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They need to hire you as a CB consultant Kev. You represent our voices from the Forums. Thanks so much for posting this.
money money money
partnerships all the way
News & Rumors
Leading the way
VP and Head of U.S. Public Sector Q&A
Aiming to create new revenue streams
Turn around takes time
John Chen moves forward
News & Rumors
News & Rumors
News & Rumors
News & Rumors
News & Rumors
News & Rumors
BlackBerry didn't have a big booth on display at CES last week, but that doesn't mean the company sat out the biggest tech event of the year. The BBM team was there spreading the word of BBM 2.0 which will soon land on iOS, Android and, of course, BlackBerry. QNX also was there, showing off its latest hotness for use in automotive consoles and displays. And, perhaps most important, BlackBerry's new CEO John Chen was there.
In back-to-back meetings all week, Chen worked in some time to speak to the media, including an exclusive lunch date with CrackBerry. Unfortunately, the desert dryness had the better of my voice, so I wasn't quite my usual chatty self. It was all good though, with Mobile Nations' Marcus Adolfsson joining as my wingman — between the three of us we had a very productive conversation and an enjoyable meal.
Because we tag-teamed the lunch, I decided Marcus and I should also tag-team the followup articles. Be sure to read Marcus' interview with Chen, which does a great job of capturing the on-the-record discussion from our lunch date and goes into a lot of detail on BlackBerry's near-term strategy going forward. As for this follow-up article, I'm going to focus on what wasn't said.
Keep reading for my key takeaways from our discussion.
How do I know this? Because we used this opportunity to tell him. And he listened. When I first interviewed John on the phone just over two months ago, I had just 15 minutes to ask questions, and at that point he was on the job for less than 24 hours. I'm not even sure at that point if he had visited CrackBerry more than a time or two.
Fast forward two months, and just as former CEO Thorsten Heins placed tremendous value on CrackBerry's contributions and efforts and Mobile Nations' massive community of mobile tech influencers, it's clear this same value has now transitioned through to John Chen and the new leadership team he is building.
Now meeting face to face and with more time on the clock, we expressed to John what we see are the biggest pain points for today's "enthusiast" BlackBerry smartphone users and what we believe the vast majority of us would like to see happen in the months ahead. John's strategy for BlackBerry of course goes far beyond just the hardcore user, but it was great to have the chance to give us our list of wants directly.
In 2011 and 2012, we looked forward to 2013 as BlackBerry's turnaround year. The launch of the BlackBerry 10 platform and release of BlackBerry 10 phones would be the singular event that would get things back on track for BlackBerry. It wasn't crazy to expect this strategy would work. With more than 70 million existing users, just getting a decent portion of the existing user base to upgrade to BlackBerry 10 phones the first year would be a big boost to the company. Even during our interview with John, he expressed that he truly believes that the phone business is like the movie business, where you're only one hit away from being great again.
The phone business is like the movie business, where you're only one hit away from being great again
With the big BlackBerry 10 bullet fired in 2013 and not hitting its target, John Chen's strategy for 2014 is more akin to firing a machine gun. There are going to be lots of bullets fired, at a lot of targets. No single thing is simply going to kill it and make all the difference to BlackBerry.
And while the launch of BlackBerry 10 was very much a global rollout — one strategy for the entire world — Chen knows he doesn't have the ammunition to do that right now. Expect to see in different strategies for different markets. For example, in the U.S. it's no surprise that carrier support for BlackBerry is waning (or almost non-existent). Here he can not rely on the U.S. carriers as much and instead go straight to enterprise and government customers with a direct sales team. In other emerging markets, where BlackBerry is still doing well and the carrier support is there, he can push phone sales hard throughout 2014 and beyond.
It's not a straightforward path, and the marketing message will have to be done in a very smart way to educate customers in a way that's not confusing. Bottom line, BlackBerry will operate in every market. Just don't expect to see BlackBerry doing the same thing everywhere you look.
Announced during BlackBerry's recent earnings report, one of John's first big changes has been a reorganization of the company around four distinct business units: enterprise services, devices, messaging and QNX.
John went into a lot of detail about this during lunch and spoke about the benefit of this repackaging for investors (read our John Chen interview for full details). Each of these business units within BlackBerry is in a different stage of development, at a different stage of profitability, and with its own unique set of competitors, challenges and opportunities. Talking about BlackBerry as a portfolio of businesses allows the company to tell its story more accurately to investors.
The realization I walked away with from lunch was that this strategy is also going to help BlackBerry clear the cloud of negative sentiment that has been lingering over the BlackBerry name for the past few years. Still, today, when you start talking about phones and the name BlackBerry comes up, the average person immediately pictures a BlackBerry phone (and more likely than not, one with a keyboard). It's no surprise. Selling phones has always been what BlackBerry has been about. For years and years, every decision made at BlackBerry was based around the question, how does this help us sell more BlackBerry phones? The company wanted you to hear BlackBerry and think about its phones.
With BlackBerry pivoting from being a vertically integrated solution (to use BlackBerry services like BES or BBM you had to own a BlackBerry phone, too) into a horizontal provider (BES and BBM supporting multiple mobile platforms), the company is quickly changing the way it makes decisions internally.
On the flip side, the company now has to start changing its market message so consumers better understand the changes the company is going through. John reiterated that he has to go to work on his marketing message, and that's something he really wants to see happen.
John Chen has given us a story to tell that makes a lot of sense
I really believe this notion of BlackBerry as a portfolio of businesses approach could go a long way in helping to turn around the negative sentiment with mainstream consumers, as this story gets messaged properly to them. Word-of-mouth is super powerful, and people repeat what they read in the media. In 2012, when people would say "BlackBerry is dead," you could at least tell them about BlackBerry 10 coming to save the day. With the launch of BlackBerry 10 not being as successful on a sales standpoint as we all hoped, it has become really difficult to counter the "BlackBerry is dead" message. If you hear BlackBerry and think just about phones, and the phone sales are not happening, it's difficult to argue.
Though it's essentially a repackaging of what's already is there, with this change in thinking John Chen has given us a story to tell that makes a lot of sense.
When Thorsten Heins stepped out of his BlackBerry COO shoes and into his BlackBerry CEO ones, the business strategy was already set. He had to bring BlackBerry 10 to market. Given where the company was at, the amount of work that had already been put into it and was left to do, he really had no choice but to stay the course and focus 100 percent on getting that done. He definitely had the ability to influence this strategy — he brought in a new CMO and COO to help market BB10 and get it built — but given the timing he wasn't about to pivot on big strategy until BlackBerry 10 was launched. Looking back, perhaps the biggest strategic changes Heins made were behind the scenes. Speaking to lots of employees over the past year and half, it's clear Heins greatly improved the culture at BlackBerry from the Jim Balsillie/Mike Lazaridis era. This is quite a feat if you consider how badly BlackBerry was being beaten up, and that Heins was downsizing and restructuring the company during his reign.
He clearly has the drive to make BlackBerry succeed, but he doesn't have the protectionist vanity that can come with being the one that founded the company
In contrast, John Chen has stepped into the BlackBerry CEO role from the outside. He has no BlackBerry baggage to carry with him. And he's stepping in at a time where literally many years of hard work have been completed — there is now a new platform in market to sell and build on top of. BlackBerry 10 is here. And it's clear clear that Chen will make whatever changes he feels necessary to turn BlackBerry around.
Talking to Chen, I feel like no idea or strategic pivot is out of bounds, as long as it makes sense and he thinks it's the right thing to advance BlackBerry as a company. He clearly has the drive to make BlackBerry succeed, but he doesn't have the protectionist vanity that can come with being the one that founded the company. This is a big difference to Mike and Jim's Research In Motion, where for years they made a lot of strategic decisions that just seemed, well, stubborn. BlackBerry was their company and they ran it the way they wanted to. And because they had been very successful, they really felt their ideas were always best because they were their ideas. I felt this way of decision-making began to disappear in the Heins era, but Heins was really executing on the strategy that Mike and Jim put in place while they were still there. This is JC's BlackBerry now. There's no baggage. No ego. He's going to make whatever changes are necessary to get it done.
