TRENDBIRD (Future Business Opportunities)

(TRENDBIRD) Monthly Trend Report - July. Edition !

(TRENDBIRD) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:22:21 PDT

TRENDBIRD Monthly Trend Report 2009년 7월 Edition이 출시 되었습니다.

Executive Summary

Mega Trends #.1 : 소셜네트워크 Twitter의 전세계적인 열풍과 진화

단문 블로그 혹은 마이크로 블로그로 시작된 단순한 서비스인 Twitter는 전세계적인 열풍을
불러 일으키고 있습니다. Twitter 서비스는 개인들을 위한 단순 블로그 서비스의 틀을 벗어나,
유저들이 이 Platform을 활용하여 다양한 커뮤니케이션 문화를 만들어가고 있고, 기업들 또한
이 Platform을 마케팅 및 고객과의 효율적인 커뮤니케이션을 위한 도구로 활용하며 적극 참여하며,
심지어는 기존의 전통적인 미디어 강자들과 경쟁하며 새로운 실시간 미디어로서 자리잡고 있습니다.
국내의 기업들도 이 전세계적인 기회를 창출하고 있는 Twitter를 적극 활용해보시기를 권고해드립니다.

Mega Trends #.2 : 애플의 iPhone Ecosystem

애플의 부활을 이끌어낸 iPhone은 단순한 전화기가 아닌 시대의 문화 아이콘이 되었습니다.
이뿐만 아니라 AppStore라는 혁신적인 Application 개발 Platform을 통하여, 일반 개발자들의 참여를
통해 일개 기업이 In-House를 통하여 구축할수 없는 살아숨쉬는 거대한 생태계를 조성했습니다.
국내 기업들도 Fast Follower가 되어 애플의 AppStore와 유사한 서비스를 만들어내고 있지만,
애플은 언제나 First Mover로서 기존의 비즈니스 시스템을 파괴하는 혁신의 혁신을 거듭하고 있습니다.
세상 누구도 시도하지 못한 혁신이 대한민국에서 제일 먼저 나올수 있기를 기대해봅니다.

Mega Trends #.3 : Green 에너지와 효율적인 전력관리를 위한 Green IT

   친환경 Green Energy 분야는 아이디어 단계를 벗어나 실질적인 기술 및 제품으로 구현되고 있습니다.
   금융위기와 함께 제2의 석유파동을 겪으면서, 에너지에 대한 위기감이 전세계적으로 증폭되었고,
   많은 리딩 기업들과 신생 에너지 벤처기업들은 다양한 친환경 대체에너지 기술을 개발하고 있습니다.
IT분야에서도 전력 소비를 절감하고, 효율적으로 기업의 전력관리를 할수 있는 솔루션을 개발했습니다.
기존 화석 연료들은 언제일지는 모르지만 고갈되어 없어질것을 인지하고 있습니다.
   이 분야에 대한 많은 아이디어와 기술개발을 통하여 미래의 커다란 기회를 놓치지 않기를 바랍니다.

Mega Trends #.4 : 멀티미디어 단말기가 되고있는 Mobile Device의 한계 극복

   휴대폰은 점차 단순히 전화를 거는 기능에서 영역을 확장하여 멀티미디어 도구로 진화하고 있습니다.
   이런 기능의 확장과 소비자들의 요구사항에 부합하기 위해서 많은 기술적인 한계가 있는데,
   보다 간편하게 휴대할수 있도록 납작하고 작고 가벼운 휴대폰을 만들어야 하지만,
   또한 보다 넓은 디스플레이 창이 필요하고, 전력 소모가 많아짐에 따라 배터리 충전도 문제가 됩니다.
   이런 한계점들을 극복하기 위해서 많은 아이디어와 기술, 상상력들이 쏟아져 나오고 있습니다.
   현재는 상상에 불과한 단계이지만, 언제나 기술은 상상력들을 현실로 실현시켜 왔습니다.
   상상력은 경쟁력입니다.

샘플보고서 보기 : http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=7951049

(* 리포트 상단의 화살표 버튼을 누르시면 페이지를 넘겨가면서 보실수 있습니다.)

