Three Ways to Create Enduring Design Solutions
In INNOVATION, the flagship publication of IDSA,* Motiv principal Paul Metaxatos suggests “Three Ways Businesses Can Create Enduring Design Solutions.” According to Paul, it’s become increasingly difficult for businesses to achieve product design solutions that remain relevant for more than a few years. Foreign knock-offs, data-driven pricing of online retailers, and a culture of disposable […]
Product Repositioning Pays Off for iRobot
Here’s a great read from Entrepreneur magazine, featuring iRobot’s repositioning of the value proposition for Roomba, its robotic vacuum cleaner. According to Dwight Brown, iRobot’s senior VP of global marketing, marketplace acceptance can be based on adjusting customer expectations, rather than changing the product. In our work with Dwight, both at iRobot and Keurig, we’ve […]
Insights and Innovations: Wendell Colson
Our latest interview is with inventor Wendell Colson – Vice President of Research & Development at Hunter Douglas – who holds more than 100 patents. Wendell provides a rare perspective on what inspires individuals who are hard-wired to always be seeking new and better solutions to everyday problems. Our conversation with Wendell covers a broad […]
Three Ways to Create Enduring Product Design Solutions
Whether the design task involves a product or packaging, most often our goal is to create enduring solutions that will stand the test of time; not only to amortize product development costs, but also to sustain brand recognition and customer loyalty over time. Once in a very great while, enduring design solutions can become brand […]
Insights and Innovations: Steven Berg
In his interview with Motiv, Steve Berg – Managing Partner of the Boston-based private equity firm Castenea Partners – provides a candid behind-the-scenes view into how his firm helps emerging growth companies to reach the next level of growth. Our conversation with Steve covers a broad range of topics, including the process he applies to […]
Seeking Future Design Trends in Fringe Markets
We’re always studying “fringe markets” that don’t represent mainstream tastes, because they can provide meaningful insights into future consumer preferences. Counter-culture trends also help fuel our ideas for design and new products. For that reason, every year we attend the SEMA Show, the world’s largest showcase of automotive specialty products. Download our SEMA 2016 Trend […]
If I Knew Then..
In its ongoing “If I Knew Then…” series, Crain’s Boston magazine asks executives, entrepreneurs and business leaders about mistakes that have shaped their business philosophy. This month, the column featured Motiv’s co-founder, Paul Metaxatos, who suggests jumping into the business ownership pool sooner, rather than later. According to Paul, “You need a lot of energy […]
Insights and Innovations: Nick Lazaris
In his interview with Motiv, Nick Lazaris — the former President and CEO of Keurig and other successful ventures — provides insight into the underlying razor / razor-blade business model on which Green Mountain, Coravin and other companies have created new product categories. Our conversation with Nick covers a broad range of topics, including lessons learned from […]
Four Business Lessons from Motiv’s Favorite Bartender
Professionalism and good business practices are often transferrable across a diverse range of occupations. That lesson was reinforced for Motiv recently, at a fun, after-hours group tutorial in the art & science of adult beverages, presented to our team by John Drew, the longtime head bartender at Boston’s Blue Dragon, who recently joined Beam Suntory […]
Insights and Innovations: Sam Aquillano
In his interview with Motiv, Sam Aquillano, the founder and executive director of Design Museum Foundation provides insights into his nomadic, multi-site design museum operating in Boston, Portland and San Francisco. Sam’s mission is to bring the transformative power of design everywhere, as a means to inspire a world full of creative problem solvers. Design is everywhere, […]