The Final Cut

Gillette and Wilkinson keep adding more blades to razors. “Razor and blade” business model works by selling an initial “master” product at a loss (razor), while making profit with “consumables” (blades).

Gillette won a patent for its double edge razor in 1904, another for the double-blade in 1971, before the three-blades in 1998. Now Gillette sells five blades, rear blade and battery power razors. Trends indicate Gillette will ‘invent’ an eight blades razor in 2015. Because Gillette acquired Duracell, it put batteries into razors, another consumable product within the master product. Wilkinson acquired by Energizer did the same.

I’m missing the benefit of such product, as I don’t find them much comfortable. Gillette recently became supplier of Oral-B. I’m afraid they will embed a toothbrush as well in the future. What worries me more, is that Wilkinson also markets tools for Circumcision for medical suppliers…

The Five Balls

Marketers are individuals that take energy from life and well being.

Paula Radcliffe trained 250 km per week jumping into ice bath after running, before failing to win the Olympics marathon in 2004. Trying to rationalize her excellence-misfortune, she said that life is about juggling five balls in the air. Health, Family, Friends, Integrity and Career. Career ball is made of rubber, and you can take more risk with it. The others are more fragile. You may throw the career ball higher because if you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four may shatter.

I’m  throwing high the career ball and move to EnginSoft, today. I keep on caring of the other four.