Erector Set Toys Become Customizable Life Size Furniture!

   
source: fastcodesign
thoughtblazers’ commentary:
This is reinventing yourself at its best. The Erector Sets that in the past were mind riveting toys for kids have been reborn into real furniture that can be reconfigured at any time. We all have to reinvent ourselves. How is YOUR plan coming along?

Genworth Goes to Hollywood for Age Simulation Suit to Market Insurance 

thoughtblazers' commentary
Genworth Financial Inc. has developed a suit simulating the physical effects associated with aging, designed to bring greater awareness of the need for Long Term Care Insurance.

The Genworth R70, billed as the first of its kind, is an age-simulation suit that Genworth says will “help raise awareness about the need for long-term care planning and educate the public on the physical effects associated with aging.”

The suit, according to the company, “provides consumers with a powerful experience, allowing them to understand and empathize with what it feels like to grow old.” 

The state-of-the-art helmet that is acoustically muffled, simulating age-related hearing loss. It also sports lenses that “simulate declines in vision plus the common vision disorders that occur with aging (e.g. glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration).” 

We think this is also state-of-the-art marketing that brings the virtual reality experience to a whole new level. Expect more of this type of marketing in the future as part of the "Wearable Revolution."

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Photo - Courtesy Genworth Financial
Genworth turns to Hollywood to develop age-simulation suit | Read the Article from BenefitsPro.com

Why Customers' Social Identity Matters

thoughtblazers' commentary
This fascinating study from Harvard Business Review delivers a very thought provoking conclusion: When it comes to a purchase, the group you identify with at the time of the transaction is a very important factor in your decision. The researches share stories on how marketers can either facilitate or actually create new social identities to get buyers in the right social mindset to purchase their products and services (does the annual Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest ring a bell?).

Although the article is somewhat long, it is well worth it, as it can tell you how to create new social identities for buyers in just 20 minutes. I'm putting this one in the must read category.

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Image by Automotive Social Media Marketing (Creative Commons)
Why Customers' Social Identity Matters |

Read the article from Harvard Business Review

Baylor Study: Employees of Small, Locally Owned Businesses Have More Company Loyalty

thoughtblazers' commentary
In November of 2014, Baylor University announced research findings, employees who work at small, locally owned businesses have the highest level of loyalty to their employers.

What can employers and bosses learn from these findings? Is the loyalty driver the culture that might be present in many small towns? Or is it that workers have fewer options in these towns, so loyalty is more of a necessity? While the study doesn't pinpoint causality, it's can be a useful tool to help begin or advance a meaningful dialogue in your workplace.
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Employees of Small, Locally Owned Businesses Have More Company Loyalty | Read the release from Baylor University

Can Drones Help Insurers Settle Claims?

thoughtblazers' commentary
Drones are changing our marketplace, not only from a manufacturing standpoint, but also the financial services sector, including insurance. How can you bring your personal or your company's expertise to grab a piece of this market?

Enjoy the following article from the San Antonio Business Journal.

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USAA Favors Drones to Expedite Insurance Claim Process
from San Antonio Business Journal

Open-source Machine Lets You Recycle and Make Your Own Plastic Products

thoughtblazers' commentary
Dutch designer Dave Hakkens has developed a open-source prototype for a plastics recycling machine. So many concepts here! One is, what other types of open-source programs are out there for your manufacturing business to take advantage of. Another is having abundant recycled plastic for your own 3D printer that all businesses and homes will no doubt have in the next 5 - 10 years. Why not get a head start on your competition?

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Photo courtesy of treehugger.com

For the full article and additional visuals from treehugger.com, click here.

The Explainer: Disruptive Innovation

Catlin Insurance Company's Gorgeous Waterfall

thoughtblazers' commentary
As you look at and read about the magnificent interior waterfall at the Catlin Insurance corporate headquarters in Bermuda, the only commentary I have is: Who says you can't make money in this business?

Enjoy the article from Harmonic Environments below.
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See full article in: Harmonic Environments 

Catlin Insurance Company's Gorgeous Waterfall
This magnificent waterfall greets visitors at the Catlin Insurance Company corporate headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda. Terceira Quarterly & Associates and Harmonic Environments designed a 32' long by 9' high multi-panel Translucence Series® glass water wall with accented cast glass logo, to elegantly divide space in this contemporary office design. 

Insuring the World Cup Finals

Video courtesy of http://youtu.be/_xvuY0B7F7M

thoughtblazers' take:
"Insurance enables things to happen...", including the World Cup! This video shows the countless global risk issues arising from this one event. As with any other industry, depending on the specific job and the type of insurance product or service being offered, you can have a fun and fulfilling career.  

Hi-Tech and Vintage Coworkers Can Flourish Together

thoughtblazers' take:
This amazing high-tech vintage amplifier from Heartless Machine is the perfect image of the ideal multigenerational workplace. Seriously!? Yes! And here’s why: 1) The smartphone represents the Millenials and Gen Xers with their extreme tech savviness, knowledge of pop culture and younger buyers, along with flexibility; 2) The horn - that actually becomes an external speaker for the smartphone - is a visual for the rich, full experience that Baby Boomers and Traditionals bring to their work; 3) The solid base is the innovative leadership that holds it all together.

At first glance, it’s somewhat odd looking. But then you begin to see the genius of it, and wonder if this would fit in your office or living room. 

Those companies who can bring their vintage and high-tech workers together will flourish.
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source: heartlessmachine