I had the opportunity to experience this show first hand. I first heard about the the "Fore Inventors Only" show through an associate from work. The winner of the show was to get a contract with "Golf Smith" and their product was to be placed in their show room in addition to having an infomercial created and aired on the Golf Channel.
I applied and was one of the lucky ones to be chosen and interviewed to participate in the first round. To be interviewed, I had to fly down to Orlando Florida. The interviews took place at the Ginn Resort. What a great place to be. I was there with approximately 90 other chosen participates. This first round of interviews was one of five locations throughout the country. This was the initial screening. I had the opportunity to meet with a variety of inventors in the golf industry. The panel consisted of three assistant producers of the show. I was able to show them the Golf Cradle, how it worked, price points, and at what level of production I was at. The Golf Cradle was well received. The hardest part of this stage was that the results of the panel's decision was not going to be conveyed to us until a week latter.
I was lucky enough to make it through the first round of interviews. I was asked to return to Orlando again to have my product reviewed by a second panel of judges. Ninety inventors were asked to return to have their products scrutinized by a panel of golf professionals. Again the review was to take place at the Ginn resort in Orlando. This time, we stayed at the resort with all expenses paid. As we progressed through the process, all stages of the show were being recorded for a reality T.V.show to be aired on the Golf Channel. On the panel, there was a Television host, a teaching pro, and a P.G.A. playing professional.
At first, we were all brought into a large room and were seated together. We each had to wait our turn for the panel evaluation. My interview was scheduled at the end of the day. As I was called into the room, I was instantly being taped by, at my count of at least five different television camars. Before walking into the room, I was "miked up" and given a briefing as to what I should expect. As I walked into the room, in front of me were three Golf Professionals waiting to evaluate the Golf Cradle. Again, I had to present the Golf Cradle as to its function, price points, level of production, and my expectations. This was a great opportunity to "show off" the value of the Golf Cradle. The major difference between the first panel and this panel was that the evaluation was to take place immediately following my presentation. This was the most difficulty part of the process. Each judge had the opportunity to give their opinion as to function, value, and practicality of the Golf Cradle being sold in the "Golf Smith" store. I was lucky enough to be valued enough to make to the next level of the show: the Field Testing.
The Field Testing again took place again at the Ginn Resort in Orlando Florida. We were flown down to Orlando, Florida and put up at the resort. This level of the competition took on a more serious approach. It was presented to us that there was a great deal to be gained from winning the competition. It was a three day process. It entailed a taping interview and the actual field testing. We were to clear our calenders to stay for a whole week. If we made it through the field testing, we were expected to stay for the next round which consisted for more taping and interviews.
Our field testing went very well. They put the Golf Cradle into the back of a pick-up truck. The driver, one of the judges, put on a helmet and raced around the parking lot. In addition, they had the host of the show walk through a cross walk while the driver of the truck having to stop quickly to avoid hitting him. Yea, it appeared to be a joke and more of a spoof than an actual testing. Nether the less, it was air time and the Golf Cradle held up as expected.
One would of thought by passing the evaluation and the field testing, it would have made it through to the next round. However, as they brought all thirty three of us back into the large room to read off the products that made it through the next round. The Golf Cradle fell short.
In all the experience was incredible. I met the majority of the other inventors and made a lot of friends. We still keep in contact as we try to push our products to the next level.
www.golfcradle.com
Friday, September 25, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
On the Road....
www.golfcradle.com
On the Road with 14 shows in 14 different Cities. What a great experience and if the company could afford it, we would be doing it every season. The reason I write this is because every show that I attended from sign up to the full weekend cost the company approximately $4000.00.
These small regional shows were a great way to introduce the Golf Cradle and really experience the event of a sale. It was a "rush" for me. We had a booth developed and a portable credit card machine. The set-up was there. However, what became difficult was the traveling and the complications that go along with that. The weather, flat tires, accommodations, salesman misusing the credit cards, and making sure we were appropriately staffed at each show. The typical stuff that accompanies the issues companies face while being on the road. Our trailer was brand new and was logo-ed. Traveling and watching peoples reactions to our trailer and product was the most exciting part from me.
