New competitive advantage: Socializing products

WE have evolved be entertained 24 hours a day. Smart phones, TVs and watches have been designed to satisfy our needs through the emergence of the Internet.

The Internet has changed consumer behavior and therefore the operations of a company such as costumer service, business models, and advertising. According to a Harvard Business Review Blog post our society has moved even further, not only do we need to be entertained by information that is given to us but also be able to share information with our social network through the usage of products. No longer do companies gain competitive advantage through their value proposition by providing newer and better features, but the revolution of social products will.

The new Nike+Fuel Band is an example classified by HBR as a ‘social product’. No longer will products just be “simply connected, but social” write Bonchek and Choudary. The concept of sharing will create another community. Nike’s idea is to create a community where users can motivate each other to be more active. This value proposition will attract more consumers, because with the vast amount of social networks in today’s world we create new connections everyday, by using social products it will make it even easier to keep in touch the connections in our busy lives.

Nike+Fuel Band’s value proposition and the idea of a social product (Video)

 

Resources:

– “Navigation.” BoF The Business of Fashion. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2013. <http://www.businessoffashion.com/2013/10/nike-stafan-olander-fuelband-and-the-age-of-social-products.html>.

– “HBR Blog Network.” Harvard Business Review. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2013. <http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/10/the-age-of-social-products/>.

– “Nike+ FuelBand SE unveiled with new colors, Bluetooth 4.0, priced at $149 (update: eyes-on).” Engadget. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2013. <http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/15/nike-fuelband-se-unveiled/>.

“The three most innovative social products right nowAdd to ….” The Globe and Mail. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2013. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-marketing/the-three-most-innovative-social-products-right-now/article12498033/>.

– Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=moV5osprPlg

Leaving LV for IPO of Marc Jacobs’ fashion label

Fashion is glamourous, but even behind all the sparkle we find the apparent “so boring” financial accounting aspect.

Recently announced at the Fashion week in Paris, Marc Jacobs is leaving his position as creative manager at Louise Vuitton after 16 years. At first this may not seem as huge news for the business world, however looking at the facts there will be a few changes coming up.

As Jacobs was managing the mind-blowing stages of LV during fashion shows, he was also running on his own label ‘Marc Jacobs’. Currently his label is private, however with his resignation at LV, the designer is preparing for an IPO. By taking his brand to another level, the designer is aiming to expand through public shares. The american rival designer Michael Kors listed on the stock market as of December 2011 took huge success from its IPO. Even now, post-IPO, the luxurious brand is experiencing sales growth all over the world. This historic event provides certainty for Marc Jacobs.

With the expansion Marc Jacobs will be able to reach out to a greater market across the globe, which will raise revenue. And rise to the image of the luxurious Fashion House Louis Vuitton.

Article: “Marc Jacobs to leave Louis Vuitton to Prepare IPO” by Christina Passariello from the Wall Street Journal Online, retrieved on October 5h, 2013, from: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303722604579110762285433636.html