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Casual Articles - Napoleonic Lessons for Google & Microsoft
Packaging insiders all agree: flexible packaging has revolutionized the consumer products industry. But of all the industries that have adopted these packaging methods, the one that has seen the most opportunity as a result is undeniably the grocery market.Because flexible packages offer superior protection from outside contaminants, products like standup pouches are particularly well-suited to house food products. With one simple walk through a supermarket, you’ll be able to see all the different ways flexible packaging has impacted the grocery market. For example:BeveragesThe beverage industry has a lot to gain from flexible pouches. Capri Sun® did it years ago and saw tremendous success as a result – hardly a child in America does not equate the Capri Sun brand with a nifty little foil pouch! Because so many beverages are marketed to children, flexible packaging is especially well-suited to this category because their unique construction enables them to be printed using advanced printing techniques – all of which can make your logo and graphics really stand out from the competition.ProduceIt may be hard to believe, but flexible packaging has also had a tremendous impact on the produce industry. Pre-washed salads, vegetables, and fruits can all be marketed in flexible packages, and consumers especially like the ability to re-close produce packages for easier storage and to help extend the life of the product. Packaging insiders agree that the produce market probably has the most to gain, more so than any other industry, by adopting flexible packaging for their products.Refrigerated ProductsIn the refrigerated meat, dairy, and even the frozen foods aisles, flexible packaging is being used to offer consumers something they didn’t have before: the ability to re-close a package (with a tight seal) via a zip seal zipper once it has been opened. Shredded cheeses are probably the most obvious example of flexible packaging at work, but even manufacturers of frozen foods are starting to pick up on the trend and more and more often you’re seeing flexible pouches with re-closeable zip seals in the freezer aisle. The ability to re-close a package once it has been opened is extremely appealing to consumers, especially when it comes to refrigerated foods that are more susceptible to spoilage once they’re opened.SnacksThere is no question that manufacturers of snack products have truly
Your vision is clear, you’ve identified your product; now BRAND it! What’s the purpose?Your BRAND identifies your product as belonging to you. When I write an article for the Internet, I brand it with my signature and my author box at the bottom. When I paint a picture I sign it “Jan”. Everyone knows it belongs to me.My articles sound like me, when you read them. And my paintings all have a common denominator. The function is simple. Both are basic art forms.When you buy a Ford, you know it will have a smart oval with FORD in the middle. GM is stamped on their products too. GE stamps their Brand on their products. So, why should you brand your product less?Your brand should accomplish five tasks:1. It should tell everyone in what specific niche market the product belongs. You won’t find the Nike swoop in a grocery store!2. It should state very clearly who sold the product. Identity means value. Stamp your Quality Assurance on with a Brand that says PRIDE.3. It should identify the purpose. Everyone knows a Ford is going to transport you somewhere.4. It should be memorable. When you make the shape of the Golden Arches in any country, they know you want food. Every two year old in the country recognizes the bright color logo of Toys R Us.5. It should be perpetual. Once you brand your business, hang onto your brand. You’re known by the brand you carry.My grandfather had an accident away from home, and when the police officer arrived, he explained it was the other guy’s fault. (Of course, I don’t remember whose fault it was now.) The Police officer asked how he could say that, when my grandfather had clearly run a stoplight.My grandfather with a straight face walked the police officer around his vehicle and showed him the warnings on all four sides. He told the officer, “He obviously didn’t read the signs.”Clearly marked, on all four sides, the vehicle said, “Dodge!”I don’t remember now whether he got a ticket or not. I just remember the officer laughing happily at the incident and appreciatively commenting on my grandfather’s sense of humor. “That Dodge is well branded!” The purpose of a Brand is Identification. What is your Brand Identity?
A little history
Microsoft, the world’s largest software vendor, has been around for quite a long time. Its target market is mainly selling operating systems and office applications for the desktop computers. Microsoft products are sold to computer manufacturers, i.e. Dell Computers, who in turn install and ship Microsoft software package to the consumers. So in a sense, consumers end up writing Bill Gates a $100+ check without ever knowing it. This is how Microsoft became to dominate the computer desktop industry and turned Bill Gates into modern day Henry Ford.
Google, on the other hand, is a relatively new company. It blossomed during the dot com boom, and eventually came to dominate the online search engine business. Today, Google attracts more than 200 million unique queries on its search engine every day; statistically speaking, each query generates 12 cents for the company…that is 8 zeros multiplied by 12! Google, for the most part, profits through its search based advertisement technology known as Adwords. Adwords makes online advertisement approachable in terms of easiness and affordability. Adwords, combined with a similar technology called Adsense, made Google endless amounts of cash. Google, today, is the undisputed champion of the online world.
