What is the Chasm and How Do You Cross It?

For over fifty years, researchers have used the Technology Adoption Life Cycle model to explain the adoption of new products and technologies. The process of adoption is illustrated by a classic bell curve, divided into four consecutive stages. Each stage is defined by the customers that adopt the technology in the respective stage: early adopter, early majority, late majority and laggard.

Geoffrey Moore, in his book Crossing the Chasm, was the first to identify the chasm between the early adopters and the early majority customers when dealing with discontinuous or disruptive innovations.

The early market is characterized by visionary customers who have a passion for introducing new technologies to seek competitive advantage more info. These visionaries are willing to accept the risks involved with new technologies and are often willing to devote considerable resources to working with the early product. These early adopters have a clear understanding of the problem that they intend to solve with the new technology and they need little help from vendors in developing the ROI.

In contrast, the early majority customers, or pragmatists, are more risk adverse. They want to be early into the market, but only after the technology has been proven by others. They need to see a clear ROI, and will look to their industry peers, who have experience with the technology for validation. They are more demanding that all components be completed and fully integrated, so as to minimize their own resource investment in implementing the new technology.

So, why is there a chasm? In short, the vendor has not yet created the conditions necessary for adoption by the early majority customers - who remain unconvinced. On the other hand, many of the visionaries have purchased, and there are not enough remaining visionaries to sustain market growth.

It is not uncommon for a new technology to take several years to cross the chasm, and in many cases, the chasm is never breached. Retail bar code scanning is a case in point. From the initial supermarket pilot, it took almost a decade to achieve broad market acceptance. Many factors needed to come together to form the compelling ROI required by retailers, including a UPC (Universal Product Code) standard and governing body to assign UPC codes, product marking by a majority of consumer goods suppliers, point of sale system integration, improvements in scanner throughput, reliability and scanner cost reductions. The improvement in system pricing accuracy and was also a contributor, as this allowed for cost savings from individual item price removal.

Another example is the pen computer industry. Momenta, and a host of other first generation pen computer companies failed to cross the chasm in the early 1990's and ultimately went out of business. These early products were expensive, bulky, and suffered from limited battery life and poor handwriting recognition software. Many years later, more focused products with a pen user interface, such as the Palm Pilot, Palm Treo, and a variety of Microsoft Pocket PC/Windows Mobile powered devices succeeded in crossing the chasm. In addition, full size Tablet PCs are now crossing the chasm, with success in vertical markets such as healthcare, insurance and real estate.

These examples give clues to the strategies needed to cross the chasm. Pragmatists require a complete solution, with minimum reliance on their own limited resources for implementation and little risk that the ROI will be achieved. Therefore, the key requirement to achieve the chasm crossing, is what Moore refers to as the "whole product solution." Building a whole product solution requires that all components are in place and fully integrated for the customer's environment, including hardware and applicable software with all critical features available, system integrations, pre and post sale support and related services. The product/system must be demonstrable with plenty of favorable references for validation.

Strategies that are essential for building the whole product solution and crossing the chasm are:

1. Reduction in Scope (Niche Marketing)

It is better to focus resources on one target market and achieve a whole product solution, rather than work on a number of target markets and have 80% of what is needed in each market to cross the chasm. Focusing on a single niche gives the resource team a realistic opportunity to identify and develop the feature requirements, services and other components required to succeed in the targeted market. The narrow focus also allows initial installations to more easily serve as reference accounts for others in the targeted market and facilitates word of mouth marketing.

Air Conditioning Repair - First Steps to Do it By Yourself

 

Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Working?

I believe that will be the first question appear in your mind, when you feel like there is something wrong with your AC. Air conditioning repair is not something really easy to handle. You will need the assistance of an expert to help you fix it, or the other option is that you want to learn how the methods and steps to air conditioning repair is?

Here are things to be done at the beginning of when you want to escape the hot and sticky weather especially at summer.

There are so many possibly things that can be the reasons why your AC do not to work or function properly. It could be that your thermostat is not working correctly, or the motor or compressor have failed. A dirty evaporator could also cause problems, or you might be low on refrigerant.

For this case,more info  repair method like a simple cleaning may get your unit back up and running, but you may need to replace a part, or it might make sense not to repair and consider replacement of the air conditioner.

There are so many things become the reason why your evaporator coil get frozen. It is when the air conditioner operates continuously all day and night with not high refrigerant level, and unbalanced circulation. This makes the air exiting supply registers feel warm. So turn off the air conditioner for a moment or gradually and try to figure out what could stop or reduce the rate a frozen coil.

If purchasing a new unit is the best solution, it is really recommended to have an expert to help you understand and choose what the most appropriate system and size that will fit your lifestyle the best at your home. Based on the variety of needs and the layout of your home, the options that may rise, as follows:

First and foremost, central air, often the best choice for cooling your whole home. If you only need a room or two chilled, then room units, which may be your best bet. If your home is already equipped with proper ductwork, a split system, which separates the outdoor compressor and condenser, may be the most appropriate choice.

