And the TechCrunch 09′ Winner is…

natelithgow — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:41:30 +0000

The TechCrunch conference recently took place and its worthwhile event that I try to follow every year. It seems the big trend to emerge this year is around sites that provide consumer ratings and services. In essence, these sites are looking to merge phone book style listings with greater utility.

To that end, start-up Redbeacon.com took the top prize for its innovative model that allows users to search for services among rated providers and connect directly with them to set up appointments and receive quotes. Search results are organized based on a variety of user feedback that includes reviews, ratings, and proximity.

As Redbeacon’s press release explains:

“Consumers describe what they need done and specify when and where their job should take place. Using patent-pending machine learning and semantic technology, Redbeacon determines the best local service providers for the job. If matched, service providers get notified by email and text message and are given the opportunity to submit a price quote. Consumers can then select and book appointments with their top choice service provider based on a comparison of business profiles, price quotes, and ratings and reviews from past Redbeacon consumers.”

Picking up on this trend, the Atlantic Monthly reports last month on sites that have similar models to Redbeacon, pointing to the new wave of .coms seeking to satisfy this demand for consumer opinions online. These ratings sites allow users to offer up their personal spin on virtually anything, but I feel Redbeacon sets itself apart by providing utility for a wide variety of services and situations with a great search.

[image via Chanaye J. Thomas]

For Sustainability, Sell the Design Not the Product

scottlachut — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:22:26 +0000

With the growing consumer demand for sustainability, manufacturers and designers increasing numbers of factors to consider when creating new products from material sources and processes to packaging and distribution lines. While this is well within the capabilities of companies of any scale, it certainly adds a level of complexity to companies, particularly small businesses with limited staffs and already small margins. But this strive to not only survive, but also compete and thrive, often leads to some of the most interesting innovations.

I read about one such business concept recently on Fast Company. As part of the One Good Chair design competition, Andrej Blazon has decided to forgo the consumer product model and sell the intellectual property instead. In this case, it’s the design blueprints for a chair that can be constructed out of a single sheet of virtually any material – a global idea that can be replicated almost anywhere.

Sure, it caters to a very small audience that has to want to get its hands dirty and once the design is purchased once, it can be duplicated innumerable times, but it also points to the potential for a network of niche industries. Tools and services to help individuals create on a local, smaller scale.

Regardless of its success or lack thereof, it poses a number of provocative ideas to consider.

Mouli Cohen» And the TechCrunch 09′ Winner is… | Mouli Cohen

And the TechCrunch 09′ Winner is…

For Sustainability, Sell the Design Not the Product