Comment on Node ant

David-Henry Oliver — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:14:08 -0400

Perhaps W's problem is that he's getting all his information second hand from staffers that are afraid to share bad news.

I think people would be concerned if McCain didn't use a phone, of course, surely those will be answered for him as well. That said, email and internet use are approaching the kind of ubiquity that telephones enjoy.

Is comfort bad for design and bad for business?

David-Henry Oliver — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:59:50 -0400

Before I’m accused of promoting masochism, or suggesting that we all give up our worldly possessions in pursuit of design truth, let me clarify.

Fast Talk Response -

David-Henry Oliver — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:39:17 -0400

It reinforces the luke warm reaction to Vista in the market.
That broader reaction should be a call to action for Microsoft to get busy making Vista worth buying.

Design Death, Democratization and the need for a Definition

David-Henry Oliver — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:30:04 -0400

Comment on Node ant

David-Henry Oliver — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:35:52 -0400

The problem with the term "innovation", I think, is overuse and misuse. Perhaps I'm guilty of this, afterall, I have posted a few entries titled "The Stuff of Innovation"(you be the judge). It's become a tag that is used by producers of self-proclaimed "innovations" to suggest value.

My personal design-term pet peeve is "the creatives" to describe designers and design groups. It's kind of like describing yourself as "nice" or "smart."

It reminds me of the SNL skit, "and gosh darnit, people like me."

Comment on Node ant

David-Henry Oliver — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:22:15 -0400

All of the attempts to tie baggage charges and the big idea of weight charges directly to fuel consumption are a bit off the mark. They are simply additional profit centers.

Considering that a 747 weighs close to 400,000 lbs empty and has a maximum take-off weight of over 850,000 lbs, how much would it cost to fly the plane with no passengers and how much effect does that checked bag or a few pounds of body weight effect fuel economy.

Brand Dilemma: Losing Faith in a Service Provider

David-Henry Oliver — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:04:02 -0400

Branding is often viewed as window dressing for the sake of making an initial impression and closing a sale. The problem is that if your company changes a slogan, but not its practices or service, the slogan will eventually fall flat. If you don't live up to the hype your customers will lose faith, as I did recently.

I purchased mobile phone services from a company I switched to after a bad experience with one of its competitors. Has anyone had a good experience with their cell phone provider?

The Stuff of Innovation: The Point

David-Henry Oliver — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:39:39 -0400

I came across a service that I think is pretty ingenious.

The Point(www.thepoint.com), as they describe it, “is a platform for group action, helping you make things happen that you wouldn’t accomplish alone.”

Design and Innovation: What's the Problem?

David-Henry Oliver — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:28:10 -0400

Innovation requires an environment that is open to new ideas. That's all well and good, but innovation is more than blue sky. In order to encourage new and novel solutions, you have to ask the right questions.

Many brainstorming sessions are centered around questions that boil down to “What should we do in response to our competitor’s product or service?” Now the reason you are having the meeting in the first place may be because your competitor has just taken a big chunk of your market share, so that seems like a legitimate question.

Are You a Consultant or a Vendor?

David-Henry Oliver — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:22:33 -0400

Put another way, do you give your clients what they ask for, or, do you offer your best judgment even when it’s not what they want to hear?

Now before you dismiss this as a question meant for someone else, let me say this: No number of design awards, glowing articles, or Fortune 100 clients grants you exemption from this question.