What About the Children?

This month it's mostly about values.

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Shame on you for awarding Inc.'s annual Entrepreneur of the Year award to two workaholics with a questionable sense of priorities. As I read your January cover story, I admired the dedication of immigrants Janie and Victor Tsao--until I learned they had children. In my opinion, this coveted award should not have gone to people who have all but abandoned their children in pursuit of material wealth.

Doug Twitchell
Director of Financial Research
Business Valuation Resources
Portland, Oreg.

Knee-Jerk Reaction

In "Five Ideas to Watch" [January], Nadine Heintz mentions the Knee Defender, a product that provides "relief from the jerk who reclines all the way back in his chair," and then proceeds to extol the virtues of an item that to me seems at best inconsiderate. While you're at it, why don't you also make a cushion covered with tacks to prevent the "jerks" on the right and left from sitting down next to you so that you can be totally comfortable? The supposed jerk who reclines all the way back in his chair happens to have paid for that right. I think the real jerk is the person who prevents another passenger from reclining. You want more space? Pay for it and fly business class.

Jonathan J. Fischer
Vice President
Tuesday's Child Boutique Inc.
Brooklyn, N.Y.

A Couple of K-Cup Suggestions

Despite their impressive job titles, the three experts who weighed in on the challenges facing Keurig Inc. [January, "Taking a Niche Player Big-Time"] are lacking in both vision and creativity.

I think Keurig machines could be sold to Starbucks, in connection with the chain's emphasis on customized coffee. Starbucks could then offer express self-service, allowing customers to buy Starbucks-blend K-Cups and brew the coffee themselves at in-store Keurig machines. A rebranded home version--with Starbucks logo--could then be sold to hooked customers. Keurig might also sell machines through luxury outlets such as Sharper Image and Brookstone. Or it could sell home machines through warehouse clubs like Costco or BJ's, which are very successful in moving upscale merchandise.

I feel the best strategy for Keurig, which was surprisingly absent from the expert opinion, is to focus on marketing the unmatched convenience of its coffeemakers. With that selling point, it will continue to command higher margins.

Eric A. Sohn
Chief Idea Officer
IdeaFountain Business Coaching
Stamford, Conn.

Losing Faith

After reading your feature "The Well-Balanced Life" [February], I was shocked by the glaring omission of faith as a component of a fulfilling life. Have we really become so disconnected to one another and to our communities that we no longer find any value in assessing our spiritual health? If success is now solely defined by our income, dream house, dream vacation, or leisure time--and if our only hope for finding balance is by latching on to the latest organizational strategy, management principles, or exercise program--then our society has really missed the boat.

Laura Crow
Production Team Manager
Monsanto Co.
Middleton, Wis.

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