I think one of the most interesting questions would be, how did he make it to be the CEO of B&O.

A question that would not be pleasant, but still curious, do they sometimes mark the price up on products, simply because they can? 

The B&O Automotive division,
can we expect other car-brands with a B&O sound system ?

Here we go Lee! 

1) What about linking high definition video? maybe in a new ML generation?

2) BluRay or HD-DVD?

3) Beo5 is not a full learning 3 third parties brand IR codes, do they have still "fear" to open their compatibility to non B&O products?

4) It will be a come back to a two way remote in a future new beo5 generation (or similar) for N.Music control or other multimedia? 

5) They have definitely retired from their own light control area?

6) What about "media-center" computers concept way as home multimedia platform?

7) Do B&O increase their partnership development strategy in sectors like computers for example? the same as mobile phones, lighting, mp3 players, dvd recorders, beamers, etc... 

Thank you B&O for listen the Beoworld community !

Sal:

wtlc2zpx:

Sal:

(3) Is there a prospect for true wireless masterlink. Beolink wireless is as such rather crippled in that respect.

You know they have updated the Beolink wireless and it is more like a wireless masterlink now... 

Really? I should read up on it... Thanks!

See  http://forum.beoworld.org/forums/thread/29733.aspx 

Hmm I'm not sure Torben will be at ease if questions concern technical issues, as he may not have the answers at all.. After all, he's not the engineer but the CEO. I'm not sure he will unveil about future products and technical strategy/choices (HD or BluRay?..)

My question, should I meet him, would probably sound like "What was or is the most challenging thing you have ever faced as the CEO of Bang & Olufsen? (And that you may have not suspected before taking this position)."

And as a bonus, I would add "Bang & Olufsen is a brand clearly identified and renowned in the world for products that combine very sharp notions of design, savoir-faire or user-ability and performance. As the CEO, he's probably well aware of the pressure before (and after!) every B&O product release (all that by the way brings B&O as a gemini of another brand : Apple). If so, can this pressure sometimes be a blocker (to innovate for example) ?

And still, how does he explain that some B&O products clearly don't go through this path B&O is all acknowledged for? (BeoSound 6, being the very example of the product that meets none of the criteria listed in the B&O expertise domain..)

Good luck Lee!

Philippe

Maybe B&O should use more BeoWorld's huge customer/user market for product development in order to avoid commercial flops like BeoSound 6.. and outdated products like DVD2 or BeoVox 1..or BeoMedia 1.

Follow technology more closely, let us work with the prototypes & tell them what needs to be changed or improved before being launched!

Get new designers to give some fresh breath to the B&O range, I think David Lewis is going in too many directions at the moment.

Have single platforms for all TVs & audio systems to save on production costs & focus on user friendliness

Update BeoLink concept before it becomes too late (Masterlink is more than 10 years old!). 

Philippe:

Hmm I'm not sure Torben will be at ease if questions concern technical issues, as he may not have the answers at all.. After all, he's not the engineer but the CEO. I'm not sure he will unveil about future products and technical strategy/choices (HD or BluRay?..)

My question, should I meet him, would probably sound like "What was or is the most challenging thing you have ever faced as the CEO of Bang & Olufsen? (And that you may have not suspected before taking this position)."

And as a bonus, I would add "Bang & Olufsen is a brand clearly identified and renowned in the world by products that combine very sharp notions of design, savoir-faire or user-ability and performance. As the CEO, he's probably well aware of the pressure before (and after!) every B&O product release (all that by the way brings B&O as a gemini of another brand : Apple). If so, can this pressure sometimes be a blocker (to innovate for example) ?

And still, how does he explain that some B&O products clearly don't go through this path B&O is all acknowledged for? (BeoSound 6, being the very example of the product that meets none of the criteria listed in the B&O expertise domain..)

Good luck Lee!

Philippe

That is a BRILLIANT second question Philippe and I am completly with you on that one. Poli Kala paidi mou! Me lene Sim'e'on kai eimai misos Ellinas. Apo pou eisai sthn Melbourne akrivos? Gia...

Simon.

Philippe:

Hmm I'm not sure Torben will be at ease if questions concern technical issues, as he may not have the answers at all.. After all, he's not the engineer but the CEO. I'm not sure he will unveil about future products and technical strategy/choices (HD or BluRay?..)

My question, should I meet him, would probably sound like "What was or is the most challenging thing you have ever faced as the CEO of Bang & Olufsen? (And that you may have not suspected before taking this position)."

