Iconowatch

Tamil Nadu makes chess compulsory in schools

Iconoculture — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:52:27 +0000

by Kiran Manral

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Tamil Nadu will be the second state in India to make chess a compulsory subject for all government and aided schools. Gujarat was the first state in India to require that students learn chess.
This is a bid to improve the cognitive skills of the students, especially those from “educationally backward” districts (Times of India, 4 January 2012).
The initiative is to begin in the next academic year and will target children age 7 to 17.
Each school will have its physical education teachers and a couple of others trained in chess, so that they in turn can train the children in the game.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS

Chess has not generally been taught in government and aided schools, although some private schools do teach it as an optional subject.
Chess is considered an elite sport in India, and the middle and lower classes don’t really take to it.

RESOURCES

Tamil Nadu Department of School Education

Silicon Valley at sea aims to stem the tide of brain drain

Iconoculture — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:47:18 +0000

by Amber Davis

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Changes in visa policy have made it harder for highly educated immigrants to launch companies in the US — especially in Silicon Valley. One solution? Move the whole thing to a ship in international waters.
The idea was cooked up by son of Cuban immigrants and CEO of Blueseed Co. Max Marty. Docking a dozen miles southwest of San Francisco would put a ship close enough for investors and entrepreneurs to meet, but far enough to avoid US immigration policies (Latino.Foxnews.com, 16 December 2011).
The vessel would have standard startup incubator amenities and some of the perks associated with established tech outfits, including exercise facilities and gourmet cafeterias.
In 2011, Sens. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind) reintroduced the Startup Visa Act to Congress, which would give foreign-born entrepreneurs a shot at two-year visas provided that they secure American investors and can “demonstrate the ability to create American jobs.” But it’s unlikely that the bill will become policy any time soon (StartupVisa.com, December 2011).
Marty hopes to raise the $10-$30 million necessary to launch in 2013. With Pay Pal founder Peter Thiel helping Blueseed identify investors, startups at sea could become a reality.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS

Current immigration polices aren’t just shutting down opportunities for those coming to the US, they are having an effect on opportunities created in the States and the ability of the country to stay competitive globally.
With millions of Americans still holding out hope that job creation will pick up, the “brain drain,” or loss of foreign-born entrepreneurs to more accommodating countries, could become a bigger part of the everyday conversation about the “costs” of immigrants/immigration.

RESOURCES

Austrian credit card watch makes contactless payments

Iconoculture — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:39:40 +0000

by Sairica Rose

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Watching what you pay takes on a new meaning with Austrian watchmaker LAKS’ watch2pay credit-card timepieces (watch2pay.com, December 2011).
Watch2pay enables wearers to make contactless MasterCard payments using their watch. Family-run firm LAKS claims that its wearable hybrid system is a world first.
Watches come with MasterCard PayPass pre-pay cards containing chips that resemble SIM cards. These can be inserted into the watch and are valid for two years.
By holding their watch at a reader anywhere MasterCard is accepted, users can complete a transaction within seconds. Additional ID or credit checks are not required.
Watch2pay comes in a various colours and is made from high quality materials such as scratch-proof sapphire glass and hand-brushed steel. Watches are available from the LAKS website, priced €99 each or €699 for the complete eight-watch set.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS

Watch your bag? Easily accessible, wearable payment options can help alleviate security concerns about misplacing wallets and ID.
Convenient alternatives to cash that work at multiple international retailers can inspire consumer confidence, especially among travellers.

RESOURCES

watch2pay

THE KIDLESS ARE ALRIGHT

Iconoculture — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:14:40 +0000

by Abby Carlen

I’ve never missed a baby shower or a first birthday party. I don’t shy away from burping a newborn. Rather than cringing at the sound of my nephew’s screech, I appreciate his verve. I also appreciate being home alone.

Today, being kidless has less of a stigma than it did years ago. More women are choosing — and boldly defending their decision — to delay or forgo having kids. According to the Center for Work-Life Policy, 43% of 33- to 46-year-old women have decided to put off having kids or have none at all (September 2011). The MacArthur Research Network states that only half of US consumers recognize marriage and childbearing as required milestones of adulthood (7 March 2011). This emerging lifestyle — whether brought on by the economy, strong career ambitions or other reasons — should not be overlooked.

