ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Personally, I think Tue has had an impossible job in an impossible market. Breaking into a new market is interesting, just look at the success of the upmarket NESPRESSO brand with its designer coffee capsules even though the capsules were only mail order or available in a few select cosmopolitan cities.
What would you of done differently to make BANG&OLUFSEN a business sales success?
Why don't you tell us what you would have done?
Too long to list....
I couldn't of done any better than Tue. I did the right thing with PLAY. OK bring out a small sized A8 with multi room like SONOS but financially would that of created enough money?
Tue was faced with an impossible situation. How do you encourage people to buy £4000 loudspeakers when houses and apartments are getting smaller in Europe and peoples lifestyles have changed? He had an impossible job.
I'm not sure the problem was the 4000 euro/sterling speakers. So much madness went on with the TV's for example, but I guess if the plan was to take out B&O from the TV business they succeeded. No-one in their right minds blame only Tue. B&O problems started before many of us where born!
Tue haven't made it better though, and he didn't succeed in turning the ship around. Every fail needs someone to blame, traditionally this is the CEO. Call yourself a CEO, then you have to take the sh*t when it hits the fan. Some are "smart" and get out before it all goes to hell.
What bugs me somewhat is the belief before even seeing what Tue can do the painting image of him saving the company.
Still ultimately, he is innocent. The board of directors have the ultimate say, and can fire him. Why they sit on year after year without change in the seats, or in the company itself... I have no idea.
The company has been described as arrogant in the past and its very possible that there is a lot of hierarchy and old wood in the place which of course brings the ship down.
I think BeoPhile summed it up well when they said B&O were from a past era. A real classy gentleman that enjoyed expensive wine and opera but somehow didn't understand Instagram and Snapchat.
They definitely bit the hand that feeds in terms of neglecting Europe and Scandinavia whilst going for the China market which was always very risky.
after recently seeing in the vaults of BMW and what they never made I wonder if there will be a time we will see B&O concepts and prototypes that never saw the light of day....
the biggest problem I see is the speed of recent technology, CRT's CD's and Vinyl were with us for a long time and easier for a manufacture to gauge the retail arena, now its obsolete before it leaves the design studio....
you are damned if you do and damned if you don't in this world.
we tend to forget there is more to design than designing.
Look at the target markets.
Do research and see what they want.
Serve more than the latest technology!
I would try replacing 'Of' with 'Have' before all our 'Engish as a second language' contributors get the wrong idea.
Looks like the Queens English is holding up well in Finland.
Graham
Vikinger, seriously! Criticising like that is petty. I'm sure I wouldn't understand your accent but I'm not going to criticise it. This is what turned me off about B&O - people being so petty!
Paul W: Vikinger, seriously! Criticising like that is petty. I'm sure I wouldn't understand your accent but I'm not going to criticise it. This is what turned me off about B&O - people being so petty!
If Tue had written the Danish equivalent his application for CEO would have been dropped into the waste bin.
Sorry Paul, but your repeated re-writing of the english language and ageist posts about youth and "pipe and slippers has beens" does make one or two of us rise to the bait.
I'm afraid that whenever I see 'Of' used instead of 'Have' it completely undermines anything else that the writer has to say.
Is it really such a bad start to the year. Sure the share price has gone down, but when i joined my company it dipped to 19p. Today it is £4.60
We all look and admire the big products like the Avant and Moment, but the H8's alone could make the company a fortune if marketed correctly. The Moment although very cool and Danish, also placates those of us who see streaming as the only source of our music. I haven't bought a CD or anything from iTunes for 2 years, but listen to much more music through Tidal and Spotify than i ever did before.
New H2's & 8's, new sound system, a new Avant, updates to good products in the Beolit and A9, the A2 only needs small updates to make it "The king of bluetooth speakers" The future from a product point of view is rosy, but people still won't go in the shops. That is where there efforts should go into in my view.
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
vikinger: Sorry Paul, but your repeated re-writing of the english language and ageist posts about youth and "pipe and slippers has beens" does make one or two of us rise to the bait. I'm afraid that whenever I see 'Of' used instead of 'Have' it completely undermines anything else that the writer has to say. Graham
I totally agree. I find it amazing that people can criticise others when they lack a grasp of their own language . Imagine the same level of incompetence in the execution of a product!
