new product development Archives

Innovation never ends

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Steve Sammartino

I happened upon this video (being a surfer and all) and was totally inspired by the product innovation. In real terms it is innovation at its core:

Problem – Solution.

They had to find and invent the technology to solve the problem. Rather than having some technology they were trying to find a use for. The video is worth watching, as the lesson is one any and everyone can take heed from.

It also reminds me that innovation will never end. Just when we thought the wetsuit solved all the problems it could (cold water / sunburn, wax rash) a human need takes it to the next level. Just like Bucky said: eventually we’ll be able to create everything from nothing.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqs_kLW7bSE]

Big props goes out to Billabong. If I was running Ripcurl, or a surfing startup, I’d be working on a wetsuit with an oxygen pouch!

Twitter Lists – inauthentic

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Steve Sammartino

If you’re on twitter you have probably noticed the new addition of lists to your feed. Which is the ability to create and follow lists of specific people. Cool idea, which many twitter clients like Tweetdeck had implemented a long time ago. What is not so cool, is the inference that it is purported to only be available to a limited group. If you look at the screen grab below (highlight in orange boxes) you’ll see such claims.

I understand why they’ve used such language; to make users feel exclusive, and to essentially make people tweet about it – the antithesis of what they claim to want. But I’m a bit disappointed that the crew at twitter would use such low ball, inauthentic tactics. I say this because everyone I know with 10 to 10,000 followers has been invited to lists.

Startup blog says – stay true.