While the last but not least, is evaporative coolers, using evaporated water to cool down air and suit the best for arid weathers.

What Makes Air Conditioning Repair Urgent

When you realize that there is no power within your AC, you may double check the wiring, and the breaker, or another cause is that your air conditioning is beyond normal heat. For air conditioning repair, try to better the wiring, set anew the circuit, and be sure to also clean the airflow to the outdoor unit.

To reduce the number of problems that may arise, it is a good recommendation as air conditioning repair to regularly check the maintenance of your air conditioner. This is to ensure your air conditioner is working at top efficiency and can extend its lifespan.

It is also a good step to take when you face a problems with your AC repair, you do not rely solely on technician, instead you put your effort to search the tips and ask anyone expert in this field to handle this kind of matter by yourself. So, whenever you have a problem, independently you won't be easily panic and doubt.

Payday Loans

Paysaver Payday Loans makes Internet Lending "Easy"

Paysaver Payday Loans offers payday loan, cash advance loans and fast cash services for whatever you need.

At PaySaver Payday Loans we promote honesty and integrity and we were proud to have been named as "The Australian Payday Loans Specialists" by our peers. We were given this title because we were one of the first to perfect the payday loans business in Australia.

We recognised the need for people to have a safe, secure, simple & fast way of obtaining payday loans of small amounts of money without the hassles, delays and costs associated with formal bank applications. 

We then developed a unique system of lending exclusively via the Internet and Fax which has proven to be the most cost effective, efficient and fastest way of obtaining payday loans to date.

Our slogan is "Your personal ATM on the net" because you now have the convenience of applying for payday loans from the safety, privacy and comfort of your computer.

Simply send us your payday loans application and 30 minutes later, upon approval, your money is sent directly to your account!

Can Paysaver Payday Loans it get any better than that? - Yes it can!

After your first loan is successfully repaid your payday loans you are promoted to PaySaver Express where your approval time is reduced to only 15 minutes.

PS. We have kept our payday loans prices the same since we started trading back in early 2004 and that is why we have the lowest payday loan fees in Australia!

Paysaver Payday Loans gets you the funds you need ASAP. Why wait for your cash advance when you can get it overnight? Our loans are 100% safe, fast and completely online - so think of us for your payday loan fast cash needs.

It keeps getting better! We've made it incredibly easy to qualify for payday loans by offering our industry-leading application process to you at no additional expense to you.

There are no credit bureau reports on your payday loans, never an application fee, and of course, no credit checks. If you are at least 18 years of age, receive a regular source of income, and have direct deposit enabled on your bank account, you're practically approved for Paysaver Payday Loans - don't wait any longer apply for payday loans as you can apply for these unsecured payday loans today!

We specialize in providing overnight payday loans for individuals who are in need more info. We strive to bring people of all types pay day loans that are reasonably priced, quickly deposited, and managed by a professional lending team - why settle for less when you get an advance on your payday loans today! 

Need short term payday loans cash advance to take care of that emergency, that unforeseen bill or just to reward yourself? Paysaver Payday Loans is a fast and secure way to get payday loans from the privacy of your own home!

Applying and qualifying for a payday loans advance loan is quick and easy, and confidential and requires minimal faxing.

Once you're approved for our payday loans cash advance, we will electronically deposit the money directly into your checking or savings account. We offer flexible payment options and a discrete service that gets you the cash you need right now.

It's that easy, why not apply and make Paysaver Payday Loans your loyal partner today. 

Ever run a little short of cash before your next payday?

It happens to most of us at some stage. A night out with friends, registering your car or maybe just paying a couple of bills? Nothing a few hundred dollar payday loans won't fix.

However, it can be frustrating if the cash is days away and you need it earlier….whatever the reason a Paysaver Payday loans is always there.

It's even harder if you've had a minor, bad credit mishap, are too busy to get away from work or don't want to commit to paying off a large, long term loan or credit card then try a Paysaver Payday Loans. 

Paysaver Payday Loans has helped thousands of Australians in your situation with a convenient, clear and secure alternative. Quick turnaround times mean that you can be paid in as little as 20 minutes.

British Cruising

With so many cruise lines currently available today, it comes as no surprise that the majority of British cruisers have been converted to cruising aboard US-style cruise ships, with their larger than life ships. How do the British companies such as Cruise & Maritime and Thomson Cruises compare?

Cruise and Maritime

Cruise and Maritime offer lower fares on their 800 passenger ships, Marco Polo and Ocean Countess. They only offer cruises that sail from the UK which makes them a popular choice for those who do not like to fly, and sail from six ports; London, Hull, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Liverpool. They do not boast the glitz and glam of the larger ships, with no climbing walls or Broadway style shows, but what they do have which is a key difference is a home-from-home atmosphere and the emphasis is very much on a personal service and going that extra mile for you more info. Due to their smaller size their ships can slip into smaller and more remote ports of call, which they larger vessels cannot reach, making them a firm favourite with those experienced cruisers who are looking for something a little different than the typical cruise.

