40 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 28, 2011CA,
United States
When I look at company IWC, we have 1,000 employees, there are probably two to three really creative people...." OMG, did he really say this ? What about all the engineers and people working in R&D ? Very informative but very poorly delivered presentation.
3,726 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
XZACM102 Wrote:When I look at company IWC, we have 1,000 employees, there are probably two to three really creative people...." OMG, did he really say this ? What about all the engineers and people working in R&D ? Very informative but very poorly delivered presentation.
About the percentage really creative people: this may be in line with every organisation, and it depends where you lay the border line too. There are not many Kurt Klaus like people, like there are not many Mozart like composers.
As for the presentation, I beg to differ, there were far worse presentations by CEO's, certainly in a not native tongue. The enthousiasm of Mr. Kern is there, and he certainly knows what he is talking about. I heard him several times and enjoyed all what he said because of the mentioned reasons. I prefer that when compared to some humbug talk by a professional, slick presenter.
Kind regards, Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
1,908 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 4, 2001
XZACM102 Wrote:When I look at company IWC, we have 1,000 employees, there are probably two to three really creative people...." OMG, did he really say this ? What about all the engineers and people working in R&D ? Very informative but very poorly delivered presentation.
I am more concerned with Herr Kern's views on his customer base, than with his presentation style or with his assessment of his staff.
5,019 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 29, 2003Sarasota, FL,
United States
It is interesting to read all the comments concerning Kern's approach. So, maybe he is a little over the top in terms of celebrity involvement. But it's hard to argue with the results. Considering the luxury market in today's environment what would you do differently to produce better results? And by better I mean more profit.
5,025 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
Alan Ross Wrote: And by better I mean more profit.
and Market Share growth in a tough environment with very strong high end luxury watch competitors. You can achieve profit increases by draconian cost cutting, but gaining market share indicates a lot of things are going right...product design, quality products, smart pricing strategy, meaningful marketing execution, and a targeted retail sales strategies.
1,908 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 4, 2001
Alan Ross Wrote:It is interesting to read all the comments concerning Kern's approach. So, maybe he is a little over the top in terms of celebrity involvement. But it's hard to argue with the results. Considering the luxury market in today's environment what would you do differently to produce better results? And by better I mean more profit.
I have no pretense of telling Herr Kern how to run IWC. My concern is the long term sustainability of this change of image/strategy, from Probus Scafusia, to illusions and dreams. I believe IWC's image, or at least the image I had of IWC, is being eroded. Quality craftsmanship and discreet elegance will always sell. The problem with being in-fashion and in the limelight, is that sooner or later one will be out-of-fashion and forgotten.
3,726 Discussions and CommentsMember since March 28, 2001
clepsydra Wrote:I have no pretense of telling Herr Kern how to run IWC. My concern is the long term sustainability of this change of image/strategy, from Probus Scafusia, to illusions and dreams. I believe IWC's image, or at least the image I had of IWC, is being eroded. Quality craftsmanship and discreet elegance will always sell. The problem with being in-fashion and in the limelight, is that sooner or later one will be out-of-fashion and forgotten.
From Probus Scafusia to illusions and dreams: there is still Probus Scafusia, and I would not know why these two should exclude each other. As far as I am concerned, these two complement each other. Your image of IWC may be eroding, I don't quite know why, the image of IWC in the world may not, as long as IWC makes quality watches: I think they do, do you think they don't?
Quality craftmanship and discreet elegance don't always sell, at least not enough. Take a look at Universal Geneve: these watches look like 30 or more years ago, are or were good, are elegant and descreet, and the brand is about dead. So, maybe IWC is only losing a few customers, maybe IWC is losing you, when new watches come into play?
A brand becoming out of fashion and forgotten: that is what happened to Universal Geneve. Their products became out of fashion and forgotten. That is why IWC renews its products every few years. Again, they may lose you, but as long as the new Pilot's watches, and their successors in the coming years, fly out of the shops, because the products are good, and apparently are part of a dream, I put my bet on the statement that your assumptions are quite wrong.