Beo Century ,Beoplay V1, Beocenter 6, Ex-Beolit 12, Beotime , A8. Beolit 15 , Form 2i , Beolab 2000, Beoplay A3.Beosound 1
You guys really are shooting yourselves in the foot!
This forum attacks people and picks on individuals who criticise B&O but then these people criticise B&O.
I asked a simple question, you've just proved exactly what is wrong with B&O.
Sadly for some, English isn't my first language -my first is both Spanish and Norwegian even though I did manage to get a FIRST at the University of Manchester for my Degree followed by by Masters.
Paul W:Sadly for some, English isn't my first language -my first is both Spanish and Norwegian even though I did manage to get a FIRST at the University of Manchester for my Degree followed by by Masters.
Shame the devil!
Paul W: You guys really are shooting yourselves in the foot! This forum attacks people and picks on individuals who criticise B&O but then these people criticise B&O. I asked a simple question, you've just proved exactly what is wrong with B&O. Sadly for some, English isn't my first language -my first is both Spanish and Norwegian even though I did manage to get a FIRST at the University of Manchester for my Degree followed by by Masters.
Paul, just hit the edit button and correct your heading. Congratulations on having Espanwegian as your first language by the way.
vikinger: Paul, just hit the edit button and correct your heading. Congratulations on having Espanwegian as your first language by the way.
How silly do I now feel after actually reading the thread...
"Great Topic - and a very good question!" I thought to myself.. then I thought "If i nip in and change the title nobody will notice and I'll be doing Paul W a favour too.."
I'm afraid I've left my trunks down and the tide has gone out this time
Sorry.
Good question though, all the same - so let's get back to it !!
Lee
I'm sorry, but this question has been asked and answered many times before. The outcome to these threads is that we say the same things repeatedly, then it dissolves into arguments and frustration.
I'll answer the same way I always answer: redirect the Marketing spend towards the youth market, Paul W.'s so called 'pipe and slippers' brigade will follow.
x:________________________
Jonathan:redirect the Marketing spend towards the youth market,
Probably, but the "youf's" don't have the same disposable income!
Jonathan:Paul W.'s so called 'pipe and slippers' brigade will follow.
Errr.......................... no they won't ........... sorry!
Ban boring signatures!
bayerische: Why don't you tell us what you would have done?
This is an amusing discussion. I think most of Tue's problems was the deep recession. Now the problems are mostly the hangover in many countries from the recession. Tue had planned to expand markets into the BRIC countries which has had some limited success.
In most businesses, the person in charge gets the blame for a depressed share price. It is just that simple.
What would I have done? I really don't know.
I hope we don't start listing the products we don't like. That would be counterproductive.
I thought it was a typo (or must I write : a typographical error) in the initial post.
But how am I to know?
I understood the question anyway, I think.
Personally I would not bother to ask that kind of question - isn't very productive in the end.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
B&O have tried Marketing the opposite way, and it hasn't worked (eg Paul McCartney).
How can you quantify it won't work if it hasn't been tried?
The youth market has a high level of disposable income, and a longer life expectancy than the aging Baby Boomer market.
Anyway, enough from me.... it looks like the circles have begun
Santana is as old as Macca!
I don't see any problems in adressing both young and old.
Why should there be a problem there?
This might be the dumbest idea (I've got a zillion of them), but given how vinyl is now "in," maybe B & O should resurrect their turntables. I would not expect these by themselves to turn around the company, but they could be step in the right direction.
I was under the impression that these turntables required "special" cartridges. Having a turntable that can use any cartridge would be ideal.
D
Millemissen:Santana is as old as Macca! I don't see any problems in adressing both young and old. Why should there be a problem there? MM There is a tv - and there is a BV.
BeoNut since '75
Doonesbury:...maybe B & O should resurrect their turntables. I would not expect these by themselves to turn around the company, but they could be step in the right direction...
I too want one too - but only if it has a 'mood button'
Doonesbury: This might be the dumbest idea (I've got a zillion of them), but given how vinyl is now "in," maybe B & O should resurrect their turntables. I would not expect these by themselves to turn around the company, but they could be step in the right direction. I was under the impression that these turntables required "special" cartridges. Having a turntable that can use any cartridge would be ideal. D
I wouldn't mind that at all. They're among the finest analog/mechanical audio stuff ever made. However. The price of a tangential turntable today might just be astronomical!
