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Miryoku Teki Hinshitsu

Delivering Two Kinds of Quality:

Success starts with making products that work. But appealing to a customer's aesthetic taste is also essential in today's marketplace. As I write this, the petroleum executive sitting next to me on the plane has carefully unpacked his Bose QuietComfort 2 headphones and iPod nano, which has me thinking about the meaning of quality. The Japanese actually have two words for quality -- and an understanding of each is necessary to compete today.

More than 20 years after the quality craze kicked off in the U.S. (primarily because America was getting its clock cleaned by the Japanese), quality remains an elusive target for many American companies. Not that we haven't made progress. In 1980 the average car produced by Ford (F) had twice as many product flaws (as measured by J.D. Power's survey of initial quality) as the average Japanese car.

By 1986 the Japanese auto industry lead over Ford had shrunk from 100% to about 20%, as Ford made quality "Job One." But since that impressive initial spurt of progress, many U.S. companies have struggled to keep up on quality, even as the Japanese began building more of their products in the U.S. with American workers.

INNOVATION CURVE. The truth is, the Japanese have an unfair advantage. Japanese culture intrinsically values quality and appreciates the small details. In fact, the Japanese expression for quality is atarimae hinshitsu, which can be roughly translated as "taken-for-granted quality."

What do the Japanese take for granted when it comes to quality? They take for granted that things should work as they are supposed to, and they even see an elegance to things working properly -- whether it's cars, subway schedules, traditional flower arranging, or the famous tea ceremony.

Japanese manufacturers were so obsessed with taken-for-granted quality that they created a constant stream of innovations that built on renowned quality-management consultant Ed Deming's original concepts: lean manufacturing, just-in-time industry, and design for quality. In today's competitive markets, manufacturers need to be very far along this quality innovation curve -- or moving along it very quickly. If they are not, you can take for granted that they will go out of business.

This is true even for small, entrepreneurial companies. The ability to create products and services that work is no longer a source of long-term competitive advantage. It has become just the price of admission to most markets. If the stuff your competitors make works better, your customers aren't going to be customers for long.

QUALITY ZEALOTS. Though much improved, America's quality record still isn't what it might be. Here are two traps I've seen a lot of companies fall into on the road to quality.

1. Faking a commitment. There's no way around it. Whether you're adopting total quality management (TQM), continuous improvement, or Six Sigma, these techniques require everyone in a company to learn how to think and work differently. Too many senior executives grab onto the fad phrases as they come and go -- from TQM to lean manufacturing and now Six Sigma -- without taking the time to learn what these processes are and how they work. They leave the nitty gritty of quality to the folks below them -- a sure way to have a quality program fail.

2. Letting the quality zealots run wild. On the other extreme, some companies become so quality-process obsessed that quality-management techniques cease to be a tool to improve the company's performance and instead become an end in themselves. Statistical analysis should be used for questions for which a company doesn't readily have a "good enough" answer. Instead, organizations sometimes go through long analytical processes for problems that a little common sense could have solved.

Quality-management techniques work very well for certain processes and applications -- but their efficacy is less clear in areas like sales. Nothing sours an organization on quality faster than meaningless quality busywork. Perhaps the biggest risk to companies engaged in statistical process-control methods, such as TQM and Six Sigma, is that they may lose sight of the fact that controlling errors is only part of the game.

MODERN MARVELS. That brings us to the second of the two Japanese expressions for quality: miryoku teki hinshitsu, which means "bewitching" or "enchanting quality." This kind of quality appeals not to customer expectations and reliability (that things should do what they're supposed to), but rather to a person's aesthetic sense of beauty and elegance.

That's what I think Apple Computer (AAPL) got right with the iPod and its many offspring. The nano belonging to the man sitting next to me is a marvel, not just of miniaturization, but of rounded edges in a world of sharp corners.

And as I put on my own Bose headphones, I realize how much I appreciate being able to retreat to my Zen space amid the rumble of the aircraft engines, rattling serving carts, and chattering cabin mates. If these products didn't work properly when you turned them on, nobody would buy them. They would lack atarimae hinshitsu. But with the hungry competitors in most markets today, taken-for-granted quality by itself may not get the job done.

