The Hand vs. The Button
I'm a big fan of advertising wars. For some reason it makes me feel as if it's a good show of healthy competition. And it engages the public a lot more in what products are being advertised. Recently the Office Deport Helping Hand is new gimmick of the month. If you're unfamiliar with this commecial, a bunch of office people are hanging out and holding a big white box that has a hand which lives there, and apparently aids in office work (apparently the Addams Family Thing spawned another hand and is now working for corporate America).
The Helping Hand is of course a response to the Staples Easy Button. Again if you're unfamiliar with this fantastic device, you hit a little red button, and everything is made easier. Simple, been on the air for a few months now. Then comes along The Hand. Now the entire world of office supplies is flipped on its head and no one knows what to do. Do you go with The Hand or The Button? Well fellow consumers look no further than the following comparisons to help you decide:
Round 1: Versatility
The Button, when instantly pressed, not only delivers a huge number of items but also has the ability to consolidate your processes. One click that's it. In order to match those efforts you would need about 100 hands, and all of them on some type of roller cart so they could move around. Winner: The Easy Button
Round 2: Resources
I imagine a live hand living in a box needs some type of nourishment (or at least skin cream) in order to function on a regular basis. Thus, if you're buying The Hand you probably need a few trips to the pet store to get minnows, or crickets, or whatever that thing eats. The Easy Button takes 2 AA batteries. Winner: The Easy Button
Round 3: Manufacturing
The Easy Button infuses arcane sciences and futuristic technology in order transport necessary supplies to your office. There are miniaturized teleportation devices which instantly beam certain items from the Staples Easy Button Warehouse. The small technology costs a lot, close to about $10,000 from what my sources tell me. And although those numbers are high, I'm not going to begin to described what harvesting techniques it takes to have a bunch of boxes full of alive arms. Winner (for ethical standards): The Easy Button
Round 4: Independence
Yeah, a bunch of arms eventually get smart enough to figure out how to move and interact with each other. Thus, left by themselves, they would be able to run a whole corporate division on their own. A small plastic button can't quite get that job done. Winner: The Helping Hand
Round 5: Job Security
At the same time, this also means that you'd be easily replaced by the hand or have the hands take over your company. In order to disarm the easy button, you just remove its batteries. And corporations need to pay someone to press that button. Winner: The Easy Button
Round 6: Life
I can't imagine the relief I would feel if I could just press a button and see any obstacle instantly solved. I'm sure the stress would just float away. But is that really the point of life? Is it all about looking for a quick fix to our problems? I think that having such a device which alleviates all problems wouldn't necessarily teach you anything either. You'd be quick to run to the button and solve the problem. There's no sense of accomplishment. I mentioned in a previous post the importance of challenge and support. Well, where's the challenge when something else is taking care of it? A helping hand, however, is something different. It's a small boost, or even a word of support to help you. Nothing solving your problems, but something that encourages you to find the solution, to see that you have the power to conquer your own challenges. No button can give you that kind of empowerment. Winner: The Helping Hand
Many things to glean from this advertising war. And even though I think there's an interesting metaphor in the comparison, which has some practical merit, I do have to admit that even from the get go I am pretty biased. I do have an Easy Button (usually pressed AFTER I have accomplished something, a nice mental pat on the back). And I myself will shamelessly plug this device as it only costs $5 at your local Staples and the proceeds are donated to the Boys & Girls Club of America. Now that's an easy way to give a helping hand.
pb
The Helping Hand is of course a response to the Staples Easy Button. Again if you're unfamiliar with this fantastic device, you hit a little red button, and everything is made easier. Simple, been on the air for a few months now. Then comes along The Hand. Now the entire world of office supplies is flipped on its head and no one knows what to do. Do you go with The Hand or The Button? Well fellow consumers look no further than the following comparisons to help you decide:
Round 1: Versatility
The Button, when instantly pressed, not only delivers a huge number of items but also has the ability to consolidate your processes. One click that's it. In order to match those efforts you would need about 100 hands, and all of them on some type of roller cart so they could move around. Winner: The Easy Button
Round 2: Resources
I imagine a live hand living in a box needs some type of nourishment (or at least skin cream) in order to function on a regular basis. Thus, if you're buying The Hand you probably need a few trips to the pet store to get minnows, or crickets, or whatever that thing eats. The Easy Button takes 2 AA batteries. Winner: The Easy Button
Round 3: Manufacturing
The Easy Button infuses arcane sciences and futuristic technology in order transport necessary supplies to your office. There are miniaturized teleportation devices which instantly beam certain items from the Staples Easy Button Warehouse. The small technology costs a lot, close to about $10,000 from what my sources tell me. And although those numbers are high, I'm not going to begin to described what harvesting techniques it takes to have a bunch of boxes full of alive arms. Winner (for ethical standards): The Easy Button
Round 4: Independence
Yeah, a bunch of arms eventually get smart enough to figure out how to move and interact with each other. Thus, left by themselves, they would be able to run a whole corporate division on their own. A small plastic button can't quite get that job done. Winner: The Helping Hand
Round 5: Job Security
At the same time, this also means that you'd be easily replaced by the hand or have the hands take over your company. In order to disarm the easy button, you just remove its batteries. And corporations need to pay someone to press that button. Winner: The Easy Button
Round 6: Life
I can't imagine the relief I would feel if I could just press a button and see any obstacle instantly solved. I'm sure the stress would just float away. But is that really the point of life? Is it all about looking for a quick fix to our problems? I think that having such a device which alleviates all problems wouldn't necessarily teach you anything either. You'd be quick to run to the button and solve the problem. There's no sense of accomplishment. I mentioned in a previous post the importance of challenge and support. Well, where's the challenge when something else is taking care of it? A helping hand, however, is something different. It's a small boost, or even a word of support to help you. Nothing solving your problems, but something that encourages you to find the solution, to see that you have the power to conquer your own challenges. No button can give you that kind of empowerment. Winner: The Helping Hand
Many things to glean from this advertising war. And even though I think there's an interesting metaphor in the comparison, which has some practical merit, I do have to admit that even from the get go I am pretty biased. I do have an Easy Button (usually pressed AFTER I have accomplished something, a nice mental pat on the back). And I myself will shamelessly plug this device as it only costs $5 at your local Staples and the proceeds are donated to the Boys & Girls Club of America. Now that's an easy way to give a helping hand.
pb
posted by Peter Brooks at 11:24 PM
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