But yes, it would be Cool!
I wouldn't mind having some vinyl myself, and I do like the sound, even if the eternal question is (is it better), but perhaps it's not so important "is it better".
BeoBoy68: Doonesbury: ...maybe B & O should resurrect their turntables. I would not expect these by themselves to turn around the company, but they could be step in the right direction... Agree can I 33 this idea.... Bang & Olufsen should re-edit in limited edition some iconic products like turntables. I will buy one certainly.
Doonesbury: ...maybe B & O should resurrect their turntables. I would not expect these by themselves to turn around the company, but they could be step in the right direction...
...maybe B & O should resurrect their turntables. I would not expect these by themselves to turn around the company, but they could be step in the right direction...
Agree
can I 33 this idea....
Bang & Olufsen should re-edit in limited edition some iconic products like turntables.
I will buy one certainly.
Agree with Paul W - it was a simple enough question, if you cant enter into constructive debate then dont bother
ajames: Agree with Paul W - it was a simple enough question, if you cant enter into constructive debate then dont bother
We've long moved on from those posts so no need to pull the edge of the carpet up and re-scatter the sweepings I'd say...
I think the next CEO to get held aloft and praises sung to him/her will be the one who is sat in the hot seat during the next economic boom. In times of recession, or stagnation, all you can do is steer the ship safely away from the rocks. If you get ahead, that's a bonus - and is where the truly talented CEO's flourish.
However, one man cannot make a team a roaring success - just as one player doesn't make a team in football. Being the CEO, as rightly pointed out here many times, just makes you the man who pops his head above the trench. You're visible - and the face who takes the slap of the wet fish if things go bad.
How would I have done it? I'd have gone back to putting B&O into multi-brand stores years ago - where people can actually see it. I'd have the Play products absolutely everywhere - and in every Play product box I'd have a very interesting pamphlet explaining all about B&O, what a great choice they've just made, WHY it's better - and finally, in a nice envelope, a Voucher with an invitation to go down to their nearest B&O Dealership to pick up a free gift. This gift could be a baseball cap, a t-shirt, a pin badge, or at least something with the brand name on that someone would actually wear. It's all advertising - and it gets people in stores, which increases awareness and also gives the store a chance to make friends with the new B&O customer.
I've said many times, get the name known. Once the name is known again people will look. Once people look, they'll buy - and we're back on the upward cycle....
9 LEE:How would I have done it? I'd have gone back to putting B&O into multi-brand stores years ago - where people can actually see it. I'd have the Play products absolutely everywhere - and in every Play product box I'd have a very interesting pamphlet explaining all about B&O, what a great choice they've just made, WHY it's better - and finally, in a nice envelope, a Voucher with an invitation to go down to their nearest B&O Dealership to pick up a free gift. This gift could be a baseball cap, a t-shirt, a pin badge, or at least something with the brand name on that someone would actually wear. It's all advertising - and it gets people in stores, which increases awareness and also gives the store a chance to make friends with the new B&O customer. I've said many times, get the name known. Once the name is known again people will look. Once people look, they'll buy - and we're back on the upward cycle.... Lee
KMA
B&O product history since 1991: Ridiculously long to list in a signature.
Agree a good way forward with marketing - and more product placement all over the place - we used to see a lot of B&O in films and Tv during the 90's and to a lesser extent the 00's. but hardly any these days
Great post Lee!
I agree with you.
The B1 store concept was dated when it was released. What I see more and more (in my business too) is people taking a big step "off-from the snob", if you get what I mean. Hip bars, laid back restaurants have long since proven more economically feasible than the 9-course dress-up place.
B&O stores here are always empty. Although I haven't been in one in 18 months. Planned to go this saturday, but forgot although I was meters from it.
The B&O B1 stores have still a VERY high threshold to enter. There-in lies a big problem.
Heck, Helsinkis finest jewelry and watch store on the opposite side of the street is much more laid-back and inviting. There's nothing wrong with the sellers at the B&O store, quite the opposite. I like them, but many people are scared away simply by seeing sharply dressed well-combed men in black tie suits!
Especially the younger generation.
And it wouldn't harm the brand being next to the other stuff. Imagine the"free audience" B&O would get. I probably never would have found B&O if it wasn't for them being on display next to the other "basic" stuff at the local small town Expert store back in the eighties.