How they became enemies
“When you set out to take Vienna, take Vienna” - Napoleon
Until recently, both Google and Microsoft were living in harmony. The masses used Microsoft’s Internet Explorer to surf Google’s search engine. However, internet’s seemingly unstoppable growth since the early 2000 began to attract the attention of many industries. Microsoft executives clearly saw Internet as the next big thing; possibly a market worth pursuing. Meanwhile, Google continued to make unprecedented strides within its search engine market. Having generated enough cash, however, Google took a different direction; founded by technology enthusiasts, Google began to enter various markets unrelated to its sea
Businesses can be incorporated in any state in the U.S., regardless of where the business is operated. Corporate laws vary from state to state. Many small business owners prefer to incorporate in their own state, to reduce costs as well as to simplify the incorporation process. If a business owner incorporates in a different state, then he still needs to qualify himself to conduct business in his own state. Business owners incorporating in their own state, also save on paying franchise taxes and filing annual reports in two different states. Business owners usually choose the state where they want to incorporate, depending on the taxation rules of the state and their registration requirements. Delaware and Nevada are the most favored states for incorporation as they are very corporate-friendly. Incorporating in Nevada has extraordinary benefits for business owners such as tax benefits and liability protection benefits.Business owners from other states, often make errors while incorporating in Nevada, due to lack of knowledge of the prevailing corporate laws. It is advisable for business owners from outside Nevada to employ an experienced incorporation service. Outsiders require a registered agent to incorporate in Nevada.If the business owner is from a different state, then the registration is called as foreign registration in his state. If a company is sued for any reason, it will be sued in the business owner's own state. If the applicant filing the case holds the business owner liable for any act, then the case goes to the state of domicile that is Nevada. When compared to other states, Nevada incorporation ensures maximum protection, against getting personal assets exposed in a lawsuit commonly referred to as "piercing the corporation veil." "Piercing the corporate veil" refers to having personal assets exposed in a corporate lawsuit.By incorporating in Nevada, business owners do not have to pay state corporate or franchise taxes. Nevada has a policy by which, it does not divulge any information to the IRS, and Nevada has lower fees when compared to most states.
Google, on the other hand, is a relatively new company. It blossomed during the dot com boom, and eventually came to dominate the online search engine business. Today, Google attracts more than 200 million unique queries on its search engine every day; statistically speaking, each query generates 12 cents for the company…that is 8 zeros multiplied by 12! Google, for the most part, profits through its search based advertisement technology known as Adwords. Adwords makes online advertisement approachable in terms of easiness and affordability. Adwords, combined with a similar technology called Adsense, made Google endless amounts of cash. Google, today, is the undisputed champion of the online world.
How they became enemies
“When you set out to take Vienna, take Vienna” - Napoleon
Until recently, both Google and Microsoft were living in harmony. The masses used Microsoft’s Internet Explorer to surf Google’s search engine. However, internet’s seemingly unstoppable growth since the early 2000 began to attract the attention of many industries. Microsoft executives clearly saw Internet as the next big thing; possibly a market worth pursuing. Meanwhile, Google continued to make unprecedented strides within its search engine market. Having generated enough cash, however, Google took a different direction; founded by technology enthusiasts, Google began to enter various markets unrelated to its se
Both Liquid Paper and Snugli were invented by moms as new solutions to old problems. Leveraging their ideas into successful products took different paths. Be smart about that business you’re cooking up at home.Liquid Paper was invented by Bette Nesmith Graham to fix the smudges she made trying to erase typing errors at work.After a divorce in the 1940s, she combined her commercial art background with the need to support herself and her small son Michael (later a member of the “Monkees” rock group) by devising the quick drying correcting fluid.Beginning with small batches in her blender, she gradually grew her business from her kitchen, to her garage, and eventually to a 35,000 square foot company plant with a child-care center and a library for employees.She kept secret the formula to what began as “Mistake Out” until her second marriage was breaking up in 1975. Fearful the trade secret would be lost, she applied for a patent on her formula and a trademark.Just months before her death in 1980, she sold the company she began in her kitchen to the Gillette Corporation for $47.5 million (plus royalties until 2000). Royalties from Liquid Paper went towards a foundation she established to improve the welfare of women, and to other philanthropies.The familiar Snugli fabric child carrier was created by Ann Moore for her own newborn after a stint in the Peace Corps where she observed the quiet, content babies carried in cloth carriers by their African moms. Ann’s own mom, Lucy Auckerman, an experienced seamstress, refined and perfected the details.Their little cottage industry grew quickly, propelled by a commitment to extreme customer satisfaction.They patented the Snugli design in 1966, having the carriers sewn by local women, and then entered the manufacturing business in 1979 to meet customer demand.Years later, in 1985, when the patent was soon to expire, they sold to to Gerry Baby Products, part of the Huffy Corporation (later purchased by Evenflo).In both cases, observation and experience provided insight for a new solution to an old problem (Liquid Paper - erasing smudges and Snugli - transporting children). Both moms were smart about protecting their intellectual property by using a combination of legal strategies (trade secrets, trademarks and patent protection) and smart business practices. Both were smart in starting their businesses in their homes and ke
How they became enemies
“When you set out to take Vienna, take Vienna” - Napoleon