Thanks to Keith McFarland of BusinessWeek Online

Four! On The Floor.

Nice Jeep ad!

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HMK

So Sensitive

Man, I sure I hope I don't get killed for posting this...

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HMK

Meet Mr. Toast

Watch this and then try to get this catchy little number out of your head.

Just try...Just Whistle!!

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HMK

The 1GB Nano is Here!

Cool - Check out the new 1GB $149 iPod nano.

It comes in black or white and holds up to 240 songs or 150,000 photos

And there's one more thing - lower prices for the iPod shuffle. Just $69 for 512MB and $99 for the 1GB.

Thanks Steve!

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HMK

HMK On The Simpsons!

Well, sorta...

Ever wonder what you would look like if you were a guest on the Simpsons? Find out at Simpson Maker!

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HMK

Nice Desk, Mate!

Wow. For around $4,400 you can buy a desk made from an old Mini!

Not sure if it's a reproduction of an original Mini, or the real deal, but if you really wanna know:

ministatements@btinternet.com.

That's Cool,

HMK

W+K London Rule.

See why with their brilliant new spot for the Honda Civic.

Nice Melons!

Spotted in the window of a Brick Lane curry restaurant in London.

Scary Kids

Hungry or simply possessed? Check out more Demonic Tots.

That's Scary,

HMK

Google Target

Wow.

Pretty Genius.

Target is now using rooftops to appear on Google Maps.

That's Smart,

HMK

Peroni Me

Free beer while shopping -- it’s a new idea brewing in Atlanta.

While shoppers age 21-and-over browse $150 jeans at the stylish Bill Hallman Boutique in Virginia Highland, they can sip on a beer imported from Italy.

The lure might sound like exactly what’s expected from an upscale, designer clothing store. The wealth of foot traffic already flowing through the Virginia Highland neighborhood is providing great exposure for the store – as well as Peroni beer.

Anyone hoping to score a quick brew while browsing should know that the beer is kept behind the counter. A boutique clerk is needed to get a beer for a shopper.

Peroni spokesman Chad Wodskow said the beer company pays Bill Hallman for the space. Their idea is that if shoppers see the beer in a cool store, they’ll think the beer is cool.

“Atlanta is the launching pad of our national campaign,” Wodskow said. “New York is next, then San Francisco.”

Peroni is offering their beer free in 11 Atlanta stores, mostly located in Midtown and Buckhead. And, the stores don’t even need a liquor license. It’s actually legal to give beer away without one.

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HMK

Web Sites Judged In A Blink

TORONTO, Ontario (Reuters) Internet users can give Web sites a thumbs up or thumbs down in less than the blink of an eye, according to a study by Canadian researchers.

(Admit it, you wouldn't even be reading this if it wasn't for the chick... HMK)

In just a brief one-twentieth of a second -- less than half the time it takes to blink -- people make aesthetic judgments that influence the rest of their experience with an Internet site.

The study was published in the latest issue of the Behaviour and Information Technology journal. The author said the findings had powerful implications for the field of Web site design.

"It really is just a physiological response," Gitte Lindgaard told Reuters on Tuesday. "So Web designers have to make sure they're not offending users visually.

"If the first impression is negative, you'll probably drive people off."

In the study, researchers discovered that people could rate the visual appeal of sites after seeing them for just one-twentieth of a second. These judgments were not random, the researchers found -- sites that were flashed up twice were given similar ratings both times.

They also matched the responses given by subjects who were shown the sites for longer.

But the results did not show how to win a positive reaction from users, said Lindgaard, a psychology professor at Carleton University in Ottawa. "When we looked at the Web sites that we tested, there is really nothing there that tells us what leads to dislike or to like."

And while further research may offer more clues, she said the vagaries of personal taste would always be a limiting factor.

"If design were reducible to a set of principles, wouldn't we find an awful lot of similar houses, gardens, cars, rooms?" said Lindgaard. "You'd have no variety."

Thanks to Reuters

Awesome Concept

Go here and confess: Come Clean.

