P&G and men

The WSJ (subscription) had a brief article that discusses a sea change taking place at P&G – the broadening of its beauty business to include men and beefing up offerings for me beyond what's currently offered under Gillette and fragrances.

Having to address the needs of men will be a significant challenge, simply because the infrastructure isn't there, again aside from Gillette. I don't doubt that the company will be successful though. The rational P&G mindset will lend itself well to demonstrating to guys how a product can work for them. You can see that with Gillette's success. I know I would love to help out.

Sharing

Do you share all of your thoughts? What do you hold back from others? How do you decide what the line is? How much can you really trust your friends?

These are all questions that I am contemplating at this moment. It's full circle, really. When I was younger, people complained that I didn't share enough. That I was too closed. Over time, I realized this was damaging my relationships and so I began to share more and more. Now I wonder if I have gone the other way too far too fast.

Life can suck sometimes.

Mirror

MISTY MIRROR ..MIRROR ..
Originally uploaded by weirena

When you look in the mirror, what do you see
When you see yourself, what do you think
When you think about your life, where has it gone
When you go about your day, what have you done
When you do the best you can, are you happy
When you are happy, what do you see in the mirror

Business: Weekend Without Bernie - NYTimes.com/Video

Interesting video on Palm Beach and how it's weathering the economic double whammy of Madoff and the Financial Market Meltdown. Most of it is what I expected – stores closing, many homes on the market and charity galas pulling in less than before. The real surprise is that there's a store that one can buy $8000 blazers and $800 shirts. Bernie was a regular.

Top loading dishwasher

This is an interesting concept of a top-loading dishwasher for Fagor Brandt, along the lines of basket fridges and basket dishwashers. It's certainly easier for the disabled and those with bad backs.

Hat tip [Industrial Design Served]

Crazy week

I had a very busy week this week with lots of socializing now that the weather has improved. I'll be doing some on-the-spot posts today using the phone. My thumb is a little tired from typing so I may take a typing break.

Caddy by Toyota

Caddy by Toyota
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

Thought the tail light of the new Prius looked a little 50's/60's Caddy.

Prius Futuristic Display

Prius Futuristic Display
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

Love the futuristic way Toyota envelopes the passerby and engages them in the Prius story. I almost sat down. Very few automakers had areas like this.

It's a shame Toyota was near the entrance. It would have been better towards the back, where people could take a break from walking and learn more.

Prius details

IMG_0137
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

Here I contrast Toyota's education approach with GM's Volt. Each section of the engine is labeled and it's clear what it does. I feel a lot more reassured with a Prius than the 'black box' approach of GM. Hope they are taking notes.

Ikea Infiniti

Ikea Infiniti
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

I know austerity is important but the 'living room' set up at the Infinity display should have furniture that's a little higher end than Ikea. Maybe it's me.

Lexus Arcade Game

Lexus Arcade Game
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

You too can drive a Lexus, kids. Way to seed affinity in the under 35 market.

Miles from Fisker

Fisker Sedan
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

I was sooooo disappointed with the Fisker area. It was one of the vehicles I really wanted to see up close. They treated it as a closed/by-appointment-only showroom, with the cars 10 feet from the ropes with buxom pitbulls guarding the vehicles from the riff raff. Not a good impression. It feels as though they took someone else's place.

Chevy Transformer

Chevy Transformer
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

I admit that I didn't see Transformers so I'm unclear of the connection with Camaro. But it sure looked cool. And people got their picture taken with it. Score.

Scion Peakaboo

Scion Peakaboo
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

Scion had one of the best displays at the show. Each panel contained a rolled up screen, likely a projector or an LCD. Behind each one was a car. The panels opened and closed, revealing different cars. I also liked the fact that they didn't show any basic models; they showed tuned versions of all of their cars. Very hot.

Chevy Volt Powertrain Breakout

Chevy Volt Powertrain
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

Check out this display with another one from Toyota earlier on. I liked how Toyota labeled all of the major areas of the powertrain. This one just looks like parts on display without signage.

Kia Soul Boombox/display

Kia Soul Boombox/display
Originally uploaded by mitchsfo

This is the first in a series of pictures from the NY Auto Show.

I'm less focused on the cars and am more interested in the marketing / displays, which makes sense given my communications background.

Received splashy goodness

recieved splashy goodness
Originally uploaded by Dunny

I think it was Oprah (!) that said that people reveal themselves pretty early on in a relationship – be that friendship or romantic. Even as babies, our personalities remain remarkably similar to the 1 month old version; ask any mother. Are we prone to fussiness? Anger? Good natured?

My recent falling out with a friend of mine took place in a spectacular fashion and just now I remember an incident that occured when we really started our friendship.

In my life, I've never seen anyone throw a drink in someone's face. I thought it was something that only happened on television or movies – a sprinkling of drama, so to speak. But that's what my friend did in the early days of us spending time together. On a warm summer Tuesday night, said friend did that to a stranger who resented my friend's intrusion into his conversation. I thought to myself – wow, did that really happen? I was so dismayed and embarrassed, I didn't know where to look. I thought – I wonder if that will happen to me one day.

And so it did. Funny thing is now it kinda feels like this picture.

I'm not someone that needs to be the center of attention, although I can work the spotlight quite well when it's on me. I tend to be pretty easy going 99% of the time and indulge those who do need the spotlight. But over time, it's hard not to get angry when the spotlight pees on your feet repeatedly. You know, setting up a plan then changing everything to indulge that person's quirky schedule that just can't be changed. Or conversations that always seem to end up being about the spotlight, no matter what the topic.

There could be a bit of sour grapes. We are all susceptible to the green eyed monster, especially when things have been difficult. I think all friendships change when one person does well while the other is rebuilding. But I always thought that stuff like that shouldn't get in the way of a friendship – especially when things were down before they were up and that friend was there for you both in the bad and the good times. Looks, money and power are all fleeting. Just ask Madoff's victims. If you let it go to your head, you will eventually lose. I've seen it first hand many times.

Alas, there comes a time when breaking free from someone else's orbit is a good thing – no matter how painful it is and how close you used to be. I'm sorry to see such a close friend go. But our relationship needed to change in order for it to be sustainable. I'm sorry it had to happen in such a dramatic fashion. But maybe dramatic was the only way it was going to end.

Que sera sera.

Sleepwalking the NY Auto Show

I visited the NY Auto Show this past Friday. Sedate would be the word I would use to describe it. The last show I visited was about 6 years ago when I worked on Mitsubishi. Three or four years ago I went to Frankfurt. Compared to both shows, this one was a snooze fest. All I remember is rows and rows of similar looking cars.

I guess everyone got the memo that due to 'these times,' one must pull back from any major displays. Gone are the days of thunderous video and lighting shows. In fact, few automakers had what I would call a distinct branded area. Ones that come to mind are Scion (awesome), Chevy (meh), Mercedes (snooze), VW (minimalist) and Smart (cute). The Mini display felt typical Mini, only smaller.

I understand the need for austerity in these times but it seems like false economy to cheap out on displays at such a major industry event in one of the most important car markets in this country. I was surrounded by the general public of all ages. The buzz factor from a show like this is huge. And yet so few automakers really made an impression, which is very disappointing.

I will put together a Flickr group on pictures I thought were of interest. Stay tuned.

Fun weekend

It's been almost non-stop for the last few days, which is good. Takes my mind off of other unfortunate events. Nothing that I had planned to do occurred yet I still had a great time. I have a pictures on the Auto show that I will post shortly. As well as a few picture posts containing snapshots of this weekend. Fun times.

FDA Approves Depressant Drug For The Annoyingly Cheerful

It speaks for itself.