No maternal instinct? For many, aunthood is serving as a woman’s most nurturing relationship. Whether she goes by PANK: Professional Aunt No Kids, favorite auntie or crazy auntie, she has a unique and often nonconventional perspective to offer the pint-size people in her life — not to mention money to spend. Census data analysis by Reach Advisors found that childless women age 22-30 had bigger paychecks than their male counterparts in 47 of the 50 largest US cities.

What does this mean for marketers?

Not everybody finds talking about strollers fascinating, but that doesn’t mean the non-mommies are backing out of the conversation. Just like parenthood requires dedication, so does being an aunt. With kid-freedom on the up and up, marketers must adapt, push aside the fluff, and find a timely and authentic tone to connect with the host of aunties who may have a little more time on their hands to discover new passions and brands. And by acknowledging the ways that family extends beyond the nucleus, marketers can appeal to the special place that aunts have in kids’ and parents’ lives.

Parenting comes in all shapes and sizes. Until she (possibly) puts a sling on it, find a way to make her feel important.

MEAT Podcast, Episode 6: The Consumer Electronics Show download

Iconoculture — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:44:35 +0000

by Mike Garrison, Andrew Hawn, Nancy Robinson and Robert van Alstyne

Entertainment and Technology Strategists discuss key consumer trends from CES 2012. To listen to the podcast, click here.

Japanese workers warm up to cold-weather ideas

Iconoculture — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:28:55 +0000

by Misako Kitaoka

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Just as the Japanese government promoted “Super Cool Biz” to encourage offices and individuals to conserve electricity during the hot summer months, it is promoting “Warm Biz” this winter by asking people to bundle up, eat warming foods, and to keep the thermostat at 20°C (68°F) or lower. The result is new cold-weather fashion accessories and foods.
The snood or gaiter — a large tubular neck scarf — has increased in popularity among both women and men. People wrap this scarf around their neck, but they can also place it on their lap to keep their legs warm. Takashimaya Department Store saw a 250% increase in its sale of snoods since last year (Yahoo.co.jp, 30 November 2011).
Other popular items include leggings for men to wear under their trousers, vests (either over a dress shirt or a blazer) and gloves with conductive fingertips that allow the user to operate a touchscreen.
Convenience stores have responded with warm foods. 7-Eleven has launched renjide atatame mitarashi dango, rice dumplings with soy sauce glaze that is heated in the microwave. Similarly, Lawson has introduced a fondant au chocolat and cheese souffle, both of which are heated on the spot in a microwave.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS

The Japanese are very aware of the need to conserve electricity after the Tohoku earthquake in March 2011. They appreciate all the various products and services that help them comply with energy-saving measures.
It also doesn’t hurt Japan’s faltering economy to encourage people to buy more warm-weather gear and more efficient heaters.

RESOURCES

Tweet seats have high-culture consumers all a-Twitter

Iconoculture — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:25:43 +0000

by Robert van Alstyne

WHAT’S HAPPENING

A phantom at the opera … and a smartphone? A rising tide of “tweet seats” are giving mobile mavens the all-clear to engage in rapid-fire texting at fine arts performances across the country.
Typically restricted to a predefined area on one side of the auditorium so as not to interfere with the enjoyment of other attendees, “tweet seats” have popped up everywhere from the Dayton Opera in Ohio to Carolina Ballet company performances in Raleigh.
More than just a platform for attendees to cyber-blab mid-performance, they’re often an opportunity to foster meaningful in-the-moment chatter with the crowd. PR managers often help moderate tweet-seat conversations and encourage the use of common hashtags.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS

For a growing swath of young adults, constant access to mobile communication is as essential as oxygen. Cultural norms are changing to accommodate these always-on consumers as organizations with longstanding tech-resistant policies embrace change to make them feel welcome.
Simply letting attendees keep tech toys on does nothing to further an entertainment brand’s event experience. Be sure to provide an event-centered and intelligently curated mobile experience, or expect smartphone users’ attention to frequently stray from the (allegedly) main attraction.