I am planning to go on the circuit again, once I am able to secure the funds to do so. I am looking to obtain some business grants to help defer the expense. I have some great ideas for new advertising and I am eager to get on the road again...
www.golfcradle.com
On the Road with 14 shows in 14 different Cities. What a great experience and if the company could afford it, we would be doing it every season. The reason I write this is because every show that I attended from sign up to the full weekend cost the company approximately $4000.00.
These small regional shows were a great way to introduce the Golf Cradle and really experience the event of a sale. It was a "rush" for me. We had a booth developed and a portable credit card machine. The set-up was there. However, what became difficult was the traveling and the complications that go along with that. The weather, flat tires, accommodations, salesman misusing the credit cards, and making sure we were appropriately staffed at each show. The typical stuff that accompanies the issues companies face while being on the road. Our trailer was brand new and was logo-ed. Traveling and watching peoples reactions to our trailer and product was the most exciting part from me.
I am planning to go on the circuit again, once I am able to secure the funds to do so. I am looking to obtain some business grants to help defer the expense. I have some great ideas for new advertising and I am eager to get on the road again...
www.golfcradle.com
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Our First P.G.A. Merchandise Show
The Golf Cradle's first P.G.A. Show in Orlando Florida was in January 2007. This is a show that takes up 10 square miles of Merchandise, New Products, and an assortment of venders ranging from the first time attendee presenting a new product to the big boys (Ping, Calloway, Taylor Made, etc.). This is the Big Show....
This was Golf Cradle's first showing. Needless to say, I was way in over my head on this one...When I first committed to the show, I had thought that all our loose ends would be tied up and our team would be ready. Was I wrong.
Some of the problems that I had to work through were buying and designing a booth, travel arrangements, who was going to work the booth, advertising, and product delivery. Now remember, the P.G.A. show was my first attempt at a trade show. I was scheduled to attend some smaller regional shows the weeks to follow (approximately 14 of them). In hide site, I had no business being at the P.G.A. show. I was not prepared with regard to retail packaging, advertising, nor salesmanship. My product was not ready, but yet I pushed to get there.
On the positive side, I was able to present my product and was picked up by a couple of distributors. With a great deal of work, frustration, and money, my efforts proved to be rewarding with regard to exposer and making contacts. My eyes were also opened with regard to how much more work was in front of me to to play in world of marketing and sales. A bit overwhelming.
What I took away from the show was a great deal of experience that I was able to apply to the following regional shows that I was scheduled to attend.
This was Golf Cradle's first showing. Needless to say, I was way in over my head on this one...When I first committed to the show, I had thought that all our loose ends would be tied up and our team would be ready. Was I wrong.
Some of the problems that I had to work through were buying and designing a booth, travel arrangements, who was going to work the booth, advertising, and product delivery. Now remember, the P.G.A. show was my first attempt at a trade show. I was scheduled to attend some smaller regional shows the weeks to follow (approximately 14 of them). In hide site, I had no business being at the P.G.A. show. I was not prepared with regard to retail packaging, advertising, nor salesmanship. My product was not ready, but yet I pushed to get there.
On the positive side, I was able to present my product and was picked up by a couple of distributors. With a great deal of work, frustration, and money, my efforts proved to be rewarding with regard to exposer and making contacts. My eyes were also opened with regard to how much more work was in front of me to to play in world of marketing and sales. A bit overwhelming.
What I took away from the show was a great deal of experience that I was able to apply to the following regional shows that I was scheduled to attend.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
How Important is a Website.....
www.golfcradle.com
As the inventor of the Golf Cradle, my initial concerns originally centered around product development, manufacturing, and packaging....the major three. At no time did I ever think that a website would be a major focus that would take up a vast amount of my efforts in addition to finances. Again, how wrong was I. My current website is now my life line to sales, product knowledge, and consumer awareness. From the initial phases of a new product, a well developed website needs to be considered as a major factor in a companies presence in the market place. It has to be a well developed piece of art that can capture an individual's attention for longer than five seconds (a major accomplishment in the Website business).
Specifically, the website needs to focus on what the product is, how it works, how much the product costs, and how it can be purchased. The Website not only needs to be visually appealing but extremely user friendly. The back end (how sales are processed) needs to implemented in a seamless manner such that a consumer can purchase your product easily. In addition, a well developed website can provide a great deal of "daily statistics" with regard to the amount of hits, visits, and sales produced. In addition, a good statistical package can provide a company's owner a vast amount of descriptive information with regard to who is visiting the website and what they are viewing...
