I had written this post on Aug 23, but couldn't post it due to the lack of internet access....
Today was the launch of the “Suse Linux 10.0” by Novell, in Mumbai. I am not a techie and have no idea how great the product is or how is it different from 9.0. Two reasons why I was there –
1. My company is into application servers and we were showcasing that our servers are compatible with Suse Linux 10.
2. I am stationed in Mumbai (at least for now) and hence was the obvious representative of the company.
I sat through the half day event smiling at every passer by, telling them the way to the registration desk as they landed on mine to register themselves. (Now this is something I really hate about men – they see a desk with a pretty woman {I take the liberty to think that I am pretty... you may choose to disagree} and assume that she is there for reception!! BTW there were 2 desks next to me with guys, and no one even bothered to ask them. It’s all about the perception!!!!). I could also blame this on the fact that there was no poster on or around my desk to indicate which company I was representing!! Being visible makes all the difference….
I personally believe that the Pramati application server is a brilliant product. It is technically much better than its competitors (the 2 giants whom I will not name here, lest I get sued!!), and it’s priced at less than half of what they charge. The product is architected and managed by a team of geniuses (who also contribute to the Java standards committee and are on the expert groups). It was the first one globally to be certified on J2EE standards. Yet it has not received its due credit in the market. That’s because not many people know that it is such a brilliant product. It’s all about the perception!!
This takes me to the question – “What is a successful product?” Can we define the success of any product by the revenue it generates? Or can we define it by the loyalty of its customer base, however small. Have I made a good product if it sells like hot cakes? Or should I be happy with 10% market share if those who use it vouch for the product’s capability! I will not even attempt to answer these questions; I will leave it to the marketing gurus!
In my opinion, a good product and a successful product are mutually exclusive. A good product is not necessarily successful and vice versa.
If you invest (time and/or money) in something, you owe it to yourself to get something out of it (unless of course you are into social welfare); and you owe it to the product to ensure its publicity (it’s your baby after all!!) It’s all about the perception!! People make opinions based on what they hear and what they see. Isn’t that the essence of branding!
I sat in the event knowing that I am representing the best product, but my competitor has the brand and the visibility. They spend heavily on marketing, and it does pay off. I want to tell everyone how my product is better than theirs, but people have already formed an opinion – ‘the bigger the better’; and probability is that I will not even get a chance to say it out. Even if I do, the truth will not be heard because they have created so much noise about themselves.
It’s all about the perception!!!
P.S. Please note that the opinions mentioned here are strictly my own, and do not reflect that of my employer. I have written the above in my personal capacity, in my personal space, and should not be interpreted as being related to my employer.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Thursday, August 17, 2006
....
The rains have stopped, the sun is shining bright, the clouds have dispersed and so has the gloom. It’s a clear day and everything looks different – may not be better, but at least clearer.
It’s a funny feeling. You are scared of losing it when you have it, you are desperate and helpless when you see it slipping away, and then one fine day, you know you have lost it..
And you are calm and cool.. coz you don’t know how to react to this situation.. You have spent so long worrying about this, but never once thought that this was a real possibility.
It’s the question that you wanted answered, but didn’t want to hear what you heard.
It sinks in slowly, poisoning your entire system, making you bitter to everything else.
But like I said, things may not be better, but at least they are clearer
It’s a funny feeling. You are scared of losing it when you have it, you are desperate and helpless when you see it slipping away, and then one fine day, you know you have lost it..
And you are calm and cool.. coz you don’t know how to react to this situation.. You have spent so long worrying about this, but never once thought that this was a real possibility.
It’s the question that you wanted answered, but didn’t want to hear what you heard.
It sinks in slowly, poisoning your entire system, making you bitter to everything else.
But like I said, things may not be better, but at least they are clearer
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