analysis

What Vending Machines Mean For Progeeks And Their Careers

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Last week I had my in-depth examination of where I think Coinstar is going, and why they could move into food.  Not a geeky thing on the top, but very pro geek when you look at target audiences and the technology that will be employed.  So, I want to expand on this theory, specifically . . .

If there’s an onslaught of automated vending, what does it mean for we professional geeks?  What does it mean for our careers, beyond, you know, easily accessible coffee.

First, let me explain my pursuit of this in the first place:

  • As noted, I see Coinstar validating vending systems, often unusual ones, with their current plans.
  • There are a lot of vending devices out there.  Be it Shop24, or the bizarre electronic vending machines here in Silicon Valley (really, want to get a DS?  An iPod?), it seems vending machines are slowly becoming more and more common.
  • Vending machines, done right, offer benefits to the consumer: fast, automated service, known stock, constant availability, the potential for useful geographic access, and technical integration.
  • Vending machines, done right, offer benefits to the provider: predictability, 24/7 access, integration with existing technical systems, less human interface.
  • Japan, which is infamous for having vending machines for everything, may show potential for success of increased automation.
  • There is a cultural acceptance of technology that seems to only be increasing.
  • Changes in people’s living due to gas prices, de-suburbanization, etc. could be taken advantage of by companies providing automation.  Or in short, throw the machines where demographics mean you can make money and where you can take advantage of the changes.
  • Machines can be deployed in many ways.  They can be permanent, experimental, even temporary.  They can be mobile – imagine strapping a bunch of vending machines onto a truck and driving that thing around to where it’s needed.
  • Timeshifting.  As sad as it is, some people don’t want to take the time to cook, go to an Apple store, or whatever.  Vending machines provide that.

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Nintendo Versus Everyone

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Some of the new announcements of the Wii U make sense (video streaming), some are a bit odd (Yes, Bayonetta 2, because hey my Mom would love it), some are cool (I am digging the pseudo-tablet) and putting it all together paints a heady picture as the folks at Kotaku found out.

I look at the Wii U strategy and it seems to be focused on:

  • Being a media device much like the X-box has become.
  • Signing a lot of diverse and odd gaming titles.
  • Making up for lost time by having better internet integration.
  • Seriously pushing it’s unusual (and costly) controller.

That’s when I realized that Nintendo has become Sony and is throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks.  However they’re doing it in a more . . . precise  . . . manner than Sony.

The Wii U is going to be a media box – and a media box with an interesting peripheral.  The latter may not be the only sales point but considering the Wii’s rep this may be the media box that less-hardcore gamers purchase.  My mother was practically ready to buy a Wii, the Wii U is even more promising.

The Wii U introduces an odd extra control structure with the Pad – one reminiscent of iPad integration and Android Phone integration with other devices.  Nintendo is making a tighter device integration play, and if you don’t think the future DS is going to tie into this or evolve from this, you’re not paying attention.

Nintendo is making up for lost time with assorted internet and social media integration.  This plays well with the Nintendo reputation for accessibility, and connects with the media options.  They just took making up for lost time and took it farther.

So the Wii U is a giant load of everything – but a precise one at that.  I think it gives Nintendo a good market since it’s got a date, it’s got things people want, and it’s got a decent price range ($299-$350).

And it has the usual Nintendo trademark of Being Talked about.  Because I and others are doing it – they got our attention.  Again.

Sure, this will face competition in time, but for now I think Nintendo caught the news cycle, and they caught it with a nice piece of technology.  So game developers pay attention, and see what they do here because if they’re playing catch-up you might have a chance to be caught up .  . .

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach.  He blogs on careers at http://www.fantopro.com/, nerd and geek culture at http://www.nerdcaliber.com/, and does a site of creative tools at http://www.seventhsanctum.com/. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/.

 

 

The Recruiting Nightmare – Introduction

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I spent weeks dumping my brain droppings on the blog about what I learned in my job search – that applies to job searchers.  I hope it was helpful, I think it was useful, and if nothing else it was immensely therapeutic.

But there’s another side to it that it’s time to address.

As most readers know I also help out recruiters and HR people I know.  I encourage everyone to do it, from passing on good contacts, to being a resource on market info, and so forth.  Recruiters have a hard time.

In my job search as well as my other activities, 2012 is also a year where I have come to the conclusion that Recruiting Is A Nightmare.  Which of course is also an awesome name for a column series.

Oh, yes there are many good recruiters – more than you realize.  There are many happy recruiters – it can be a very satisfying profession.  It’s just that right now, at this time, the level of stupidity, frustration, and utter insanity recruiters face is unbelievable.  I had trouble believing it until I started putting the pieces together as part of my usual research and helping out the recruiters I knew.

Recruiting is painful these days.

So of course beyond helping out recruiters I know, referring people, and being a shoulder to scream on, I realized I should write up my findings for a few reasons:

  1. It’ll help organize my thoughts to help my readers, be they in recruiting or not.
  2. It may lead me to figure out other ways to assist them.
  3. It’ll provide insights I and others can use.
  4. You, the job seeker, can learn to work around the craziness, help out recruiters, and reap the benefits of better jobs, as well as helping your fellows.

So what’s wrong with recruiting these days?  I’d call it a perfect storm in a way – there are many factors that individually don’t always seem bad.  However when you add these factors up . . .

[TO BE CONTINUED]

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/