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In today's business podcast, we will see the result of commercial brainstorms - in other words, cool inventions!

These are my favorite types of brainstorm shows - admiring the creative work of others and giving them their due. They inspire me to find niches that have needs to yet be met. We'll talk about electric cars and sneakers, among other things.


Pimp my Electric Car: $90,000 Electric Cars - not just about being "green"

I discuss the drawbacks of being a practical designer and inventor. People are obviously willing to spend lot of money on what some of us would consider frivolous and overpriced. So maybe we need to let our minds go a little wild and create something that only the elite, rich can purchase.

Tiered Products can open up new avenues

Start with your lower level products, "pimp" them up at different levels, and see who bites. Or start really grand, and then create smaller, less glamorous versions of them. But don't forget the people with the big bucks (like I normally do) - don't get tunnel vision, think BIG.

Find out what people are PASSIONATE about, and create things they will buy.

Some people will be extremely cheap about some things, and extremely extravagant at other times. It depends how passionate about the purchase they are. My husband is very cheap when it comes to everyday objects, but his 65 inch tv betrays the fact that, when it's really important to him, he'll pay top dollar.

Pimp my Sneakers

This would be truly hysterical to me if it weren't so profitable and commercial. We discuss pimped sneakers, with built in mp3 players and heart rate monitors and more. We also discuss spacers for shoes that will help them fit perfectly, as men's feet can be 1/2 to 1 size different from each other. How about a sport kit that goes with Nike sneakers, that then allows you to upload information to Nike's site.

Pimping your employees for ideas...

Best Buy (not my favorite store, I'm a Circuit City girl all the way) is pumping their employees for ideas on how to increase their customer satisfaction. One of them came up with a "taco" to help protect big screen tvs. Although it wasn't a perfect idea at first, they continued to work with it until it did the trick. I hope he at least got a bonus for it!

Again, here's a reminder about the January 19-21, 2007 Business Podcasting Expo (BizPodExpo.com).

This is not solely a podcasting expo - we will have business seminars as well. So this is one Expo I know all of you who listen will be interested in. 20 sessions are nailed down, and the other 20 coming together. So set that weekend apart to spend with me online!

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing

P.S. I start a new contest today. If 10 people participate, one of you will win $100 for the holidays!!!