It didn’t take long after the launch of Apple’s new touchpad for the jokes to start flying. Yes, the name – iPad – sounds like a feminine product. Case in point: one of yesterday’s top trending topics on Twitter was #iTampon. For those of you who don’t get the relevance of that, trending topics on Twitter highlight the buzz – what everyone is talking about. Adding #iTampon to a person’s tweet was quickly picked up as the way to make fun of the name of Apple’s newest product as an extreme faux pas. And the jokes were actually pretty funny, in a sick sort of way. If they were looking to build buzz with the name, they certainly achieved their objective but I’m not sure this was the kind of buzz they anticipated.
Interestingly enough, the “Apple IPad” was originally a not-so-flattering skit that MadTV put on years ago. Just search for iPad on YouTube and you’ll find it.
The biggest question I (and many others have): didn’t someone do their RESEARCH before launching this product? Were there any women on the team? And if so, were they not comfortable enough to speak up? HOW could this have gotten past any level of market testing and scrutiny?
This is a perfect case for why you need diversity on your teams charged with innovation. You need to consider different points of view based on gender, ethnicity, culture, language, and psycho-graphics of whoever constitutes your target demographic. And it would be nice to make sure you’re not offending or isolating an entire population of people. Just PLEASE, Apple, don’t release the new iPad in red….
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Tags: Apple, diversity, innovation, iPad
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I’ve read some research that says diversity actually decreases the number of quality ideas generated by any particular group. I think where the diversity should come in is in the marketing research. Apple may have some really good ideas but they should confirm the market demand before placing them in the market place.
Cal @ invention entrepreneur´s last blog ..Innovating Radically Or Incrementally
Added to my favourites list and added to my blogroll.
Well the name is really off as well as the product itself, its not really the greatest invention since the Ipad, whats next? The Imat? Which is probably the same thing except bigger..
FreeMicrosoft´s last blog ..Free Microsoft points
You’re probably right – there may be no women in their team otherwise the association would have been noticed.
Jess´s last blog ..Alpha Brainwave Entrainment Video
I have to agree with this article. Good stuff
Experts generally agree that diversity—of perspective, ideas, information, thinking, etc.—is an essential element for innovation to flourish.baby gifts gold coast
I think your keywordluv plugin is broken
#iTampon
Apple definitely didn’t do their research before launching this piece of junk.
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I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
[...] a self alleviation energy is when a total universe is crashing as well as descending apart. …The case for diversity in innovation | Julie Lenzer Kirk's BlogApple's newest product launch – the iPad – represents an extreme case of what happens when you DON'T [...]
Given the market scenario the Apple iPad isn’t going to be a run away hit unless it features some killer content tie-ups upon launch.gourmet gifts baskets
I know only one thing that “Experts generally agree that diversity—of perspective, ideas, information, thinking, etc.—is an essential element for innovation to flourish.” overhead projector screens
ipad / ipod / whats the difference
ipad is obviously going to keep the comedians on the up and up for their humorous jokes. it will be interesting to hear them all.
I’d buy one if it was called the iProbe
I won’t be buying unless they rename it iProbe !
Business Week even picked up on this over the last week: http://budurl.com/lb84
Julie´s last blog ..A Case for Diversity in Innovation
I love the content of the blog..its so interesting…
Lol! They won’t release the new iPad in red but in PINK! ha-ha! Fleez apple! Spare us the humiliation… I agree with you. They should have brainstormed before they release to the media and to the public about iPad.
Yes, I thought the same thing…”oh no! what were they thinking?” of course the media went and severely ripped that one up. You would think that apple being so intune with modern society and all modern things would have gotten that, but apparently they didn’t! Oh well…….more comedy skits for us!
Kim@Maternity Tights´s last blog ..Plus Size Maternity Clothes
I would have never thought of this…probably because I am a male. But you’re so right! iPad? They should have had you on their team
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by chiefmuse: Apple’s #iTampon naming fiasco shows why diversity in #innovation is crucial! http://budurl.com/rsss…