It's dne with LEGO parts, and can be found here!
Good job, Sebastiansand!
Friday, January 12, 2007
About the selling of LEGO offices in Enfield...
So the headline hit, and it did bring up some questions for me.
The scorecard so far:
1. LEGO moved out production from Enfield to Mexico.
2. LEGO offices were sold in Enfield and are being leased.
3. A LEGO Distribution center is going to be in Texas.
4. LEGO production in Billund got mostly moved out to Czechoslovakia (and no, I didn't spell that right)
So what's going on? Globalization.
Everyone has to remember that when a person buys a LEGO set, you are not only buying the bricks, you are also paying for machines and people who all are a part in designing, producing, and shipping a set. It's not just the plastic, cardboard, paper, and stickers - it's MUCH more. So when there is a downward push on prices, something HAS to give.
Denmark has just about the highest production wages in the world, because it's a pretty highly developed country (go there, and you'll see what I mean - it's a wonderful place). While that is good for employees, for a company it's an expense that has to be balanced.
With the state LEGO was in previous years, costs became an issue, so production began to get outsourced. It's much better cost-wise to have another company make parts than produce yourself, especially if there are things like equipment involved. It's also better if wages are lower, which can be found if you look.
The problem, however, as people as noticed, is quality can and will drop if not enough attention is paid. Ironically, that's because the production cost is lower. So oversight is required - which requires some investment. So an additional expense is made.
But some consumers are leaving the brand because it's deemed to expensive, so there is pressure to push down prices...so the business has to reduce costs somewhere. If any of us don't buy a set, it impacts LEGO. If sets are bought only on discount, it makes an impact.
The good news is that the LEGO group is getting profitable again. What is happening now is that the company is working to become more nimble. Less expenses means more money to invest in new sets and products. TLG s working to streamline itself, and business wise, it's a smart thing to do.
the point I am making? It might be an idea to take a larger view on the company before reacting to news. After all, the most important thing is that the LEGO Group grow, and that cannot be done without some miscues and goofs. As long as new sets come out, I will look and I will buy what I like. And if the company wants feedback, I'm more than happy to give it.
The scorecard so far:
1. LEGO moved out production from Enfield to Mexico.
2. LEGO offices were sold in Enfield and are being leased.
3. A LEGO Distribution center is going to be in Texas.
4. LEGO production in Billund got mostly moved out to Czechoslovakia (and no, I didn't spell that right)
So what's going on? Globalization.
Everyone has to remember that when a person buys a LEGO set, you are not only buying the bricks, you are also paying for machines and people who all are a part in designing, producing, and shipping a set. It's not just the plastic, cardboard, paper, and stickers - it's MUCH more. So when there is a downward push on prices, something HAS to give.
Denmark has just about the highest production wages in the world, because it's a pretty highly developed country (go there, and you'll see what I mean - it's a wonderful place). While that is good for employees, for a company it's an expense that has to be balanced.
With the state LEGO was in previous years, costs became an issue, so production began to get outsourced. It's much better cost-wise to have another company make parts than produce yourself, especially if there are things like equipment involved. It's also better if wages are lower, which can be found if you look.
The problem, however, as people as noticed, is quality can and will drop if not enough attention is paid. Ironically, that's because the production cost is lower. So oversight is required - which requires some investment. So an additional expense is made.
But some consumers are leaving the brand because it's deemed to expensive, so there is pressure to push down prices...so the business has to reduce costs somewhere. If any of us don't buy a set, it impacts LEGO. If sets are bought only on discount, it makes an impact.
The good news is that the LEGO group is getting profitable again. What is happening now is that the company is working to become more nimble. Less expenses means more money to invest in new sets and products. TLG s working to streamline itself, and business wise, it's a smart thing to do.
the point I am making? It might be an idea to take a larger view on the company before reacting to news. After all, the most important thing is that the LEGO Group grow, and that cannot be done without some miscues and goofs. As long as new sets come out, I will look and I will buy what I like. And if the company wants feedback, I'm more than happy to give it.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Back from Enfield again...and a neat gift! Thanks SPIDERS!
and so there have been a lot of really neat things that were discussed at the LEGO office.