Clearly, John Chen is one smart cookie. You don't walk into a position like this if you're not. What scares me about smart people sometimes is when they're too smart and they think they have all the answers about all the things.
Thankfully, Chen knows where he needs to surround himself with people smarter than him. For example, on the handset front he spoke very highly of Ron Louks, recently appointed by Chen to take over leadership of the devices business.
A beaten up company can be very attractive for the best people to head to
Speaking to Chen helped to alleviate one of my biggest BlackBerry concerns of late, which is a loss of talent. I know a lot of smart people who have left BlackBerry over the past couple of years to go work for "the competition." And with BlackBerry being pretty badly beaten up these past couple of years, I assumed it might be difficult to recruit top talent. Without talent, it doesn't matter how good your strategy is — you won't be able to execute it.
Chen has no worries over this though. There are still a lot of smart people at BlackBerry, and recruiting top talent isn't an issue. In reality, a beaten up company can be very attractive for the best people to head to. Think about it. Share prices for BlackBerry are extremely low. If you get in there, get your shares and help turn things around, there's a lot of room for growth.
Hell, it almost makes me want to apply.
They need to hire you as a CB consultant Kev. You represent our voices from the Forums. Thanks so much for posting this.
We'd love to have you here, Kevin !!!
Kevin, you need a PA? Just drop me a line.
I may not be great at taking notes or arranging meeting, but willing to learn.
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Haha :D
Preisente Preisvergleich -> http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/34284893/?countrycode=DE...
Never read so much brown nosing. Some jealousy for the other reporter mixed in too. You would think this guy is a god. This was a fan club interview, not a professional journalist challenging the man at the head of a company which is struggling to say the least.
Posted via CB10
Well reading this, I hope we have lots of good things to look forward to with Chen at the helm
Just like Danny Devito and Arnold Swarts, Twins.
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Hey, just didn't know how to spell his name and it wasn't showing up on my spell check. But I guess you knew who I meant ;)
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Chen just bought 25,000 shares of BB on Jan 13.I hope Kevin can be like him too!!good investment.Check it out on---http://t.co/ZCQgyJ1Xox
No video on this one. It's all good though - it means more when you read it!
Let me know when you would like resumes sent in. John Chen knows what it takes to be successful. As a proven sales executive, I'm confident in my ability to help the company with value props and getting BlackBerry into enterprise markets.
If you're that eager to work for BlackBerry, they might be more impressed if you were to actually apply to the right co...? Not at CB? (I'm not being entirely serious here!)
Posted by the inimitable Z10 handheld system
Go for it. Good luck!
My name is Prem, I'm using BBM ... from my QuZe10 ...whatarhyme...
I'll apply to be the Director of Retail Development. I have a plan to help turn around retail performance for BlackBerry.
When wp7 launched it took a very long time to even make a dent..... and in all fairness it wasn't until Nokia started to really turn the screw that anything really changed. now they have slow and steady growth. I feel it will be similar with blackberry. The market is still there for them and they have a fan base that Wp in the early days could only dream of. Chen is right. Look at what happened with the HTC one. Great design, rock solid Os. Listen to its customers and the market. I for one am confident.
Posted via CB10
The HTC one didn't help HTC much did it?
Posted via CB10
I think the loss has been accounted for ending with all models in 2013. They production cost alone of them devices was high. Only a budget model can make a difference now. The $99/£99 device is so important now I really can't stress it enough. Sales alone of the lumia 520 was enough to give Nokia a running turn over. This is the future of BlackBerry with one high end release untill enough people are buying cheaper BlackBerry phones and happily using all the services it provides. Another corner stone will be cloud services. BlackBerry needs it up and running as soon as possible if it want to make a full functioning come back!
Posted via CB10
Good read...well done.
And that Asian restaurant in The Monte Carlo has the best noodles I have ever had :)
Posted via CB10
Lol. Good eye. Dragon Noodle at the Monte Carlo.
Also that's probably the last place you want the new ceo to attending
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Can anyone tell me what is happening??
I am not understanding anything!!!
Posted via CB10
Would you like the explanation in Braille or sign language? ;)
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Or texted to you especially on a TYPO Keyboard?
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Joker, or spammer. Please ignore.
Posted by the inimitable Z10 handheld system
Just a really bad joker, sorry
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
My name is Prem, I'm using BBM ... from my QuZe10 ...whatarhyme...
Different strategies is a good move. Very good.
But he has to acknowledge the "stong in emerging markets" fallacy. Brasil is an emerging market. It's THE biggest market in Latin America, the amounts of phones sold here is just stupid. And all but ONE carrier (out fo the 4 LTE ones - I tend to ignore Nextel as they just now got a new Curve to update from the dated 8350i) bothered with placing the Z10 on the store windows. The one with the most market share gave up on BB, they are pushing WP8 (with success at that).
So, yeah, different folks, different strategies. Good move Chen. I hope you get the whole picture though before you act. I know you can make it work if you get all the info you need.
Carriers hate BIS here. Why? 1- it's hard to train people on it (specially since the ration of empoyee coming in vs employee going out is as stupid as); 2 - BIS here is UNLIMITED! How can they sell shitty plans that capp at 500MB if you can get BB with unlimited data? Carrier's solution? When people ask, blame BIS not working on BlackBerry and don't fix the issue/don't activate it on new pre-paid accounts.
So yeah. Rant off. Good luck with that Chen. Seriously.
Thank you Kevin. The article is very well structured and a fascinating read. You represented the cb community well.
Posted via CB10
I agree. There are not many details and lots of general statements pointing to exactly nothing concrete happening for consumers in the near future.
Not having a booth at the show is curious to me. Does that look like any kind of position for someone who claims to want to turn up the marketing volume?
Seems to be an awful lot of sheep drooling over nothing.
Tombstone - Combat Vets Motorcycle Assn - WWW.CVMAFLORIDA.ORG
Good interview and I know that BlackBerry does not have the funds to do any major marketing campaigns in the USA, but did he give you any indication, as to, why "Prosumers" in the USA are unable to get a Z30 from ATT?
Even if only through an online transaction?
You can get a Z30 for AT&T very easily. 1. The Verizon Z30 is unlocked and works perfectly on AT&T. Just put in your AT&T sim card and it's ready to go (w/ 4g). Or 2. Buy a factory unlocked Z30 from Negri Electronics. They're available now for $604. The Verizon model is only $550. Both run equally well on AT&T's network.
No way I want to fork out $604 for a phone. So the sooner AT&T can get them on board the better.
JC told us already he reads at Cranberry. He knows CB.
Posted via CB10
Kevin -
Here is the rational to my above question. BlackBerry Z30 has, probably, "the best owner ratings EVER for a BlackBerry product on Verizon's website"....
With its 4.8/5.0 stars and 95% of owners would recommend it to a friend..... it destroys iPhone 5S and really destroys Galaxy S4 in these rankings.
in other words - the Best BlackBerry ever is unavailable to ATT customers...?????
When I brought my "unlocked Verizon Z30" to my ATT store to have it put on my account.... the ATT technical guys MARVELED at what an amazing phone it is and, especially, while you have a window of time for it to be the "only real 5 inch alternative to Android phones" on the market....
is any of this making any sense?,...
Agreed, but the Q10 had a similar rating, and it didn't exactly bust the scene.
They make great phones, but nobody knows about them.
When I bought my Q10 at the store the guy questioned me on why I was wanting to buy a blackberry.
The word is not out how much better these phones are.