When I am making a sales presentation, my website is the focus of my presentation. A good website lends validity to a product. It is a great sales and marketing tool. Do not underestimate the importance of a well developed website....spend the time and resources on this important concept...it will pay for itself over and over....
www.golfcradle.com
As the inventor of the Golf Cradle, my initial concerns originally centered around product development, manufacturing, and packaging....the major three. At no time did I ever think that a website would be a major focus that would take up a vast amount of my efforts in addition to finances. Again, how wrong was I. My current website is now my life line to sales, product knowledge, and consumer awareness. From the initial phases of a new product, a well developed website needs to be considered as a major factor in a companies presence in the market place. It has to be a well developed piece of art that can capture an individual's attention for longer than five seconds (a major accomplishment in the Website business).
Specifically, the website needs to focus on what the product is, how it works, how much the product costs, and how it can be purchased. The Website not only needs to be visually appealing but extremely user friendly. The back end (how sales are processed) needs to implemented in a seamless manner such that a consumer can purchase your product easily. In addition, a well developed website can provide a great deal of "daily statistics" with regard to the amount of hits, visits, and sales produced. In addition, a good statistical package can provide a company's owner a vast amount of descriptive information with regard to who is visiting the website and what they are viewing...
When I am making a sales presentation, my website is the focus of my presentation. A good website lends validity to a product. It is a great sales and marketing tool. Do not underestimate the importance of a well developed website....spend the time and resources on this important concept...it will pay for itself over and over....
www.golfcradle.com
Thursday, April 9, 2009
How Important is Packaging...???
www.golfcradle.com
The importance of packaging cannot, and for the sake of repeating my self, cannot be underestimated. Packaging is as important as the product it self. The concept is to explain to the consumer what your product does in a 3 to 4 second snapshot. The goal is to draw the buyers attention to your product.
Please learn from my mistakes. Initially at Golf Cradle, I was so wrapped up in making sure our product was build and manufactured correctly, packaging was the last thing on my mind. How wrong was I.
Back in early 2007, I was trying to meet the deadlines of our first show: The P.G.A. Merchandise Show. One of the biggest Golf Shows in the world. I was trying to juggle all the necessities of attending the Show plus ensuring that I had my first product run completed. A nightmare to say the least. The importance of boxing was minimized. As a result, a simple white box was developed with the Golf Cradle Logo and website printed on both sides. In retrospect, this was an embarrassment. I was so eager to get the product out to the public thinking that the Golf Cradle would sell it self. No go...(This is a concept that I struggle with on a daily basis. Products do not sell themselves...). The white box was a "feeble attempt" to package my product for distribution. I now understand that the Package is the first thing a consumer sees. It is the first impression to your product. Remember, you cannot make a second first impression. How right is that...After the White Box, I moved to a bright yellow box with black markings (Golf Cradle Logo and internet site). Again, a modest attempt to enhance my packaging. Definitely not worth the effort. I ordered 3500 of these boxes and I now use them for shipping the retail box in.
Yes, our retail box. I now have a retail box. My first "real" attempt to Market the Golf Cradle. At the time of completion, I was extremely pleased with the result. I do know, however, that it can and should be improved within the next two years. My current packaging now represents what the Golf Cradle does, how it works, and why you should buy it.
Hence, I now work under the assumption: the packaging is as important, as what it contains.
www.golfcradle.com
The importance of packaging cannot, and for the sake of repeating my self, cannot be underestimated. Packaging is as important as the product it self. The concept is to explain to the consumer what your product does in a 3 to 4 second snapshot. The goal is to draw the buyers attention to your product.
Please learn from my mistakes. Initially at Golf Cradle, I was so wrapped up in making sure our product was build and manufactured correctly, packaging was the last thing on my mind. How wrong was I.