And I am a contractor! I'm working on an ongoing project with the LEGO Group! And it'll be something that will be seen pretty soon! I'll announce this when things are in place.
But here's a neat thing that happened to me today...
I had known Monday that I got a package, but was too late to get it until today. My flight to Enfield was a red-eye Tuesday morning and I got back Wednesday night. since I found the package notice, I had been wondering what I got. I didn't order anything...so what was it?
During this time I also cancelled a contract that I was working on for an event late in the year, so after I got the confirmation for the client, I thought that the package was the first check, which I was to return to them. No big deal. So I went to the office and picked up a package.
It wasn't a check. It was a box from Hawaii, from the coach of the SPIDERS FIRST LEGO League team I reported on in BrickJournal - it was a Christmas package! In it was a box of chocolate macadamia nuts (mmm), macadamia nut shortbread (mmmmm), and some special items:
1. A hat made from red and black foam straps - the black straps were stapled on the red strap so when it's worn it looks like a spider! This is the team headwear!
2. A red Hawaiian shirt, which is the same pattern as was worn by the team at FIRST LEGO League World in Atlanta, where I met the team. and to be honest, I wanted one of those shirts - how cool!
3. A postcard invite to the FLL Championship Tournament in Manoa, with pics of the team members I remember, and
4. A handmade card wishing me a merry Christmas and thanking me for writing the article.
It's a bit of a bummer to know that they won't be coming this year - SPIDERS were second place. But I know what I will be wearing this year when I go to Atlanta.
I'll be wearing a red headstrap and red Hawaiian shirt.
Many thanks to the Dangs and to the team - and I hope they all had a great holiday and good start on the year!
And I am a contractor! I'm working on an ongoing project with the LEGO Group! And it'll be something that will be seen pretty soon! I'll announce this when things are in place.
But here's a neat thing that happened to me today...
I had known Monday that I got a package, but was too late to get it until today. My flight to Enfield was a red-eye Tuesday morning and I got back Wednesday night. since I found the package notice, I had been wondering what I got. I didn't order anything...so what was it?
During this time I also cancelled a contract that I was working on for an event late in the year, so after I got the confirmation for the client, I thought that the package was the first check, which I was to return to them. No big deal. So I went to the office and picked up a package.
It wasn't a check. It was a box from Hawaii, from the coach of the SPIDERS FIRST LEGO League team I reported on in BrickJournal - it was a Christmas package! In it was a box of chocolate macadamia nuts (mmm), macadamia nut shortbread (mmmmm), and some special items:
1. A hat made from red and black foam straps - the black straps were stapled on the red strap so when it's worn it looks like a spider! This is the team headwear!
2. A red Hawaiian shirt, which is the same pattern as was worn by the team at FIRST LEGO League World in Atlanta, where I met the team. and to be honest, I wanted one of those shirts - how cool!
3. A postcard invite to the FLL Championship Tournament in Manoa, with pics of the team members I remember, and
4. A handmade card wishing me a merry Christmas and thanking me for writing the article.
It's a bit of a bummer to know that they won't be coming this year - SPIDERS were second place. But I know what I will be wearing this year when I go to Atlanta.
I'll be wearing a red headstrap and red Hawaiian shirt.
Many thanks to the Dangs and to the team - and I hope they all had a great holiday and good start on the year!
Monday, January 8, 2007
Ever have too many ideas?
I have way too much in my head right now.
The layouts for BrickJournal are coming along, and I am getting articles from last year's events. I'm also getting things set up for the next issue, and planning things for print (set for summer, though this is contingent with LEGO involvement).
I am also getting things set up for BrickJournal to become more immediate - I am starting to work toward having a dedicated website for the magazine that is more than just links to the mags - I want a site where faster news comes through. BrickJournal should be constantly posting articles on events and builders, and also introducing interactive things too. I want to see podcasts and video, all the things that can make the hobby more live than an article can.
It's a tough challenge, but strangely enough, it might be less expensive than making a magazine. Go figure.