Kind regards, Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
1,908 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 4, 2001
Sunflower Wrote in reply to:
clepsydra Wrote:I have no pretense of telling Herr Kern how to run IWC. My concern is the long term sustainability of this change of image/strategy, from Probus Scafusia, to illusions and dreams. I believe IWC's image, or at least the image I had of IWC, is being eroded. Quality craftsmanship and discreet elegance will always sell. The problem with being in-fashion and in the limelight, is that sooner or later one will be out-of-fashion and forgotten.
From Probus Scafusia to illusions and dreams: there is still Probus Scafusia, and I would not know why these two should exclude each other. As far as I am concerned, these two complement each other. Your image of IWC may be eroding, I don't quite know why, the image of IWC in the world may not, as long as IWC makes quality watches: I think they do, do you think they don't?
Quality craftmanship and discreet elegance don't always sell, at least not enough. Take a look at Universal Geneve: these watches look like 30 or more years ago, are or were good, are elegant and descreet, and the brand is about dead. So, maybe IWC is only losing a few customers, maybe IWC is losing you, when new watches come into play?
A brand becoming out of fashion and forgotten: that is what happened to Universal Geneve. Their products became out of fashion and forgotten. That is why IWC renews its products every few years. Again, they may lose you, but as long as the new Pilot's watches, and their successors in the coming years, fly out of the shops, because the products are good, and apparently are part of a dream, I put my bet on the statement that your assumptions are quite wrong.
Kind regards, Paul
You are obviously in the universe of potential customers IWC is targeting. Lucky you. My participation in this thread ends here, lest it is viewed as a crusade.
Martin
About the percentage really creative people: this may be in line with every organisation, and it depends where you lay the border line too. There are not many Kurt Klaus like people, like there are not many Mozart like composers.
As for the presentation, I beg to differ, there were far worse presentations by CEO's, certainly in a not native tongue. The enthousiasm of Mr. Kern is there, and he certainly knows what he is talking about. I heard him several times and enjoyed all what he said because of the mentioned reasons. I prefer that when compared to some humbug talk by a professional, slick presenter.
Kind regards,
Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
I am more concerned with Herr Kern's views on his customer base, than with his presentation style or with his assessment of his staff.
clepsydra
ad fontes...
So, maybe he is a little over the top in terms of celebrity involvement. But it's hard to argue with the results. Considering the luxury market in today's environment what would you do differently to produce better results? And by better I mean more profit.
Last edited: 8 November, 2012 - 12:49
and Market Share growth in a tough environment with very strong high end luxury watch competitors. You can achieve profit increases by draconian cost cutting, but gaining market share indicates a lot of things are going right...product design, quality products, smart pricing strategy, meaningful marketing execution, and a targeted retail sales strategies.
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
I have no pretense of telling Herr Kern how to run IWC. My concern is the long term sustainability of this change of image/strategy, from Probus Scafusia, to illusions and dreams. I believe IWC's image, or at least the image I had of IWC, is being eroded.
Quality craftsmanship and discreet elegance will always sell. The problem with being in-fashion and in the limelight, is that sooner or later one will be out-of-fashion and forgotten.
clepsydra
ad fontes...
Last edited: 8 June, 2012 - 17:42
From Probus Scafusia to illusions and dreams: there is still Probus Scafusia, and I would not know why these two should exclude each other. As far as I am concerned, these two complement each other. Your image of IWC may be eroding, I don't quite know why, the image of IWC in the world may not, as long as IWC makes quality watches: I think they do, do you think they don't?
Quality craftmanship and discreet elegance don't always sell, at least not enough. Take a look at Universal Geneve: these watches look like 30 or more years ago, are or were good, are elegant and descreet, and the brand is about dead. So, maybe IWC is only losing a few customers, maybe IWC is losing you, when new watches come into play?
A brand becoming out of fashion and forgotten: that is what happened to Universal Geneve. Their products became out of fashion and forgotten. That is why IWC renews its products every few years. Again, they may lose you, but as long as the new Pilot's watches, and their successors in the coming years, fly out of the shops, because the products are good, and apparently are part of a dream, I put my bet on the statement that your assumptions are quite wrong.
Kind regards,
Paul
What you do may not be so important, but it is very important that you do it well. (my variation of a saying by Gandhi)
You are obviously in the universe of potential customers IWC is targeting. Lucky you.
My participation in this thread ends here, lest it is viewed as a crusade.
clepsydra
ad fontes...