GM 2014 Official Launch
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Butterfingerz

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #195 on: September 11, 2013, 09:00:28 AM »

One of the most recognisable/historic brands ever. You're joking right?
What exactly are the boutique brands delivering that GM aren't, I'd love to know?

I lived opposite a guy who worked for Jaguar as a project manager for many years. The brief when he worked on the X type was to design the car but not loose the 'rear view mirror' test. By this it was meant that the driver in front when looking in the rear view mirror should know instantly that its a Jaguar. This was achieved however the design of the car was different to anything they'd done before.

The GM 2014 range has two different sticker sets on bats, a range of gloves where logos, wristbands are different on each pads which designs are the same as 2013 only tweaked with different colour trim and luggage sets which have only changed colours. A range of keeping pads which look ridiculous.

I'd expect a little more from GM.
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Nickauger

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #196 on: September 11, 2013, 09:10:11 AM »

Love the new softs range, think they look awesome (minus d30, which has always been a bit loud for me). Bats seem to be no real change, and not a huge fan of the stickers although I'm a huge believer in 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. Disappointed by the purist, yet understand the reasons for it! Definitely want a set of softs though! Slightly confused behind the reasoning for not changing the colourings of the 909 and 303 range, as this would probably be the point I would be looking at, and would have liked to see them a little more different?
« Last Edit: September 11, 2013, 09:12:44 AM by Nickauger »
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Buzz

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #197 on: September 11, 2013, 09:30:16 AM »

I think we should also give a massive amount of credit to the GM website - there is huge detail about the products the impact/sizes/weights/spectrum/middle position/stats about the gear etc on the website - all within 2 clicks.

Given that a huge amount of the GM sales will be through online shops - the fact that all this information is so easily available through their website is really impressive.

For example the explanation of the new face types and middle position and weight:

F-Type http://www.gm-cricket.com/heritage/technology/gm-f-tech.aspx
Bat shapes: http://www.gm-cricket.com/pages/mens-bat-shapes.aspx
Comparison of shapes: http://www.gm-cricket.com/pages/bat-spectrum.aspx
Willow grading http://www.gm-cricket.com/pages/willow-grading.aspx
Weights: http://www.gm-cricket.com/pages/weight-comparison.aspx

who else shows this much info so easily??

Any retailer can learn this stuff in about 15mins reading and should be able to explain it to their customers in simple language - or just pull out a laptop/iPad and demonstrate from the GM website...

compare that to GM/Puma/Kook/Adidas
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Edward Lowy

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #198 on: September 11, 2013, 09:41:16 AM »

I think we should also give a massive amount of credit to the GM website - there is huge detail about the products the impact/sizes/weights/spectrum/middle position/stats about the gear etc on the website - all within 2 clicks.

Given that a huge amount of the GM sales will be through online shops - the fact that all this information is so easily available through their website is really impressive.

For example the explanation of the new face types and middle position and weight:

F-Type http://www.gm-cricket.com/heritage/technology/gm-f-tech.aspx
Bat shapes: http://www.gm-cricket.com/pages/mens-bat-shapes.aspx
Comparison of shapes: http://www.gm-cricket.com/pages/bat-spectrum.aspx
Willow grading http://www.gm-cricket.com/pages/willow-grading.aspx
Weights: http://www.gm-cricket.com/pages/weight-comparison.aspx

who else shows this much info so easily??

Any retailer can learn this stuff in about 15mins reading and should be able to explain it to their customers in simple language - or just pull out a laptop/iPad and demonstrate from the GM website...

compare that to GM/Puma/Kook/Adidas


Thanks Buzz - actually there has been a glitch in the upload overnight so various of the data charts have not been updated to properly reflect the 2014 range. That's being sorted at the moment

Kind regards

Edward
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Butterfingerz

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #199 on: September 11, 2013, 09:59:42 AM »

I think we should also give a massive amount of credit to the GM website - there is huge detail about the products the impact/sizes/weights/spectrum/middle position/stats about the gear etc on the website - all within 2 clicks.

Given that a huge amount of the GM sales will be through online shops - the fact that all this information is so easily available through their website is really impressive.

For example the explanation of the new face types and middle position and weight:

F-Type http://www.gm-cricket.com/heritage/technology/gm-f-tech.aspx
Bat shapes: http://www.gm-cricket.com/pages/mens-bat-shapes.aspx
Comparison of shapes: http://www.gm-cricket.com/pages/bat-spectrum.aspx
Willow grading http://www.gm-cricket.com/pages/willow-grading.aspx
Weights: http://www.gm-cricket.com/pages/weight-comparison.aspx

who else shows this much info so easily??

