Five fingers!

Phew, what a concept! The company that makes this is called Vibram five fingers. If not for the cost, I would have loved to try one of those.

Strange that not many people know about this company or know such a product even exists. Wonder what the total advertising spend of the company looks like. These guys have a market segment for sure, the segment that believes in bare foot running.

Although Nike, Reebok and Vibram are in the same industry, are they competing in the same market? Yes I suppose. The likes of Nike always existed, Vibram wants a part of the market that Nike is already in. They have made a good start and for all you know Vibram could topple Nike if people like the style. Would brands like Nike and Reebok quickly adapt and start making the five fingers shoes? Unlikely, because there could be potential patent issues (Well, so did Apple and Samsung!). Also it's in direct conflict with their cash cow... the heel running shoes.

Anyway, I hope Vibram grows big, Vibram sells more shoes, Vibram makes more money, Vibram uses profits to optimize operations and manufactures more shoes, Vibram drastically cuts costs of shoes... and I finally get to buy one for myself :)

Green to Red

Did you know that Santa Clause wore Green and White once up a time? I didn't, nor do many people in the current generation I believe! Apparently an advertising campaign by Coca Cola in the 30's changed it to red to match the color of coke. If that is anywhere close to the truth, all I can say is "We're living in America, coca-cola, wunderbar" (It's a song by the German band called Rammstein, youtube it, it's awesome)

Taking of red, I read the something about a campaign called [Product]RED, absolutely loved the first part of their manifesto ... "All things being equal. THEY ARE NOT."!!  (RED) is a campaign to share profits with the underprivileged by selling (RED) goods to consumers. Don't quite know if the campaign is any good or if it really helps the needy, but I will definitely look for a tee with (RED) manifesto. You can find their products here... http://www.joinred.com/

Leadership by birth...

Read something about leadership today and absolutely loved it...

"The theory that leaders are born and not born is terrifying. England tried this theory for roughly 900 years when the monarchy and aristocracy ruled by right of birth. The result was that for 900 years the country was led by murderers, rapists, kleptocrats, madmen, drug runners and occasional genius who was meant to make up for the rest!"