A Random Thought Regarding Big Brands

Random thought. And not a particularly important one as you consider the trouble people of all types are facing due to the tanking ecnomy. But an idea worth considering in my estimation.

So I'm thinking on my way home from the office how much people have always loved their brands. Big name brands. Expensive ones. Then I'm thinking about how many talented people are making absolutely incredible stuff and flocking to etsy to sell it. High end stuff. Then I start thinking about how people are pulling back on their spending either by choice or by necessity. And how the faces I am seeing in thrift and resale stores are changing. Cool hipsters rifling through the clothing racks. People with means. People out of work. Everything in between. Empty malls and car lots. A Chicago auto show that was D-E-A-D (but fun anyway).

So then it hits me. The economy tanked and all, I see an opportunity. It's this:

People who are unknowns, but who make amazing stuff are the new hot brands.

It used to be people wanted to be seen in high end brands. It meant you were part of an elite club. By association these brands made you look successful in the eyes of the world.

That, in my estimation, is changing. It's a bit clumsy and perhaps repugnant in our current economic condition to show up dressed in these high brands. For some any way. Even those with money are shying away from this excess, perhaps cognizant of how many around them are struggling. Living within our means is top of mind like never before, and excess is being scrutinized. Perhaps as it always should have been, but never the less, simplicity and living within one's means is certainly more the trend of the day.

So I predict that small niche brands will be hot. Not just people on etsy but one and two people shops who do and make wonderful stuff. Fashion. Objects. Food. Furniture. Statements of Faith. You name it. And as these companies remain focused on small in terms of payroll, as well as expenditures like marketing and advertising, they will not have to get big to sustain a healthy profit. Distribution is no longer an obstacle. And getting the word out is simple. It is being done for them. Word of mouth. Niche service and insane client satisfaction. All hot, and getting hotter.

This is no doubt not new thinking. But the idea that wearing Armani and driving a BMW seems a bit silly. If my thrift store focus group is even close to correct, I may be on to something here.

What do you think? Do you still love you high end brands? Does seeing your household, your extended family, your friends and neighbors struggle financially make you want to refocus on less, but better. It does me. And buying from people on etsy feels right too. To me it's the equivalent of buying tomatoes directly from my next door neighbor, and knowing 96% of the profits go into his pocket.

It would blow you away if you knew how many amazing items I have bought for $3.99 or less at thrift and resale shops. All my clothes. Everything. Stuff that in some cases is worth several thousand. But even the stuff that isn't is 100% better than anything I could buy new at retail.

So that's it. I see big brands making way for high end niche at the local level. That's my story. My thinking. Weigh in if you feel like it.

Who wants their brand to matter? Yudu.

Your company creates something. What is it? What does it offer your customers? Why do you think your product matters? And how do you communicate this? What do you say? More importantly, how do you sound? Do you matter? Is it on sale? Is it better than the competitor's offering? What other things make your product distinctive? And do you really think your distinctive is really, well, distinctive? Do you think your customer cares? Does any of this matter?

When I speak of brand, I speak of trajectory. You must aim to inspire. To intrigue. To surprise. In ways that honor the audience's uniqueness and where it is you find them. Their condition. Their attention span. Their fears and desires. In ways that challenge your audience to something greater. That in the end, make them buy. And then drives them to convince others to do the same. It's your personality. It's your brand. It matters.

I have found a company who REALLY understands this. They are called yudu. Their product is cool. But so are their competitor's products. They've realized their ability to inspire people. To catch a vision for their product. A product that on the surface is like many others. But they frame their distinctive uniquely. Their product helps their customers express themselves. See for yourself. Watch "I Am Here." It's beyond marketing. The trajectory is higher. It inspires and delights. It creates emotion. And it is memorable.

Sit back and enjoy the inspired brand efforts of Yudu. Boy would I love to have one of these products.

Matthew 6: Look at the birds of the air

Plenty's happening that makes me worry.

Our adoption process and desire to adopt an orphan from El Salvador has fallen to tiny bits. My wife and I find ourselves seeking God's wisdom, and of course peace. Not to mention patience. Something I've had four decades of trouble with. Information about our adoption agency has surfaced which makes me angry. Also sad. For the agency. For us. But mostly for orphans who are stuck somewhere in the process. Orphans I don't know, but that God does. Aside from the agency troubles which are too difficult to explain in a blog post, we also find ourselves out the time and much of the costs we have incurred to date. We've been on a long road towards being a family, and it's been wiped clean like a home torn apart in a violent tornado. So anger is not a desired emotion right now, as I continue to grow closer in my relationship with God, but is one I am fighting. And though it shouldn't surprise me, I continue to see God's hand in the details. Details are where I find Him. Every time. In people that God continually puts in my life. Encouragers. People with experience. And people who really trust God. Some familiar faces. Others complete strangers. Like Anna who spoke to my company Thursday. Amazing faith. Tangible work that God is doing in and through a single young person. So I am reminded to trust. And grow. And seek joy.

