Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/02/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Quote my former mail to Geoff: "It is a sad story indeed. There we had a guy that, in nearly 2 years, was finally getting a fixed course on a ship that was going no side for about 20 years. He (re)found the core of Leica: superbly crafted + upgradable = a camera for life. Vintage from the start. That's a lot of added value in a niche that can only grow in these days of disposable goods. It even makes sense in an ecological way. So I found it a very smart marketing strategy to do this. Translated communication wise: 'Expiration date [infinity sign]'. Maybe a tad bit too intellectualistic, thus limiting the target group, but anyway. In a next phase, after the brand would have been reinstated, this could be capitalized towards the development of the R, and towards the P&S market. True, this hurt the dealers (who have become high quantities + low margins junkies), but maybe the 'live dealer' concept is becoming obsolete. (sadly IMO, but that is a philosophical matter). Pure business/investor-wise, this was a good mid to long term strategy. And now they choose unilaterally for the P&S strategy, working for Panasonic. A market niche where there is nearly no margin any more. Really sad. On the other hand, I read that he wasn't 'good with people'. One can't turn a ship without the help of one's people... So, finally, It's all about good communications, isn't it? Looks like Lee only partly succeeded in that. But whether that weighs in heavier than going retro again, is an entire other matter." Just brainstorming here :-) PhO. Op 22-feb-08, om 23:29 heeft Steve Unsworth het volgende geschreven: > Well let's say you have a medium to long term plan to cut dealers > out of the > loop and sell direct, it wouldn't be in your best interests to piss > them off > in the short term by saying you were going to sell all the upgrades > directly. > > Pure speculation. > > Steve > > > On 22/2/08 22:15, "Philippe Orlent" <philippe.orlent@pandora.be> > wrote: > >> If dealers start to control the company, it's a bad sign for the >> company. > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >