of the 1970s.
Hope I'm wrong but prepared for austere days ahead.
In the Midwest- "White Elephant" = tacky, useless, shoved-in-the-basement stuff, you probably got stuck with, at a previous holiday party. "Secret Santa", "Dirty Santa" = is a grab bag steal 'em game- usually with a specified price value.
This year I went to a "white elephant" party. My gag gift was a 20 year old, unused, big terra cotta garlic baker. I thought it was going to be the winner for the #1 tacky gift. The lady who got it loved it. Her husband is quite the cook. Ha, ha, ha- go figure.
I laughed when you said Look words up in the dictionary because I tend to do that a lot. Perhaps I know the word but I think it is just so much fun to just do it. I was just reading The Man Who Rode the Tiger by Charles Sailor and I did that lot with the stuff about China.
We just got married and are paying off student loans, so we're doing DIY gifts this year and set a total budget of $500. We do gifts for parents, siblings and cousins.
Well, it sounds like if not everyone in the U.S then lets say almost everyone is dissatified with the insurance companies. I wonder though, why are they getting away with it?
Maybe, just maybe, it is time that hard working citizens got together and matched to the insurance generals office and demanded change. America has alot of opportunities, but it is a money hungry country.
We just got married and are paying off student loans, so we're doing DIY gifts this year and set a total budget of $500. We do gifts for parents, siblings and cousins.
Over the past year or so I've discovered that Amazon will inform you of price changes of anything in your cart, including in the "save for later" portion. So, when I find something that would make a great gift for someone, I put it in my cart. Then I can easily keep an eye on the price and try to buy when it's at its lowest. This work especially well this time of year on toys and DVDs that regularly go on sale. It also helps to have Amazon Prime so that I can jump on the deals without having to order $25 worth of stuff to get free shipping.
Hi Sonja, Do you need to let the dough rise before you bake it? It seems odd that you wouldn't have to let it rise, so I want to be sure before I try it. Thank you.
I have to comment on the thing about not having pictures of your clients. First of all children are not clients they are children that these teachers are helping to mold into adults and personally I wouldn't want a teacher that wouldn't appreciate something with a picture! That is whats wrong with schools these days are those teachers that think of the children in that manner. I thank god that so far I have had amazing teachers. Most of which I still have a relationship with.
I have also bought things on sale and then forgotten about them; in some cases, the item was no longer relevant to the intended when the holidays came so certain items seem to work better than others (classic things that nearly anyone could use, like the themed stuff you mention). Great idea to keep a list...I would need to put on my computer so as not to misplace the list.
Great tips! One thing that has helped me cut holiday gift expenses is shopping year round. So many times you can find clearance items during odd times of the year. But when the holidays roll around you can't find them. I start shopping in January and keep a list of what I've bought for everyone. I get winter clothes at the start of summer and christmas themed stuff during end of year clearance. It really helps!
The best past is just being with my family who I don't see very often.
The best past is just being with my family who I don't see very often.
Your point 8. is only true for marketing driven features instead of need driven ones.
For example I agree that "fits in a manila folder" was a novelty feature with undetermined usabilty (and still is, when we look at Ultrabooks). At some point you might want some less coolness, and trade it for more usability like more ports, more battery life, or a lower price.
But you might need exactly that feature.
Same is true for whole product ideas. If my product meets a real need, it will have a determined usability, even though it might be a complete novelty to the world.
This won't be true for products without a need to fill. Most often you recognize these items when they are not marketed by stating what their purpose is, but instead how they look or feel. Something like "it's magic", or the first feature to be shown is "the circular etching in the aluminium casing" - both on electronics!
At the moment given what products are released, and what are axed, I've got the feeling that the design principle of "form follows function" has been replaced by "function follows style".
Keep watching the global shift away from US Dollars as reserve currency. The US economy is now being propped up by central banks like the Federal Reserve and the European central banks to protect reserves but the bubbles are bursting everywhere. We no longer have a robust domestic manufacturing base so this one is going to approach the bad old days of the 1970s.
Hope I'm wrong but prepared for austere days ahead.
In the Midwest- "White Elephant" = tacky, useless, shoved-in-the-basement stuff, you probably got stuck with, at a previous holiday party. "Secret Santa", "Dirty Santa" = is a grab bag steal 'em game- usually with a specified price value.
This year I went to a "white elephant" party. My gag gift was a 20 year old, unused, big terra cotta garlic baker. I thought it was going to be the winner for the #1 tacky gift. The lady who got it loved it. Her husband is quite the cook. Ha, ha, ha- go figure.
Yes, I have a holiday budget. It's gotten larger as we have gotten more financially secure but I still budget.
I laughed when you said Look words up in the dictionary because I tend to do that a lot. Perhaps I know the word but I think it is just so much fun to just do it. I was just reading The Man Who Rode the Tiger by Charles Sailor and I did that lot with the stuff about China.
I am always looking for great things to read.
This is very good to know! Those little batteries are so expensive.
tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/ThriftySassyMam/status/146355743984062464
I like you on facebook
Sasha L.
I have a $200 budget for everyone.
http://twitter.com/#!/MyLifeIsSweet/status/146353021369069569
Sorry Robert but what you are talking about is margin not markup. Markup can go over 100% and usually does.
liked you on facebook!
We just got married and are paying off student loans, so we're doing DIY gifts this year and set a total budget of $500. We do gifts for parents, siblings and cousins.
Well, it sounds like if not everyone in the U.S then lets say almost everyone is dissatified with the insurance companies. I wonder though, why are they getting away with it?
Maybe, just maybe, it is time that hard working citizens got together and matched to the insurance generals office and demanded change. America has alot of opportunities, but it is a money hungry country.
We just got married and are paying off student loans, so we're doing DIY gifts this year and set a total budget of $500. We do gifts for parents, siblings and cousins.
Over the past year or so I've discovered that Amazon will inform you of price changes of anything in your cart, including in the "save for later" portion. So, when I find something that would make a great gift for someone, I put it in my cart. Then I can easily keep an eye on the price and try to buy when it's at its lowest. This work especially well this time of year on toys and DVDs that regularly go on sale. It also helps to have Amazon Prime so that I can jump on the deals without having to order $25 worth of stuff to get free shipping.
Hi Sonja, Do you need to let the dough rise before you bake it? It seems odd that you wouldn't have to let it rise, so I want to be sure before I try it. Thank you.
Southwest is mentioned in this article.
I have to comment on the thing about not having pictures of your clients. First of all children are not clients they are children that these teachers are helping to mold into adults and personally I wouldn't want a teacher that wouldn't appreciate something with a picture! That is whats wrong with schools these days are those teachers that think of the children in that manner. I thank god that so far I have had amazing teachers. Most of which I still have a relationship with.
The cheater's chicken pho is ingenious! I never would have thought to do that!
I have also bought things on sale and then forgotten about them; in some cases, the item was no longer relevant to the intended when the holidays came so certain items seem to work better than others (classic things that nearly anyone could use, like the themed stuff you mention). Great idea to keep a list...I would need to put on my computer so as not to misplace the list.
Great tips! One thing that has helped me cut holiday gift expenses is shopping year round. So many times you can find clearance items during odd times of the year. But when the holidays roll around you can't find them. I start shopping in January and keep a list of what I've bought for everyone. I get winter clothes at the start of summer and christmas themed stuff during end of year clearance. It really helps!
That is Chinese bingo. Used gifts are white elephant.