A Flawed Test

Business Pundit points to a Marketing IQ Test. Being a marketing guy, I took it. The problem with the test is that the "IQ" is based on a single book - by the author of the test. And if you don't agree with the book, you'll score low on the test.

For example: True or False? Line extensions are a very risky way to introduce new products.

I said false. They are probably the lowest risk method of introducing new products. Here is how they scored my response (emphasis mine).

You said false. The answer is true. Line extensions are risky for several reasons, but particularly because they tend to cannibalize the present product. (Chap. 7)

Hey, dude, you are SUPPOSED to cannibalize your own products. If you don't your competition will do it for you.

So if you are interested, take the test, but keep in mind it is just a barometer of how much your opinions match the author's and nothing more. There isn't much intelligence in the test at all.

Glad I Got Mine Early

Tamiflu has stopped being shipped to the U.S. public, I suppose so governments can stockpile it instead of individuals: Flu Drug Maker Suspends U.S. Shipments.

So I get a points for thinking ahead and getting a personal stockpile a few months ago.

Just One Word: Plastics

Think of computer chips as hard, brittle things? That idea will seem quaint in the future: Epson Develops the World's First Flexible TFT SRAM


"Plastic chips", as I like to call them, are just getting out of the lab, but I think they will be common place within a decade. This will allow the creation of all sorts of cool consumer goods than can fold, be rolled up and other uses we haven't thought of, although I would first like to see an iPod nano that won't scratch so easily.

Marketing Trivia, Trademark Category

I can't think of anything worth blogging on today - there's stuff developing, but I can't blog on it yet - so how about a small bit of marketing trivia?

The fast food chain "Arby's" is the phonetic spelling of the initials "R" and "B", which is short for "roast beef", their signature sandwich.

So now you have something to remark on when your officemates are arguing about which fast food chain to go to for lunch.

AMD Hands Their Technology Over to China

I don't think this is a good move: AMD, China Ink x86 Agreement.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) licensed its AMD x86 microprocessor design technology to the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and Peking University, during a ceremony in Beijing today.
...
The licensing of core x86 AMD Geode processor technology to Peking University via collaboration with MOST is expected to contribute to China's development of low-power and embedded x86 processor technology in the Greater China region.

Note that licensing a processor is much different than selling a chip. They are giving the Chinese the inside workings of advanced processor design and one of the crown jewels of their intellectual property. One has to wonder what AMD is thinking.

In addition, note at the end of the article that AMD is paying a tribute to the "Ministry of Education". It wasn't enough that the company had to hand their technology over to them.