(07.2009_TRENDBIRD) Monthly Trend Report_Sample
(06.2009_TRENDBIRD) Monthly Trend Report_Sample
(05.2009_TRENDBIRD) Monthly Trend Report_Sample
(04.2009_TRENDBIRD) Monthly Trend Report_Sample
(03.2009_TRENDBIRD) Monthly Trend Report_Sample
(02.2009_TRENDBIRD) Monthly Trend Report_Sample

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Thanks, The Trendbird Team.

TRENDBIRD / Flacebo Corp.
(Future Trend Research & Consulting)

(Exclusive) All-Electric Car-Share Pod : Zipcar

(TRENDBIRD) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:11:00 PDT

Extends Platform for Evaluating Alternative Vehicle Technologies

Zipcar, Inc., the world's largest car sharing service, today announced its first Electric Vehicle Pod, including an all-electric vehicle (EV) Citroen c1 and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Toyota Prius. The vehicles stationed at the EV Pod are among the most efficient and technologically advanced on the road today and are available to members by the hour for a fraction of the cost of owning one.

"Since early in this decade, Zipcar has been integrating alternative vehicles into the fleet -- giving our members the opportunity to push the envelope and evaluate a range of advanced-vehicle technologies," said Scott Griffith, chairman and CEO of Zipcar. "Our proprietary car sharing technology platform allows us to manage a variety of cutting-edge vehicles, serving hundreds of thousands of Zipsters who benefit from convenience, cost savings and a commitment to reducing carbon emissions."

While EVs are showing great promise, and increased manufacturing capacity is projected in the coming years, large-scale consumer adoption appears to be limited by two key concerns -- the lack of widespread availability of charging stations and limited battery range. These two issues may curb the allure of EVs to the mainstream consumer audience for some time. However, with an average trip-duration of just under four hours and less than 25 miles, more than 95 percent of Zipcar trips would fall within the range of an EV, meaning EVs are ideally suited for early, large-scale use in Zipcar's car sharing platform.

Zipcar's focus on alternative vehicles extends to consumers, business and government fleets. In recent surveys, more than 85 percent of Zipcar members stated that they would be interested in driving a plug-in vehicle. Zipcar responded with the San Francisco launch of its first PHEV pilot program. Since the February launch, 75 percent of vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) in this vehicle have been powered by electric charge rather than petroleum-based fuel.

Addressing the growing needs of government and business fleet owners to reduce carbon emissions and save money, Zipcar launched FastFleet in April. In Washington D.C., Zipcar's FastFleet technology will reduce D.C.'s government-operated fleet by 365 vehicles over the next three years and instead allow city employees to utilize a shared fleet currently composed of 97 percent alternative fuel vehicles, including natural gas and hybrid electric.

Zipcar's experience with advanced technology vehicles dates back to 2003 when it became the first car sharing company to offer hybrids to its members. In 2004, in partnership with Toyota, Zipcar offered its first EVs -- the electrified Toyota RAV 4. Since then, Zipcar has added nearly 1,000 hybrids to the fleet, more than any other car sharing company in the world. To date, the company estimates more than 100,000 unique members have driven an EV or hybrid.

About Zipcar

Zipcar is the world's leading car-sharing service with 300,000 members and 6,500 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout 26 North American states and provinces as well as in London, England. As a leader in urban transportation, Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to savvy city residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car in the city. For more information, visit Zipcar.com, Zipcar.ca or Zipcar.co.uk.

Website : http://www.zipcar.com/

TRENDBIRD Exclusive !

Tell Consumers to Dress Like Cows : Chik-Fil-A

(TRENDBIRD) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:10:00 PDT

Chik-Fil-A's Giveaways, Stunts -- and Well-Played Grass-roots Strategy -- Succeed Without Big Marketing Budget

For chicken chain Chick-Fil-A, gimmicks and giveaways are ringing sales at the cash register -- even if it means having customers get dressed as cows.