Both of their ships tend to avoid the Mediterranean which is heavily dominated by larger cruise lines. Instead they tend to focus on cruising to the fjords, Iceland, France, Spain, North Cape, Portugal or around the British Isles. During the festive season, Cruise and Maritime can be found sailing to the Christmas markets in Europe and longer voyages around far out destinations such as the Amazon and West Indies.

Thomson Cruises

Thomson is currently the second largest UK-operated cruise line, carrying a whopping 280,000 passengers a year. Unlike the foreign cruise lines, they don't continuously buy newer ships, instead they focus their money on the ships they already have, which means better on board dining and entertainment, and is quite probably a reason why they win awards such as 'UK's favourite affordable cruise line'. They have four ships in the fleet, the Thomson Dream, Destiny, Celebration and Spirit and in the summer their ships mainly sail around the Mediterranean to British favourites such as Majorca, Turkey and Corfu. In the winter the ships tend to focus their itineraries on the Caribbean, the canaries and the Red Sea. Thomson has also introduced a test drive cruise to encourage more British cruisers. If you are staying with Thomson at one of their hotel resorts such as Palma and Majorca then you can now take a tour on their ship and see if you like the idea of cruising. They are also offering special deals for those that want to book the cruise, to entice more and more people to sail on a Thomson ship.

Fred Olsen

Quite like Cruise and Maritime, Fred Olsen boasts that warm and welcoming home-from-home atmosphere that the Brits love. They offer traditional cruising upon their fleet of four; the Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch. Their key selling point is that they sail directly from the UK, so can set sail from Portsmouth, Southampton, Falmouth, Greenock, Holyhead, Leith and Liverpool and they offer worldwide itineraries to places such as South America, Singapore and South Africa.

How to Install and Care for Natural Stone Tiles?

 

Natural stone tiles may not be the easiest material to use and maintain for walls and flooring, but they are certainly one of the most rewarding both in terms of quality, and also return on investment since it is widely believed that a natural stone wall or floor will increase the value of your property. In addition to these benefits, natural stone tiles also are extremely hard wearing, and in most cases, with some care and attention, will last as long as the house does.

As already mentioned, there is perhaps more work involved both in fitting and maintaining natural stole tiles, than there is in some alternatives such as wood flooring. One reason for this is because stone is a very strong material that is more difficult to cut than a wood board, or even a ceramic tile, which would be scored and snapped. In addition to this, you may need to prepare the surface of the sub-floor upon which your tiles will be laid if it is uneven or cracked. This can be done in most cases with a good quality self-leveling compound, available from all respectable tile and flooring specialists.

When preparing natural stone tiles for laying, be sure to spend time inspecting them both for chips and surface scratches. Typically, natural stone tiles will arrive with a light wax coating to protect them from potential damage in transit. Don't worry too much about cleaning the tiles before you lay them - this will need to be done after they've been laid and grouted anyway. Try to work out of several packs of tiles when laying, to help you achieve a truly random and harmonious aesthetic.

When it comes to cutting natural stone tiles, the best way to do this is with an electric tile wet cutter. In addition to stone tiles being quite thick and strong, they are also a natural material and will therefore by nature have veins and faults in it, making it unsuitable to be cut using a manual tile cutter, which would be more likely to shatter the tile as opposed to snap it. Be aware that wet cutting can be messy and create significant amounts of dust and debris; therefore try to either perform the cutting outdoors, or in a safe environment more info. Always take care to wear hand and eye protection as well as suitable clothing, and remove and power sockets or electrical equipment that is likely to get wet in the process.

When marking a cut line on a natural stone tile, you may prefer to use a crayon as opposed to a pencil which is likely to not make a significant mark on the tile. Take care to go extra slow when reaching the end of your cut, as if you go too fast and force the tile through it is likely to break rendering it difficult to use. If you are cutting a particularly large tile, try to get someone to help you steady the tile as you cut, since the weight of either piece of tile can start to pull the whole piece apart - encouraging a snap - as you advance through the tile.

Laying your natural stone tiles is a relatively simple process involving the use of tile adhesive to fix the tiles to the surface. Some types of particularly porous tile such as travertine require 'back-buttering' with tile adhesive before they're laid. This is also important if your tiles have any cracks in the underside, since 'buttering' will help to seal the crack and add strength, and the process is considered good practise in any situation. Take care when laying natural stone tiles, as they can be quite heavy. Take care to minimise unnecessary stretching to reduce the risk of back-strain. You can use a spirit level to help check your tile is level before moving onto the next one, and a gentle tap from a small mallet can help to encourage any corners that are too high.