Word: productivity
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High-tech concrete is just one of the products that have emerged from the research-and-development labs of cement, steel and chemicals firms this decade, and it signals an increasing commitment by heavy industry to the notion of "sustainability." As public pressure has grown to reduce energy use and carbon emissions--and in general to tread more lightly on the environment--companies in these industries have poured money into R&D efforts. Much of the work has focused on internal processes, especially on the critical task of how to lower emissions during manufacturing. But in their labs, scientists have...
...promote the site as more than a bidding exchange, Donahoe has given buyers more choice. He's encouraged fixed-price listings over auctions by having a Buy It Now price for most products and has reduced the fees to list items, while taking a bigger cut if a product sells. "We've done exactly what our sellers wanted, and sure enough, they are listing a lot more," says Donahoe. "The selection on eBay has never been greater...
Satoshi Yasui is the kind of designer who can riff on any product--including socks. Not just any socks, but comfy ones with a 90-degree heel, knit for a perfect fit by Czech grandmothers, that he and his 15-member design team at Muji transformed into one of the Japanese retailer's roughly 7,000 products. "They don't fall off like regular socks, which are usually manufactured with a 120-degree angle," explains Yasui, lifting one cuff of his black jeans to reveal a pair. Yasui--who has been with Muji since the Seiyu supermarket chain created...
...Muji-created product often starts with dialogue among merchandisers, outside designers (about 10 in Tokyo and six overseas) and the design team. The team, which meets weekly, has to negotiate the demands from various departments. For example, when the team designs housewares, the size and scale of the furniture might be taken into consideration. The team regularly gets feedback on how well it's doing: Muji holds company-wide exhibits, from which about 80% of new items are chosen. A five-member advisory board--which fine-tunes and vets Muji products from start to finish--has the final...
...brand also incorporates consumers and new talent into the design process. The Muji Award, now in its third year, took on the theme of "Found Muji" and invited designers worldwide to submit ideas that adapt existing products to fit a different lifestyle. Last year's winners included a customizable towel and a stackable clothes hanger. "We're still a fairly new team," says Masayuki Yoshida, World Muji product manager, who is responsible for coordinating with outside designers. New and young: the average age of a category manager is 30. But the concept of "no mark, quality goods," which is nearly...