I think that shows how much most staff in these stores know about the products they sell, which is none.
Their knowledge extends to the phones they personally have. So much for independent advice.
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
You can thank, Francois Boulben for that.... he was abysmal as they CMO of BlackBerry, but he got paid.....
That reminds me, when I went in to my local store to enquire about the Z10, the response I got was I should look at the Samsung range.
Well I purchased my Z10 at another store.
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Well done. Don't reward useless advice.
My name is Prem, I'm using BBM ... from my QuZe10 ...whatarhyme...
"They make great phones, but nobody knows about them."
Correction: They make great phones, but nobody _cares_ about them.
BlackBerry is the epitome of irrelevancy.
The only people with a Z30 are hardcore BB fans; it's not a phone that the general public buys. So, it's normal to expect the reviews to be strongly skewed. If you picked 1000 random smartphone owners and gave it to them to use for a week, right out of the box with no prior outside instruction, you'd get very different results, but that would be a more realistic result as well.
Perhaps, Troy..... but I, actually, owned a Galaxy S3 for a year... S4 is "more of the same".... BlackBerry Z30 is "The Best Smartphone on the Market" for people who need produce and communicate.... and if you are "smart enough" to be able to sideload Android apps - you can have some of the play baby stuff.
When 10.2.1 becomes available en masse - the play baby stuff will be real easy to access... ask my friends here who have loaded "leaked versions" of it...
You aren't being realistic about what "the general public" means. You're talking about yourself (clearly a smartphone enthusiast at the very least, to be posting here) and not about average buyers. I'm not trying to take anything away from BB; BB has an audience for sure, but you can't compare reviews from the general public(i.e., the random people who have posted reviews of the iPhone) vs. a very narrow group of heavily pro-BB folks who own and use Z30s.
Troy - Unfortunately, you don't know what you are talking about when you say "compare reviews from the general public" on Verizon... unless you have a Verizon account - you can't even "review" a phone on their site..... it's not the "general public" writing the reviews - it is Owners of the phones and, unfortunately, for Fanboys and Android fans..... Z30, apparently, is a better phone...
You aren't getting it.
The Z30 is so out of the mainstream that the only people who have it are the ones who specifically want it before they even walk in the store and ask for it by name. Hell, some probably have to talk the store into selling it to them, or have to order it and wait for it. That's a BIG filter that removes anyone who wasn't totally committed to BB.
If you walk in ANY carrier store and say the word "iPhone", you'll be sold one in a couple of minutes and you'll be on your way, and unlike Z30s, many people buying them are non-technical people, with some never even having owned a smartphone before. Virtually every Z30 owner not only has owned a smartphone before, most of them have owned Z10s (or maybe a Q10) before.
If you know anything about taking surveys with scientifically-valid samples, you'll understand why this is different, and why the review results are going to be skewed.
Again, I'm not trying to take anything away from the phone itself; it's the best BB10 phone to date, without a doubt, but comparing a phone that's sold MAYBE 100K units in the US to hard-core fans of the platform to a phone that's sold 5+M units to both fans AND non-techie/non-fanboy folks just can't be compared directly.
Either way, it's good that the Z30 will show up when people search for Verizon phones by user rating. The Z30 will at least be on the radar.
Posted via Z30
Doo.... Great point.... unfortunately, the Fanboy/Android Heads at Verizon don't even know how to show someone how to use a Z30 if someone "stumbled upon it" under "Best New Phone On the Planet"...
Good that Mr. Chen allowed this lunch. It shows that he is listening to the community.
Now BlackBerry is steady.
Now they need to gain speed and keep moving.
My name is Prem, I'm using BBM ... from my QuZe10 ...whatarhyme...
I'm sure Kevin picked up the tab and offered to shine his shoes.
Posted via Z30
Maybe this has been said elsewhere and I'm just l8 to the news, but how will marketing be dealt with now that the CMO was relieved etc..what is strategy or way forward there?
Great article guys!!
C0038297E Quote of the Day (BBM Channel)
I'll save this "John Chen is God" article for when he gets fired and BB goes belly up, just for laughs.
Save all you want, poor fella, full pessimistic depressed dude.
U still have BlackBerry enemity for no reason.
Posted via CB10
And I'll save this comment for when it doesn't.
Posted via CB10
And I'm going to save an image of Lenin17301on my toilet roll, and enjoy using that face of his to wipe my a#se every morning
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
I hope you actually care about Blackberry, so that you kill yourself out of grief when it finally goes down. Cheers.
Lol, let Lenin have his fun. Guys probably on parole anyway.
What happened Lenin, you got caught looking up women's skirts?
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
I would normally trash the trolls, but Lenin is making me laugh. It must be that police mugshot he has posted up as his avatar.
Hey, he could be our crackberry mascot.
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Such a pleasent chap.... you must be one unhappy person!
Posted via CB10
I was thinking the same :)
Posted via CB10
Kevin, thanks for the post :), Mr chen is all we got for BlackBerry.
Posted via CB10
Mr Chen is going to lead us to the promised land.
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Push the Z30 positives with the latest OS. A great phone.
Posted using Z30 and CB10
I am glad he sees that the North America needs a different marketing strategy than the rest of the world. Leverage some revenues to flood North America with strong, technical and emotional advertisment. That's what that fruit company does and it seems to work.
One thing that's immediately encouraging about John Chen's strategy with growing the company as four distinctive units is, BlackBerry without the massive inventory write downs we've seen is probably already a profitable company and should be able to tolerate a few more lean years in device sales. However, with BB10 being as good as its likely to catch on sooner rather than later.
Sent from my BlackBerry Z30
I agree but Blackberry still has a huge image problem. Not to mention countless others who still think 10 has a supposedly "huge learning curve", comparing it to ios n android. Once they properly resonate with the millions of loyalists out there things will snowball eventually. Its just a matter of time now.
Blackberry, my proverbial middle finger
BlackBerry Stock is climbing! I'm gonna break even soon!
Should I double down?
"how does this help us sell more BlackBerry phones?" This question was obviously not asked when they didn't enable the balance feature on BB10 devices like it was on playbooks. So many companies are looking at BYOD, including ours, and that would be a huge factor in decisions being made on where to go with BYOD. I know if this feature was available in BB10 like in the playbook our shop would have stayed a BB shop now we are 1% BB and the rest Iphone/Android.
Wat BlackBerry needs 2do is make os10 more stable man 2 answer a call on Skype was such a pain 2day. Even th black theme on os10 keeps crashing. On my BBM I can't see all my contacts display pic. As much I love my z10 some times it just pisses me off but I still love my BlackBerry
Posted via CB10
1. Can you elaborate on what Chen was told these pain points were and what enthusiasts want? I don't consider people carrying around every type of phone someone who has to deal with pain points as they use the other phone as a workaround. Someone who has a BB10 device as their daily driver and can't pull out a second device can identify the pain points much better.
2. If he can't rely on US carriers, is he going to offer a real solution for US consumers to buy BlackBerry devices. Z30 only available to Verizon is first thing that comes to mind even though there are phones that will work on two other carriers.
3. I don't think this will get rid of the negative perception, just the perception of the viability of the company. People can think that the company is going to survive, but still tie the name with BBOS phones.
Posted via CB10
+1 on the painpoints and enthusiast needs. It would be nice to see the list. I've maintained for a while that I'm not sure CrackBerry writers are really representative of average consumers or even, to some degree, hardcore BB users. There is a difference between fans/loyalists and power users. That's not implicitly a negative thing, just a distinction. The same thing could be said about fans of Macs vs. power users, the ones using Macs for digital imaging, desktop publishing, etc. in the 90s when it wasn't cool and Apple was on the brink.