Two weeks ago yesterday, my friend and mentor Joel challenged me. He showed me God asking..."Do you trust Me yet?" And I see God's work in my friends. And he asks..."Do you trust Me yet?" And I hear Anna's story of faith firsthand (Click on her new video). And he asks..."Do you trust Me yet?" And I sit across the table last night across from my beautiful wife who loves me beyond reason. And he asks..."Do you trust Me yet?" And I see my sister's faith in Christ growing and blossoming. And he asks..."Do you trust Me yet?" And I see my brother John looking to God from a new perspective in wonder and amazement. And he asks..."Do you trust Me yet?" And He moved my wife and I to Wheaton Illinois to do His work. And he asks..."Do you trust Me yet?"

So I want to punch myself in the head, and say YES. Yes God, I do. It seems so obvious when I take time to think about all He has done for my wife and I.

But then someone neglects to use their turn signal. Or Sears rips me off somehow (again). Or it costs me 80 bucks to fill up my car. Or my pipes start to crumble and roof starts to leak.

But when I really think about it, or am reminded by the Holy Spirit, I run to Him. Even when I think I'm okay. I go. More today than yesterday. And that's no doubt a blessing.

We live in bizarre times. A lot is changing. But we are asked to not worry. I see the birds, and am reminded of their dependence on God. He asks us to do the same. I try every day to remember this, but forget a lot. Remind me if you see me sometime. I will try to do the same in return.

Happy 4th.

Mac Desktop: Again and again. Do it again.

Again and again. Again and again. Do it again. Do it again.

My friend Chris just sent this to me. He always has the hook ups. The video kinda reminds me of these students, and this mega viral by Michael Wesch. It makes my head spins to think of all the planning and prep and back end editing required of such a feat.

Terminology: What is Modern?

Recently I was emailing back and forth with a Flickr friend who has an amazing eye and fortune for all things thrift shop. We spoke about how often people misuse the word "modern" when they are describing something "new" or "now." But I believe it's worth clarifying that "Modern" really has more to do with design approach than time. Dieter Rams designed products in the 1960's which are nearly 50 years old now, and yet are all considered modern today. They are also retro and vintage.

Just a thought.

REPOST: How To Be Interesting

REPOST: I posted this in November 2006. I came across it and thought I would share it again. Some people have appreciated these reposts. Others perhaps not. But as I said when I began BarryBlog, this is a place to help me remember things I find of interest. And since I forgot this, I imagine you may have too. The reality is you've probably never seen it, as in November 2006 I had my dad, and two other people stopping by.

So here goes, again:

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As I ponder my career to date, the people who’ve impressed me the most are also those who I found to be the most interesting. So is there any formula for being interesting? Probably not. However in this article by Russell Davies, there are a few things which might help.

Be interested • Interesting people are good at sharing • Take at least one picture everyday. Post it to flickr • Start a blog. Write at least one sentence every week • Keep a scrapbook • Every week, read a magazine you’ve never read before • Once a month interview someone for 20 minutes, work out how to make them interesting. Podcast it. • Collect something • Once a week sit in a coffee-shop or cafe for an hour and listen to other people’s conversations. Take notes. Blog about it. (Carefully) • Every month write 50 words about one piece of visual art, one piece of writing, one piece of music and one piece of film or TV. Do other art forms if you can. Blog about it • Make something • Read.

Steve Jobs on Paul Rand

Paul Rand and Steve Jobs worked together in 1993 on the NEXT logo for Jobs new company. This is an interview with Steve Jobs about the process and about working with Paul Rand.

( via swissmiss )

Thought Leader Rob Roy Kelly: On Collecting

I don’t know if collecting springs from some sublimated form of man’s primeval instincts to hunt, but it certainly can be just as intense. I am never happier than when hot on the trail. Whenever I find a good piece after years of looking, and especially if the dealer does not recognize it's true value and it is underpriced, I could easily throw back my head, raise my arms and bay at the moon. Success in the hunt is a most rewarding feeling.

