After dinner: more thoughts about today. We heard from Michael Todman, president fo Whirlpool North America. They have had fantastic success with The Duet, a colorful matching front-loading washer and dryer. He attributes their success to an unrelenting focus on :
1)outstanding consumer brands
2)innovation -- answering customer desires
3)employees
4)commitment to do the right thing
He asked: what is great design? A robust understanding of consumer needs and the ability to deliver great experiences to the user. Good design leads to great products customers want to buy.
Design is business strategy visualized. -- what a great statement!
Next we heard from David Thurm, the CIO of NYTimes and the designer of the interior spaces and the company that designed the interior graphics. It was great to hear these presentations while sitting in the space and seeing -- literally -- through walls to the street and the outside. The concept of the building is transparency. We were living it. The building is a wonder. Designed by Renzo Piano. Here's more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Building
Lunch gave us the opportunity to sit with speakers. Kerry & I chose to sit with Ed Wood, principal of Gensler, who designed the interiors of the NY Times Building. I asked him if he had designed any libraires. He has done some legal libraries, but -- like libraires everywhere -- the spaces are becoming collaborative gathering spaces and not places for books. He added that legal firms are highly competitive when it comes to hiring top notch talent -- it is getting harder and harder. What is making the difference is really great working space.
In the afternoon we heard from Brian Walker, the CEO of Herman Miller -- sitting appropriately on Aeron chairs. I loved what he said. I am so tired of the cliche -- to think out of the box. He said: we have a really great box. What we need to do is get deep into the box. Make it bigger.
Brian Walker was joined by John Hoke, who is VP of Global Product from Converse (most recently Nike.) Loved him. Here's an interview from Business Week with John that you will enjoy: http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/apr2008/id20080425_383266.htm?chan=search
One thing I found especially meaningful from John Hoke -- Nike and Converse are already training 10 year olds how to recognize good design. Also: design is a tipping point. It is a competitive edge.
The day ended with two women from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia -- or MSLO as they call it. I loved this concept from them: Martha Stewart Omnimedia creates the demand. Omnimerchandising fulfills it.
After a day that started at 7 Am and ended at 5:30, Kerry and I went to dinner and walked to the NY Library on 5th Ave. We were stunned to find that it closes at 7:15! Here is my esteemed leader sitting on a chair right in front of the front door of the library. As he said, it is probably the only time we'd ever be able to do that!
1)outstanding consumer brands
2)innovation -- answering customer desires
3)employees
4)commitment to do the right thing
He asked: what is great design? A robust understanding of consumer needs and the ability to deliver great experiences to the user. Good design leads to great products customers want to buy.
Design is business strategy visualized. -- what a great statement!
Next we heard from David Thurm, the CIO of NYTimes and the designer of the interior spaces and the company that designed the interior graphics. It was great to hear these presentations while sitting in the space and seeing -- literally -- through walls to the street and the outside. The concept of the building is transparency. We were living it. The building is a wonder. Designed by Renzo Piano. Here's more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Building
Lunch gave us the opportunity to sit with speakers. Kerry & I chose to sit with Ed Wood, principal of Gensler, who designed the interiors of the NY Times Building. I asked him if he had designed any libraires. He has done some legal libraries, but -- like libraires everywhere -- the spaces are becoming collaborative gathering spaces and not places for books. He added that legal firms are highly competitive when it comes to hiring top notch talent -- it is getting harder and harder. What is making the difference is really great working space.
In the afternoon we heard from Brian Walker, the CEO of Herman Miller -- sitting appropriately on Aeron chairs. I loved what he said. I am so tired of the cliche -- to think out of the box. He said: we have a really great box. What we need to do is get deep into the box. Make it bigger.
Brian Walker was joined by John Hoke, who is VP of Global Product from Converse (most recently Nike.) Loved him. Here's an interview from Business Week with John that you will enjoy: http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/apr2008/id20080425_383266.htm?chan=search
One thing I found especially meaningful from John Hoke -- Nike and Converse are already training 10 year olds how to recognize good design. Also: design is a tipping point. It is a competitive edge.
The day ended with two women from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia -- or MSLO as they call it. I loved this concept from them: Martha Stewart Omnimedia creates the demand. Omnimerchandising fulfills it.
After a day that started at 7 Am and ended at 5:30, Kerry and I went to dinner and walked to the NY Library on 5th Ave. We were stunned to find that it closes at 7:15! Here is my esteemed leader sitting on a chair right in front of the front door of the library. As he said, it is probably the only time we'd ever be able to do that!
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