First, by their inherent Mobile Nations employment, CB writers are not in any of BBRY's typical verticals, the industries Chen is targeting. Maybe Chris is an exception given his background, but I don't know about the others. This leads to the second factor: how many of the CB writers have had their BB device attached to a BES server and enterprise data plan (which was an additional carrier fee on top of the data plan fee)? My guess is few. And since the writers are not in emerging markets, they likely were not really impacted by the move away from BIS. Finally, there is your point about them carrying multiple devices. That has to mitigate the impact of the app gap. Sure, using multiple devices is the nature of their job, but that doesn't mean the point should be dismissed.
Again, this isn't meant to be a knock, just a point of consideration--and one that can be generally applied to members of the media when it comes to tech. Just look at the media bias towards Twitter.
As BBRY hones its sales force, I hope it establishes a strong steering committee of power users and loyalists across multiple industries and geo markets to ensure it really understands what made it successful in the past and what it needs to do to maintain and then grow its base.
Posted via the Android CrackBerry App!
Good points, especially about BIS removal in emerging markets.
Results in less BB10 uptake, but more negatively about BlackBerry as experience is still with a BBOS device.
I can't convince my family who have used BlackBerry to stay instead of going Android. They'll complain lack of BIS bit will shift to an Android because the feel of the phone and it's looks even though the DATA hunger on Android limits them.
They content to use limited data when out and come home to WIFI for the rest of the heavy downloading.
Don't understand why they call that mobile but that's the perception.
I wish we had different strategies for emerging markets, like keeping BBM, Social Networks, BlackBerry protect and email on the BlackBerry NOC for consumers.
Enterprises are so negative, regarding BlackBerry,
Even if it's going to cost them twice the headache and complexity to do exactly what BlackBerry does they don't seem to be interested.
Issues we really need to change and sell to Business
Posted from my awesome HUB enabled Z10
What I like about Chen is he is honest about where the company is now and the challenges in front of it. He understands BlackBerry's strengths and has identified the weaknesses and what he needs to do about them.
I think best of all he didn't spin the bad news. There is no "best launch ever" in him. He was honest about BBM and BES and the challenges rolling from BB7 to BB10. I like that.
The fact that he's got no ties to the legacy may be the defining thing that makes him the best choice in the end.
Nice shot there, and surprisingly, is that in a Chinese restaurant? Ahahahhahaha.
My utter respects to the both of you.
Blackberry, my proverbial middle finger
This interview spoke about NOTHING any of us wanted to hear. I dont care about your "reorganizing"...and dont try to feed me the notion that This is the begining for what you want to hear"
Its simple; We can all admit that BlackBerry Hardware and Software are GREAT products but the phone has NO marketing and NO essential apps...NOT EVEN YouTube. Stop talking me to def and just get apps and ADVERTISE ADVERTISE ADVERTISE.
Steve Jobs(RIP) and Apple got masses of ppl to go out and buy an ALL glass Iphone that cracked everytime you sat it down! THEN they got everyone to go out and buy the next generation one too lol lol its a joke!
You can sell ppl _____* and tell them its Mineral Water if you market it right. Somebody tell me i'm lying!
Very true. Apple is a prime example of a company that leads it's consumers into buying it's products..... it tells you what you need to buy. blackberry on the other hand makes what It thinks people needs and doesn't put enough into marketing like apple. Two very different strategies, Nd one isn't working!
Posted via CB10
The impression I always received with BlackBerry marketing was that it was presented by men in suits, and the jargon was always technical.
Just let the product show it self.
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
I think just like apple..... blackberry should be presented doing what it does best and being shown how it integrates into everyday life of all different people. simple concept that people instantly identify with. Something that is your friend and helps you organise your life and brings everyone closer to you.
Posted via CB10
Agree totally
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
True, but even men in suits hire ppl/consultants that have studied how to create excitement around a product, how to make ppl think your product is "cool", how to get ppl to buy into a concept.
No commercials??? If I were the CEO I'd literally be smacking ppl from the marketing department....till my wrist started to hurt.
Posted via CB10
There's other ways you can make your wrist huge, no smacking involved.
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Oops, meant hurt
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Its just a fact. The average person buys with their eyes. it's very shallow but on some level we all do it. In that moment before you actually want to know what that phone can do and how it runs...... on some level you think about how it looks firstly. Apple nailed that one and HTC jumped on the band wagon. Problem with the Z10 is it just wasn't made of premium materials. Its a shame coz it's a blinding phone!
Posted via CB10
Lets see, you hired a new global sales manager this week. I am not sure if he has even reported to work yet, so he certainly has no way of knowing what is going on in the market place in general and most certainly not in specific markets. Understanding the various markets and getting to know his team, who is who and who does what, who is good, and who is bad will BEGIN to take shape in about 90 days.
You are moving your manufacturing to a completely new vendor and facility, this is a very heavy lift and the details are incredibly complex. Lots of people and processes need to get on the same page. Set up, testing, training, rework, warranty support, shipping, on and on. At least a quarter.
The retailers have basically signed off, hell you can't even get Verizon to update the OS. And they are not being hurt by their position, so they are not in a hurry. A compelling business model needs to be set up, and as of now there are too many unknowns for them to commit to anything. The only leg into the their business at present is for BB is to drive the business units through the commercial channels and spec BB into the project, often that will happen as the Verizon/ATT team is pitching a competitive solution.
So in summation, there is a brand new management team, a new sales leader, a new manufacturer, and you think it is a good time to advertise in the US, where millions of dollars barely make a dent? The only accomplishment would be to blow a hellava a lot money to get some folks into the stores and have them frustrated. Actually, there is one other benefit to driving potential customer to the stores, it gives the retail clerks more opportunity to bash BB and sell Apple/Samsung, the result being it would actually help the competition.
My comment is a reply to this post, but more so to the many posts that think if BB just starts running ads on the TV, everything will be champagne and roses. I suggest 6 months, perhaps longer, then they can take a look, in the meantime not much will change on the retail front.
Good points Nick. i wasnt to speaking to the fact that there arent any BBY commercials now, I was spekaing to the fact that there NEVER was a media marketing push to speak of. It doesnt seem reasonable to to be selling a product globally and not make an impressive media marketing push to the top market places.
About BlackBerry "restructuring": I'm a consumer, I dont work for BlackBerry. The news about restructuring is something that only employees and maybe investers need to know, sent through to a work email or something. It sound pacifying to me. As consumers we want to know what you(BB) are doing to make people want a BB10 phone, not new department head names or any other work related stuff.
I'm lost on why some of you people even come here. All these things going on, a huge strategy reorientation (which makes sense to me, leveraging the companies true size), and your only goal is to kick mud on the actual hopefuls, the brand, and complain about the goofiest crap. Misery loves company apparently because a few just enjoy trying to trash everyone's hopes and make them miserable too. These aren't Androids or iPhones which sound a far better fit, but good luck. Keep trashing, we'll keep beliving and supporting the brand instead. Stay classy boys and girls :)
Posted from BitPusher's Q10
Posted via CB10
+ 100000
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Posted via CB10
I've switched back to blackberry Q10 after yrs with Samsung. 1. I wanted my keyboard back and when BB switched platforms it was the right time to move back. 2. I love the HUB and I feel BB should promote this much better. I tell all my friends about the HUB and how easy it is to access all your accounts. There are many who don't use the phone for surfing the web. I would rather do that on my Ipad. I still miss a few of the apps BB does not provide. The Camera is also a very very important piece of hardware I feel BB can improve on. But over all I'm very happy that I made the switch back to BB ...because the phone itself is built rock solid.
Good for you Vernon
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Agree, Q10 is an awesome phone. All the Delloite auditors in our office use them. I upgraded from the 9900 to the Z10 for the first time to try out a full touch screen. Z10 great mobile and I also want a Q10
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
I would love a Z30, in fact I held out, but it was still way down the line before we got this in the UK so I gave in to buy the Z10. Awesome phone too. Just would like to add to the collection with a Q10 and Z30.