The layouts for BrickJournal are coming along, and I am getting articles from last year's events. I'm also getting things set up for the next issue, and planning things for print (set for summer, though this is contingent with LEGO involvement).
I am also getting things set up for BrickJournal to become more immediate - I am starting to work toward having a dedicated website for the magazine that is more than just links to the mags - I want a site where faster news comes through. BrickJournal should be constantly posting articles on events and builders, and also introducing interactive things too. I want to see podcasts and video, all the things that can make the hobby more live than an article can.
It's a tough challenge, but strangely enough, it might be less expensive than making a magazine. Go figure.
Friday, January 5, 2007
more stuff to do...
Next week, I go to Enfield to discuss more about BrickJournal.
It's been interesting. BrickJournal is definitely a thing that LEGO on the corporate level wants to become successful. But there have been some definite bumps on the road. The good thing is that things are still in the beginning stages, so change isn't too bad to deal with. At least right now.
The challenges facing the magazine are the resources and the reception by the audience.
Here's a quick number: 50,000.
That's a very round and average (off the top of my head) number of downloads per issue.
Now, the question is:
Who are these people? The first question that needs to be addressed is who exactly is getting the magazine. The number of AFOLs that are listed in LUGNET is over 3000. The number of people in Brickshelf is just over 50,000. The number of AFOLs is somewhere between. The other people are an unknown.
This is important because things like marketing and advertising can be looked at. BrickJournal in print has some implications - where does the online version go? Is there an online version? Is there a website?
I personally want a website with enhanced content that will be a tiein to the magazine. I also know realistically that the magazine lasting long term will be a challenge. Out of the 50,000, I expect less than a fourth to subscribe to the printed magazine.
The enhanced content would be video and interactive things onsite. But the big question is what will create a revenue stream for BrickJournal? And who would pay?
Definitely some questions to ponder.
It's been interesting. BrickJournal is definitely a thing that LEGO on the corporate level wants to become successful. But there have been some definite bumps on the road. The good thing is that things are still in the beginning stages, so change isn't too bad to deal with. At least right now.
The challenges facing the magazine are the resources and the reception by the audience.
Here's a quick number: 50,000.
That's a very round and average (off the top of my head) number of downloads per issue.
Now, the question is:
Who are these people? The first question that needs to be addressed is who exactly is getting the magazine. The number of AFOLs that are listed in LUGNET is over 3000. The number of people in Brickshelf is just over 50,000. The number of AFOLs is somewhere between. The other people are an unknown.
This is important because things like marketing and advertising can be looked at. BrickJournal in print has some implications - where does the online version go? Is there an online version? Is there a website?
I personally want a website with enhanced content that will be a tiein to the magazine. I also know realistically that the magazine lasting long term will be a challenge. Out of the 50,000, I expect less than a fourth to subscribe to the printed magazine.
The enhanced content would be video and interactive things onsite. But the big question is what will create a revenue stream for BrickJournal? And who would pay?
Definitely some questions to ponder.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Building with the new sets...and my favorite set of the year!
I bought a few sets in the past couple of months - the new sets that should be out everywhere now. Here's my impressions of the sets I got:
4953 - Fast Flyers: This is a $20 set with 312 parts, with a lot of wedge plates. Colors are red, white and blue, with a few transparent-smoke parts for canopies.
The Builds: So far, I have built two out of the three models (a helicopter and the main fighter jet). The best model is the jet - there are swing wings and folding landing gear (with the rear wheels folding into wheel bays with doors)! The swing wing mechanism is very clever - there is a really simple mechanism for the wings that I just had to admire for a few minutes. I built a swing wing plane ages ago and used gears, which wasn't a very good solution - on wing was off just a little bitbecause the gears did not align. The plane in the set uses no gears.
There are a couple of other clever ideas in the models, like using the arched window frames as air intakes. I immediately started building alternate models with teh parts and built a push prop plane (that I haven't posted yet) that resembles the Starship (private plane). I haven't done much else yet, but the part assortment in the box has enough variety to make many, well, planes! So am I happy with it? Yes!
4939 - Cool Cars: This is a $10 set with 206 parts, most of them of the smaller size. This set has three models in the instructions, and I built the sports car.