The pleasures of collecting for me have always been more than acquisition of items. It has been the travel; meeting other collectors or dealers who often are interesting people and the thrill of finding something new or unexpected. I experience as much satisfaction discovering information as I do finding items for the collection. I have researched almost everything I collected and knowing how, when, and where appropriate, who made it to be extremely important. Equally satisfying is writing about the subject and attempting to communicate with others about what is most interesting for me.

I live with my collections using them for decoration in both my working and living space. I enjoy looking, comparing, studying and thinking or speculating about each item. The kitchenware collection has been most rewarding in this respect. The materials, ingenuity and craftsmanship are all worthy of respect.

There is often an innate sense for shape, form, color or use of materials demonstrated by the makers that induce true admiration for their sensibilities and workmanship.

For me, maturity of a collector is shown by placing the most prized items into inauspicious corners where knowledgeable visitors can discover the treasures for themselves.

Previous BarryBlog coverage of Rob Roy Kelly.

( via Rob Roy Kelly Obsessions )

Jen's Distracted.

Previously I shared how Ben Workman is Desperate. Now I must tell you that Jen's distracted. And like Ben's predicament, it sounds like you can learn something about yourself from her distraction. I know I did. Jen shares...

He delights in mercy and overflows with grace. He likes to give us good things–deserving or not. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. When we were yet without strength…Christ died for the ungodly. Death as a gift. The gift that brings life. I love the paradoxes of truth.

( via finding jen's view )

Thank God. Ben Workman is Desperate.

No need to paraphrase this powerful experience. Read for yourself the thoughts from young Ben Workman.

WinePress Publishers: The No-Gossip Policy.

Let's face it, BarryBlog is a bit all over the map. The last few months or so (Dec07 - Jan08 - Feb08), my posts have concentrated on design, and most recently on issues relating to mid-century modern furniture and decorative arts.

Then this one. A post about gossip. And faith.

As most of my readers know, I see things through the lens of faith. I realize not all 19,840 visitors who have come to BarryBlog to date have shared my view on faith, but somehow we all manage to find areas of interest that we do share in common. For me, the subject of gossip is something which effects everyone regardless of one's world view. Simply put, gossip hurts everyone. It may seem harmless, but if you really think about, it's an easy trap to fall into. While it offers instant gratification by releasing frustration, it's never the right thing to do. Over time, gossiping about others can begin to harden your heart and proves hurtful in so many ways. On the subject of gossip, the Bible is quite clear...

"If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless." (James 1:26, NLT)

So I came across this company, WinePress Publishing. They've had enough, and have taken a stand against gossiping by instituting a No-Gossip Policy. A policy that on the surface seems a bit silly, but something I find both unique and refreshing, as well as courageous. Read the policy for yourself. I believe if you're really honest, you may begin to make the connection that gossip is hurtful, and you might consider steps to nip it in the bud. Like WinePress Publishers has done.

Thanks WinePress Publishers for the accountability, encouragement, and overall stand you've taken. I admit that I sometimes fall into the gossip trap without even knowing it. Your stand against gossip is an awesome reminder, and a refreshing twist on business.

WinePress Publishing offers a free placemat (which you can preview here), which they will send you if you just call (800).326.4674. I admit this seems a bit juvenile, but after you think about gossip for a while, and think about how hurtful it is, you can begin to see the validity in this effort.

( via CookPartners Blog )

American's Are Reading Less. Yes, Less.

Reminder and still amazing to me: AMERICAN'S READING LESS. Do you have information to the contrary? If so, send it to me or point me to it. Some of my colleagues disagree. I would like to see facts dispell this article.

200 College Students Study Themselves

Staggering. I have kept this post short. Because your attention span is small.


For those with a longer attention span: This is a short video summarizing some of the most important characteristics of students today - how they learn, what they need to learn, their goals, hopes, dreams, what their lives will be like, and what kinds of changes they will experience in their lifetime. Created by Michael Wesch in collaboration with 200 students at Kansas State University.

( via swissmiss )

BarryBlog Visitor Demographics: January 3rd

January 3rd, 2008 was a typical day in terms of the amount of visitors to //BarryBlog//. But what caught my attention was how diverse this day was in terms of where these visitors came from. The visitor demographics for this day looked like this:

Cities of the world (alphabetical):

• Ankeny, Antioch, Baltimore, Bangalore, Barcelona, Bethel Island, Birmingham, Bremen, Brooklyn, Buenos Aires, Bursa, Cameron, Casablanca, Cincinnati, College Park, Columbus, Denham Springs, Dublin, East York, Elgin, Elmhurst, Fairview, Framingham, Glen Ellyn, Hilliard, Houston, Lexington, Lisbon, London, Milpitas, Minneapolis, Nesttun, New York, Osseo, Padova, Peabody, Pearl City, Reno, Reynoldsburg, Sacramento, Sant'Eufemia Lamezia, Seoul, Shibuya, Southfield, St Petersburg, Stein.