I still have my 9900
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
I check out YouTube a lot, and I guess the awesome sounds from the Z30 would be great.
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Well I purchased my first blackberry back in 2006, the Pearl and have been with BlackBerry ever since and always upgraded every year to the latest model
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Now here in the UK, choices of the BlackBerry Phones are getting scarce, also less discounted handsets which makes it more expensive now.
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Hope so. The guy who sits next to me at work saw my Z10 And I used to show him the features on the phone.
Well..... he bought 2 for his parents as he liked it so much
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
"Larger screened Q10" will be a great addition to the BlackBerry lienup.
After seeing Kevin's review of the iPhone with the Typo keyboard, the thought of a Q10 with a larger screen had occurred to me. Guess that could be a nice path for the next blackberry model.
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Bring it on :)
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Agree. But in addition to a larger screen, it needs some smart software that optimizes the experience for the screen size. For example, the "Reader Mode" in the browser should be built into the OS and available for all apps. And the photos app should have an innovative viewing mode that to make viewing pics more enjoyable on the smaller screen. And most importantly, it should exploit the heck out of having a physical keyboard accessible at all times.
Posted via the Android CrackBerry App!
Good article. I like the positive vibe Chen's getting from the CrackBerry community and, frankly, I like the way you articulate his strategic vision.
My biggest concern about Chen is that he's stepping back from a really meaningful opportunity: BlackBerry 10 as a platform, which competes with iOS and Android in the first world marketplaces. He can return BlackBerry to profitabilty by niching down, but there is no way that a SaaS or enterprise services company can grow to even a fraction of the potential BlackBerry has as a growing mobile computing platform. Now, I understand that BlackBerry 10 is not growing significantly and competing in this race was a large part of what our dismal 2013 was about, but I had hoped the new CEO would address the reasons for this failure, which are fairly clear: (1) BlackBerry has an extremely weak consumer sales support team and no direct sales funnel and (2) BlackBerry 10 didn't strongly differentiate itself from the competition in a way that appealed to its market. Chen is wise in the short term to focus on selling to enterprise in the United States because that's basically a way of saying, "we need a team to upgrade our existing customers and most people in the US who are BlackBerry users are people who carry one for work these days." I'm actually shocked that everyone is mad at Boulben for not running a billion dollars in advertising, when the guy who really dropped the ball at BlackBerry was the U.S. sales manager, who apparently felt that doing nothing was the best way to launch a new platform in an era where increasingly carrier sales people and IT professionals don't really understand BlackBerry and have strong relationships with a strong team of reps from Apple and other consumer electronics firms. I'm not disagreeing with Chen's short term focus; it's a maxim that it's easier to sell to existing customers who you understand, have open channels with, and who understand and probably support you with at least some goodwill. But, I do not hear Chen talking about building a real sales force with real carrier reps in the United States. And I don't hear him talking about building a Bose-style direct sales funnel, so as to escape dependency on carriers and stake out high-end marketshare. To me that sounds like Chen is abandoning consumer device sales in the United States and the other first world countries that are influenced by its preferences -- no matter how much he insists otherwise. And that would be sad, but understandable if the winner(s) of the consumer device platform struggle weren't so clearly going to be the winners of the future of mobile computing and, maybe even the future of computing in general. There's not a lot of opportunity to compete for this huge prize, much of that opportunity has been squandered in the last couple of years and by delays in introducing the new platform, but there is still much more opportunity than there will be in 2015 or 2016. By the time Chen returns BlackBerry to profitability by focusing on small, surer wins, he'll have given up the opportunity to win big. Heck, BlackBerry was very nearly profitable under Thor for a quarter or two and with a decent sales effort BlackBerry would have sold those extra devices Thor ordered. Look, I'm not as big a fan of the efficacy of mass-media advertising as everyone else, but I do like reps building interpersonal relationships with bloggers, influencers, carrier sales reps, and I insist on direct sales to existing customers via email, BBM, and every channel legally permissible. BlackBerry did not follow-through what seemed like a somewhat promising initial launch and I was hoping the new CEO might try to do so...
Good points raised
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
How much would a major campaign to promote blackberry cost in the US. Although I think it would have broke the bank on top of the Z10 loss, it's true much more effort should have been made. Super bowl just wasn't enough. And the adds in the UK wasn't even worth talking about.
Posted via CB10
I can't remember the last time I saw a BlackBerry add. Well I stopped watching TV 3 years ago. All the stuff I do now is on my mobile, checking out news on the way and back from work.
Naturally spending an hour or so a day on Crackberry too.
Posted via CB10 from my Z10.
Tris77, I'm not sure how much a major advertising campaign would have cost in the US, but, aside from brand awareness, I can't be sure it would have returned on it's investment. I saw a *lot* of advertising on the West Coast around the LA area, but almost no BlackBerry 10 devices in the wild and I saw an almost non-existent sales effort. I visited dozens of carrier stores -- most of them corporate -- and talked with dozens and dozens of sales people and not one of the could name their BlackBerry rep for me. Almost all of them could name the Apple rep. It seems like Verizon did some internal training of their own, but I could find no evidence that AT&T did anything pre-launch. At my local store, the Z10 wasn't even on the floor on launch day and no one had been trained. Frankly, to this day, the bulk of people working in carrier stores have no idea why anyone would want to buy a BB10 device and they have good reason and plenty of incentives to steer them towards other devices if they express any uncertainty. Now, this tragedy might have been understandable if BlackBerry had built a good direct sales effort, with emails to existing customers and a web-based funnel for purchased directly from BlackBerry, but the non-effort with US carriers was the exclusive effort made in support of BB10. That's just sad. At the minimum, I should have been hearing from salespeople about how Verizon or AT&T is going to send them on a trip to Hawaii -- through a BB program -- after they've sold their 100th BB10 phone. BlackBerry was starting from a serious disadvantage having not really launched a new device in an era with consumer electronics companies redefining how phones are sold.
And, yes, I understand that Apple invested substantially in Apple Stores and their retail game and partnerships are just awesome these days. I would say Apple could cease all mass-media advertising -- they don't do nearly as much as they used to in many markets -- and barely feel a hit because their direct sales efforts and partnerships are that strong. But, ten years ago the company was legendarily bad at sales, so nothing is given. I'm not saying that BlackBerry had to match Apple's multi-billion investment in retail channels, but they should have at least made an effort. And, while Chen is correct to rebuild the enterprise sales force, he just really shouldn't neglect the overall sales effort. BB10 is exponentially better than the effort to sell it and that is sad.
I should note -- in defense of Chen -- that the other article (posted by the excellent former Palm/WebOS editor) features a quote from Chen directly acknowledging my concern: ""I do understand why and how it happened, I'll let that speak for itself. … When I go after the consumer through these stores again, it's not going to happen the same way again. When I'm ready to make that move, we're going to have another conversation."
Thanks, Observation Junkie and Tris77!
It really does boil down to the correct people doing the correct job within blackberry. Repping to carrier's is key. The same has happened in the UK. Go into a shop and ask an assistant about bb10 devices..... trust me they go dumb. nobody understands them. I know this from when I bought my Q10.
Posted via CB10
Not a Vodafone. I've noticed a consistent awareness and knowledge base amongst staff in a number of shops about the Z10 and Q10. This was when I was planning to buy one or the other about 3 months ago, and subsequent to that, when I had aftercare questions or issues.
Posted by the inimitable Z10 handheld system
BB doesn't have anywhere close to the kind of money it would take to do what you are suggesting. They've had to borrow $1.25B (that's billion with a B) just to survive the last few months, and now they're paying interest on that, and the annual interest is more than what the entire QNX division's revenues are, just for some perspective.