Until recently, both Google and Microsoft were living in harmony. The masses used Microsoft’s Internet Explorer to surf Google’s search engine. However, internet’s seemingly unstoppable growth since the early 2000 began to attract the attention of many industries. Microsoft executives clearly saw Internet as the next big thing; possibly a market worth pursuing. Meanwhile, Google continued to make unprecedented strides within its search engine market. Having generated enough cash, however, Google took a different direction; founded by technology enthusiasts, Google began to enter various markets unrelated to its se
The pattern chosen by you for your paving plays as big role as determining color of your driveway, courtyard or garden path. From simple stretcher-bond to amazing radial patterns, you can easily ble to you. Happy Paving! create a huge variety of effects with your pavers. There is several type of paving options available. Following are some of the ideas on using paving patterns in the range of different contexts.Basket weave pavingBasket weave is regularly found in traditional European style courtyards and driveway. This neat 2x2 basket weave pattern is normally bordered by using a header course in matching colors. The combination of delicately contrasting light and dark bricks defends the area from looking plain.Stretcher-bond pathA stretcher bond paving pattern is one of the simplest paving designs. Depending on the land clearing area and the position of the viewer, the paving pattern could make an area look larger or smaller. In this instance, the pavers are laid lengthways that makes the path look longer that it actually is. A header course at the edge of the path assists defines the space.Stretcher/header combo pathAlternating stretcher and header courses unite on this curving path to make a striking effect. Header courses in complementary colors add up visual variety and define different areas.Herringbone drivewayHerringbone patterns orients at 90 degrees so that the home tends to be less noticeable, creating more natural flow into your home. This driveway is laid in a herringbone pattern and is bordered by header courses in contrasting colors. Orienting pavers at 45 degrees to the house grabs attention to the area, turning it into a feature.Radial drivewayRadial driveway elaborates effect in achieved by rings of alternating header and stretcher courses. A section of herringbone paving forms the core of the driveway, as the complete area is bordered by a contrasting header course.Large paversLarge square and rectangular pavers have become extremely well-liked choice for outside entertaining areas in recent times. The owners of this patio have filled in the gaps among the pavers with river pebbles. Low-maintenance grasses could as well be used to add a textured effect between pavers. You can use the paving options as suita
How they became enemies
“When you set out to take Vienna, take Vienna” - Napoleon
Until recently, both Google and Microsoft were living in harmony. The masses used Microsoft’s Internet Explorer to surf Google’s search engine. However, internet’s seemingly unstoppable growth since the early 2000 began to attract the attention of many industries. Microsoft executives clearly saw Internet as the next big thing; possibly a market worth pursuing. Meanwhile, Google continued to make unprecedented strides within its search engine market. Having generated enough cash, however, Google took a different direction; founded by technology enthusiasts, Google began to enter various markets unrelated to its se
The real issue for organisationsIt used to be that the biggest staffing problem organisations had to deal with was high turnover. Today, the real issue is engagement . . . finding a way to get staff to do more than just turn up to work physically. It’s about finding ways to engage them mentally and emotionally. It’s finding a way to take a stale attitude and freshen it up.For some organisations lack of engagement is an ongoing issue, perhaps due to the nature of the work people are employed to do. For others it is more circumstantial, such as staff coping with busy periods, adapting to change or even just getting out of a rut. Even organisations with highly motivated staff can find they still benefit from the occasional boost to their motivation levels.Whatever the cause the result is the same: lack of engagement is a real issue with real costs attached. A survey of 50,000 employees by the Corporate Leadership Council in 2004 found that only 11% said they were fully engaged at work, 76% knew they could demonstrate more commitment and 13% described themselves as actively disengaged. Imagine if you could increase the productivity of 89% of your people, simply by finding a way to engage them.What happens when people aren’t engagedWe’ve all experienced the disengaged worker at some point. They’re the person doing the minimum, blaming others for mistakes and generally creating a negative environment around them. In other words, they are S.T.A.L.E.:Stressed, Tired and Lacking EnthusiasmWhat’s really happening here is an imbalance in their skills to attitude ratio. So what happens when these two important factors are not in harmony?“Green” When most people start a new job (even if they have prior experience elsewhere) they have lots of enthusiasm but lack the skills to do the job.“Keen” As they develop their skills they move towards the ideal combination of ability and enthusiasm . . . I like my job and I know how to do it.“Mean” They still have the skills to do the job but not the enthusiasm for it. This could be a temporary situation or something more permanent.“Has Been” Spend too long in “Mean” and risk entering the final phase when not only is their enthusiasm long gone, but now their skills have slipped due to a lack of interest in staying up to date.Imagine if all your team were KeenIsn’t tha
Before long, Microsoft, AOL, Yahoo! and eBay maneuvered to encapsulate Google’s ever-growing strength. Over two hundred years ago, Emperor Napoleon, the Google of his day, found himself in a similar situation. Russia, Prussia, Austria and Britain had decided to go to war.
The drums of war
“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake” – Napoleon
Microsoft’s take on this war is quite different from that of Google. Eric Schmidt, Google’s chief executive, has repeatedly alleged that the online market is not a zero-sum game; in other words, it is possible for two or more players to dominate a large share of this market. Microsoft is not used to this. In the past it has decisively eliminated any competition, and taken the throne for itself. Consequently, Microso
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