Acoustic Energy Wi-Fi Radio

I'm totally dying to check out this Acoustic Energy Wi-Fi Radio. It's the world’s first radio capable of accessing over 99% of internet radio stations broadcast anywhere in the world. Compatibility with all three major streaming formats gives the Wi-Fi radio an amazing choice of content from Britain’s BBC Radio1 to Brazil’s Radio Calypso! There’s no subscription to pay, no signal coverage problems and no international content boundaries.

From what I've read, the simple plug and play device links to any Wi-Fi network and broadband connection to stream both live and listen again internet radio content. Channels are listed alphabetically and the easy to use multi-function control knob makes choosing a station simpler than an FM radio. The AE Wi-Fi radio brings all the benefits of internet radio to the kitchen, bedroom or even the garden and can also play music stored on any Wi-Fi enabled PC in the home. PC and Mac compatible.

So far, no US availability! I'll keep y'all posted...


HMK

This Ad Sucks!

Siemens

The quietest vacuum cleaner in its class : technopower sound & silence. Great work for Siemens from Scholz & Friends, Hamburg.

Once again, thanks to the kids at Ad Hunt.

Who wants a relationship with someone boring?

David Ogilvy quote:

“If you spend your advertising budget entertaining the consumer, you’re a bloody fool. Housewives don’t buy a new detergent because the manufacturer told a joke on television last night. They buy the new detergent because it promises a benefit.”

It's fair enough to criticise agencies for claiming a category generic, 'creativity', in a way that fails to differentiate their offering and is arguably unsubstantiated by their output. Creativity is a vague and subjective term. We would never suggest to anyone that they should work with us or for us because we're 'more creative'. It would indeed be meaningless and unprovable.

And I agree wholeheartedly with the continuing relevance of David Ogilvy's comments about sponsored gags. But I don't think it's simple enough these days to say that our job is simply to 'promise a benefit to the housewife'. Media is more fragmented and the consumer is smarter. If there's anything that's different about the way we approach what we do it's in trying to build that 'strong and provocative relationship' between people and brands. You don't achieve that just by telling jokes - though humour can be part of it - you do it by surprising them, pleasing them, making them think, and prompting them to act.

Entertainment on its own is not enough. But in a world where it's increasingly easy for people to avoid messages that are dull, irritating or irrelevant, then it can't hurt to be entertaining. Who wants a relationship with someone boring?

That's Right,

HMK

Thanks to David Ogilvy & Marc Babej

Rogue Amoeba Rules!

Airfoil 2 Sends Audio to Multiple AirPort Express Units

Rogue Amoeba Software officially released Airfoil 2.0 today, the latest version of its software that streams any audio to AirPort Express. The new version can simultaneously send audio to multiple AirPort Express units, with support for streaming audio to units that are password-protected.

In addition, Airfoil 2.0 features a 10-band equalizer, along with volume and balance controls, the ability to send all the audio playing on a computer, support for Smart Crash Reporting and full AppleScript support. The software also supports sending audio from new sources, including USB radios, Dashboard Widgets and external devices, and it has a new user interface.

This is a free update for registered users. The full software is US$25. Mac OS X v10.3 is required.

UPDATE: Although I've yet to try it yet, the latest version of iTunes 6.0.2 will now lett you stream to multiple AirPort Express units. Sweet.

Fuhgeddaboudit!

Brooklyn: It's the Place Too Big For Just One Slogan.

A thousand would-be sloganeers answered Borough President Marty Markowitz's call for a boastful phrase that would boost tourism - but in the end, a single slogan wasn't enough.

"Brooklyn is too broad and diverse for one slogan," said Markowitz spokeswoman Jocelyn Aframe.

"It became apparent that one slogan wouldn't be able to express all that Brooklyn has to offer."

Instead, the Brooklyn Tourism Partnership will use several slogans - which range from the classy ("Brooklyn: Bridge to the World") to the wacky ("Brooklyn: The Tenth Planet") and possibly risque ("Do It In Brooklyn") - for specific advertising campaigns.

The contest started in April as an effort to rival such memorable slogans as "I N.Y." and the more recent "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas."

Most of the suggestions - judged by a panel that included Brooklyn Academy of Music President Karen Hopkins and Brooklyn Brewery founder Steve Hindy - came from Brooklynites, but a handful came from as far away as Florida. Markowitz, who cruised to reelection in November, plans to publish all the entries in a handout at his Jan. 26 swearing-in at Brooklyn Technical High School.

