A few years ago, when the flat TV market was new and lots of companies saw this as an opportunity to disrupt the CRT TV market and jump into the scene (it didn’t work out like that), I was in the Taipei Hilton trying to explain to an executive that wanted to enter the European TV market, why it was difficult. “It’s like the Alps”, I said.
The inspiration came from a wall next to our table that was carved from solid stone. “If you look at a map of Europe, bang in the middle you will see the Alps. Look at the postcards and it looks very attractive. However, get close up and it’s cold and you need a lot of preparation and provisions”. The executive had hoped to emulate the success of Vizio in the US, but I had to explain that the conditions that Vizio had enjoyed in the US simply didn’t apply in Europe (and still don’t).
The view from one of my favourite places to stay in the…