And as a bonus, I would add "Bang & Olufsen is a brand clearly identified and renowned in the world by products that combine very sharp notions of design, savoir-faire or user-ability and performance. As the CEO, he's probably well aware of the pressure before (and after!) every B&O product release (all that by the way brings B&O as a gemini of another brand : Apple). If so, can this pressure sometimes be a blocker (to innovate for example) ?

And still, how does he explain that some B&O products clearly don't go through this path B&O is all acknowledged for? (BeoSound 6, being the very example of the product that meets none of the criteria listed in the B&O expertise domain..)

Good luck Lee!

Philippe

Philippe... I meant France (not Melbourne) ... I am assuming you are Greek and living in France?

Philippe:

Hmm I'm not sure Torben will be at ease if questions concern technical issues, as he may not have the answers at all.. After all, he's not the engineer but the CEO. I'm not sure he will unveil about future products and technical strategy/choices (HD or BluRay?..)

My question, should I meet him, would probably sound like "What was or is the most challenging thing you have ever faced as the CEO of Bang & Olufsen? (And that you may have not suspected before taking this position)."

And as a bonus, I would add "Bang & Olufsen is a brand clearly identified and renowned in the world by products that combine very sharp notions of design, savoir-faire or user-ability and performance. As the CEO, he's probably well aware of the pressure before (and after!) every B&O product release (all that by the way brings B&O as a gemini of another brand : Apple). If so, can this pressure sometimes be a blocker (to innovate for example) ?

And still, how does he explain that some B&O products clearly don't go through this path B&O is all acknowledged for? (BeoSound 6, being the very example of the product that meets none of the criteria listed in the B&O expertise domain..)

Good luck Lee!

Philippe

Very good questions!  

The Beonic Man:

Philippe... I meant France (not Melbourne) ... I am assuming you are Greek and living in France?

Hey Simon! Actually I'm French (though I have portuguese genes from my father), so I'm afraid I didn't quite get your greek sentence, but I'm curious : what made you think I was greek, ... My face?

Peter:

Very good questions!  

Thanks Peter, that was my 1st job this morning, even before taking my breakfast! I'm this dedicated to Beoworld

Hope everything's fine for you my friend...

Philippe

Hello Lee,

Here are some questions :

- With the development of partnership with companies like Samsung, do you think this will impact the freedom of creativity of your current designers ?
(I mean, the designers at B&O are working on a freelance basis.  In this situation, they may face some restriction concerning the designing part of the product, in order to match the Samsung business agreements).
- Working with other brands will dilute the trendy (luxe) reputation  that B&O is proud of ?
For example, Samsung isn't positioned in the luxury field, at the opposite of B&O.
- Then having the same product stamped with two different brands, will that marketing strategy lead the customer to be confused about the level marketing position of the B&O products ?

I am referring to the case of Porsche. That company made the Cayenne which has some similarities with the Volkswagen Touareg. At the time, many customers thought the Cayenne was not really a Porsche because at an inferior price, you could get approximatively the same car.
- Can this business case apply with the Serenata or the BS6 products ?   Personaly I think those two products do not reflect the image of B&O for the same reason.

Another question concerns the strategy of "exclusive shops" that sell only one brand, B&O. With the development of partnership with other brands, B&O acts differently and allow its products to be sold outside its selling-network. This applies to the entry level products.
- What is your opinion about having a first class product (B&O) sold in multi-brands retail stores, that sell average quality produts ?
- Do you think the customers will position B&O at the same level of second class brands like Samsung or Sony in this case ?
They could say :  "why buying a Serenata knowing the fact that I can purchase the Samsung model at a better price".

- What is the strategy for the future concerning such partnerships ?
- Will B&O plan to outsource more of its production taskforce outside Struer ?

 Guy

 

Chrisreunion:

Follow technology more closely, let us work with the prototypes & tell them what needs to be changed or improved before being launched!

That would be a excellent method of design and production! 

David:

I think one of the most interesting questions would be, how did he make it to be the CEO of B&O.

A question that would not be pleasant, but still curious, do they sometimes mark the price up on products, simply because they can? 

David:

Chrisreunion:

Follow technology more closely, let us work with the prototypes & tell them what needs to be changed or improved before being launched!

That would be a excellent method of design and production! 

I agree !

Here is another question Lee,

- With the Beovocal Panel that has been set up, will B&O plan to organize special workshops with pre-selectioned business intelligence supporters in a close future ?

