Fantastic critique from Chris Reinhard: Generation Y vs. Generation Y Marketers
Lessons to be learned here!
You are probably saying to yourself: “Uh? Where is he going with this?”
The reason I am posing this question is because I want to know your thoughts. You see, this last weekend I went out to an over-trendy (actually, that’s too much credit [bad trendy]) and over-priced ‘club’, if you will - remember this is Denver I am talking about. But actually, this joint is very high-end looking and easily Denver’s finest club and in fact could belong in any city. Besides, whether it’s LA or NY…a club’s a club. They both look cheap and unimpressive when the lights are on.
As I sat there though with two of my good friends, I couldn’t help but look around and see that everyone seems to be following the same trend. Uniqueness seems to be dead. Now, I am of course talking about fashion right now ’cause I am sure that throughout the packed place there were so many unique individuals. However, when everything seems packaged the same (or wrong in some cases!)…it’s like you don’t even want to open the box. Luckily, I did happen to be with two of my most fab friends who are incredibly unique and, i’ll admit, fascinating (as well as incredibly stylish) that it didn’t bother me at all for I was more than fine enjoying just our bottle and and their company.
I left though with the question: ‘Are trends really good?’
You see, I think in a business sense…of course! When you are on top of the trends or better yet, setting the trends, this almost always translates into revenue! Into profits! And I am not just talking about fashion or retail. However, as I said that I realized…wait a second! Don’t you have to be unique in the first place to set trends? Plus, don’t trends seem to lag a few years? Therefore, even if you are simply keeping up with the trend, shouldn’t you still be a few steps ahead?
I could write on and on about this but I’ll jump ahead to my conclusions. I concluded that trends are good…for most people or everybody else. But if you really want to play the game rather than simply following it, trends are bad! They fail to promote, or at least slow, progress. They kill discussion by not adding to it. They kill a scene - a good example of this is the city I live in, Boulder, where there has been a long-running joke that girls, and GUYS I’ll argue, wear the CU Uniform (don’t get me on what that is and, in CU’s case, the same look translates into the same attitude. How unfortunate.). And these other descriptions come to mind: Cheap, knock-off, boring, done, mediocrity…(I’d love to hear words that come to your mind!)
In the end though, and I know this sounds cliche, I just absolutely LOVE and have an indescribable respect for those individuals or groups or company’s that are steps ahead and keep me on my toes! But though it may sound cliche, when you are surrounded by the same boringness you just have to yell out ‘THANK YOU’ to those who keep things interesting! And that is why, partly, I wrote this tonight. That, and I really do know what you think about trends.
Also, If you’d like to know who my two fabulous friends were check out Chris Reinhard and, easily, the most beautiful girl at the place may not want me to throw out her name (of course I would if she wanted) but you can find some of her work here.
Last night I got to hear the unfortunate news with the rest of the Nau store teams across the country that this Saturday would be the last day of business for Nau. It was a very quick and sudden shock. As an employee for Nau I got to have the unique distinction of being the very first hire outside of management and was a part of the opening of the first store as a company here in Boulder. I also had the privilege of meeting so many awesome individuals that were a part of this team from the bottom up. And we had some incredible people (and names) connected with the launch of this new apparel company. It feels like just yesterday we were meeting in the Boulder Marriott talking about our new approach to retail, our up-coming store launch, and of course the very first line of clothing we were about to introduce. That was barely a year ago (March ‘07).
Now, I know that this is a part of being a startup. Especially in retail, it is a very rocky road and at no time did we ever feel, or act, that we were in the clear. We knew that in a way everyday was a battle to keep this new company growing but we seemed to be succeeding. I can not and will not believe this was based on lack of sales because it wasn’t because of that. In fact, on a retail level I would certainly say that for a first year apparel company we succeeded on that level! And we knew every new customer was important, every sale big. But with that, I can’t help but feel that there are a lot of questions left. I can’t understand how this end came so sudden. I also can’t help but feel for those really effected by it. I have had my hands in other pots these last few months and am about to start a new and exciting adventure Monday…but for those that were full-time, for the management, for the new employees in L.A. whose store just opened last week and left their jobs in order to train, build out, and then work the store for only a week - what about them? I have to ask Nau why they continued some of their actions knowing that the end was so close. As a company dedicated and built upon so many positive things and dedicated to doing right especially for their employees - I just have to question now that with this sudden end they had to have lost some sight in doing what was right and appropriate. Even though Nau will try to go out gracefully, it could have been handled a lot better. I am left feeling that somewhere a complete lack of planning occurred. I know I don’t know the entire situation and I am writing somewhat on anger but more so I am just disappointed. The way the end came about and the reaction I know I have felt and some other employees have felt from the company, that it just doesn’t seem to correlate with the values we established Nau on and, as employees, we bought into and pushed.
