Strategy

Life as it is

“Successful strategies are improving people’s lives and wellbeing.“

01  Non-material

Solution

Brands can contribute to people's quality of life by creating a sense of community and belonging based on shared values ​​and experiences. By providing experiences beyond the product that have a meaningful and positive impact on people's lives, brands can build deeper relationships based on loyalty and trust.

Future opportunities

Experiences that focus on creating emotional connections between people allow businesses to build communities of like-minded individuals. Experiences that assist with health and mental well-being and align with people’s values and priorities of how they want to spend their time are becoming a more important part of people's spending patterns.

Reading nights

Silence, books, candles, soft piano music, red wine and chocolate; every Tuesday evening, people come together in the Bookstor in The Hague for two hours of reading. What drives people to attend such events is the opportunity to disconnect from the distractions of daily life and fully engage in the pleasure of reading. It also offers a chance to socialize with like-minded individuals with the same passion for books. These events provide a sense of community and a place for book lovers to immerse themselves in the reading experience fully.

Simple things can connect people, such as listening to music, reading or taking a tour to learn something new. Interaction with a brand does not just mean buying something; it means interacting on many levels. Organizing immaterial experiments that bring people together can be part of the connection.

02  Focus

Solution

It brings people peace of mind knowing that they have a reliable product that they can count on for the long term. This can be particularly important for items that are used frequently, such as electronics or household appliances. Knowing that they have a high-quality product that won’t break down or need to be replaced frequently can save people time and money, as well as reduce the stress that comes with dealing with malfunctioning equipment.

Future opportunities

An archive of design is crucial for a brand as it serves as a historical record of its identity. It shows the evolution over time and gives it a sense of history and continuity. This can be a starting point, an evolution that is relevant today and in the future, not a repetition of the past. Nostalgia is also an important aspect; it allows people to connect emotionally.

Buy for life

The idea of having things for a long time has proven to be a powerful and relatable concept, garnering attention worldwide. There’s a shared human experience in having a treasured possession and the clear environmental benefits of owning fewer things and keeping them longer. Niwaki designs tools designed to be passed down through generations as treasured family heirlooms.

Simplify people's lives by offering high-quality and well-designed products that last a lifetime. Focus on continuously improving the product and making it recognizable and sustainable. These lifetime products people only buy once, help them organize their lives by offering items that remain of the same quality over the years and if broken, can be repaired.

03  Life assistance

Solution

The best services often arise from personal experiences with a problem that needs a solution. Time is one of our most valuable assets and services that save time and solve friction for people at different stages of life are becoming more important. This can be sports coaching, support with care or assistance with computers for older people.

Future opportunities

The future of skills and craft is likely to be a combination of traditional methods and digital tools to meet the changing needs of people. Services will be booked online and provided at home to save people time and reduce costs for the provider, making contact more personal and focused on life-support.

Kids bikes service

The upcycling of children’s bicycles is necessary, because on average children only use a bicycle for a year: then they have grown too big and the bicycle is too small. Buying a new children’s bike every year is a big expense for parents. BikeFlip guarantees a good children’s bike for a fixed and low amount per month. In the workshop of BikeFlip, people with a distance from the labour market work on their reintegration.

Instead of just providing functional benefits, businesses should aim at developing services to create emotional connections between people and products. Services should be practical, efficient, empathetic and sensitive to the needs of those they serve.