The Network Garden

This clip is from the movie ‘Hudsucker Proxy’ (by the Coen Brothers), and it does a great job of capturing all of the elements that have to go right for a product to succeed in the market.

It’s not enough to have compelling or unique functionality, if the specific, tangible benefits are not clear to the end user.

In the movie, the backstory is the creation of the Hula Hoop, and the executive behind it (played by Tim Robbins) naively pointing at this giant plastic ring…before anyone had a clue what a Hula Hoop was…and saying:

“You know, it’s for kids.” As if it would be self-evident.

But as the scene shows, it is decidedly not.

I love metaphors, and the narratives they enable one to cast. The scene BEAUTIFULLY illustrates what happens when product-market fit is not clear…and what happens when it SUDDENLY is.

At my company, when we have discussions with clients that fall into the trap of focusing on features and functionality, instead of benefits and outcomes, I send an instant message of “You know, it’s for kids” as a trigger to gets folks back on track.

If you appreciate film-making and story telling, this scene is SO well done, timeless, funny and hopeful.

We need more hope and optimism for a better day ahead in our lives.

Give it a look.