Whether its through grass-roots marketing or giving away meals to customers, those stunts by Chick-Fil-A, a growing fast-food chain known for its lightly breaded chicken sandwiches, appear to be paying dividends. It's all part of a back-to-basics strategy that's also heavy on word of mouth and community outreach and it has Chick-Fil-A posting gains even as competitors with bigger ad budgets struggle with how much food they can offer for a dollar.

The chain today reported that as of June, systemwide sales were up about 10% year to date, and same-store sales at malls and stand-alone locations were up 3%. The company also increased projected openings for 2009, by five restaurants, to a total of 80.

Appreciating cows

Tomorrow, the chain is holding its fifth-annual "Cow Appreciation Day" when it expects 132,000 people to show up at its 1,450 restaurants. Those dressed in full cow regalia get a free meal -- an entrée, choice of side and a drink -- but for those who can only pull off a cow-printed accessory will have to settle for an entree.

The event is part of a broader ad campaign that has been phenomenally popular for a fast-food chain that has yet to become a big-time advertiser. According to TNS Media Intelligence, Chick-Fil-A spent about $25.3 million in domestic measured media in 2008, but that represented a 47% increase over the $17.3 million media outlay in 2007.

The promotion itself was born of a desire to bolster the chain's 14-year-old "Eat Mor Chikin" campaign. (For the uninitiated, Chick-Fil-A's advertising features cows asking consumers to consume more fowl. Charmingly, the bovines can't spell. The campaign is from the Richards Group, the chain's agency of 16 years.)

And Chick-Fil-A has masterfully milked the cow for all it's worth. The chain creates cow plush toys that have become collector's items, with a high price on eBay of $15, and an annual cow calendar, which comes with coupons, for purchase at restaurants.

Chick-Fil-A is also known for its ability to stimulate grass-roots marketing responses. The chain routinely offers free food when it opens a new restaurant. And doors often open to a throng of devotees, some of whom have spent the previous night in the parking lot.

'The funnest' event

While tomorrow's event is not the chain's biggest marketing day, Steve Nedvidek, senior manager-marketing, said it is "the funnest." He noted that operators now hold parties in their restaurants to prepare for Cow Appreciation Day. Summer bible camps, families and daycare centers in many cities drop by to eat while working on their costumes.

And the promotion has grown since 2004, when some restaurants only served one "cow" customer. Now each restaurant may serve nearly 150. Last year, the chain doubled down on PR outreach and earned more than $1 million in measured media, including coverage on CBS's "Morning Show" and "ABC World New Tonight." Chick-Fil-A also focused its manpower on New York City, a relatively new market for the chain. It's continuing with that focus this year. (Part of that effort included feeding Ad Age's often ravenously hungry newsroom.)

Mr. Nedvidek said that the sagging economy could make this year's turnout even more robust than expected. He pointed out that Cow Appreciation Day was already an accepted holiday. "We just started leveraging it," he said.

The chain is planning another big giveaway on Labor Day. And this one has a lower bar. To promote the onset of the sporting season, anyone arriving at a Chick-Fil-A wearing any sports logo -- be it for a professional team or a pee-wee league -- will receive a free chicken sandwich.

Website : http://www.chick-fil-a.com/

[adage]

(Patent) Intelligent Object Recognition for iPhone

(TRENDBIRD) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:09:00 PDT

How would you like to be able to point your iPhone towards an object – the Eiffel Tower, for example – and instantly see the admission price, working hours, its height and other information?

We’ve been hearing about such concepts for quite some time now – and we’ve been able to visualize it better since the movie Minority Report – but Apple’s latest iPhone related patents might make it a reality sooner than one would think.

A patent called ID App does just that; it recognizes an object based on visuals (through the iPhone’s camera), a RFID reader or through GPS, and then fetches the data from related databases. I like to imagine all this happening in real-time, with a layer of visual information superimposed on the actual camera image, but in the beginning it’ll probably just take you to a related Wikipedia page. Still, it’s a start.