Countries/Territories (in order of most vistitors):

• United States, Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, South Korea, Argentina, Norway, Morocco, Russia, India, Turkey, Canada, Spain, Portugal

Sub Continent Regions (in order of most vistitors):

• Northern America, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, Eastern Asia, Western Europe, Northern Africa, Eastern Europe, Western Asia, Southern Asia, South America

Continents (in order of most vistitors):

• Amercias, Europe, Asia, Africa

Fascinating. However I suppose it might sound more interesting than it is in reality, especially if I could more accurately determine which visitors were those with a heartbeat, verses computer bots. Still interesting, especially if you consider that the visitor demographics I've just shared is from a polling of just 54 visitors.

Blaise Aguera y Arcas: Seadragon; Photosynth.

On the 4th of July, 2007, I posted about this incredible video and the incredible Photosync and Seadragon technologies. I came across it again, and wanted to repost it with the idea it may have got lost in the shuffle of the holiday season. When I think of the way the new Apple iPhone's pinch navigation works to enlarge and shrink web pages, and how the new Amazon Kindle eReader (and competitive products) will alter the way we interact with books in the future, I can't help but visualize opportunities for Seadragon in this mix. If for nothing less than to inspire interactive designers. Blaise Aguera y Arcas makes the most complicated issues seem interesting as a result of his intelligence and enthusiasm. His enthusiasm is contagious.
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BEGIN REPOST

Microsoft, in typical fashion, has aquired (purchased) the brilliant thinking of Blaise Aguera y Arcas and his Seadragon and Photosynth technolgies. Photosynth changes how we look at and interact with images and information. Seadragon's aim is to change the way people use screens (wall-sized, mobile devices, etc.) so visual information can can be smoothly browsed regardless of data amount involved or network bandwidth.

Both technologies blow me away.

( via ChuckGreen's PagePlane Blog )

Manuel Lima: The Beauty of Visual Complexity

VisualComplexity offers this introduction:

Visualcomplexity (Manuel Lima) intends the site to be a unified resource space for anyone interested in the visualization of complex networks. The project's main goal is to leverage a critical understanding of different visualization methods, across a series of disciplines, as diverse as Biology, Social Networks or the World Wide Web. I truly hope this space can inspire, motivate and enlighten any person doing research on this field.

"Functional visualizations are more than innovative statistical analyses and computational algorithms. They must make sense to the user and require a visual language system that uses colour, shape, line, hierarchy and composition to communicate clearly and appropriately, much like the alphabetic and character-based languages used worldwide between humans."

Matt Woolman - Digital Information Graphics

See all 532 VC projects here. Or Manuel's whole portfolio beyond VC here.

I Have Been There.

Have you? Jesus has, and He is standing with you now.

Keeping It In Perspective: Coffee Cups

ABOUT THIS POST...
I came across a great post from a commenter who calls herself The Hobbits. One bizarre thing about blogging is how often the connections I make are random. In many ways that’s been a highlight of blogging for me over the last couple years because I'm so very often surprised by who actually stops by, and even more so by those who are courteous enough to say hello. A couple have become friends, which is even more special. Like so many, I was not able to determine much about this commenter, but I did leave a return thanks on The Hobbits’ blog. One thing I can tell from the user profile and from stats on Google Analytics is this individual is from Thailand and appears to have a faith in God, or atleast an interest in posting about God. So here's the question... in the big picture does it matter if a tangible connection is made? I of course would enjoy knowing this person's story, situation and perspective, but The Hobbit’s blog is rather sparse at the moment. But as a fellow believer, I'm just appreciative for the connection, so I could share the follow post with you all. Thank you Hobbit, whoever you are. I (we?) would all love to hear from you. Thanks for sharing such an insightful post.

OKAY, NOW HERE’S THE POST...
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:

“If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us.”

God brews the coffee, not the cups...Enjoy your coffee! “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.”

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

( via the The Hobbits )

Great Creative: Honest

Contagious is a word that comes to mind after watching this video. The synergy between these two guys is unmistakable. They are cool in that they don't take themselves all super serious like so many people. They also don't claim to know it all, and I love the freedom with which they operate. I really like these guys and hope they continue to rock.

Internal Brand Building: Executive Buy-in

Interesting and rather comprehensive— a unique perspective on internal brand building obstacles and some ways to get executives to understand and support brand management from the inside out.

( via Brand Strategy: the Branding Blog )