Stupidest marketing tactic ever?

This has to be the dumbest marketing idea in business history… surprsingly, it was launched by a company related to the financial sector…

Tags: marketing, dumb ideas, bad marketing, Zecco

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How to fix spam

ZDnet published an interesting piece on how the spam problem could be resolved quickly… here’s an excerpt:

"The problem is that the major e-mail technology providers won’t work together to come up with some standard approaches to stopping spam. And when I say major, I mean AOL, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo. If those four companies simply got together and said it’s time to fix the problem and here’s how we’re going to fix it, the rest of the world would have no choice but to follow."

Tags: spam

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Worst MP3 player: Sony Network Walkman

I’m a big Sony fan, and own many products that I am very happy with, but their Network Walkman "MP3" players are just plain awful.

I bought one for my wife a year back because it looked like a nice choice for jogging. But unfortunately its so cumbersome in every sense that she has never used it. The whole concept is wrong, from its very inception, here’s why…

The thing is that it’s not a real MP3 player, which means that you can’t play back industry standard MP3 or WMA files; Sony has opted instead to support only proprietary ATRAC3 files. Never heard of them? Me neither.

To upload music to the Network Walkman you have to use Sony’s ugly SonicStage software, you can’t just copy files in the easy and straightforward fashion you may be used to.

The problem with this whole idea is that this is definitely no iTunes.

But my frustration just hit the roof; in an attempt to finally used the thing I tried to load the SonicStage software onto my Mac, and guess what? No Mac support.

So I’m off to the Apple Store for an iPod… I have two myself and of course love them (although my favorite MP3 player for sports is the Rio Forge Sport MP3 Player)…

Tags: Sony, Sony Network Walkman, Network Walkman, Rio Forge Sport MP3 Player, ATRAC3

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Chamco in disarray

Chamco Auto made headlines some time back when it was created, as it was the first formal launching of an initiative to sell Chinese cars in the U.S. Some months later they announced their plan of attack: first Mexico, then the U.S.

Chamco partners with China’s Hebei Zhongxing Automobile Company, Ltd. who will produce the cars to be sold.

But there’s trouble afoot.

The company’s board has fired chairman Bill Pollack (pictured), president Sam Tropello and consultant E. Michael Daspin, husband of the company’s largest shareholder.

Daspin is alleged to be the company’s de facto leader, a fact concealed to cover up a past felony fraud conviction.

A new executive team was installed on March 3, led by Mario Ferla as new CEO.… the bad news is that top officers and shareholders have now filed a civil suit for fraud, mismanagement and diversion of corporate funds by the company’s former managers.

Automotive News says:

"CEO Mario Ferla and his allies have sued owners and managers for fraud, alleging they skimmed millions from Chamco through bogus fees and excessive commissions."

A little off-topic, I found this reassuring tidbit on Chamco’s website:

"CHAMCO AUTO will not launch any vehicle unless and until it is proven to get on the road and stay on the road."

Read more at Automotive News.

Related articles:

• China cars, first Mexico then USA

• Chamco: another plan for Chinese cars to U.S.

Tags: automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, China, Chinese auto industry, Chinese automotive industry, Chamco, Chamco Auto, Bill Pollack, Sam Tropello, E. Michael Daspin, Hebei Zhongxing Automobile Company

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Internet scam by Network Solutions?

Internet domain stalwart Network Solutions is accused of unsportsmanlike conduct in a class action lawsuit.

According to the filing posted on PR Newswire:

Network Solutions has forced millions of people to buy Internet domain names from them instead of cheaper competitors through a scheme that’s netted the firm millions of dollars.

Whenever someone searches for the availability of a domain name through Network Solutions’ website, the company immediately registers the name for itself, preventing other companies from selling it and forcing consumers to pay Network Solutions’ expensive fees.

"… Each time someone asks Network Solutions about a domain name, the firm creates a monopoly for itself, forcing consumers to pay the price they demand," said Brian Kabateck, lead counsel in the class action suit and managing partner at consumer law firm Kabateck Brown Kellner’s.

The lawsuit also targets ICANN, the international organization that regulates domain names and other Internet protocols, stating ICANN is aware that Network Solutions is doing this and yet continues to facilitate its actions.

Tags: Network Solutions, Internet scams, ICANN, Brian Kabateck

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Failed IT Projects (Part 3): Boeing and U.S. Homeland Security

I recently came across ZDNet’s outlook on what they feel are the biggest three IT project failures in history.

Whether they are or not, the point is that even the largest, best organized companies and institutions can find insurmountable hurdles in a software project.

So, moving along, here’s the biggest IT disaster project in this ongoing series from ZDNet…

Failed IT Project #1:

Boeing and U.S. Homeland Security

Or… the $30 billion dollar high-tech fence

The widely publicized "virtual fence" project being built by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to prevent illegal immigrants from crossing the Mexican border via a high-tech network of cameras, lighting, sensors, and other technology, has hit some snags.

According to the Wall Street Journal:

Boeing Co. has changed the management of an electronic-surveillance project along the U.S.-Mexican border after falling more than two months behind schedule, marking the complications involved in setting up a new generation of border security.

The project, part of a larger Department of Homeland Security program called SBInet, is a critical link in the plan to use technology to monitor the borders for illegal immigrants, drug smugglers and possible terrorists. Towers set up along a stretch of the border near Nogales, Ariz., are supposed to use motion sensors, cameras and radar to keep track of wide areas. According to the government, Boeing has had trouble getting the different components to work together without glitches.

The government’s plans for monitoring as much as 6,000 miles of the Canadian and Mexican borders hinge on towers such as these working properly. If they prove ineffective, officials could be forced to spend billions of dollars for more traditional security measures, such as fences and more officers. The Homeland Security Department currently estimates that the virtual fence will cost about $8 billion through 2013, although the agency’s inspector general wrote last November that the cost could balloon to $30 billion.