Another patent focuses on facial recognition, which can also be used for a variety of purposes. It could bring you info about a person (scary, I know) just by pointing a camera at him; or it could be used for security, enabling only recognized users to use the device (even scarier; imagine your iPhone refusing to work after you’ve had a shave and a haircut). Whatever the implications, I’m really excited about these technologies, which would take the iPhone (and similar devices) to a completely different level.

Finally, Apple filed for patents for better voicemail management, changing the voice output, or filter obscene content from text messages. There’s an exciting future ahead; I just hope we won’t have to wait for another generation of iPhones to see these in practice. Check out Apple’s patent applications here.

[image from MobVis]

Patent Application : http://bit.ly/6Ul3q

[mashable]

(PDF) David Report : A Checklist For Sustainability

(TRENDBIRD) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:06:00 PDT

This issue of David Report is a checklist for sustainability. We will not provide all of the answers, but we will on the other hand ask a lot of questions - one of the most important ways to acquire knowledge. You will also find thoughtful quotes and best practise examples. One thing is for sure - sustainability is not about doing nothing.

You can read our reports in three different ways according to your own personal taste. Either choose the pdf version by clicking the symbol below or flip through the report like a regular magazine (click the magazine to open it in a new window). The third way is just a plain text version. We recommend you to choose to read this specific report either as pdf or flip through because of the rich amount of best practice examples.

Foreword

This new issue of David Report presents an important subject in a somewhat laid back fashion. You may say concise instead of long and elaborate. We will not provide all of the answers, but we will on the other hand ask a lot of questions and present thoughtful quotes and best practise examples. According to us, asking questions is one of the most important ways to acquire knowledge.

The task this time is to present a checklist for sustainability. Regular David Report readers will probably recognize the seven steps of the checklist in this issue. It’s based on the Sustainable Wheel, a holistic vision of sustainable design developed by the knowledge company Designboost. As you also may remember the Sustainable Wheel was the base for issue no 8 of David Report.

Some fashionistas may say that some of our examples are not brand new. We say - it’s on purpose. There are other solutions than newness when it comes to sustainability. You will be able to read a lot more about this in our next David Report issue this fall. Stay tuned.

Welcome to another issue of David Report, and have a nice summer!

Download PDF Report : http://www.davidreport.com/File/update/360/

[davidreport]

The Uneven Recession Affects Industries Differently

(TRENDBIRD) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:05:00 PDT

During recessions we hear about all the bad news: spiking unemployment; business closures; bankruptcies. To be sure, the news is bad — for some, very bad.

Yet, the picture is not uniformly bad for all industries. Some are doing worse than others. And some are doing better. You could say the picture is mixed.

For instance, I received some data from Sageworks, a Raleigh, North Carolina company that provides private company financial data analysis. It shows just how mixed a picture this economy can be. In fact, when you break down the information into different industries, it starts to give you a different picture of how small businesses are faring in this economy.

According to the data, covering June 10, 2008 to June 10, 2009, three industries showed positive sales growth even in the midst of the recession. Those industries were Food, Technology and Storage/Warehousing.

At least one case — Storage/Warehouse space — is an example of opportunity arising out of the ashes of adversity. The reason that industry is doing well may be due to high foreclosures, leading to a greater need for storage space.

And what about the industries doing the worst? Try construction, real estate and motor vehicles. No surprise there. If you are in one of these industries you know all too well. Even if you’ve just been watching news reports, it’s hard to escape hearing about the challenges facing those industries.

Interestingly, you can even see some regionality. Homebuilders in the western part of the country are trending more negative than are those nationally, according to this data.

Is this a true statistically-valid sampling of each industry? That I cannot tell you.

The reason I find this data worth looking at is that it’s based on actual financial data. Sageworks gets the data directly from many thousands of CPAs and accounting firms. Some are “very large firms.” Those accounting firms in turn are reporting data for a considerable number of small privately-held businesses. (The company does not reveal how many businesses’ data is used.) Eighty percent (80%) of the data is from small businesses with $10 Million in annual revenues and under.