Yes, it would be great to be ABLE to do what you suggest, but BB is in a fight for its very SURVIVAL, and without the money it just borrowed, it would have been on death's door if not bankrupt. They burned through more than $1.1B in cash in the last quarter alone.
Chen at least appears to be making the right decisions. They are tough decisions to have to make, and I'm sure he wishes BB was in a position to make more desirable choices, but he has to do the best he can with what he's got.
Chen talks well, but it remains to be seen if BB can execute, as that's been BB's single biggest area of failure for the last half-dozen years.
Two Important Observations from having lunch with BlackBerry CEO, John Chen:
1- when Chen knows you bought a "champagne" iphone 5S, he doesn't seem upset and precisely notices that you can be an iphone AND a blackberry user (because he knows you spent a lot on Z10 Porsche design to apology).
2- don't expect him to pay the bill, but it could be worst: Steve Jobs would never have a lunch with you and Steve Ballmer would have dropped your iphone on the floor. :)
I was wondering, too. How accessible he is to his loyal fan base. Great!
My name is Prem, I'm using BBM ... from my QuZe10 ...whatarhyme...
Awesome...so, did you ask about 10.2 in the US???
Posted via CB10
Will BlackBerry be updating z10,q10,5,z30 in the future (couple of years time) or are they just ignore them. I mean as time goes on, they can always keep on improving the battery life, optimising the software to get rid of laginess in browsers and when minimising while watching videos/youtube, etc.
Posted via CB10
Hope it's only BB10 apps that are going headless!
My name is Prem, I'm using BBM ... from my QuZe10 ...whatarhyme...
Posted via CB10
As a PlayBook owner I always questioned BlackBerry's marketing of their tablet.
The hardware felt right. It worked well. But as we all learned it lacked a few essential apps.
In hind sight - IMO - BlackBerry should have gone after the courier companies and the medical field (for examples) - with some strong marketing and some great, customized tablet apps / software.
I find BlackBerry software such as Story Maker, Express and Travel are excellent pieces of software. (I presume the software was written by BlackBerry).
Maybe bb10 app writers need to focus their attention on the niche markets to get the phones into circulation?
In closing the PlayBook did serve as a great proving ground for bb10. For this I am grateful.
I still use my PlayBook to watch movies on the road - so all is not lost.
Thxs Kevin for chasing down JC.
Posted via CB with the Zthirty STA100-5/10.2.1.1925
Haha loved that "firing a machine gun" line. Let me tell join you guys by also saying how much of love my Z10. I'm currently trying to get a Z30 and have been trying to sell my Z10 and I have had so many offers in exchange and Ahhhh I just can't let go of it. People have offered me an iPhone 5,ps3 with lots of games, had thus guys offer me a tablet with a BlackBerry 9320. And I'm just not convinced I just can't see myself going 2 weeks without this awesome phone I can't see myself using another UI with another keyboard I believe the keyboard is the only reason I can't let it go just like that. But I will one day when I get my Z30 I want other people to know how great BlackBerry did with this new OS and keyboard there I go again mentioning the keyboard hahaha.
Posted via CB10
i strongly believe Kevin should join BlackBerry as their marketing consultant!!
Hi from ecuador
Mr kevin, i see J C gave you the opportunity to ask him a lot of questions , as pay forward pls reply me some questions ..i have some 4 you too..
Did you ask about for z50 ?
* about just concentrate in business target- what about young people that just the trend phone?
* what about, being a complete package.
What about instagram- Netflix - etc.
* more support 4 developers.
* about a flag ship with all the toys in hardware & more innovative software, more bb10
*a strategy to make all bbos7 new user etc.
* how he is going to make the world know , this one its for yesterday...
You have the opportunity, did you fell like like you make all the right questions , to Chen?
I like your post but, i have a bigger expectations about a such opportunity like that one...
Congratulations & happy new year
Posted via CB10
Chen is breathing life into BB!
It's over.
BlackBerry phones has no appeal anymore. They fired their last bullet with a very bad Os 10 launch, which is a pity because this is a great software. Maybe BBM Inc. maybe, very likely QNX on automobiles and vehicles, but no more smartphone business will save their assets.
The fact is former RIM did stop by watching itself in the mirror for too long.
I am an hardcore, very disappointed BlackBerry user.
Me?! I keep movin'!
Great article. I really hope BlackBerry gets through this difficult period! Chen is an amazing ceo to be honest!
C0038297E Quote of the Day (BBM Channel)
Brilliant article!
Posted via CB10
It's not enough......BlackBerry needs to use subliminal messages to revamp the brand.
Flash BBM and BB10 messages everywhere. Donate money towards colleges in the US to place ads in the college newspapers. This is the generation you need to target as well as Government and business.
Outsource the merchandising contract so with every BlackBerry 10 device you get t-shirts. There needs to be more direct sales no more pop up stores offering a voucher trade in of BBOS7 for BlackBerry 10 devices . This is easy and you bypass the carriers. You have a bucket load of unused devices already written down,
Posted via CB10
Chen comes across as the man to bring back BlackBerry to prominence. Interesting times ahead
Great article... Thanks. wish I could pick up and move to Canada to help..
Jeff Cox
Never read so much brown nosing. And jealousy for the other reporter. You would think this guy is a god. This was a fan club interview, not a professional journalist challenging the man at the head of a company which is struggling to say the least.
Posted via CB10
John Chen is the best thing to happen to BlackBerry in 2014. I am a BlackBerry loyalist since 2008 and has not and will never switch to any mobile phone.
Posted via CB10
Blah blah blah, actions speak louder than words! Machine gun, lots of Bullets? Then it would be smart of them to let us all know where those bullets are to be fired, in case we are on the fence and ready to leave! this one at a time thing and leaks of maybe devices is useless.
Give us the road map Chen, then we can decide. Once given do the road map in a timely fashion. I truly believe this is the last hurrah for BB!
I'm curious if you could summarize in a nutshell what loyal BlackBerry users want. I'm no expert, but it doesn't seem to me that if we tool a poll, there would be overwhelmingly unified responses.
For example, there seems to be an identifiable group that longs for the return of a track pad and buttons, whereas a lot of people say that they are no longer necessary with BB10.
Another group has been begging for a slider phone that offers both a large screen surface and a good, well-spaced keyboard. However, when they raise this issue, there are plenty of other BlackBerry fans who claim that nobody would want or buy a slider, because they would be too thick.
Then there's the tablet discussion. Some want one, while others think the dummy tablet that got floated a while back was a good idea. Others would like a hybrid device that's a BlackBerry equivalent of a Chromebook.
About the only consistent message is that users want to see more apps.
So ... What exactly was it that you communicated that BlackBerry loyalists really want?
Agree and most importantly, are the age groups. Being older, apps and games are of no concern to me as are handling, screen and text size and volume!
Just to name a few!
I totally agree about the power of word of mouth thing. That "BlackBerry is dead" thing, used that power.
Now, its time for us to counter that with a different phrase to pass to those who once killed BlackBerry.
Let's tell them, BLACKBERY IS VERY MUCH ALIVE!
Nice article. I wish Mr. Chen the best!
Mr. Chen, if you see this comment, here is one small thing you could do to immediately make me, a Blackberry Z10 owner in America, happy: get Verizon to release 10.2 for my phone. I am still waiting for the update as there are a few issues with the current system that are annoying.
Thank you and good luck!
10.2.1 for all 10 devices or need to buy another 10.2.1 devices
Posted via CB10
I think what concerns me the most is no answers about the US consumer/prosumer market. Sure, there is no carrier support, but if the concentration is on enterprise, and that could include BYOD, there isn't any sales push to get BB10 devices into BYOD hands.
How does ignoring the consumer space change market perception in the USA? How does taking devices out of carrier stores sell to the prosumer market? It becomes a difficult challenge when carriers don't sell devices, don't market devices, and don't even have links to direct purchasing BlackBerry devices. Instead, it gives false support to sales staff saying "BlackBerry is dead."