On a business sense too, I wish I could have more answers. It is not my place right now to share my thoughts on this area. I do feel though that I have learned a tremendous lesson when it comes to startups as I watched Nau grow and die.
With that said, I am really going to miss Nau. We did some great things, showed for the most part what doing business good meant, and I think in a way we set the bar higher especially for outdoor apparel. We definitely set off some waves and made people and competitors think. We also made a ton of friends in the process! That is what I will certainly miss the most.
I recommend going over to nau.com though and read the official announcement. Plus, everything on the site is 50% off and everything in the stores as well will be 50% off until close Saturday. Stores are located in Boulder, CO; Bellevue, WA; Tigard, OR; Chicago, IL; and the Beverly Center in Los Angles, CA.
Cheers, Nau! It’s been fun knowin’ and being a part of you!
UPDATE: I just spent a couple of hours at the store this afternoon saying goodbye to so many of our awesome customers! A lot of people heard the news today and came to take up on the sweet deals…in fact the place was packed and the store is a mess but for good reasons! The stores are definitely going out with a bang today and who knows what tomorrow will bring. I’ll have to peek my head in throughout the day to see who else stops by and give it one more final adieu!
Yesterday I was able to enjoy the Chelsea v. Liverpool semi-finals match on ESPN with the winner, Chelsea, going onto face Manchester United in the European Cup/Champions League final. This is also exciting as Chelsea and Man U are tied in points for tops in the Premier League plus it will be the first time for an all-England final for the European Cup. But this post isn’t about the success of Man U or Chelsea rather I want to talk about the success of football (or soccer) in America. You see, as I was watching this match at 1pm in the afternoon, I couldn’t help but think how is this so huge all over the world yet STILL has yet to make a dent in the US. In fact, I would love to know the ratings for that match yesterday.
Now, I know quite a few fans here in the US, especially a few die-hard Chelsea fans, but all in all there is very little interest. At the same time though, I sensed there is a shift going on. First, the lead-off story on Sportscenter yesterday was in fact the Chelsea v. Liverpool match. I have also noticed that Premier League as well as other notable matches’ scores are featured on the ticker on ESPN. Therefore, there must be some sort of generated interest here. But what I want to know is: What exactly is it going to take to make the World’s game popular here at home? Is it even possible? I mean a big disadvantage is the fact that games are shown in the afternoon and often during a weekday such as Wednesday or Monday. Plus, is the fact that these games are played on the other side of the world making them too disconnected with possible fans here? I know they occasionally travel states-side to play some friendlies but we all know that it’s not the same. It is however a good, and necessary, promotional tool for the Premier League. But is there a way to get teams located in other parts of the world to create fan-bases here in the states? A way to get people not just simply into the game but to actually connect with and have a favorite team to cheer for? I ask this because I see that, connections with specific teams, as the only way for it to succeed here. It can’t simply be fans of the game who occasionally tune in when they are sick at home, rather fans who tune in while at work to see the score (such as during March Madness - and don’t even get me on that productivity argument!).
So I guess I’m just wondering if this, top-tier football, is a an un-tapped opportunity or is it just a lost cause? I know I haven’t discussed MLS, perhaps this is where our attention should be focused on when it comes to soccer but as it isn’t top-tiered football and the fact that I know far more loyal fans of Premier League teams than I do of MLS teams and the fact that MLS games aren’t really shown on TV as Premier League games are…I believe the Premier League is where we should be looking at to bring to this sport to success here in the states. Am I wrong? You tell me!
Check it out: Chelsea even has a US-dedicated site!
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