General Forum

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

linder — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:47:56 GMT

bayerische:

linder:

Yes I continue to buy CDs. CDs are also the ultimate backup for hard disk failure which does happen.

I also continue to buy CD's, but a bunch (Most) of the music I want to buy isn't available at shops... And the CD collection at physical stores is shrinking, unless one makes due with Lady Gaga. This isn't my or anyones fault per se, it's simply the future. Downloads are taking over, across the board.

To be fair, excellent and simple HD backups are available, say Apples Time machine. Hard drive failure panics and fears should be a thing of the past. Keep your stuff backed up, and you are all good.

CD's get easily damaged too. I pamper mine, still I manage to get the occasional scratch.

All is very true. I have 2 Time Machines...1 TB and 2TB. On iTunes, the backup is really easy. I still have to figure out how I want to backup the Beomaster 5. I buy all of my CDs on Amazon on the US site but occasionally on the British and French Amazon sites. I have purchased a CD on the Japan Amazon site once which was a real challenge.

Lady Gaga is also on vinyl for the purist! Ha!

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

TripEnglish — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:40:03 GMT

StUrrock:

At this present time many previously successful Bang & Olufsen showrooms cannot survive selling B&O alone.

Indeed B&O are telling their dealers to become solution centres.

In our case without the other third party products, we would just not survive!

For us the B&O down turn has been a God send, it has forced us to widen our appeal, by adding a carefully selected collection of additional products and services. This has stimulated our minds and increased our bank balance!

Some 'traditional' B&O retailers have found this a big challenge!!!!!!!

Don't get me wrong there are still some brilliant products in our range, but we have too many also rans.

Symmes,

This.

-Trip

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

bayerische — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:35:35 GMT

linder:

Yes I continue to buy CDs. CDs are also the ultimate backup for hard disk failure which does happen.

I also continue to buy CD's, but a bunch (Most) of the music I want to buy isn't available at shops... And the CD collection at physical stores is shrinking, unless one makes due with Lady Gaga. This isn't my or anyones fault per se, it's simply the future. Downloads are taking over, across the board.

To be fair, excellent and simple HD backups are available, say Apples Time machine. Hard drive failure panics and fears should be a thing of the past. Keep your stuff backed up, and you are all good.

CD's get easily damaged too. I pamper mine, still I manage to get the occasional scratch.

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

linder — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:14:49 GMT

I don't think there is much of an argument about today's technology depreciating the listening experience. A few years ago I was excited about the prospect of buying music over the internet as in iTunes and Amazon downloads Buying music this way is a good idea. One can listen to a preview of the music and get almost instant delivery. Also there is no packaging or shipping charges. However nothing has improved much. iTunes is still 256 AAC and does not sound as good as a CD. I have a Beosound 5 and only rip CDs in the lossless format to get the CD quality sound Who would spend $7000 for a player and $23000 for Beolab 5s and expect nothing but the best fidelity. Yes I continue to buy CDs. CDs are also the ultimate backup for hard disk failure which does happen.

I am hoping the latest technology means portable devices such as an iPods or iPhones being used to play music on Beosound 8 like players. This would also include Airplay. I have used Airplay to show photos on my TV using an Apple TV which is convenient. As an Apple user I am still waiting for Airprint!

Everyone wants cutting edge technology. However usually only large electronics manufacturers can do this. If you want Bang and Olufsen to take risks in newer technologies in a shorter time, expect it to not be the company we know today.

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

Mr10Percent — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:19:15 GMT

TerryM:
Do the young not demand cutting edge technology?
For example,take the Beosound 8.Why does it not incorporate Airplay?

Interesting question.

Do you mean technology as in transmitting compressed music over a bluetooth type frequency band or

technology as in hifi sound fidelity as heard in the Beolab 5?

One could certainly argue that a lot of todays "technology" is depreciating the listening experience in favour of convienience and mobility.

Which one is good, which one is wrong? are both, are neither?

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

StUrrock — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:07:14 GMT

At this present time many previously successful Bang & Olufsen showrooms cannot survive selling B&O alone.

Indeed B&O are telling their dealers to become solution centres.

In our case without the other third party products, we would just not survive!

For us the B&O down turn has been a God send, it has forced us to widen our appeal, by adding a carefully selected collection of additional products and services. This has stimulated our minds and increased our bank balance!

Some 'traditional' B&O retailers have found this a big challenge!!!!!!!

Don't get me wrong there are still some brilliant products in our range, but we have too many also rans.

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

akoro — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 08:57:08 GMT

It seems that B&O has got in touch with Alberto Torres (who just left Nokia, Meego and Vertu) and asked him to join Board of directors http://www.bang-olufsen.com/Userfiles/File/Investors/Extraordinary_GM/PDF1UK.pdf .

Alberto has been in charge of Meego and he must have really good connections to Intel. This sounds like good news to me.

