Some Companies Just Get it Right!

Apple, RIM, Lexus, Meridian, Miele, Braun. What do these companies and many others have in common aside from their typically higher price tags? Attention to detail, high quality, and creating products that thoroughly and precisely fulfill their purposes.

This came to mind recently when I decided to replace my travel-weary luggage which had served me well for years of travel across much of the world. I had been thinking about getting a set of Tumi's "Ducati" luggage, and as luck would have it, that series was recently discontinued so I got a screaming deal on a couple of pieces.

When I got home, I, or rather a friend, had a really good chance to discover all of the subtle design features that really show how thoroughly Tumi and others serve their customers, and why I'm such a believer in "You get what you pay for. (But don't pay any more than you have to!)"

Tired of your suitcase hitting you in the heels as you pull it behind you? No problem, the handle is offset, and easily adjustable for either left or right handed people, and it still keeps the bag balanced. Tired of your suitcase falling over when it's standing on end? This one is deeper at the bottom so that the center of gravity is lower. Can't grab your bag off the carousel because the bottom is facing you? No problem here. There's a inset handle on the bottom of the bag. And let's not forget the urethane wheels that absorb shock and don't slide. I could go on and on.

The point here is that companies like Tumi and Apple listen to their customers and design their products to serve their purposes extremely well. They use excellent materials and elegant designs and provide all of the features you and I require of the item, and then some. Ease of use is also high on the agenda for companies like these. With clothing, this might mean subtle design features or manufacturing techniques that improve the fit. Such attention to detail makes a world of difference in how satisfying a product is. Just look at how loyal and enthusiastic Apple's customers are as a result of this approach!

Obviously, making products like this is expensive, and their prices reflect the higher cost of manufacturing and superior materials. But that doesn't mean you have to pay a lot for them if you have some patience and do some digging. Getting more enjoyment without spending more for the things I need is so worth it! I highly recommend that you do the same! Maybe we'll talk more about how to do that in the next post.