Left on the shelf: Swedish dating site cooks love from scraps

Iconoculture — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:21:22 +0000

by Sairica Rose

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Speed-dating, pairs dating, pet dating … green dating? Swedish farmers’ co-operative Lantmännen matches singles to share leftover ingredients on eco-friendly dinner dates (Lantmannen.se, December 2011).
Restdejting (Leftovers Dating) is a heartwarming endeavour to reduce waste, based on Lantmännen’s assertion that every fifth bag of food in Sweden is thrown away.
Members are encouraged to combine leftovers and create a meal with potential dates. For starters, they log on to the Restdejting website and enter up to five ingredients they have going spare. This list is published to Facebook for other singles to browse.
A speed-dating option invites users to select the ingredient they seek to complete their meal, before opting to orchestrate meals for two, three or four. For example, a user may enter, “Salmon looking for dill. Dinner for two?”
The site also provides recipe suggestions using listed leftovers, for those looking to spice up their culinary imaginations.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS

Practical waste-management solutions that add a little spice to dinner can tempt the tastebuds of like-minded spirits. Building communities of green-minded consumers could lead to kinship and even love.
The dating game is a fertile playing field in which entrepreneurs and brands can add an innovative and profitable spin.

RESOURCES

Restdejting

TAKING A BITE FROM APPLE

Iconoculture — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:18:27 +0000

by Robert van Alstyne

Want to know the hot tech product that every consumer will be hankering for in 2012? Then don’t bother attending the Consumer Electronics Show. Although the annual trade show still draws 140,000+ attendees every year, major industry players increasingly prefer unveiling their most prized products away from the fray. The biggest CE sensations of the last few years — Apple’s iPhone, Microsoft’s Kinect, Amazon’s Kindle Fire — didn’t make their debuts in Las Vegas.

That doesn’t mean that CES is irrelevant. At this year’s show, last week, there may not have been that one killer device, but there were plenty of signs pointing to important trends, like more intuitive and user-centered interfaces. Touch-, voice- and gesture-command devices are on the rise, from Intel’s intriguing Ultrabooks to smart television sets from Samsung, LG and others.

In a long overdue development, consumer electronics makers are finally developing devices that play well with consumers’ preexisting gadgets. CE makers are leveraging the power of the cloud to make intelligent connections between formerly disparate devices like the smartphone and the home thermostat (see Allure Energy’s EverSense, which automatically cranks up the home temp when it senses the pending arrival of the homeowner via smartphone GPS).

What does this mean for marketers?

Tout team-playing capabilities.

Today’s consumers already have more devices at hand than they know what to do with. Convincing them to pony up for one more requires selling them on the additive benefits it can provide to the tech they already own. Foreground intelligent WiFi features and device flexibility, or else shoppers are moving on.

Pitch the experience. Ditch the tech specs.

As the widespread outpouring of emotion in the wake of Steve Jobs’ death confirmed, consumer electronics are no longer a niche geek obsession. Today’s mainstream consumer has a passionate and personal connection to technology. Apple has dominated the CE space over the last decade by focusing on ease of use and elegant ecosystems, not an overly detailed sales pitch. Most consumers are happy to skip the specs — they just want to know how your product will make their life better.

Talent Garden grows tomorrow’s startups in Italy

Iconoculture — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:24:59 +0000

by Krisha Kinnersley

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Online entrepreneurs, graphic designers and other techie minds interested in sharing an innovative working space can now rent a workstation at the newly opened Talent Garden (Tag) office building in Brescia (ItalianValley.Wired.it, 2 December 2011).
Started by Davide Dattoli, Enrico Ballerini and Gianfausto Ferrari, Tag plants the concept of coworking and Silicon Valley-inspired energy in a European context. The idea is to create not just services and co-operation in work, but also an incubator of future talent.
The two-storey 750 square metre building contains 56 workstations, 20 of which were already reserved before Tag’s opening, at €250 per month.
Potential candidates must present their project to a Tag committee for approval before joining.
The building will be open 24 hours a day and includes spaces for relaxing and playing games.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS

Many young Italians working with the web are rebelling against their country’s static job market to push boundaries, take risks and create their own jobs.
Two heads are better than one, and creative souls often appreciate having the opportunity to exchange ideas with like-minded peers. Especially for self-employed workers or small businesses, sharing office space with other companies in the field can help stimulate new ideas and collaborations.

RESOURCES

Talent Garden