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The Trendmaster's Guide

kimberland

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Jul 25, 2007
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As many folks know,
I'm a new product development bunny which means...
surprise, surprise...
I'm constantly looking for new products to develop.
Sure, if you're looking for a single good idea,
you could strike it lucky and trip over it,
but if its your business...
then it has to become a process.

That's where
The Trendmaster's Guide by Robyn Waters
comes in.
The book is small and short.
If you merely read the book,
you could finish it in about half an hour.
But you can't merely read the book.
That would be a waste.
Ya gotta implement this trend guru's system
(she helped Target become trendy way back).

Pieces like...
Connecting the dots
"An interesting fact catches your attention.
A related tidbit pops up out of nowhere.
A random comment reinforces a budding thought.
Hey... pay attention!
Your trend dots are begging to be connected.
Taken individually, each "dot" may not mean a lot.
Connected, a pattern emerges that often points to a developing trend -
in time to do something about it."

I like this book because it is very similar to my process.
I also like that its short (no fluff) and that it uses REAL examples.
 
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HenkHolland

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Aug 7, 2007
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Hello Kimberland,

I'm a bit confused. I checked the customers reviews on Amazon and half of them are very negative mentioning that the book is full of fluff. What could be the reason that 50% (3 out of 6) of the reviews are so negative?

Henk
 

kimberland

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Jul 25, 2007
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I don't know why.
Hard to say what goes on in people's heads.
My buddies in product development like it,
and they're the folks actually doing.

Maybe...
Because its short,
talks in everyday language
and appears like common sense
(which, when a woman writes it, they call fluff).

You'll read it and think... I know all this.
Well, yes, yes, you should.
Odds are you don't apply it though.
You likely sit on the information.

Oh, and if you're looking for the next big idea in this book,
its not there.
The book is about keeping an eye out for the next big thing.
Finding the darn thing yourself.

If you're concerned,
borrow it from the library.
That's usually what I do with most of my books anyway
(I don't like clutter so I'll buy books,
donate them to the library
and then borrow them back when I need them).

: )
 

kimberland

Bronze Contributor
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Jul 25, 2007
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Sorry, just read the reviews.
The two negatives were from academics,
(wanting to make the process more scientific than it is,
anyone not listening to the gut during product development
is either not successful or lying)
the third was from someone looking for The Next Big Idea.

There are no graphs or formula or math in this book.

Ironically, the distribution of the reviews (at the extremes)
is exactly the distribution you want to see
on any idea or concept screener.
You want the product to polarize people,
passionate people either positively or negatively,
driven to purchase and discuss the product.

: )
 
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CarrieW

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Nov 12, 2007
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what do you mean by new product development bunny?

what would you know about how to market or sell an idea to a manufacturer to create a whole new way for people to use their product after a few modifications?
 

australianinvestor

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Aug 4, 2007
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Australia
Hi Kimberland,

Thanks for the recommendation (added rep :) and don't worry so much about the review. Academics often don't have much experience putting things into practice, so I'm sure anyone reading the book can take the info with a pinch of salt. I'd love to read it just to see if I can steal any ideas :)

I also sent you a private message. :)

Daniel.
 

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