Mac vs. PC is it really the money?

Looks like Computerworld is offering up a special feature on the great Mac vs. PC Debate.

And one of the most common threads of the debate is well Macs are more than PCs. Glad to see Computerworld set the record straight. Windows is cheaper because there is more choice. Apples and Apples, they are fairly close with a few minor details, as long as you compare the right class of machine. Same is true for cars. If you compare, lets say a Kio Rio and a Mini Cooper, the Mini Cooper will look totally over prices all though both have an engine, keyless entry, AC, and a stereo. Clearly they aren't apples for apples, but they do the same thing. What do you think, does DJ Shadow have it right, or is it really.....the media?

The important question for any company when planning the product strategy is defining who they'd like to be: everything to all people or the be-all product for selected people. Unfortunately it is pretty difficult to be the everything to all with limited resources, but that doesn't stop people from trying. More often than note it is better to start with strategy 2 and grow into strategy 1 then try to do everything before you are ready.

Now is a good time to look at Starbucks (Well really Peet's since Starbucks admittedly copied their former employers). They started off selling premium coffee to people who cared and didn't mind spending premium cash for a "better" cup of coffee. So they continues on the path, seeking out the coffee seekers. Eventually they caught on that adding flavored sugar syrup and focusing on the experience, a few extra people joined the premium coffee seeker club. Sure enough, over a few years, everyone came to appreciate the creamy sugary coffee the shop was peddling, and everyone else wishes they started selling $3-5 coffee. So did Starbucks try to sell to everyone? Nope, they decided to sell to a few and the masses followed. Even Walmart took the same strategy by focusing on the small markets lacking affordable shopping options.

Focus....and the masses may come to you (or you can make a tidy profit while you wait for the masses, without spreading yourself too thin.)

Logos Smogos

Quite a few of Business 2.0's fast growing net companies were interesting. One of my favorite new school business ideas is the Logo Works. I don't remember who was first, but this is one of the best concepts around for a small business without the time or the design skills to build a logo. At my company, finding a logo was a 2 year process where no one could agree. Our designer was ready to strangle our team and now has a portfolio full of concepts. So paying a fixed fee, for a fixed number of concepts, is a great idea. Basically it lets you cut to the chase and get your logo. As you can imagine, a million other companies are doing the same thing; hire a team of designers who spit out concepts. It is really a great way to get your feet wet as a designer, and still get paid. Win win for everyone.

How many concepts did it take for the 2012 Olympic team take to come up with this? Can anyone tell me what this is, and how it says Olympics or London? Pretty hideous color and shape combo. This looks like a combo of skewed Tetris shapes. I think it's time to go back to the drawing board. Maybe the Logoworks team will step up to the plate.


Thanks to PC Spy for alerting me to the travesty of design taking place over in England! There are also some great alternative concepts over at PC Spy as well.