Back in early 2007, I was trying to meet the deadlines of our first show: The P.G.A. Merchandise Show. One of the biggest Golf Shows in the world. I was trying to juggle all the necessities of attending the Show plus ensuring that I had my first product run completed. A nightmare to say the least. The importance of boxing was minimized. As a result, a simple white box was developed with the Golf Cradle Logo and website printed on both sides. In retrospect, this was an embarrassment. I was so eager to get the product out to the public thinking that the Golf Cradle would sell it self. No go...(This is a concept that I struggle with on a daily basis. Products do not sell themselves...). The white box was a "feeble attempt" to package my product for distribution. I now understand that the Package is the first thing a consumer sees. It is the first impression to your product. Remember, you cannot make a second first impression. How right is that...After the White Box, I moved to a bright yellow box with black markings (Golf Cradle Logo and internet site). Again, a modest attempt to enhance my packaging. Definitely not worth the effort. I ordered 3500 of these boxes and I now use them for shipping the retail box in.
Yes, our retail box. I now have a retail box. My first "real" attempt to Market the Golf Cradle. At the time of completion, I was extremely pleased with the result. I do know, however, that it can and should be improved within the next two years. My current packaging now represents what the Golf Cradle does, how it works, and why you should buy it.
Hence, I now work under the assumption: the packaging is as important, as what it contains.
www.golfcradle.com
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Process of Manufacturing...
www.golfcradle.com
The manufacturing component of bringing a product to market is a complicated one. However, if you can break the process down into components and accomplish each task one at a time, this will decrease your level of frustration during the process. I define manufacturing from pushing out parts from your mold to the final step of getting it out the door for delivery.
The company that I work with, CMS (Custom Molding Solutions) has been extremely helpful in explaining what needs to be done to build and assemble my product. I first had to learn what essential components were needed to build each unit. This included the ordering of other parts (not provided by CMS) to complete the unit being built. This order had to be quoited, a Purchase ordered submitted, and the parts received before any assembly was to occur.
Once all the outside components were delivered, the actual building process could be completed. Part of the assembly process included a creatation of a tool for secondary drilling. Once this was development and tested, it was then implamented into the assembly process.
I recommend that an inventor be involved as much as possible in the manufacturing process. If difficulties arise, you are then able to speak with some level of knowledge and understanding.
www.golfcradle.com
The manufacturing component of bringing a product to market is a complicated one. However, if you can break the process down into components and accomplish each task one at a time, this will decrease your level of frustration during the process. I define manufacturing from pushing out parts from your mold to the final step of getting it out the door for delivery.
The company that I work with, CMS (Custom Molding Solutions) has been extremely helpful in explaining what needs to be done to build and assemble my product. I first had to learn what essential components were needed to build each unit. This included the ordering of other parts (not provided by CMS) to complete the unit being built. This order had to be quoited, a Purchase ordered submitted, and the parts received before any assembly was to occur.
Once all the outside components were delivered, the actual building process could be completed. Part of the assembly process included a creatation of a tool for secondary drilling. Once this was development and tested, it was then implamented into the assembly process.
I recommend that an inventor be involved as much as possible in the manufacturing process. If difficulties arise, you are then able to speak with some level of knowledge and understanding.
www.golfcradle.com
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Time to Build the Golf Cradle Molds....
The planing and the building of the Golf Cradle mold was an education from its beginning to end. Let me bring you up to speed...my background is in Psychology and Education. I have worked in a High School as a Psychologist since graduating from college. Which is to say, my awareness in the tool and die field was "null." Prior to this project, I had no knowledge (not to say that I have any now) in blue printing and tool/die development. I could not even tell you what a tool and die person did as a job or his level of education.
I was introduced to a company near to my home, Custom Molding Solutions. This is a good size size shop with approximately 20 employees. The two owners, Dwight and Mark, are great people who each have a distinct set of skills that are complimentary. Dwight heads up the office management component and pricing, while Mark coordinates the shop's daily activities. The first step was to create a blue print that the Golf Cradle mold could be build from. The planning of a mold this size was a large undertaking. The concept was to build an injection mold that was a negative of the actual product. Also build into the mold had to be cooling lines, pin placements, etc.
The next step was to order a block of aluminum that measured three by four feet in diameter. It was then cut in half for the milling process to start. This process is also extremely interesting such that the specifications and dimensions of the Golf Cradle are fed into a computer program. The block of steal is then put into the machine and an assortment of drill bits are used to carve out a negative imprint of the Golf Cradle. This mold was considered a "family mold" where four components are produced from one injection, that being the base, two arms, and the swivel bottom.
