This blog post is in response to my friend Samantha Yam’s Adidas Badminton: The Next Yonex?

Since I have played the sport competitively, I think it is appropriate for me to jump in and give my expert opinion along with Sam’s in the matter.

She is blogging about ADIDAS’s decision to enter the badminton market ( Adidas article )  . Her assessment does have merit; currently, Victor and Yonex are the widely recognized frontrunner brands of badminton.  I have never used a racquet that isn’t Yonex and that speaks for itself, since I’ve been playing from age 13- 19  (competitively from 15-17). Ironically, in high school at the same time, Adidas was my favorite brand, and I wore Adidas EVERYTHING . Yet, i never questioned the absence of Adidas in badminton, having just accepted that Yonex = badminton, period.  I did, however, wear Victor badminton shoes for the longest time, and found the performance satisfactory.

I have used carbon graphite racquets for a long time(for they are durable), the performance of the racquet (unfortunately, not the player) improves dramatically once you introduce Nano technology  (and to show you far along Yonex is)… here is the science behind Yonex’s innovation and reason for their sustainable competitive advantage:

Yonex has expanded over the years to fill every niche of the badminton racquet market, from Asia to Europe and North America. Their ability to cater towards recreational beginners and international competitors is nothing short of admiration; they have racquets at every price range and skill level possible!

The blog Sam wrote on does not specify where ADIDAS is manufacturing their racquets, and I agree with her ; JP(Japanese) versions are priced the highest . Singapore made racquets are nearly just as good. The success of ADIDAS would depend on the location of their production… That being said, I have NEVER owned a racquet that is made from Japan; in fact, when I was playing competitively, I always took pride in using the cheapest ($60 carbonex from SportChek) racquets to conquer my opponents using $200 + Arcsabers and Armortec racquets.

If ADIDAS can sign BETTER sponsors from the badminton world as opposed to these young guns, they would stand a better chance operating against Yonex.

Should ADIDAS enter badminton? Why not? With the rise of the middle class in South East Asia (China) where badminton is most popular, players will be looking to recognizable international brands like ADIDAS to fill their badminton needs. Yonex may be dominant in badminton, but ADIDAS has products in various sports; they can do well to capitalize on their brand.

This is in response to the external blog : http://web2.sys-con.com/node/2581205

Soo, with the historic  “Resignation” of Pope Benedict XVI , many normally indifferent Catholics and tourists are suddenly interested in the Vatican’s affairs and the culture/historical monument of the Catholic Church. Might as well take advantage of this historic moment to add more money into those coffers eh? Then again, businesses are also taking advantage..

Yes, you heard right. Pope key chains, flags,  mugs, t-shirts being in high demand with the first Pope from Latin America. These Pope merchandises are being sold along side star icons such as Bob Marley and Mcjagger. Really now.

As a kid, I remember my fellow classmates expressing their fantasies of one day becoming.. the president, the prime minister, a police chief, a pop (rock) star, firefighter, pilot, doctor, or astronaut. I have NEVER heard of ANYONE saying : ” When I grow up, I want to be the Pope ! 😀 ”  How interesting, to witness this historic moment and feel the joy of the people over the “election” of the new Pope. I mean, honestly, this should be a career path that should be taken more seriously : Who wouldn’t want to be the ruler of the Catholic world? Vatican City is officially a country as well.. soo in essence you would be a “president”.

Marketing is extremely important even in the Catholic world due to new social trends deviating away from archaic Catholic traditions. Coffers grow when there are more Catholics around the world, and right now, about 40% of the world’s Catholics reside in South America (as opposed to Europe).. so.. (demographics, geography market segmentation) why not have a Latin American Pope ? Breaks the status -quo (suggesting reformation and progressiveness) , shattering the preconceived notion that only European Cardinals can be Popes.

Now, if only they allowed WOMEN to be Popes. No? What about.. cardinals.. ? No? What about Archbishops? Still no? Bishops? Priests?! Well okay, good luck staying relevant in the 21st century discriminating against women. Then again, Catholicism wouldn’t be the first religion to do that, nor would it be the last.

Of course, (Catholic) women who may wish to obey the scriptures but insist on a more progressive course on Catholicism are finding ways to express their opinions. I can’t imagine how even 20 years ago, any business would dare to launch a Catholic Pope related pleasure toy for women and expect it to sell.

“Francis I may be against contraception, women priests, gay weddings and even sex before marriage, but so far he has said nothing about alarm clock vibrators worn in the panties.”

Finding loopholes, best to just relent on some obsolete traditions if I were running the Catholic Church.

Then again, maybe that’s why I’m not Catholic.

http://www.euronews.com/nocomment/2013/03/17/argentina-pope-francis-rivalling-bob-marley-and-mick-jagger/