As B&O is willing to get closer to their customers,  what is your opinion about "recruiting" (workshops) a panel of users from Beoworld, at an early stage of the conception of a new product, and let them transmit their feedbacks ? This, in order to find-out what needs to be improved or corrected before entering the production phase ?

Guy 

A question I'd like to ask, 'As technology is revolving more and more around software and other highly specialised areas, how is B&O adapting in terms of R&D?'

Why do B&O produce the DVD2 and HDR2 with analogue tuners when a digital turner is offered by B&O in other products (BC6, BV9, etc, etc)?

Philippe:

The Beonic Man:

Philippe... I meant France (not Melbourne) ... I am assuming you are Greek and living in France?

Hey Simon! Actually I'm French (though I have portuguese genes from my father), so I'm afraid I didn't quite get your greek sentence, but I'm curious : what made you think I was greek, ... My face?

Peter:

Very good questions!  

Thanks Peter, that was my 1st job this morning, even before taking my breakfast! I'm this dedicated to Beoworld

Hope everything's fine for you my friend...

Philippe

Hi Philippe! Well yes you are very Greek looking. It was that and your name that led me to assume you were Greek. Its a compliment! Great set of questions anyway, I particularly like your second one so I would encourage Lee to definitely put these on his list. How long have you been a B&O fan Philippe? I was hooked from the moment I first walked into a B&O dealership in London, which was in the early 80s. Best wishes, Simon.

Philippe:

The Beonic Man:

Philippe... I meant France (not Melbourne) ... I am assuming you are Greek and living in France?

Hey Simon! Actually I'm French (though I have portuguese genes from my father), so I'm afraid I didn't quite get your greek sentence, but I'm curious : what made you think I was greek, ... My face?

Peter:

Very good questions!  

Thanks Peter, that was my 1st job this morning, even before taking my breakfast! I'm this dedicated to Beoworld

Hope everything's fine for you my friend...

Philippe

Hi Philippe! Well yes you are very Greek looking. It was that and your name that led me to assume you were Greek. Its a compliment! Great set of questions anyway, I particularly like your second one so I would encourage Lee to definitely put these on his list. How long have you been a B&O fan Philippe? I was hooked from the moment I first walked into a B&O dealership in London, which was in the early 80s. Best wishes, Simon.

Mr. Torben Ballegaard Sørensen                                                                      January 4, 2006

Bang & Olufsen a/s       

Peter Bangs VEJ15

DK 7600, Struer

Dear Mr. Sørensen,

I am writing in hopes that you might briefly indulge the thoughts of one of your company’s most adamant supporters.

I am a loyal Bang & Olufsen user and have been for the past several years.  I love your company, your company’s history, and, of course, your products.  I literally daydream about B&O equipment.  I am also a loyal Apple computer user having switched from Windows powered machines about five years ago.  Over the past several years, I have sold many of my friends on the virtues of both B&O and Apple products.  In my humble opinion, B&O and Apple share many similar corporate ideals and, therefore, B&O and Apple subsequently share similar customers.  Both companies design simple, ergonomic, and integrated products that appeal to individuals who appreciate technology working “invisibly” in the background to make for a cleaner user experience.  And, both companies value ergonomics and design more so than their respective competitors.

Though B&O and Apple certainly make a few similar products, I likewise see these two companies as more complementary to each other rather than outright competitors.  B&O is primarily an audio / video equipment manufacturer, and Apple is primarily a computer software / hardware manufacturer (and soon to be media distributer).  In my opinion, B&O makes the best A/V equipment and Apple makes the best A/V software.  I foresee Apple’s software becoming increasingly important in the arena of consumer media consumption.  I would therefore very much like to see B&O work more closely with Apple; in fact, I see any union of these two companies’ products as a way of solidifying and guaranteeing B&O’s future presence in the rapidly changing marketplace that is consumer media.

For the past couple of years, I have actually contemplated writing you and enclosing a piece of Apple equipment (a wireless Apple Airport Express WiFi hub) as I would love to somehow convince someone within your company of the elegance of Apple’s software and what I see as Apple’s plan to change the way consumers acquire music and video.  I keep hesitating to do so as I realize that this would seem incredibly audacious on my part - I am not an engineer or audio / video specialist (I am actually a retinal surgeon).  Also, I realize that B&O has it’s own audio / visual software, it’s own “media hub”, and it’s own mp3 player.  Yet, I believe in my heart that Apple is about to change things in a very fundamental way, and I want B&O to be a part of this change.