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SECTION .1200 - CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM INCINERATORS 15A NCAC 02D .1201 PURPOSE AND SCOPE (a) This Section sets forth rules for the control of the emissions of air pollutants from incinerators. (b) The rules in this Section apply to all types of incinerators as defined by 15A NCAC 02D .0101(21), including incinerators with heat recovery and industrial incinerators. (c) The rules in this Section do not apply to: (1) (2) (3) (4) afterburners, flares, fume incinerators, and other similar devices used to reduce the emissions of air pollutants from processes, whose emissions shall be regulated as process emissions; any boilers or industrial furnaces that burn waste as a fuel, except hazardous waste as defined in 40 CFR 260.10; air curtain burners, which shall comply with Section .1900 of this Subchapter; or incinerators used to dispose of dead animals or poultry, that meet the following requirements: (A) (B) (C) (D) the incinerator is located on a farm and is operated by the farm owner or by the farm operator; the incinerator is used solely to dispose of animals or poultry originating on the farm where the incinerator is located; the incinerator is not charged at a rate that exceeds its design capacity; and the incinerator complies with Rule .0521 (visible emissions) and .1806 (odorous emissions) of this Subchapter. (d) If an incinerator is more than one type of incinerator, then the following order shall be used to determine the standards and requirements to apply: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) hazardous waste incinerators; sewage sludge incinerators; sludge incinerators; municipal waste combustors; commercial and industrial solid waste incinerators; hospital, medical, or infectious waste incinerators (HMIWIs); other solid waste incinerators; conical incinerators; crematory incinerators; and other incinerators. (e) In addition to any permit that may be required under 15A NCAC 02Q, Air Quality Permits Procedures, a permit may be required by the Division of Waste Management as determined by the permitting rules enforced by the Division of Waste Management. (f) Referenced document SW-846 "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste," Third Edition, cited by rules in this Section is hereby incorporated by reference and does not include subsequent amendments or editions. A copy of this document is available for inspection at the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Library located at 512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Copies of this document may be obtained through the US Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954, or by calling (202) 783-3238. The cost of this document is three hundred nineteen dollars ($319.00). History Note: Authority G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1); 143-215.107(a)(1), (3), (4), (5); Eff. October 1, 1991; Amended Eff. July 1, 2000; July 1, 1999; July 1, 1998; April 1, 1995; December 1, 1993; Temporary Amendment Eff. March 1, 2002; Amended Eff. July 1, 2007; December 1, 2005; August 1, 2002.
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text:
They're dedicated, dynamic dancers and they've all got proud moms.
"It's a very big commitment," said Vickie Gonzalez, mother of 16-year-old dancer Melissa.
Kate Lazarra has two daughters in dance: 13-year-old Riley and 10-year-old Reese.
"Ballet, contemporary, tap, jazz, hip hop," she explained.
"This Eva and this is her third year dancing," said dance mom Doreen Fernandez, as her 6-year-old hammed it up for the camera.
They're all mothers who spend lots of hours at the Extreme Dance Studio in Tampa, where their daughters are learning all the moves to take to competition.
"I think it's human nature to want to allow your kids to do something that you wish you did growing up," said Kate.
However, what you see at this studio is nothing like the reality show "Dance Moms," where real-life dance drama unfolds at Abby Lee's studio in Pittsburgh.
"It's a lot of spiteful and hate going on and that's not at all what it is here at all," Doreen explained.
Co-owner and dance teach Roxana Sanchez is a fan of the show.
"Religiously, I watch it, actually."
Yet, she knows she can't treat her dance moms the way Abby Lee does.
"I think that's very scripted, because if you were really like that, you probably wouldn't have anyone at your studio," Sanchez continued.
She wants her moms to be supportive and involved -- not just for their own daughters, but for each other. After all, these moms spend a lot of time together.
"One hour a week turned into three, turned into six, turned into 10. And before you knew it, dance was really my life outside of work," Vickie explained.
Kate added, "Well, I've cut back my hours, so I'm able to pick them up from school, rush home, do homework, change clothes for dance and rush back to the studio for two and three hours a night."
The time is not the only cost.
"You have to tie in cost of tights, cost for the makeup, cost for the jewelry," said Sanchez.
Tiptoeing around dealing with the girls and their moms isn't always easy, but these moms say, the reality is, it's worth it.
"I mean, it's part of being a mom," Kate added.
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Inside Thai Airway's Airbus A380 airplane
Thai Airways began regular service of its first Airbus A380 in October, becoming the ninth airline worldwide to fly the A380 commercially. The Asian airline received its second A380 in November and has orders for four more. Here's a look inside its superjumbo jet.
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Sep 30 -
Line Cook
The Line Cook works as a member of the Back of House Team to prepare, season, cook and plate food products to required specifications. Line Cooks are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and maintenance of general kitchen areas and equipment.
Duties and ...
The Host works as a member of the Front of House Team, keeping the flow of the restaurant at a steady pace by directing Guests to tables and the bar. Hosts welcome Guests as they enter the restaurant, seat them at tables, monitor the timing of table turns, and thank ...
Position Summary
The Busser/Barback works as member of the Front of House team, maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the dining room, bar, and interior/exterior of the restaurant. The Busser/Barback may also be required to assist in running food and beverages to ...
The Bartender, also known as the "Bar-Expert" works as a member of the bar team, serving Guests food and beverages and providing them with a personalized service experience that sets them apart from other casual dining restaurants. Bar-Experts operate an efficient ...
The Server works as a Front of House Team Member, taking orders and serving food and beverages to Guests dining in the restaurant. Servers ensure that only high quality food and beverages are served to Guests, and that they provide them with a personalized service ...
General Manager
We are seeking motivated individuals for a General Manager role with an opportunity in the pizza dining industry in Collinsville, IL.
The General Manager will be responsible for managing the day-to-day functions of the restaurant to ensure high quality products and ...
Sep 30 -
Restaurant General Manager $45k + Benefits
Restaurant Management Team responsibilities:
Lead all or some People aspects of a Panda Express restaurant including hiring, training, coaching, and development
Ensure the safety of our Guests and Associates through training and execution of food safety and restaurant ...
Sep 29 -
At Panda, we all share a common mission: "Deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives." We invest in our people because great people run great operations that will exceed our guests' expectations. ...
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Saint Louis
Attendant-Fine Dining Buffet - The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis - (14001O87
Attendant-Fine Dining Buffet
We make stories like this possible every day. Whether we're helping a budding chef create a favorite meal, or an anxious dad find a camera full of memories, we're proud to welcome our guests to a home away from home. Because at The Ritz-Carlton, ...
Host/ess-Fine Dining - The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis (14001S7F)
Host/ess-Fine Dining
We make stories like this possible every day. Whether we're helping a budding chef create a favorite meal, or an anxious dad find a camera full of memories, we're proud to welcome our guests to a home away from home. Because at The Ritz-Carlton, we ...
Guest Service Representative - Courtyard (14001SC1)
It's a powerful feeling, to belong. It's inspiring people to do more than they thought they could. It's leading the way by rolling up your sleeves to accomplish a common goal. It's taking a passion and turning it into your vision. Belonging is what it feels like to work at ...
Restaurant GM, Bar & Service Managers
FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT MANAGERS ST. Louis, MO
We have immediate openings for experienced full service Restaurant GM, Bar, and Service Managers in St. Louis and metro area. We prefer candidates with a minimum of 2+ years of full service restaurant management experience in ...
Sep 26 -
Saint Louis
Entry Level Manager - Restaurant & Hospitality Experience Wanted
Retail, Restaurant, Hospitality and Customer Service experience WANTED
We are currently hiring entry-level individuals with a customer service, sales associate or restaurant background for our Account Manager position. We have found that candidates working in ...