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

TripEnglish — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:38:34 GMT

StUrrock:

IMHO Their franchise model for stores cannot continue to survive in its current form.

With the current mix of products this is as close to absolute truth as you can get.

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

symmes — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:16:24 GMT

StUrrock:

IMHO Their franchise model for stores cannot continue to survive in its current form.

Say more.

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

StUrrock — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:10:01 GMT

IMHO Their franchise model for stores cannot continue to survive in its current form.

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

TerryM — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 09:19:47 GMT

Do the young not demand cutting edge technology?

Is B & O capable of providing this?

For example,take the Beosound 8.Why does it not incorporate Airplay?

B & W have already completely redesigned the Zeppelin to incorporate it,provide superior sound quality to the Mark 1 version,and at a cheaper price.

As for Asia---to concentrate on it to the detriment of existing markets could well be a recipe for disaster,if potential buyers there decide that design,and build quality without technical innovation,and possible incompatability with existing equipment,is insufficient.

What then for B & O?

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

beocool — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 04:20:16 GMT

linder:

beocool:

linder:

Are people ready for Bang and Olufsen to become like Apple? All of their products are manufactured in China. Apple is essentially a company that does engineering, software, and industrial design. Apple is also a retail business with the largest music store in the world. They make great products but not in their own factories. I really don't have a problem with that but I thought I would mention the possibility of that type of change. B&O would certainly be able to implement new technologies more quickly if it didn't do manufacturing.

Personally I have no problem with production outside of Denmark. A big question for me would be: Can you outsource the manufacturing of aluminium parts. I think the surface treatment of aluminium is one of B&O core competences; the company even supplies aluminium parts to BMW and other carmanufacturers. It would be a shame if this quality got lost.

There are many possibilities. The aluminum process and manufacturing could be sold to another company with a large scale of efficiency which would reduce cost for everyone including BMW.

I think the point is nothing is sacred in the development of the plan which will cut cost, improve efficiencies, and improve profit.

I am hoping the present plan is sufficient for product development. All they would have to do is cut costs and wait for the end of the recession.

I am not convinced that B&O should outsource one of their core competences. Outsourcing everything else is another matter.

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

linder — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 02:43:34 GMT

beocool:

linder:

Are people ready for Bang and Olufsen to become like Apple? All of their products are manufactured in China. Apple is essentially a company that does engineering, software, and industrial design. Apple is also a retail business with the largest music store in the world. They make great products but not in their own factories. I really don't have a problem with that but I thought I would mention the possibility of that type of change. B&O would certainly be able to implement new technologies more quickly if it didn't do manufacturing.

Personally I have no problem with production outside of Denmark. A big question for me would be: Can you outsource the manufacturing of aluminium parts. I think the surface treatment of aluminium is one of B&O core competences; the company even supplies aluminium parts to BMW and other carmanufacturers. It would be a shame if this quality got lost.

There are many possibilities. The aluminum process and manufacturing could be sold to another company with a large scale of efficiency which would reduce cost for everyone including BMW.

I think the point is nothing is sacred in the development of the plan which will cut cost, improve efficiencies, and improve profit.

I am hoping the present plan is sufficient for product development. All they would have to do is cut costs and wait for the end of the recession.

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

beocool — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 02:29:29 GMT

linder:

Are people ready for Bang and Olufsen to become like Apple? All of their products are manufactured in China. Apple is essentially a company that does engineering, software, and industrial design. Apple is also a retail business with the largest music store in the world. They make great products but not in their own factories. I really don't have a problem with that but I thought I would mention the possibility of that type of change. B&O would certainly be able to implement new technologies more quickly if it didn't do manufacturing.

Personally I have no problem with production outside of Denmark. A big question for me would be: Can you outsource the manufacturing of aluminium parts. I think the surface treatment of aluminium is one of B&O core competences; the company even supplies aluminium parts to BMW and other carmanufacturers. It would be a shame if this quality got lost.

Re: Which path to choose for Bang and Olufsen (from www.business.dk)

linder — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 23:34:44 GMT

I agree that B&O needs to do better whatever that might be. I also agree they need to appeal to the younger crowd. However the simple answer is we need to get beyond the recession and people need to spend some money on new B&O products. The new CEO needs to figure out how to get more customers. He need to figure out how to sell more products not only in China but also in places like India and Brazil. I admit Brazil is a problem because of high tariffs but maybe the EU can do something about that.

Are people ready for Bang and Olufsen to become like Apple? All of their products are manufactured in China. Apple is essentially a company that does engineering, software, and industrial design. Apple is also a retail business with the largest music store in the world. They make great products but not in their own factories. I really don't have a problem with that but I thought I would mention the possibility of that type of change. B&O would certainly be able to implement new technologies more quickly if it didn't do manufacturing.