Another topic
Chris Anderson,
author of The Long Tail
and Makers,
discussed at the Consumer Electronics Show
was the rise of 3D printers
(printers that can replicate
3 dimensional objects).
The example he gave was doll furniture.
Doll furniture is outrageously expensive
compared to the materials used.
The scale of doll houses are different
so it is challenging to find pieces that fit.
And the selection is limited.
With 3D printers,
all of these issues go away.
Children can design their own custom furniture,
scaling it to fit their specific house,
and produce it without leaving their room
for the same cost or less.
What does this mean for
doll house furniture manufacturers?
They’re looking at possible obsolescence.
They’re facing the same challenges
the music industry and the publishing industry
are now facing.
3D printers are coming.
The prices are dropping
and the quality is improving.
Look at your business.
What can you do now
that will stop customers from switching?