That really opened my eyes to "wow, this brand is something else".
9 LEE:How would I have done it? I'd have gone back to putting B&O into multi-brand stores years ago - where people can actually see it. I'd have the Play products absolutely everywhere - and in every Play product box I'd have a very interesting pamphlet explaining all about B&O, what a great choice they've just made, WHY it's better - and finally, in a nice envelope, a Voucher with an invitation to go down to their nearest B&O Dealership to pick up a free gift. This gift could be a baseball cap, a t-shirt, a pin badge, or at least something with the brand name on that someone would actually wear. It's all advertising - and it gets people in stores, which increases awareness and also gives the store a chance to make friends with the new B&O customer.
Awesome post! That's the hook isn't it? How to get more people exposed to the brand. I hope someone at B&O is reading this.
Well, the whole issue of where to sell them is...complicated I think. On the one hand you're right, just B&O stores doesn't seem to be working. But, before they went to just B&O branded stores selling them in multi-brand stores wasn't working very well either. When I bought my initial gear, it was at a big chain in Florida called Sound Advice. They had the B&O display out on the open floor, next to the boom boxes and TVs and such, and a lot of the equipment was broken from idiots and kids playing with it, and all of it was smudged and ratty looking. It was obvious they did a lousy job of selling B&O, the environment and sales droids were totally unsuited to the task. There was no way to tell what anything sounded like and it all looked terrible. I think other stores would work but B&O would have to ride herd on them a lot harder than they obviously did back then with respect to how they are presented and how the sales staff are trained.
Over here, Best Buy sells Play, which is a huge concern, but apparently Play is only sold in stores with a Magnolia high end section, which apparently isn't all of them, but I have no idea what percentage have such a section. I haven't been to a Best Buy in years so haven't seen the Play display to know how well it's done.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
9 LEE: ajames: Agree with Paul W - it was a simple enough question, if you cant enter into constructive debate then dont bother We've long moved on from those posts so no need to pull the edge of the carpet up and re-scatter the sweepings I'd say... I think the next CEO to get held aloft and praises sung to him/her will be the one who is sat in the hot seat during the next economic boom. In times of recession, or stagnation, all you can do is steer the ship safely away from the rocks. If you get ahead, that's a bonus - and is where the truly talented CEO's flourish. However, one man cannot make a team a roaring success - just as one player doesn't make a team in football. Being the CEO, as rightly pointed out here many times, just makes you the man who pops his head above the trench. You're visible - and the face who takes the slap of the wet fish if things go bad. How would I have done it? I'd have gone back to putting B&O into multi-brand stores years ago - where people can actually see it. I'd have the Play products absolutely everywhere - and in every Play product box I'd have a very interesting pamphlet explaining all about B&O, what a great choice they've just made, WHY it's better - and finally, in a nice envelope, a Voucher with an invitation to go down to their nearest B&O Dealership to pick up a free gift. This gift could be a baseball cap, a t-shirt, a pin badge, or at least something with the brand name on that someone would actually wear. It's all advertising - and it gets people in stores, which increases awareness and also gives the store a chance to make friends with the new B&O customer. I've said many times, get the name known. Once the name is known again people will look. Once people look, they'll buy - and we're back on the upward cycle.... Lee
I don't recall getting the annual invite from the local shop for the gift this year. A leather iPhone case or a notebook was welcome in the past and it did draw me into the store before christmas .
I think B&O needs to get back to basics, turntables and cassette decks! That's where the future is! Build the decks in Denmark, and let the Chinese make the cassette tapes. The future would be so bright we'd have to wear shades!
Jeff: I think B&O needs to get back to basics, turntables and cassette decks! That's where the future is! Build the decks in Denmark, and let the Chinese make the cassette tapes. The future would be so bright we'd have to wear shades!
And they could sell them at selected branches of Woolworths ?
seriously , they would benefit from some footfall such as placing them on display at Audi and BMW showrooms or stores other than audio outlets actually being used .
Simonbeo: they would benefit from some footfall such as placing them on display at Audi and BMW showrooms or stores other than audio outlets actually being used .
.....or strike a deal with high street fashion retailers, have the players playing while the kids are browsing, and having the headphones on display or on the mannequins etc.
Have them in front of the kids while they have money in their hands! At the very least make them draw comment!!!