Any retailer can learn this stuff in about 15mins reading and should be able to explain it to their customers in simple language - or just pull out a laptop/iPad and demonstrate from the GM website...

compare that to GM/Puma/Kook/Adidas


Got to agree there
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rbblack

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #200 on: September 11, 2013, 10:17:45 AM »

I agree with Buzz. Great to have all that info on their site like that - iPad sales techniques for all!

For me it's obviously not that GM don't know what they're doing/talking about just that some of the branding is a little weak and slightly missing the tastes of the cricketing demographic. I feel that the whole brand has a sort of stuffy old school look and feel to it but then I suppose that really comes down to personal preference.

I certainly congratulate them on their hard work in providing as tailor made as possible off the shelf bats.
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ItsJustCricket

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #201 on: September 11, 2013, 10:20:52 AM »

Although there's a lot of info there, Buzz, and it's well explained, it's all a bit too much for me.  Less is more, especially for the average customer who doesn't care about a lot of that stuff.

Although you wouldn't know it from reading this thread, my take is that GM are targeting more of the "cricketing geek" rather than your average Sunday cricketer.  Not necessarily a bad thing, but a little strange given that they are one of the larger brands and the average Sunday cricketer market is bigger...

Buzz

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #202 on: September 11, 2013, 10:26:35 AM »

In the past I have been occasionally accused of being stuffy and old school (unfairly in my view - just like Lords, which is the most forward thinking ground in the world) so I feel able to comment - I don't believe the branding is in anyway old school.

Some of it very much isn't to my taste - but that is the point of a huge brand - to offer variety to different demographics.

Look at the competition - GN to that really well with the Legend/Scoop style bats vs the more brash bats.

GM have the 1885 - for the really traditional and the Zona at the other end of the scale.

Clearly they have looked at their sales and felt that the more modern styling hits more of their target market and then pushed for that.

GM is not a boutique business - you have to understand the market place - on here we can be to micro in our views and tastes rather than understanding the macro position as well.

Although there's a lot of info there, Buzz, and it's well explained, it's all a bit too much for me.  Less is more, especially for the average customer who doesn't care about a lot of that stuff.

Although you wouldn't know it from reading this thread, my take is that GM are targeting more of the "cricketing geek" rather than your average Sunday cricketer.  Not necessarily a bad thing, but a little strange given that they are one of the larger brands and the average Sunday cricketer market is bigger...

Paul - I don't agree - In my view they are trying to demonstrate the value you get for buying a branded bat like GM - rather than a smaller/boutique brand option.

The other question I ask you is how often a Sunday cricketer buys a bat and whether having the Sunday cricketer as your target market would be as a sustainable business model.
« Last Edit: September 11, 2013, 10:30:09 AM by Buzz »
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rbblack

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #203 on: September 11, 2013, 10:36:11 AM »

In the past I have been occasionally accused of being stuffy and old school (unfairly in my view - just like Lords, which is the most forward thinking ground in the world) so I feel able to comment - I don't believe the branding is in anyway old school.

Some of it very much isn't to my taste - but that is the point of a huge brand - to offer variety to different demographics.

Look at the competition - GN to that really well with the Legend/Scoop style bats vs the more brash bats.

GM have the 1885 - for the really traditional and the Zona at the other end of the scale.

Clearly they have looked at their sales and felt that the more modern styling hits more of their target market and then pushed for that.

GM is not a boutique business - you have to understand the market place - on here we can be to micro in our views and tastes rather than understanding the macro position as well.

I didn't say that the branding of the bats was old school or stuffy, nor that they do not cater to the entire Cricketing demographic, I was referring to the GM brand as a whole.
This for me comes down to my residual opinions formed in the last 10 or so years when they have at points (I feel) fallen behind the competition in their branding of some bats/softs etc. I am not commenting negatively on any of the range (from pictures) I have seen for this year, as actually I think they are starting to look very competitive. But brand association takes time to evolve and my point was that as it stands I still see them as being behind the competition in some areas.



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ItsJustCricket

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #204 on: September 11, 2013, 10:38:32 AM »

It's not really our market, Buzz, but I think it should be for GM, as a major brand.

I actually quite like the fact that they are so detailed with the bat info, especially with all the spine height and edge size etc.  It's very useful info that not a lot of others convey very well, but the F7, F4.5 and F2 thing is my main issue.  Even the GM reps thought the F2 and F7 options last year were confusing enough as it is, but now with the F4.5 added to the mix I think it's beyond confusing, and if the GM reps can't sell it, I'm not convinced we can either...

