Everyone (read: me) is looking for an unfair advantage. the cloak of invisibility that allows you to see and not be seen or makes your product sell like there's nothing else.If you were watching the Summer Olympics swimming contest, you could have understand how technology can be translated into unfair advantage, in its positive meaning. The number of new world records is sky rocketing. In fact, it looks like we have a new world record for the number of world records....
Taste some of the debate at the Sport Scientists , and here the other experts are claiming that it's harmful. The
From a product strategy perspective, Speedo is giving us an important lesson. Competing in a highly competitive environment with overall bad customer sentiment they chose the right time, environment and campaign to launch their latest technology product, creating the unfair advantage that leaves their competitors behind.
According to Seeking Alpha, Speedo's market share is already growing and in my opinion, we will see a larger market share leaking from their competitors.
It's just a matter of time until others will mimic the technology and product but until then, the guys at Speedo can smile and enjoy the moment.
According to Seeking Alpha, Speedo's market share is already growing and in my opinion, we will see a larger market share leaking from their competitors.
Speedo executives think that the LZR has already given their sales a boost, creating a sort of "halo effect" for the brand. Speedo's market share in performance swimwear this year, through June 14, was up seven percent, at 61%, while Nike fell nine points to 11%, according to SportsOneSource.
It's just a matter of time until others will mimic the technology and product but until then, the guys at Speedo can smile and enjoy the moment.
Perhaps it is more similar to the Nike Basketball shoe phenomena that was driven by Micahel Jordan, the greatest living basketball player at the time. Every basketball enthusiast wanted "Air Jordan" shoes and Nike's market share rose. When Jordan retired, Nike's share deflated and Adidas and Reebok indeed saw better shares.
Perhaps had Tyr and Arena signed up Michael Phelps (the Jordan idol of swimming enthusiasts) they would have had the "unfair" advantage.
For the security geek, being blessed by a security God is equivalent to having your firewall worn to the annual 100m virus relay. Luckily for some vendors, security has many Gods, and resembles a greek mythology more than a disciplined rigor. Therefore, all sorts can have their share of the cake.
Assaf: I must admit that the analogy to basketball shoes is very interesting. The Kicks Guide (KG) brings the details. Check http://www.kicksguide.com/guides/kicksology.asp for the story and break down of the basketball sneakers history.
As I wrote, the guys at Speedo can smile and enjoy the moment while the can. (emphasizing word "moment"). Unfair advantage is essential for sustained success. Sometines, this advantage is as simple as a solid product when there's market demand.
In my opinion, success in the security industry is similar to molecular gastronomy: One should change the known concepts and mind-set and work very hard in order to enjoy the perfect soufflé or steak with only few moments of euphoria. Then, if he worked hard enough to push all the starts to the right position at the right time, he will be able to have the means to enjoy el Bulli.