Also see this article by Joseph Richey, of the Nation Institute, which funds investigative journalism:

In Washington, U.S. Congressional representatives are already bristling at the skyrocketing costs of SBInet. Since Boeing won the contract last year, the estimated cost of securing the southwest border has gone from $2.5 billion to an estimated $8 billion just a few months later. When Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter asked SBInet Director Giddens for the real costs at a February 2007 hearing of the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, Giddens replied: “I wish I could answer that with greater clarity.”

At the same Congressional hearings, Boeing vice president and SBInet program manager, Jerry McElwee, took heat from Congressman William Lacy Clay who demanded information about the ballooning costs and the extension of the contract period. “You bid on these contracts and then you come back and say, ‘Oh we need more time. It costs more than twice as much.’ Are you gaming the taxpayers here? Or gaming DHS?” the Missouri Democrat asked.

Related articles:

• Failed IT Project #3: Airbus and incompatible design software
• Failed IT Project #2: The UK National Health Service national e-health project

Tags: SBInet, illegal immigration, Homeland Security, IT disasters

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Daimler sues Chinese copycat

Daimler has just sued Chinese automaker Shuanghuan Automobile from unveiling its Noble, a Smart ForTwo look-alike, at the Bologna Auto Show last week. Daimler claims the Noble infringes on its design copyright for the Smart ForTwo.

Daimler also obtained a similar order in September to prevent Shuanghuan from showing the Noble at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

To give you an idea, see both models below. The Smart ForTwo is on top, the Noble below.

  

Martin Motors, Shuanghuan’s European distributor, says they will rename the Noble as the Bubble to avoid potential lawsuits with UK’s Noble Auto. And they say that Daimler’s suit is unfounded because the Noble/Bubble "is a four-seat, front-engined vehicle, while the Smart model is a two-seat car with a rear engine".

Read more at MotorTrader.

See also:

• BMW vs. Chinese copycats

Tags: automotive, auto industry, automotive industry, China, Chinese auto industry, Chinese automotive industry, Shuanghuan Automobile, Shuanghuan, Martin Motors, Noble, Bubble, intellectual property

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Failed IT Projects (Part 2): UK Health Care

I recently came across an article that mentioned the biggest three IT project failures in history, in the opinion of tech site ZDNet.

The point is that even the largest, best organized companies and institutions can find insurmountable hurdles in a software project.

So, moving along, here’s the next Big IT disaster project in this ongoing series…

Failed IT Projects #2:

The UK National Health Service national e-health project

The UK National Health Service (NHS) began a project some time ago to create nationwide e-health records and also upgrade their IT infrastructure.

Britain’s Labor government says the program will end up costing more than $55 billion dollars. The problem is that the original budget was $29 billion. That’s a $26 billion, or 90%, overrun.

As Information week says,

"The project, run by Accenture, Computer Sciences Corp., Fujitsu, and others, has been plagued by software problems and resistance from physicians. The vendors face big penalties if deadlines aren’t met. In March (2006), Accenture took a $450 million earnings hit as a result."

There’s more info at the Daily Mail.

Related articles:

• Failed IT Project #3: Airbus and incompatible design software
• Failed IT Project #2: The UK National Health Service national e-health project

Tags: UK NHS, IT projects, IT disasters

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Human tagging

A tiny RFID device is implanted subdermally in all employees.

Proximity scanners are then used to identify and track employee movement.

No, it’s not a scene from a posthumous Philip K. Dick novel, but an actual scenario that could be playing out soon at a workplace near you.

True news item #1: A company called VeriChip has been licensed by the FDA to sell implanted identification devices. Already 2,000 people have been tagged.

True news item #2: CityWatcher.com, a Cincinnati video surveillance company, has required employees from their secure data center to have a microchip implanted in an arm.

True news item #3: The California state Senate recently passed a bill to prevent "employers from requiring workers to have identification devices implanted under their skin". (The bill awaits Governor Schwarzenegger’s approval; he is expected to do so unless of course he receives instructions to the contrary imparted by evil robotic masters from the future).

True news item #4: Nine senators opposed the measure. One senator, Bob Margett, said it is "premature to legislate technology that has not yet proved to be a problem".

Read more at the LA Times.

Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, RFID, human tagging

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Chinese Internet scam

I just learned of an Internet scam coming from China that targets businesses and not consumers. I had never heard of it, but I’ve now read that it looks to be an old scam.

Here’s how it works:

1. A Chinese Internet domain registrar contacts your company and tells you that a local (Chinese) company has "pre-registered" your domain name in several formats, (www.yourcompany.com.cn, .cn, .net.cn, etc.). In my case they wrote to my personal email address (I’m CEO of a software company that specializes in the auto industry).

The subject of the email is very to the point: "Autologica Domain Names For Intellectual Property Disputation".

2. They tell you that a Chinese company has "suspiciously" applied for Chinese domain names that "infringe on your trademarks". Since they know this is "harmful to your business", they’ve put these registrations on hold and are giving you the chance to register them ASAP!

3. They also give you the chance to register your "keywords", á lá those old Internet Keywords offered way back in 2000 by long and deservedly defunct RealNames.

4. All you have to do is contact the Chinese registrar and they’ll take care of everything!

The email is written in such a personable style, complete with cute English language errors, and makes such good use of  the old quid pro quo tactic, that I was very much compelled to fall.

Of course, it’s all baloney. We immediately went to Godaddy and registered our Chinese domains on the spot.

Wait a minute… maybe that’s exactly what these guys wanted?! I feel like a perplexed Andy Garcia at the end of Ocean’s Eleven!

Tags: Internet scams, email scams

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