The Daily News showed an early selection of slogans to Brooklyn residents last week and asked them to pick a favorite.

"We definitely have attitude in Brooklyn," laughed Shakeena Culler, a 27-year-old receptionist at the Allen School, who fancied "Brooklyn: the Birthplace of Attitude."

Mohamed Farhane, 22, of Park Slope, liked "It's Brooklyn, Baby."

"It seems like Brooklyn - short and sweet," said the St. Francis College senior.

But Mildred Brown, 67, didn't like any of the slogans - and then coined her own.

"There is no place like Brooklyn," the Fort Greene great-grandmother declared.

"I've traveled and there is no comparison. It's a world unto itself."

Thanks to The Daily News NYC

VW Fox Spots

Here's one of five classic movies told in 30 seconds. Nice tv campaign for VW Fox. From the brains of DDB Berlin, animation by Angry Alien Productions Los Angeles. Check out Jaws!

You can find the rest over at the cool Ad Hunt site.

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HMK

RSS That's Right!

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HMK

Hangovers. Does Anything Work?

New Year's Eve is known for revelry and is often enhanced by a few drinks -- sometimes a little more than a few drinks.

It might be fun at the time, but those who know the pain of a nasty hangover can imagine how helpful a hangover pill or patch might be.

Unfortunately, pills and patches now on the market "haven't been proven," according to "Good Morning America" medical contributor Dr. David Katz of the Yale Medical School.

The alleged cures "are a mix of various nutrients and there are some things -- particularly in the patch -- that could be helpful, but no proof," Katz said.

After thousands and thousands of years of alcohol consumption, medical professionals are still not really sure what causes a hangover -- but it likely is the result of imbibing major amounts of alcohol, which produces a toxin after the body processes it. When people drink too much, their livers are not able to keep up with processing the toxins.

"Alcohol also causes dehydration, and dehydration can cause headaches and nausea," Katz said. "Alcohol also disturbs sleep. So even though it feels like you slept 12 hours, you probably didn't get REM sleep, so you won't feel rested the next day."

Katz added that drinks with more chemicals in them produce worse hangovers. Wine, especially red wine, tends to be the worst.


Hangover Theories

Some people swear by Philly Cheese Steaks, milkshakes or pasta as hangover cures. Katz said that they might be on to something.

"It's probably beneficial to eat the morning after, and I'm not convinced that it matters much what you eat," Katz said. "The biggest thing is to drink plenty of water. That's going to be the best thing the next morning."

Do not believe the wives tale about the "hair of the dog" -- that another drink will help cure a morning hangover.

"When your liver is really stressed out metabolizing alcohol it's especially vulnerable to that," he said.

Katz also warned against taking Tylenol after a night of hard drinking. Tylenol can put additional stress on the liver. But those who can deal with plain old aspirin when sober can most likely tolerate it when drunk, Katz said.

Unfortunately for New Year's party-goers who get a little carried away, Katz said the natural cure for a hangover, which usually lasts between eight to 24 hours, is time.

NOTE: The following is practical advice given by one who has spent years surviving fairly brutal hangovers.

One thing is key. Prevention will save you better than any other thing. There is not enough to be said about this. Proper prevention will save you from the worst symptoms.

Before you go to bed take 2 Advil (or any headache pill that is made of Ibuprofen). This will save you every time. Do not even waste your time with Aspirin. And do not take Tylenol. Tylenol will destroy your liver if combined with alcohol- no lie! (see below)

In your list of hangover cures you mention taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetominophen. One thing you REALLY ought to be aware of --- if you plan on living very long -- is that acetominophen in combination with alcohol does HORRENDOUS liver damage. Alcohol alone damages the liver; and acetominophen (Tylenol ie.) does a little damage to the liver; but if you mix the two, the damage you incur is EXPONENTIAL. I'm sure you can find plenty of medical journals to calloborate this if you want to. This made news a while back. You can literally wreck your liver in a very short time if you mix Tylenol with alcohol.

Tylenol sucks anyway. Ibuprofen is the best. Case closed.

