|
Technology:
Simply Balanced
by
Chris Chaney
Several weeks ago, I stood in line at a well
known fast-food restaurant. Everything
seemed as usual, until I noticed a pleasant looking gentleman
become frustrated. He
was next up to place an order at the counter, when his facial
expression changed and his body began to contort.
The facial expression changed from indifferent and
pleasant—to almost animated anger. His body jerked then twisted, just before he slapped at his
waist. After slapping
and grabbing at his waist, the cashier then began asking if she
could take his order.
Upon hearing this question, the formerly
pleasant—now frustrated and angered--man responded, “Can you
hold on a second?” The
cashier then rolled her eyes and grimaced.
Simultaneously, several people standing in line became
perturbed, and attempted to step ahead of the man.
The man—who was now holding a cell phone to the side of
his head—quickly stepped forward, in an effort to cut-off the
advancing group. Being
successful in fending off the “coup” for his position in line,
the man stepped forward with his cell phone against his ear and
began placing his order.
It appeared as if victory was imminent, as
the man used his shoulder to brace the cell phone against his
ear—while reaching into his pocket for money.
Within seconds, disaster struck!
The cell phone began to slip.
The man then contorted in new ways, while not wanting to
drop his wallet and cash. The cell phone slipped further, and it was now clear that
barring a desperate move, the phone was destined for a five-foot
drop to the cold hard floor!
Being desperate and brave, the man made a move.
He reached for the slipping cell phone despite his hands
not being truly free.
It felt like all eyes were upon him now.
Most who were observing, had looks prefaced by open mouths.
Then I believe I heard gasps--or maybe it was my
imagination—as the man’s desperate move failed.
The cell phone was released and was now free to be
influenced by the earth’s gravitational pull. The man tried to stop gravitational influences, but
instead gave freedom to his wallet, cash, and hand full of loose
change. It was final
and complete, as the cell phone, wallet, cash, and loose change
connected with earth.
Man’s quest for the benefits of
technological advantage gave freedom and a new found respect to
the influences of the earth!
This incident really occurred, with only a slight
exaggeration as to the possibility of the gasps heard and the mouths
seen open.
I recently spoke with a president of an
electrical engineering company.
In our conversation, we talked about some new technological
features to be included in his future vehicle.
His reply after looking at all the “cool stuff” was,
“I push buttons, and click a mouse all day long.
Why would I want to further complicate my life?”
I believe as technological advances increase
in availability, companies will have to place a greater emphasis
on truly understanding the decision-making process.
This will become more imperative to the success of
introducing new product features and technology.
We must understand and respect the value base of the
consumer.
We have found over 200 common ways to express
emotions and values that are directly linked to decisions that
people make. This
will be the key to creating success now, and even more so in the
future. Companies
will find available to them, a wealth of technological products
and features. If we understand that all people seek security and trust, and from
this emotion comes the freedom to act, then a product's success can
be ensured.
The goal is achieving the balanced
experience, as it was for the man in the fast food restaurant.
Perfecting the product begins with perfecting the balance.
|
