[Elecraft] RE: Can Elecraft take over the global HF ham radiobusiness ?

[Darrell Bellerive]

On April 30, 2005 7:59 am, Craig Rairdin wrote:
> If I've learned anything in business it's that the best products don't
> always win. The best *marketed* products win. This means things like
> "brand", "price", "good looks", "consumer buzz" and "advertising budget"
> are perhaps more important than "receiver sensitivity", "filter bandwidth"
> and other measures of quality.
>

Craig et al,

This seems to be the trend with consumers, businesses, and shareholders today; 
The best looking package with a huge feature list at a very low price. There 
are those like myself who will buy quality, performance, and customer 
service. However, I think though that I am in the minority. When I bought my 
last cell phone, I picked the make and model with the best performing RF 
section. If you want to see dumb looks, ask a cell phone representative about 
RF specs.

It all depends on how one defines win. Most businesses define win to mean to 
be the market leader, or most profitable, or have the highest earning per 
share, however I firmly believe that this idea is wrong. I would much rather 
deal with a company that makes a high quality product, and backs it up with 
excellent customer service. If this same company can make a decent profit, 
and can create some jobs then I consider them to have won.

Double digit growth and earnings per share only matter to accountants and 
shareholders. And yes I would buy Elecraft shares if I could make a few 
percent in dividends, even if the stock price didn't go up. I am in the 
minority here too. As long as the market for Elecraft's products is large 
enough to sustain the company, then Elecraft is doing just fine. They don't 
need to dominate the ham radio business.

Once the marketers and accountants take over, the products became the same as  
everybody else makes, and cost reduction becomes the main design criteria. 
Companies become focused on growth and earnings per share at the expense of 
quality, customer service and jobs.

Thank you very much Eric and Wayne. While you may never make the Forbes top 
500 list, I would consider Elecraft to be one of a handful of truly great 
companies. Elecraft is a winner in my books!

Darrell

-- 
Darrell Bellerive
Amateur Radio Stations: VA7TO, VE7CLA
Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada