How to Get New Growth
February 16, 2012 by Beth TempleThe last two days have basically been road signs signaling that ‘danger’ lies ahead: Apathy! Fatigue! Stalled growth! So what’s a company to do?
The hypothesis is there is a set point for growth in most digital businesses and that the time from start to set point is getting shorter because consumers get bored faster and there is always some shiny new thing to distract and lure them away. If this is affecting Facebook, you can guarantee products of lessor grandeur will succumb sooner and with a smaller bang.
The usual solution to the ‘we’re losing market share’ conundrum is piling on more features that won’t cure the boredom; matter of fact, it just adds clutter to it. I think there are plenty of examples of this you can think of on your own (many companies now who are a small percentage of their past glory)
One of the best ways forward is to be the new shiny thing. Instead of adding to your product – build a new one. With data you most likely already have, create/acquire a product that addresses a new niche or provides a better, targeted experience from a popular feature. This is the idea behind portfolio companies like: Smarter Travel Media and IAC. Diversify to fortify!
The Ups and Downs of Social Media
February 15, 2012 by Beth TempleAs a follow-up to yesterday’s post on app-athy, I thought I’d revisit (read: get on my soapbox): the fatigue factor.
A recent report by GlobalWebIndex validates Continue Reading →
There is Too Much App-athy
February 14, 2012 by Beth TempleA recent article in USA Today highlights what many of us already know – the actual usage of apps, once downloaded, wanes. The article focuses on the impulse ‘buy’ created by the easy access to download apps and faster data networks (making it truly instant gratification).
The easy of downloading is just one part of what I call the ‘test and toss’ mentality that inflicts many apps. Continue Reading →
A True Kickstart for Your New Product
January 26, 2012 by Beth TempleEveryone needs a kick-start now again (I say this on my third cup of coffee this morning). And many of you know about the site Kickstarter that allows companies to post a description of their company/product along with a funding goal.
If you aren’t familiar (or even if you are) Continue Reading →
The Future of TV = The Future of Video
January 10, 2012 by Beth TempleTelevision is going to be one of those rare words that is going to take on new meaning at the same time it is going to represent a time passed. With CES kicking off (WSJ sub) this week it seemed a good time to do a little predicting about what is in store for ‘TV‘. Continue Reading →
What Are We Going to do About Today?
December 12, 2011 by Beth TempleToday (the show) seems to be grappling with it’s future and we’re all watching. It’s interesting when a ‘network jewel’ has the same challenge as a whole industry – do we stay with journalism traditions or do we embrace ‘reality’ culture? It couldn’t be clearer than the choice that Comcast has to make: keep Matt or add Ryan? Continue Reading →
The Disruption Nobody Talks About
December 05, 2011 by Beth TempleThere is plenty of talk about how digital technology disrupts existing companies and industries. We’re pretty good at it. However, another form of disruption works against most digital companies and rarely gets talked about at all – the disruption that technology creates for a consumer. Humans are routine animals and to be truly successful you have to disrupt their routine.
Let me explain. Consumer disruption occurs in two different ways. Continue Reading →
What an Old Time Movie Says About Modern Business
December 01, 2011 by Beth TempleLast week I saw The Artist – a mostly silent movie about what happened to one particular actor when “talkies” arrived (my review). Whether they meant to or not, this film tells a story that mirrors our modern times: with change – some will rise and others will fall. (Spoiler alert: reading the rest of this may spoil the plot – but it won’t spoil the movie because it is so unique and you should see it). Continue Reading →
I want my Applu
July 22, 2011 by Beth TempleIt’s just speculation – but let’s muse for a moment about what could happen should Apple buy Hulu.
For one thing Apple would become a media company rather than a technology company. They would have an array of content, available through several different monetization models (ad-supported, subscription, rent, or buy), and they would ‘own’ the distribution of it. Continue Reading →
Suffering from Fatigue
July 21, 2011 by Beth TempleMaybe it is the heat. Or it could just be boredom or tedium or both. Whatever the reason – social interaction is on a decline. Is this the beginning of the end?
A combination of what I call ‘the shiny new object syndrome’ (SNOS) and ADD is making it difficult to keep customers engaged. Continue Reading →