Thursday, August 12, 2010

A perfect category?

I co-run a company that's all about developing opportunities. Which sounds kinda new age, but is actually extremely commercial.

It's all about spotting the kinds of things that people will pay for and then helping companies come up with new products, new services and new ways of doing business in order to make money from that need.

So I tend to look at most categories and companies with a critical eye. Why isn't packet soup sold in vending machines at the office as an alternative to high fat, high guilt chocolate items? Why is your 20 mins waiting for a 4 minute meeting with a doctor wasted reading old magazines when it could be used to help make that 4 mins more effective?  How do you make a toy that makes kids laugh like drains but offends moms more palatable, without it losing its appeal? Why don't hybrids feel more like computer games? Why aren't ALL tables and chairs self leveling? Why can't I choose a 17.5 year mortgage with annual payment holidays? Why can't I borrow money from me facebook friends?

You get the picture.



So imagine my surprise when I jumped the gun and went looking at baby strollers. They're about perfect. They twist, they turn, the rise and fall, the convert, they fold at the touch of a button and self unfold at a kick. They have a frame that takes different 'tops' - they grow with kids. You can add ride along plates and toddler seats, car seats and bassinets. They have cup holders. They have shopping baskets. And parasols. They have converters to turn bassinets into workable cribs. They have wheels that lock and swivel. They have soy interiors, so that they're not allergic. The sun visor is UV protective. Some of the materials are mosquito repellent. I can think of NOTHING that's not on either a STOKKE, an UPPA, a BUGABOO or perhaps a Quinny. And that's never happened to me before. Hell they'll even bounce and play music if you ask them to. It could just be the perfect category

There's even Rock Star Baby


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