Todays kids games will be the way we work in the future!

A few weeks ago, I headed to my brother in laws farm to get away and do some things "off the devices" for a while. Chop wood, ride motorbikes, light fires that sort of thing to clear my head. We had some lunch and he showed me this new educational book called i-Dinosaur that he had bought for his girls. My mind went suddenly into hyperdrive - eyes transfixed to the Ipad once again.

For those with kids, or kids at heart, we are constantly fascinated with the way mobile technology has changed our lives melting classic education to apps for mobile play. What I found particularly brilliant about i-dinosaur was that it takes something tangible (a book) and couples that with technology (an Ipad/Iphone app) to bring a dinosaur off the page and into an augmented reality.

Mixing education and play with reality and augmented reality. My head started spinning with possibilities. I spent some time watching how my 9 year old son took a pterodactyl off the page and started flying it around the kitchen, then having it "playfully and non realistically" attack his sister. AWESOME ! The app also allows for snapshot pictures with Dinosaurs, share to Facebook etc. All the while he probably didn't realise he learned a thing or two, so did all his cousins and his 5 year old sister, uncle, dad and Aunty.

Check out i-Dinosaur

I had a similar feeling again today when I found out about OSMO

Osmo is a device that allows an IPAD to interact with traditional toys and through technology, breath new life into them. Outstanding!! 

Check out Osmo here.

Now, of course, I had a few ideas around this and was thrilled to know that some of the Vitanneo team have worked on other projects for the likes of MATTEL that allowed Barbie dolls to come to life, right off the cardboard packaging, so that kids could "virtually" try before they buy. Even McDonalds is in on the act with their Emlings app that my 5 year old uploaded to my Iphone during her recent Happy Meal.

The future is here and crossing industries. Watch this space !

Innovation Story - KIDsize Living

I remember the day like it was yesterday. My wife came home from the gym and told me that she was on the treadmill chatting to her friend Eileen about starting a business. They talked about the inability to find things to do with their kids in the local area, they talked about their passions, experience and wanting an income, and how"going back to the office" was a tough pill to swallow. So armed with their talent, determination and a bloody good idea, KIDsize Living was born.

At the time I was working my day job, but had the means to bring this venture quickly to market. Kathrine and Eileen worked days and nights (around the kids) to build content, data, and social media presence. I worked on website functionality, implementing the design and worked closely with Kathrine and Eileen to make their dream a reality.

Every start-up business has its challenges. This was no exception, however, the team had some pretty handy "assets" at their disposal to get the job done. The most important asset of all, a dedication to making this business a success through creativity, innovation and clever positioning of the business offer with absolute focus on what was important- the customer and keeping the idea simple.

As an observer to the growth and success of this business, the key points that KIDsize Living would teach any would be start-up are

1. Don't just listen to your gut, act on it ! 

It would have been very easy to listen to the naysayers and follow the the norm of building "another mum brand". With the customer being the focus, and understanding the customer need, the brand was able to build a community and trusted network of clients. 

2. Learn your lessons fast !

Look to other industries, other countries and people in different walks of life to find ways to enhance your business offering. 

3. Believe, believe, believe !

Believe in your passion - it will get you through those tough times balancing everything that needs to be done (in the business and outside of it). Believe in your talent. Everyone is unique and everyone has the ability to bring something different to the world. Believe in the goal. Anything is achievable, keep your focus, dare to dream.

KIDsize Living are currently expanding. The model of creating a "hyperlocal" community based business will provide a new world of opportunity for new business owners within the KIDsize Living brand. When I asked Kathrine and Eileen "What are you selling to Licensees" the answer was something I didn't really expect. 

"We are selling the opportunity to families to live their lives with their kids, and make a living from it!"

Taking this answer to something I can relate to, Vitanneo innovated their business model to one that enables the founders to capture, create and deliver higher values to customers through an expanded network of entrepreneurs. We provided the platform for KIDsize Living to offer the opportunity to others to build a company within the brand.

For the founders, the talented individuals chosen to represent the brand will bring their personal experiences, creativity and ideas to the brand. 

Needless to say, Vitanneo are thrilled to be a small part of the KIDsize Living  journey. We look forward to achieving every success as your innovation partner.

http://smetv.today/videos/smetv-digital-creating-a-successful-online-business-with-kidsize-living/