Meet Joe And See a Great House

About 8 years ago, I was referred to a gentlemen through a builder friend of mine. Joe introduced himself as an electrician and I worked with him on a few projects.
It became clear to me he wasn't an just an electrician, but a home builder as well.

Joe is your not so average, hard working, master craftsman and cutting edge builder. Over the years, we developed a rapport, but his last house is incredible and certainly blog worthy.

We supplied all the lighting and appliances. Small plug for my colleagues, Henriette and Bobby. They drew the plans and really chose the pieces (we do actually go to customers homes)...Enjoy, its worth looking.

Save a Buck or Three

One way to save money is to buy closeouts.....Now I am not saying buy crap. Manufacturers discontinue products and cut skus in recessionary times. Usually they will offer dicounts and incentives to move the pieces....That is the time to buy.


Have a look at a couple:



The Bosch range at $799 is $200 less than last year. The washer dryer combo is $225 less than a few months ago....Smart way to save.

Dirsruptive Technologies, BU And Consumer Goods

I have to teach a class at BU this evening about disruptive consumer goods, and how we merchandise and market new technologies to the public. I know these kids are watching this blog as part of the assignment, so I will not tip my hand (hopefully I can keep up.)

Disruptive technology is really anything that changes the status quo. It could be partial like Red Bull energy drink or it could become the status quo like an Ipod.

Tonights discussion is a curveball for these MBAs to be. It is about the disruptive product which blew up the once proud Maytag Corp. Anyone have an idea?


We are on the cusp of some very interesting products, which could be the status quo in the future. Here is my view on some potential disruptors in our industry.


LED



Still on expensive side, but LED has massive potential, because it does not generate any heat, has a 20 year lamp life and at present is about 7 times more efficient. One day soon a 1 watt LED will be equivalent to a 100 watt incandescent.


Induction



Induction has already claimed nearly all the upscale electric cooktop market. In 5- 10 years, induction should be the cooking standard.


Speed Cooking



TurboChef and Advantium are the only examples in a market ripe for disruption, but presently there are no products with mass appeal and none on the horizon.


BU grad students....See you tonight.

New Induction Range

In about 90 days, this range will change cooking forever.





This is a prototype of the new Viking induction range. For review, induction is 90% efficient versus 60% for gas and 55% for standard electric. Thus, it is faster to boil and simmer. Induction also does not emit heat into the room, so you can also downsize the venting.