Buzz

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #205 on: September 11, 2013, 10:46:26 AM »

This is hardly rocket science:

The GM F-Tech Programme
 
Cricketers like choice and the Gunn & Moore philosophy is to give cricketers the best possible choice in their bat selection – choice based on scientific research not guesswork.

As a direct result of GM’s continual research and development with our sports science partners, GM F-TECH provides cricketers with a better understanding of bat performance through more choice of bat faces.

Science becomes reality only through GM’s DXM CAD/CAM precision manufacturing processes.

The GM F-Tech Programme comprises:

---------------------------------------------------------

F7
GM’s proven bat face design gives the best feel to the batsman and the best power to weight ratio

---------------------------------------------------------

F4.5
Brand new! Confidence inspiring Big Bat design, optimised flatter face, improved spin control, great feel (approx 3/4oz more than F7)

---------------------------------------------------------

F2
Flat face, maximised edges for enhanced shot choice, immense power potential (approx 3/4oz more than F4.5)


So you get details around touch (curved in their view gives better feel) and weight.

This should help retailers - rather than saying look at the grains and stickers on this bat, doesn't it pick up well you can sell a bat more like a suit -

what kind of shots do you play
are you a hitter of a touch player
where in the order do you bat

you will have so many different ways to help the customer make an informed decision and choose a bat that works for them - much like the runners need model for selling trainers.

There will always be a large proportion of people who will just buy on the stickers - but this is a different (more forward looking??) way.
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rbblack

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #206 on: September 11, 2013, 11:03:24 AM »

It's not really our market, Buzz, but I think it should be for GM, as a major brand.

I actually quite like the fact that they are so detailed with the bat info, especially with all the spine height and edge size etc.  It's very useful info that not a lot of others convey very well, but the F7, F4.5 and F2 thing is my main issue.  Even the GM reps thought the F2 and F7 options last year were confusing enough as it is, but now with the F4.5 added to the mix I think it's beyond confusing, and if the GM reps can't sell it, I'm not convinced we can either...

As Buzz says I don't think the idea of offering the variety is wrong though Paul, do you not think?

However I do believe the way they have branded it (And I am not talking about sticker colouring or design, a brand is more than that) isn't particularly strong. I can see the logic behind it F for face, 7 or 4.5 or 2 for the extent of camber on the face.
But logical naming/branding A LA the motor industry has been proven in recent years to be a weaker sales point than an evocative word or "special edition" etc. Simpler is better. The word coming from most PR agencies these days is that numbers and acronyms on the whole should be avoided for products.

But as I say I don't think it's not going to sell nor that it isn't perfectly adequate and as you say Buzz in a lot of ways they are pushing the envelope. Yet as some other people have said, I do feel like they are missing a couple of tricks.

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ItsJustCricket

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #207 on: September 11, 2013, 11:09:41 AM »

What's wrong with a bat that only comes in a flat face and another bat that only comes in a round face? This has worked for all the other brands, so I don't see why it couldn't with GM.  This is far less confusing and it makes the flatter face option stand out...

Kulli

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #208 on: September 11, 2013, 11:10:09 AM »



F7
GM’s proven bat face design gives the best feel to the batsman and the best power to weight ratio

F4.5
Brand new! Confidence inspiring Big Bat design, optimised flatter face, improved spin control, great feel (approx 3/4oz more than F7)

F2
Flat face, maximised edges for enhanced shot choice, immense power potential (approx 3/4oz more than F4.5)

This isn't a criticism btw, but what do things like 'improved spin control', 'enhanced shot choice' and 'immense power potential' compared to 'the best power to weight ratio' actually mean?
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Buzz

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Re: GM 2014 Official Launch
« Reply #209 on: September 11, 2013, 11:16:11 AM »

What's wrong with a bat that only comes in a flat face and another bat that only comes in a round face? This has worked for all the other brands, so I don't see why it couldn't with GM.  This is far less confusing and it makes the flatter face option stand out...

In a word: Choice

I like the Icon shape but a more of a touch player - so I want a lighter bat with better feel

I like the Icon shape but am a massive slogger - so I want a heavier bat which can help with my off centre shots

I really don't think it is confusing at all. (Kulli - does that help you too?)

What we really should be asking about is the pressing and what"+ quantum improvements to the vital pressing operation" actually means in practice.
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