Two things stood out throughout the call in my view.
#1) Martin was very careful about differentiating between "positive feedback ,
response etc. and using the word "sales"
Once in particular he said something to the effect of " this is why people are buying
it" and a short time later corrected himself saying " the feedback we are getting is
indicating that the look as is they are going to buy it"
Things look very good in their view but at present ardes 2K is strictly still in the
test before you buy tire kicking stage.
I for one wish someone would have asked what they were using as a criteria to
conclude that initial response has been "very positive".
I got the impression in their view it was being based on "peoples willing to test try the product"
versus " people actually saying YES! we will be ordering ardes 2K now that we tried it.
I would appreciate your and any other persons view on this... was impression I received anyway....
Martin himself claims they have sent out several copies and are pleased in that they have received * 2 * "potoential commitment" responses thus far giving the inclination they will, with a high degree of likelyhood, looks like they will be buying additional beyond the test kit.
Its alway looking real good
but
never " YES XYZ Company said we are going to buy 250 copies to be delivered next week.
Specifics- sales , names times numbers etc.
Never see any of it!
Always dancing around anything specific..all this dribble but no names,numbers, sales, times, etc.
#2) To me many things seem very much up in the air yet. Licensing, turnover,marketing, licencing agreements, alliences as well as Coop venturing into larger markets different segments of the market. What plans are after year 2000. Lots of generalities but nothing specific. Again... very much just shoot from the hip.
Marketing stategy etc. Some vague generalities but no real specific as in
1,2,3 as per our business plan etc.
This is hot... this is not.. here is where we are going... this is where we are focusing on... this is our market ... this is not.
They are sort of just take the attitude that " Yah ! we like it all and are exploring every avenue and we think everyting is looking pretty good right now and people are telling us that they like out stuff and we have lots of things working but nothings real hot or cold right now.
As I say,I came away with the impression they think all is going well but that they are still in
a "shoot from the hip" phase because the market still has still not demonstrated a
finite clear picture of exactly what is wanted or needed yet. No one size company
or sector has shown any particular direction. When asked Martin himself said
inquiries into all 3 phases in the business range all over the board. Small companies
to fortune 1000. Every kind of company imaginable.
I came away thinking the market was more defined by this time. It appears it still is
not. Looks promising but nobody really knows exactly what the size or scope of
the problem is actually going to end up yet. |
