Ipads and Ice Cream – How are They Alike?

Sexy Macs

Macs are sexy.

Macs are elegant and simple.

That’s why I bought one.

I know the products work well and are highly intuitive, but that’s not what pushed me over the edge.

Macs are sexy, elegant and simple.

Kind of like The Steve when he appears against a black background wearing a black turtle neck.

Even going to their store is fun and I hate to shop.

Watch the 3 year olds and 30 year olds and 70 year olds there.

It’s a playground.

Sexy Ice Cream

Ice Cream is a treat. If food can be a toy, ice cream qualifies.

Most of us can and do afford to treat ourselves every now and again to that special expensive brand of ice cream.

You know the ones – Edy’s, Hagen Dazs, Ben and Jerry’s or the nearby home made ice cream stand.

These companies understood years ago they produce more than a product. They create experience and a wee bit of self-esteem. Who wants to pass up on that? “I too can afford to be special.”

It makes me feel sexy – not in the sex way but in the life way.

Ipads are Like Ice Cream

No one needs an Ipad. It’s a toy not a work horse. (A wink to @RoyAtkinson here.) Many people want them and a lot of us bought one…or two.

Apple gets what Edy’s understood years ago. At the right price point, many of us will treat ourselves to a dose of self-esteem and the opportunity to feel sexy.

The Lessons?

It (your product) and we (the consumers) are not simply rational creations. We bring our emotions to the purchase.

Empathy is critical only if you want to create products that succeed in the market place.

Hire, train and reward product designers to see, think and feel from the customer’s perspective.

And if you can’t or won’t do that create a Department of Empathy that contributes to and reviews new product ideas.

Special thanks to Liz Strauss. Her piece on product design inspired me to move these thoughts from inside my brain to the posted page.

Anne Perschel

When she is not consulting; coaching; reading and writing about leadership; or enjoying her work in other ways; Anne can be found:

Listening to ocean waves receding over stones.
Enjoying the spontaneous expressions of young children who haven’t yet learned to hide their emotions.
Taking in the scent of freesias, lilacs or salt water.
Enjoying the great, or not so great, outdoors and all variations of nature’s gifts.
At the gym.