The car is pretty impressive, as not only do the doors open in a gull wing style, but the trunk opens, and has a nice size to it. the car, when built, is actually a little heavy - which is an interesting surprise. I also like the dark red accents for the interior.
However, this set does not push me to build - I think it's because I don't like wheels for some reason. I'm too impressed with the car than to build something else right now.
So what was my favorite set for 2006? Good question.
My favorite set is the NXT. Even though I am not a master of it yet (and have a long way to go), I am looking at the potential.
The NXT has two different levels with it - the physical building and the programming. With those two factors, there's a completely new dimension to building - there's building, then building the program. I think that's really cool, as the end result is a robot that does something. I can build a plane out of System parts and plates, but with an NXT I can build a helicopter that has rotors that spin, landing gear that retracts, and one more function with the third motor - and I can program the helo to retract its gear when it reaches a certain altitude, thanks to the ultrasound rangefinder. How cool is that?
So what's your favorite set this year?
4953 - Fast Flyers: This is a $20 set with 312 parts, with a lot of wedge plates. Colors are red, white and blue, with a few transparent-smoke parts for canopies.
The Builds: So far, I have built two out of the three models (a helicopter and the main fighter jet). The best model is the jet - there are swing wings and folding landing gear (with the rear wheels folding into wheel bays with doors)! The swing wing mechanism is very clever - there is a really simple mechanism for the wings that I just had to admire for a few minutes. I built a swing wing plane ages ago and used gears, which wasn't a very good solution - on wing was off just a little bitbecause the gears did not align. The plane in the set uses no gears.
There are a couple of other clever ideas in the models, like using the arched window frames as air intakes. I immediately started building alternate models with teh parts and built a push prop plane (that I haven't posted yet) that resembles the Starship (private plane). I haven't done much else yet, but the part assortment in the box has enough variety to make many, well, planes! So am I happy with it? Yes!
4939 - Cool Cars: This is a $10 set with 206 parts, most of them of the smaller size. This set has three models in the instructions, and I built the sports car.
The car is pretty impressive, as not only do the doors open in a gull wing style, but the trunk opens, and has a nice size to it. the car, when built, is actually a little heavy - which is an interesting surprise. I also like the dark red accents for the interior.
However, this set does not push me to build - I think it's because I don't like wheels for some reason. I'm too impressed with the car than to build something else right now.
So what was my favorite set for 2006? Good question.
My favorite set is the NXT. Even though I am not a master of it yet (and have a long way to go), I am looking at the potential.
The NXT has two different levels with it - the physical building and the programming. With those two factors, there's a completely new dimension to building - there's building, then building the program. I think that's really cool, as the end result is a robot that does something. I can build a plane out of System parts and plates, but with an NXT I can build a helicopter that has rotors that spin, landing gear that retracts, and one more function with the third motor - and I can program the helo to retract its gear when it reaches a certain altitude, thanks to the ultrasound rangefinder. How cool is that?
So what's your favorite set this year?
Monday, January 1, 2007
Playing catch-up...
Well, if your holiday was anything like mine, you would under stand why my notes got really short for a moment there.
I updated the BrickJournal Event Calendar, and it now has events listed from some international sites - the Brickish Association, FreeLUG, and 1000steine, to name a few. There's a lot going on in the next couple of months, so take a look here.
If anyone wants to list an event, drop me a line. I got these from going through all the club links on LUGNET, so I know I missed some stuff:-)
There's also some writing I have to do for BrickJournal. And I built an NXT tank with the new snowmobile tracks. It uses two motors to drive the tracks, and I want the third motor to do something, but I don't know what....
I updated the BrickJournal Event Calendar, and it now has events listed from some international sites - the Brickish Association, FreeLUG, and 1000steine, to name a few. There's a lot going on in the next couple of months, so take a look here.
If anyone wants to list an event, drop me a line. I got these from going through all the club links on LUGNET, so I know I missed some stuff:-)
There's also some writing I have to do for BrickJournal. And I built an NXT tank with the new snowmobile tracks. It uses two motors to drive the tracks, and I want the third motor to do something, but I don't know what....
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