The process of building and completing the Golf Cradle Mold took approximately two weeks, 24 hour per day. Once the program was fed into the computer, the milling machine runs itself. During this phase, we had one major set back. The motor of the milling machine had to be replaced. A new motor had to be ordered and installed extending the time needed to complete this phase of the project. Once finished however, the outcome was exactly as what I had expected. Other than the time delay, the mold was perfect (I was under a time deadline however, which I will address in a future posting) which yielded four different components to be assembled.
This part of the process is called "secondary assembly." Part of the secondary assembly consisted of two sets of holes to be drilled into the arms and to the base. The arms then have to be attached to the base. The swivel had to be screwed into the base and finally, the sticker placed on the front of the Golf Cradle. Then the assembled Golf Cradle is put into a retail box, sealed, and stacked into a large shipping container. The Golf Cradle is now ready for delivery.
Looking back at it all, the milling and the manufacturing phase was the most rewarding for me. I was able to take an idea, have it put to paper, watch the production of the mold, and finally see a fully assembled Golf Cradle. This was a memorable accomplishment. At that point in time, I had actually thought that the hard work was done.....was I mistaken...
Now please remember, this amazing process,the knowledge, and the skills to produce such a piece of work comes with a hefty price tag....a very large price tag. No blue light special here....However, one of the benefits of having my mold maker being the manufacturer of the Golf Cradle is that they are able to monitor the mold usage (damage) and act accordingly. They are able to address immediate fixes and/or complications. This service is part of the original cost of the mold. Custom Molding Solutions is a one stop shop for fabrication and production. I really do appreciate there continued efforts to work with me on a daily basis.
www.golfcradle.com
I was introduced to a company near to my home, Custom Molding Solutions. This is a good size size shop with approximately 20 employees. The two owners, Dwight and Mark, are great people who each have a distinct set of skills that are complimentary. Dwight heads up the office management component and pricing, while Mark coordinates the shop's daily activities. The first step was to create a blue print that the Golf Cradle mold could be build from. The planning of a mold this size was a large undertaking. The concept was to build an injection mold that was a negative of the actual product. Also build into the mold had to be cooling lines, pin placements, etc.
The next step was to order a block of aluminum that measured three by four feet in diameter. It was then cut in half for the milling process to start. This process is also extremely interesting such that the specifications and dimensions of the Golf Cradle are fed into a computer program. The block of steal is then put into the machine and an assortment of drill bits are used to carve out a negative imprint of the Golf Cradle. This mold was considered a "family mold" where four components are produced from one injection, that being the base, two arms, and the swivel bottom.
The process of building and completing the Golf Cradle Mold took approximately two weeks, 24 hour per day. Once the program was fed into the computer, the milling machine runs itself. During this phase, we had one major set back. The motor of the milling machine had to be replaced. A new motor had to be ordered and installed extending the time needed to complete this phase of the project. Once finished however, the outcome was exactly as what I had expected. Other than the time delay, the mold was perfect (I was under a time deadline however, which I will address in a future posting) which yielded four different components to be assembled.
This part of the process is called "secondary assembly." Part of the secondary assembly consisted of two sets of holes to be drilled into the arms and to the base. The arms then have to be attached to the base. The swivel had to be screwed into the base and finally, the sticker placed on the front of the Golf Cradle. Then the assembled Golf Cradle is put into a retail box, sealed, and stacked into a large shipping container. The Golf Cradle is now ready for delivery.
Looking back at it all, the milling and the manufacturing phase was the most rewarding for me. I was able to take an idea, have it put to paper, watch the production of the mold, and finally see a fully assembled Golf Cradle. This was a memorable accomplishment. At that point in time, I had actually thought that the hard work was done.....was I mistaken...
Now please remember, this amazing process,the knowledge, and the skills to produce such a piece of work comes with a hefty price tag....a very large price tag. No blue light special here....However, one of the benefits of having my mold maker being the manufacturer of the Golf Cradle is that they are able to monitor the mold usage (damage) and act accordingly. They are able to address immediate fixes and/or complications. This service is part of the original cost of the mold. Custom Molding Solutions is a one stop shop for fabrication and production. I really do appreciate there continued efforts to work with me on a daily basis.
www.golfcradle.com
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