[openforum]

Pandora Raises A Huge Round, Raises $35M

(TRENDBIRD) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:04:00 PDT

With its potential troubles behind it, having reached a deal to stream music while staying afloat financially, it looks like Pandora is getting flush with cash. The Internet streaming radio service has raised a new $35 million round of funding, multiple sources told peHUB earlier, and we’ve just confirmed the round with the company.

Pandora is being mum on the huge number, but is saying that Greylock Partners led the round and that Greylock partner David Sze will be joining Pandora’s board. Greylock joins existing investors Crosslink Capital, Walden Venture Capital, Labrador Ventures, King Street Capital, Hearst Corporation, DBL Investors, and Selby Ventures in the funding.

Assuming the $35 million is correct, that’s a huge numer and actually more than all of Pandora’s previous rounds combined. Pandora had previously raised slightly over million, but the last round was in 2005.

But this new funding comes when Pandora expects to be profitable by next year, and is coming off its best quarter in terms of ad sales yet. “New funds will be used toward the continued growth and development of Pandora” is all the company will say on how they plan to use this large chunk of change.

This is no doubt a case of investors hopping on board now that the skies seem clear for Pandora. It’s one of the most popular streaming radio services, and the fact that it looks on the verge of making money is a good sign.

Website : http://www.pandora.com/

[techcrunch]

Modern Steam Shower Units by Artweger

(TRENDBIRD) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:02:00 PDT

Cleverly contained within smart glass steam shower units, the new Body & Soul steam shower is from Artweger. Function and form are teamed together to bring a comfortable and totally modern steam shower experience. When you want to relax and enjoy the steam, it’s important that the seat provides maximum comfort. That’s why Artweger have given special consideration to this matter, and offer a padded seat with a mechanism to ensure a ‘soft landing’.

The shower unit seats are available in two variants - single seat with a backrest or a 2-person bench with continuous backrest for those who like to share the experience. The modern units are now available in three contemporary colors - sand, anthracite and Bordeaux. Contact Austrian firm Artweger to find out more about their Body & Soul steam shower units.

Website : Walk In Shower

[trendir]

S-Vision Projection Mobile Concept Phone

(TRENDBIRD) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:01:00 PDT

S-Vision is a concept phone, specially designed by concentrating on business peoples, allowing to be carried out their presentations directly on its surface through projection. The extraordinary shape of this design phone holds sheer elegance and an exceptional format. S-Vision features an integrated LED Micro-beamer that helps projecting the presentations.

This technology has already been introduced with some products available around but this phone is stimulating its functionality to the max. The projector activates by folding the side out of the mobile, therefore, the surface starts to adapt itself. The user can navigate easily through the screen by using the backward and forward keys.

Designer : Felix Runde

[tuvie]

Free Starbucks Ice Cream for Facebook Users

(TRENDBIRD) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:10:00 PDT

Facebook users can already send each other real flowers, candy and drinks. Now they can add ice cream to that list as well—free, no less—thanks to a new promotion from Starbucks and Unilever.

Beginning this week and extending through July 19, Starbucks and partner Unilever are giving away coupons for more than 800 free pints of the newly launched Starbucks Ice Cream on Facebook every hour. US-based users of the social networking site need only visit the special promotion page on Facebook at the beginning of any hour and be ready to click quickly before that hour's set of coupons is gone. If they succeed in claiming one, they can choose to send it to any friend on or off Facebook, or they can elect instead to treat themselves. Either way, the coupon can then be redeemed for the Starbucks Ice Cream flavour of the recipient's choice: Caramel Macchiato, Mocha Frappuccino, Java Chip Frappuccino or Coffee. There is a limit of one coupon per household; those who fail at first to get one can keep trying, as a total of some 20,000 free coupons will be given away each day before the contest's end.

One part Facebook perk and one part tryvertising, the wisely targeted Starbucks Ice Cream promotion is sure to win many a fan for the new ice cream, particularly since there's almost certainly a significant overlap among devotees of the two brands. Pick the right audience, give away ice cream in July, and it's hard to go wrong! ;-) (Related: Food blogger turned purveyor & intermediary.)

Website : www.starbucksicecream.com — apps.facebook.com/starbucksicecream

[springwise]