On April 30, 2005 7:59 am, Craig Rairdin wrote: > If I've learned anything in business it's that the best products don't > always win. The best *marketed* products win. This means things like > "brand", "price", "good looks", "consumer buzz" and "advertising budget" > are perhaps more important than "receiver sensitivity", "filter bandwidth" > and other measures of quality. >
Craig et al, This seems to be the trend with consumers, businesses, and shareholders today; The best looking package with a huge feature list at a very low price. There are those like myself who will buy quality, performance, and customer service. However, I think though that I am in the minority. When I bought my last cell phone, I picked the make and model with the best performing RF section. If you want to see dumb looks, ask a cell phone representative about RF specs. It all depends on how one defines win. Most businesses define win to mean to be the market leader, or most profitable, or have the highest earning per share, however I firmly believe that this idea is wrong. I would much rather deal with a company that makes a high quality product, and backs it up with excellent customer service. If this same company can make a decent profit, and can create some jobs then I consider them to have won. Double digit growth and earnings per share only matter to accountants and shareholders. And yes I would buy Elecraft shares if I could make a few percent in dividends, even if the stock price didn't go up. I am in the minority here too. As long as the market for Elecraft's products is large enough to sustain the company, then Elecraft is doing just fine. They don't need to dominate the ham radio business. Once the marketers and accountants take over, the products became the same as everybody else makes, and cost reduction becomes the main design criteria. Companies become focused on growth and earnings per share at the expense of quality, customer service and jobs. Thank you very much Eric and Wayne. While you may never make the Forbes top 500 list, I would consider Elecraft to be one of a handful of truly great companies. Elecraft is a winner in my books! Darrell -- Darrell Bellerive Amateur Radio Stations: VA7TO, VE7CLA Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