NOTE: if you forget to take the advil the night before you will wake up in a state where anything you swallow (especially pills) will make you puke, you'll never be able get that blessed Advil relief. You will have suffer through at least 2-3 hours of cold sweats and headaches. And that is no way to spend your weekend.

CURE #1
THE BLOODY MARY (the ultimate)
There is no substitue for a Bloody Mary. Ounce for ounce the curative factors involved in this drink are astonishing. There are not enough good things that can be said about this drink in curing a hangover.

And honestly, if you hate tomato juice, don't worry, I DESPISE tomato juice, it generally makes me sick thinking about it. BUT TRUST ME. Once you add the other ingredients it becomes a different substance, which you will really love! That is a science fact!

It is the ultimate weapon in any fight against hangover pain. The only problem is you will become progressively more useless as you drink more and more of them, but then you weren't going to do anything anyway. And certainly, if you had that hangover still you'd be lying in bed will the blinds closed!

Ingredients:
2 oz Vodka
6 oz Tomato Juice (NOTE: if you can find "Beefamato," use it- this will make the ultimate Bloody Mary. So good you will be amazed actually)
4 tsp Worcestershire Sauce (this may be the secret 'x' ingredient)
2-3 drops tabasco sauce
A celery stick should be jammed into this thing also - you can consider the celery stick 'breakfast.'

You will feel better in about 15 minutes.

CURE #2
THE GREASY BURGER & MILKSHAKE
This one works like a charm for most people. It also tastes really good. We aren't going to tell you how to prepare this because it should be pretty self-explanatory. Even to the stupid. Best choice is to go out to a "Diner" for this.

The Milkshake is the really amazing final touch. It will calm the stomach and relax you. Many stories of success with this combo. It also taste really good. Remember that Beef is your friend.

CURE #3
NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER
This one may seem a bit strange but let me just say that it does work. That is a 100% guarantee. If you can't get out to a place the makes this stuff, just buy the Campbell's Chunky Soup version. Add some pepper (if you like pepper). Eat it. Then fall back asleep. You will awake in an hour feeling better than you could possibly imagined.

Note: On the east coast of the United States you can go to this place called "Friendly's." They have the best hangover combo, which is the following 1. New England Clam Chowder 2. "A Big Beef" 3. Chocolate Fribble." It works - in fact - it saved my college career (in drinking).

CURE #3
2 BREAKFAST TACOS & A BIG RED

This is a typical San Antonio remedy. One Bean & Cheese Taco and your favorite Breakfast Taco, (I recommend a Chilequias), both on flour tortillas with hot sauce. Wash them down with an ice cold Big Red soda. Works every time! Sometimes a cup or two of good coffee helps as well, but for some strange reason, Mexican restaurants seem to have the absolute worst coffee, so you might need a extra stop unless you've got some good stuff at home.

This works best when it's all brought to you couch side by someone that really loves you.

Be nice, be safe and don't be stupid tonight.

Happy New Year Y'all!



Thanks to ABC News and Blur Of Insanity.com

Favorite Fonts of 2005

We've all been sharing our list of favorite songs of 2005, mine are
over here. (And no, I didn't forget U2, it was just too obvious to list such a superb album!) I also put together a mix of groovy songs I stumbled upon this past year called "It's New to Me" which is exactly what is says it is. I'll have the liner notes posted soon at my Necessito La Music site along with a few downloads. If you didn't get a copy of the cd, you probably didn't buy me a beer over the holidays. It's never too late though...

Anyway, as you might know, I'm also interested in the world of all things design and especially type. The friendly folks over at Typographica have a nice overview of new fonts that were introduced this year.

Just so you know, Typographica is an online journal of typography featuring news, observations, and open commentary on fonts and typographic design. Check it out here.

That's Right,

HMK

Happy Birthday Ringo!

Sir Ringo Christmas 2004
Originally uploaded by H. Michael karshis.

In honor of Sir Ringo's 6th birthday we're having a little K9 Soiree early this evening complete with hush puppies, hot dogs and a bone shaped, cheese flavored cake from Fifi & Fido's made especially for good dogs.

So please, join us in spirit and enjoy the perfect Ringo Birthday/Christmas song I discovered just the other day. Ringo Bells!

You can bet we'll hear more than once today!

Ringo All The Way!

HMK