Is this a new consumer trend ?

Some researchers are claiming that there is now a new consumer trend.... The return to voluntary simplicity. I've linked to an article below which talks about this more....

I'm not very knowledgeable about voluntary simplicity, but to my knowledge it seems like it may be related to books such as "Your Money Or Your Life" by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. (I haven't read it by the way, though I do have a copy on my bookshelf which I happened to pick up from somewhere a few years ago....)

Does anyone know more about this? If this really is a trend, how could it affect us as entrepreneurs and marketers?

Thanks for any feedback....

- Dien


"Researchers Identify Consumer Trend Toward 'Keeping It Simple' "

After quickly reviewing the article you linked to, my interpertation would be this:

- It's now more important than ever to stress the benefits and intangables gained by the consumer as a result of purchasing your product or hiring your service.

- face to face selling, more in depth customer service, or at least personalization of the selling process is likely to be percieved as "added value" by the consumer.

- more in depth relationship building is likely to be a more prominent component of the "engine" that powers a companies bottom line.

Phew!!

Basically, the more personalized interaction in the company/client relationship, the more valuable your business becomes to the consumer.

It's the thought that counts... True?

Or am I way off on this one?

Paul

It also means that there's a call for "simplicity experts".

One good example of this is the "Flylady" list on Yahoo, where they send out emails on cleaning your house and organizing your life (in little easy steps) for busy women.

So... today she might have the "27 fling boogie" (where you go find 27 things that need to be thrown away and do just that as your chore. Or "Clean out your purse day.") They have a messaging (reminder) service plus calendars and day runners and specialized stuff like this.

Dien -

"Voluntary Simplicity" by Duane Elgin is a book written in the late '70's/early '80's espousing the Buddhist values of right livelihood as well as Thoreau's dictum of "Simplify, simplify!" It was pretty popular back then, along with back to the land, Mother Earth News type info.

It was followed by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robbins "Your Money or Your Life" tape course and then book, which details how to reduce expenses, increase savings until your passive income passes your expenses - then you're financially free. I liked it because they equated the value of your time with the cost of "things" - i.e., how many hours do you work for a $100 Hermes tie and is it worth it to you? They make no overt value judgements, but cause you to think about your expenses in life terms.

In the mid nineties, a lot of little books on simplicity were published by a woman named St. James, providing you with lists of ways to help simplify your life. Others copy catted her.

My take is that times of excess (i.e., the go-go eighties and late dot.bomb nineties)lead to times of reflection (early nineties and now, especially post 9/11). They also seem to coincide with economic contractions and recessions.

So, people want to simplify both materialistically and practically in their lives. For we marketers and product developers, it means lower key promotions, more sincerity and less hype, and immediate realized value in our offerings. Things like home projects, crafts, do-it-yourself, etc.

People will still spend money on things, but are now preoccupied with value and usefulness to make their lives more manageable and controllable amid uncertainty, and to provide the emotional feedback that spending the money is the right thing for them to do.

Anyway, that's my take on it - another cycle of the moving parade, intensified by the state of today's world.

Bob

Dien, I happened to be thinking about Simplicity Marketing. Today many people are overloaded and exhausted. Entrepreneurs and marketers really have to learn how to stand out from the CROWD and NOISE. 'Surprisingly', simplicity works. There's a good marketing book by that title, by the way. Thank you for a great forum. Merry CHRISTmas,
Alexander
JV Specialist
[email protected]




Success to You in the New Year

Hi Mel!

FlyLady rocks....but my sink is FAR from shining tonight! (don't tell anyone, shhhhhh!!!)

I have friends who are into the whole Simplicity "Movement" evidenced by magazines like "Real Simple" and books like "Simple Abundance".

I also think "simple" means different things to different people...

Just a couple thoughts....

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE JORDAN SCOTT


Dare to Discover Your Passion, Decide to Live Your Destiny

Thanks everyone, there were some really good responses here.... :)

I think knowing about this is an opportunity, thanks for some great ideas. And wow, you're right, the "FlyLady" sure seems to have a big following!

- Dien