04/03: It IS possible to get info from customers without ‘death by forms’
Greetings from the TED Conference in lovely Monterey, California!
I always have to apologize to anybody I have dinner with in March after I attend the Technology, Entertainment and Design (aka TED) Conference. I come away so full of ideas and inspiration that I seem to steer any conversation to what we just covered at TED. Last year was no different. Being on the West coast already, I caught up with my longtime friend, Robin Williams. Many probably don’t know this about Robin, but he is an amazing technologist. After 3 hours discussing the TED conference, he made me promise to bring him this year. For those who don’t want to suffer through my diatribes, learn more about TED at Wikipedia.
The demo demons struck the TED conference this year and stopped the World Debate discussion hosted by the BBC. Without missing a beat, Robin filled the silence with his normal humor. You never know where Robin will go, but you know it will be funny. He jumped on stage and kept the crowd in stitches while the technical difficulties were resolved! A great description of the events are on the Wired news blog.
Afterwards, we went out to dinner with a friend of mine, Erick Schonfeld of TechCrunch, at my favorite Monterey eatery, La Giostra. The owner, Massimo Sartorio remembered me from last year and quickly took us to a quiet corner table. I’ve found that dining with Robin is enough of an adventure without everyone asking him for an autograph or to say ‘Nanoo Nanoo.’
Over dinner, Robin and I were chatting about a great new financial management site, Mint, that Erick told us about. Robin was pointing out (in much more colorful language than I should use here) how the site minimized the pain associated with filling out all the security forms that online financial services put you through.
The simplicity of Mint to a user is no accident. The user experience highlights what is possible when sites are designed with equal doses of technology and information architecture. I know first hand how much effort is required to create an exceptional experience such as the one you get from Mint. Mint’s success highlights the payoff in taking the time to get it right.
During dinner, Robin took a mint leaf out of my Mojito and stuck it on his head. He then proceeded to ask the waitress the name of the street she grew up on, her mother's maiden name and other financial questions. I quickly asked for the check and took back my mint leaf.
I always have to apologize to anybody I have dinner with in March after I attend the Technology, Entertainment and Design (aka TED) Conference. I come away so full of ideas and inspiration that I seem to steer any conversation to what we just covered at TED. Last year was no different. Being on the West coast already, I caught up with my longtime friend, Robin Williams. Many probably don’t know this about Robin, but he is an amazing technologist. After 3 hours discussing the TED conference, he made me promise to bring him this year. For those who don’t want to suffer through my diatribes, learn more about TED at Wikipedia.
Afterwards, we went out to dinner with a friend of mine, Erick Schonfeld of TechCrunch, at my favorite Monterey eatery, La Giostra. The owner, Massimo Sartorio remembered me from last year and quickly took us to a quiet corner table. I’ve found that dining with Robin is enough of an adventure without everyone asking him for an autograph or to say ‘Nanoo Nanoo.’
Over dinner, Robin and I were chatting about a great new financial management site, Mint, that Erick told us about. Robin was pointing out (in much more colorful language than I should use here) how the site minimized the pain associated with filling out all the security forms that online financial services put you through.
The simplicity of Mint to a user is no accident. The user experience highlights what is possible when sites are designed with equal doses of technology and information architecture. I know first hand how much effort is required to create an exceptional experience such as the one you get from Mint. Mint’s success highlights the payoff in taking the time to get it right.
During dinner, Robin took a mint leaf out of my Mojito and stuck it on his head. He then proceeded to ask the waitress the name of the street she grew up on, her mother's maiden name and other financial questions. I quickly asked for the check and took back my mint leaf.