Just to briefly outline what I see happening to the A/V market from the perspective of a well-informed consumer:  I see Apple’s iTunes software and Apple’s wireless audio and video hubs as revolutionizing the way music and video are acquired and played.  These integrated pieces of software and hardware have changed the way we listen to music in my house - we now send it wirelessly to our B&O stereos from our Apple computers.  These integrated solutions are driven by a magnificently clean user interface that incorporates constantly updating software that also allows for music and videos to be purchased.  And, Apple’s software allows me to do this for either Apple or Windows based computers.  I have also set up this same type of home audio system for many of my friends (using a combination of B&O and Apple equipment), and I have been able to experience first-hand how much people enjoy this particular confluence of technology.  Soon, we will be able to do this with video, too, when Apple releases their “iTV” product (name subject to change).  I fully expect to wirelessly send movies to my B&O television in the very near future.

I believe that Apple’s market share in terms of computer users will start to significantly rise over the next few years, but (more importantly) I believe that Apple’s software and their wireless hubs will find their way in to consumers’ living rooms (regardless of which type of computer, stereo, or TV the consumer owns).  I also believe that Apple will soon introduce some sort of computer based audio-video “server” that will become the proverbial and oft-promised “digital hub” that consumers have anticipated for so long.  And, I believe that this digital hub will (like the iPod and iTunes) be designed for Windows and Apple machines, and (like the iPod and iTunes) become the de facto standard.

My humble suggestion is that B&O find a way to partner with Apple and start using Apple’s software (which runs on Windows and Apple machines) to power your hardware.  I realize that this would represent a fundamental shift in philosophy for B&O away from “in house” software design.  However, if Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs, were to demo B&O televisions and audio systems utilizing Apple’s forthcoming “media hub” and software, I believe it would be a boon to your company that would actually make it difficult for B&O to keep up with demand.  Likewise, and with all due respect, I see Apple’s software design teams as better than those of any other company (including Microsoft and B&O) as Apple is simply so committed to this vision and so good at designing the “end user experience”.

In talking with some B&O employees, I get the impression that B&O does not contemplate the Apple market much (if I am wrong, please excuse my ignorance).  Part of this may be based on Apple’s seemingly meager market share, but, as I pointed out, I see this as a moot point as Apple’s audio / video software will be independent of computer type.  As an aside, because B&O and Apple attract the same type of consumer, I believe that the percentage of B&O users who also use Apple computers is much higher than the percentage of Apple computer users in the general market place.

Thank you for taking the time to read my overly lengthy letter.  For the record, I do realize how truly ridiculous it must sound having someone like me write someone like you and offer advice about future corporate trends.  I am very passionate about both B&O and Apple, and I so desperately want these two companies’ products to better integrate.  Plus, I obviously feel that some sort of union like the one I am proposing would offer future dividends for B&O as well as secure B&O’s place in an increasingly volatile marketplace.  Please also know that it is not my intention to in any way denigrate B&O’s software, wireless efforts, or the Beomedia product.  On the contrary, my sole impetus in writing this letter was to offer my admittedly amateurish outlook on a topic that I feel has the potential to strongly effect a company that I love very much  - Bang & Olufsen.

Sincerely,

Mark J. Douglas, MD

P.S.  I would love to send you an Apple Airport Express or Apple’s upcoming “iTV” product (when it comes out in a few months) if these are things you might like to personally try.  I only hesitated in doing so out of fear that a package being sent from a consumer to the president of a company might not actually make it in to your hands.  Please do not hesitate to contact me about sending you one of these devices - it would be my honor to do so.

Wow, great letter!

 And you were quite right with your expectations about Apple! 

So nice to see there is another Apple-Fan here  

Hi, there are a lot of Apple fan here... including me...

Once upon a time Apple was completely ignored by B&O as the market share was considered to small. They were ignoring that the market share of Mac owner amongst B&O owner was considerably higher.

I also heard that B&O did not want to be associated at the time with a consumer brand.

But things have changed significantly in the last couple of years...

• Besound2 got a plugin for iTunes.
• Beomedia1 got a software to work with mac.
• B&O did a deal to support BMLink officially.
• Apple Remote is supported in their new PUC (and therefore Apple TV, iPod dock, Mac mini...)

... so the support is not complete, but it is there.

That said, i'd also like to see a bigger partnership.