Sep 25 -
Saint Louis
Restaurant General Manager
Join a leader with over 70 years in the industry!
CKE Restaurants, Inc. (CKE) owns, operates, and franchises some of the most popular brands in the quick-service restaurant industry, including Carl's Jr., Hardee's, Green Burrito, and Red Burrito brands. Headquartered in ...
Building Maintenance Technician
~~Maintenance Tech
Maintenance Tech's (MT) will have a primary focus of keeping the property operational. They perform work involving the skills needed to maintain and repair equipment and the structure of the hotel.
Duties may involve carpentry; plumbing, repairing ...
Sep 25 -
Hotel Custodian
~~Hotel Custodian
Hotel Custodians work part time and provide janitorial and light maintenance support by ensuring that the premises are clean and tidy at all times. They prepare rooms for guests and ensure that public spaces, stairwells, outdoor public spaces are clean and ...
Hotel Housekeeper
Housekeepers work a part time work schedule 4-6 days per week. They perform a wide variety of cleaning tasks in the hotel, cleaning both guest rooms and public spaces, and at times performing the duties of Hotel Custodian or Night Guest Safety ...
Coming soon to Columbia, MO! Indoor inflatable children's entertainment, open year round!
Tiger Bounce is seeking a committed, high energy individual to preside over our Columbia, MO location as General Manager. Tiger Bounce takes pride in a family-friendly atmosphere. As ...
Sep 24 -


text:
Tribute to the King of Siam Collection from Unified Precious Metals
Item # WX2-182189
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This item is shipped directly from the factory. To see the expected shipping date, please add to your Shopping Cart. Sorry, no express shipping available. We are unable to ship factory direct items to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or APO or FPO addresses.
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Tribute to the King of Siam Collection from Unified Precious Metals.
This 11-coin Set is a reproduction of the world-famous, one-of-a-kind set given to the King of Siam by Andrew Jackson as a gift from the United States in 1836.
While the original recently sold for over 8 million dollars, you can get this cool collectible for considerably less, to say the least. Presentation box included. 8 x7 1/2 x 1 1/2".
Order ONLINE Today!
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text:
America's 5 most profitable retailers
In a world of massive malls and huge department stores, the most profitable retail shops per square foot are smaller, high-end outlets. The top ranking belongs to a computer giant.
By Trey Thoelcke and Michael Sauter
The most profitable retail stores in America? It may surprise you, but they belong to Apple (AAPL).
According to RetailSails, a retail and consumer goods consulting firm, the tech giant's 372 worldwide locations sold goods at a rate of more than $6,000 per square foot of floor space in the past 12 months. The average store of the next most successful company in the United States, Tiffany & Co. (TIFF), sold less than half that figure per square foot.
The retailers with the most profitable stores all brought in more than $1,000 per square foot. They were mostly high-end brands, selling relatively expensive products. Among department stores and supermarkets, sales per square foot were in many cases less than $100.
Based on the RetailSails report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most successful retail stores in America. The top 5 are listed below.
The difference? In most department stores and discount stores like Wal-Mart (WMT), Kmart and Family Dollar Stores (FDO), most items cost less than $100, and most stores are very large. The average retail space in some of the least successful stores by sales per square foot is at least 10,000 square feet. This prevents the total profits per square foot from exceeding several hundred dollars, even at the most popular stores.
At the most profitable corporate stores, the opposite is true. They sell luxury goods, in apparel, accessories, electronics or jewelry. Their products are often quite expensive, while the stores are generally relatively small. The average store floor space of most of these companies is less than 5,000 square feet.
While total sales of the average Kmart store is roughly double what Lululemon Athletica (LULU) stores do, the average floor space of a Lululemon is only 1/34th that of a Kmart store.
Relying on RetailSails' 2012 Chain Store Productivity Guide, 24/7 Wall St. identified the nine companies with the highest sales per square foot, based on the past 12 months of sales. Retailsails also provided average store size, average annual sales per store, one-year sales growth and the number of stores.
Below are America's 5 most profitable stores; for the full list, visit 24/7 Wall St.
- 1. Apple (AAPL)
Sales per sq. ft.: $6,050
Sales per store: $51.14 million
No. of stores: 372
1-yr. sales growth: 28.9%
Revenue: $156.5 billion
Apple is a relative newcomer on the retail scene, with its first store opening in 2001. Yet, Apple's $6,050 per square foot is more than double that of Tiffany's, the next highest on the list. Apple also has the ninth highest sales per store among companies measured by RetailSails, at more than $51 million, and the 13th highest one-year sales growth, at 28.9%. Apple benefits from constant new product introductions and upgrades of existing ones, as well the fact that so much of its revenue comes from non-store sales. This business model has made Apple the world's largest public company, with a market capitalization of more than $510 billion. In the first nine months of fiscal 2012, Apple opened 15 stores, including four in the United States, four in Spain and two in France.
- 2. Tiffany & Co. (TIFF)
Sales per sq. ft.: $3,017
Sales per store: $13.02 million
No. of stores: 260
1-yr. sales growth: 9.6%
Revenue: $3.6 billion
Diamonds are small and pricey, so it should come as no surprise that this luxury jeweler can be found near the top the list featuring sales per square feet. In fact, Tiffany's sales per square foot is about 35% higher than that of Lululemon, the next highest on the list. Tiffany opened its first store in 1837. As of the end of July it had 260 stores. In the second half of the year, the company said it expects to open nine stores in North and South America, five stores in the Asia-Pacific region and one store in Europe. The share price is down about 7% year-to-date.
- 3. Lululemon Athletica (LULU)
Sales per sq. ft.: $1,936
Sales per store: $5.49 million
No. of stores: 189
1-yr. sales growth: 38.6%
Revenue: $1.0 billion
Founded in 1998, Lululemon is a yoga and sporting apparel company headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. Not only are its sales per square foot higher than all other retailers on this list except for two, but its sales per store are higher than most apparel stores as well, even though it has substantially less store space than other companies. Still, Lululemon's one-year sales growth was the eighth highest on the RetailSails list, and its share price is up nearly 50% year-to-date. The company said it expects to open 30 new stores in the United States by the end of the fiscal year.
- 4. Coach (COH)
Sales per sq. ft.: $1,871
Sales per store: $5.19 million
No. of stores: 833
1-yr. sales growth: 15.9%
Revenue: $4.8 billion
Best known for its high-end leather handbags, Coach had 833 stores worldwide as of the end of July, more than any of the nine most successful retailers on this list. Its $4.76 billion revenue last year was higher than all the other retailers on the list except for Tiffany and Apple. Coach's primary markets are the United States and Japan, which account for about 80% of all stores. It had a respectable 15.9% one-year sales growth last year, but so far in 2012, Coach's share price has declined by more than 11%.
- 5. Michael Kors (KORS)
Sales per sq. ft.: $1,431
Sales per store: $3.24 million
No. of stores: 253
1-yr. sales growth: 77.9%
Revenue: n/a
Luxury lifestyle products retailer Michael Kors Holdings saw the second largest revenue growth, at 77.9%, among the more than 200 companies reviewed by RetailSails. The company's share price rose more than 110% since the initial public offering in mid-December of last year. The company believes there is long-term potential to grow its store base to 400 in North America and 100 each in Europe and Japan. The company said in its just-released second-quarter fiscal 2013 report that, including licensed locations, there were 349 Michael Kors stores worldwide at the end of September.
Visit 24/7 Wall St. for the full story on America's most profitable stores.
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Quiet, relaxing atmosphere. Daily food specials with the nice selection of homemade candies, homemade soups and homemade pies and tasty coffee drinks.
Gourmet coffees and tea. Lunch includes panini sandwiches and wraps with homemade soups and pies. Homemade candies, ice cream, malts, sundaes and smoothies. Open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.