The Pebble and the Avalanche

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Current Revolutions in Business and Technology

by Dr. Moshe Yudkowsky,

author of The Pebble and The Avalanche: How Taking Things Apart Creates Revolutions

 

Fri, 2009-Feb-13, 08:49

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Now Imagine the Aesthetics of a Microsoft Retail Store

Apple's retail stores reflect the Apple aesthetic design: the stores are white, clean, and clear. You can sign up online, in advance, to get help with your Apple product at the "Genius Bar."

Aside from imagining the frantic "scrum" at a hypothetical in-store help desk, I have a very easy time imagining how a Microsoft store will look. To get an idea of how Microsoft aesthetic differs from Apple's, you should probably see the rather famous video "Microsoft re-designs the iPod box." Not to mention that Microsoft is bringing in an executive with experience at Wal-Mart to work on the new Microsoft stores — I'm certain the logistics will be excellent, but Wal-Mart's retail stores definitely lack allure and cutting-edge design. I think that Microsoft will find it extraordinarily difficult to break with its internal culture to create a unique experience in their proposed retail stores. Well, make that "positive and unique experience."

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