Mindful Marketing
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission
    • Mindful Meter & Matrix
    • Leadership
  • Mindful Matters Blog
  • Engage Your Mind
    • Mindful Ads? Vote Your Mind!
  • Expand Your Mind
  • Contact

Dining with Dignity

1/23/2016

13 Comments

 
Picture
by David Hagenbuch, Founder of Mindful Marketing
Food is a necessary and enjoyable part of our lives.  It’s satisfying to eat a favorite dish and to share a meal with others we know.  Unfortunately, however, the simple act of eating can be an ordeal for some people. 
 
Of course, there are individuals who struggle with making the right food choices and others who have difficulty digesting specific foods, but there’s another group of people who contend with an even more basic challenge that most individuals would never even imagine—getting the food into their mouths.
 
About 10 million Americans, and millions more around the world, suffer with a condition called essential tremor (ET), “a neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs or trunk.”  People often associate such symptoms with Parkinson’s disease; however, tremors from Parkinson’s tend to occur when one’s hands are at rest.  Essential tremors, in contrast, happen when the hands are in use, which can be especially trying for people attempting basic activities like eating. 
 
For instance, there’s nothing complicated about scooping applesauce with a spoon and lifting it into one’s mouth; it’s an act most two-year-olds have mastered.  This same action becomes exceedingly difficult, however, when one’s hands shake violently and uncontrollably.  Food simply will not stay on the utensil under those circumstances.  As a result, those with ET may be forced into an infant-like existence in which they either grab what food they can with their trembling hands, or they ask others feed them.
 
Certain companies have noticed this pressing need and have developed somewhat effective solutions to this basic human problem.  For instance, some have created weighted utensils, which lessen the intensity of the tremors.  While helpful, these utensils still do not work for individuals whose tremors are especially severe.  Fortunately one company has leveraged cutting- edge research to develop a very innovative, high-tech solution  

Gyenno Technologies is a Chinese company that is “inspired by extraordinary technology” that “makes our daily life better.”  While the firm may be best known for wearable technology, specifically its “One” wristband, a smartspoon Gyenno has developed may make the biggest impact on individuals’ lives.
 
The Gyenno Spoon is a “smart tableware device” that is capable of “offsetting 85% of unwanted tremors.”  How does such a small device make such a big difference?  In short, it does so through a unique blend of advanced mechanics, complex algorithms, and internet connectivity.  More specifically, the spoon contains “two intelligent real-time, high-speed servo control systems,” the kinds that “are generally only used in large robot systems.”  The spoon’s specially designed operating system directs these control systems based on the user’s unique tremor patterns, which it uploads to the Cloud.  There, a self-generated algorithm signals the spoon to counterbalance according to the user’s specific needs.
 
Hopefully the preceding paragraphs have helped explain what the Gyenno Spoon is and how it works.  No verbal description, however, can compare to seeing the Spoon in action.  Watch the less-than-one-minute video found at this link and first see how difficult it is for those suffering with hand tremors to eat using a conventional spoon; then see what a huge difference a Gyenno Spoon makes.  The transformation is inspiring.  
 
You might be thinking, “It looks and sounds great, but how much does it cost?”  Gyenno CEO Kang Ren says that his company is currently selling the device for $300.  At first that seems like very significant money for a spoon; however, given the product’s sophisticated technology and high-end construction, the markup probably isn’t all that much.  More importantly, however, when one considers the challenges the tool enables its users to overcome, as well as the independence and dignity it affords them, the Gyenno spoon becomes an exceptional value.

 
So far Gyenno has not sold many Spoons, but given the millions of people who suffer from ET and other types of hand tremors, there appears to be great market potential that promises to deliver significant stakeholder value by offering users empowerment and respect.  As a result, Gyenno Spoon serves a heartfelt helping of “Mindful Marketing.”
​
​

Picture
Picture
Subscribe to Mindful Matters blog.
Learn more about the Mindful Matrix and Mindful Meter.
Check out Mindful Marketing Ads
 and Vote your Mind!
13 Comments
Amy
1/25/2016 11:06:47 pm

I completely agree that this new product is mindful. The Chinese company has a committed effort to make life better, evident in their mission and in their products. There is an increasing market of aging people, and disabilities related to aging. The baby boomer era has money to spend on products that benefit either themselves or their loved ones, as this product clearly does. Even with a $300 price sticker, the company maintains a decent profit margin; they aren't trying to make their customers pay an arm and a leg. I do wonder if insurance companies will recognize the inherent value in this piece of medical equipment, which would positively affect sales. The innovation of this product, and the marketing itself, show to be profitable to stakeholders and cognizant of the needs of individual people.

Reply
Kevin Lyon
1/26/2016 11:06:26 am

I had first hand experience with essential tremors because my Grandfather struggled with them in his later years. I felt like I should do something to help him while he was eating, but he was determined to do it on his own. Gyenno Tech has truly developed an awesome product with this spoon. Just seeing the relief on the peoples faces in the video just shows how effective this product really is. It will also help stubborn people like my grandfather who do not someone else spoon-feeding him. I think that once this product has been on the market for a little while people will recognize how much it can the people who directly struggle, or how it can help a friend or relative who has essential tremors. I think that most people who struggle with tremors will see the $300 as a fair price due the fact that most of them will use the spoon multiple times throughout the day. This is truly a groundbreaking and useful product that I hope can penetrate the market and help the lives of many.

Reply
D.L. Browne
1/26/2016 07:51:51 pm

I have to say that I am truly impressed by the product that Gyenno Tech has developed here. Considering the great amount of people that deal with these tremors, this product will help many with a problem that is a part of their every day life. Today's technology leaves me amazed, and while there are detrimental aspects of technology (especially seen through the younger generations), this is a situation which calls for a great benefit. One question that rises about this product is whether or not it is really worth $300. Because of it's technological advancements, and how much it has and is going to continue helping people facing these tremors, it seems well worth the price. This is the first specific spoon product that is being used to people with tremors, so it will be interesting to see what advancements/ improvements will be made in similar future products. Without question, I consider this Mindful Marketing-- great value with great intentions, and hopefully great success.

Reply
John Griffitts
1/26/2016 08:11:44 pm

For people with muscular control issues, this product is clearly extremely beneficial. I personally believe that the mindful evaluation is correct because this product provides a ton of benefits and with all other options and treatments considered, the price is not all that expensive. Three hundred dollars for a spoon that makes life considerably easier is a good investment. Also, this spoon makes life easier for those that live with the individual. It allows the person with the disability to be a little bit more independent and not rely on the help of others to eat. I think this is a great product and definitely mindful.

Reply
Jake Curry
1/26/2016 08:18:49 pm

Before reading this article and hearing about it in class, I had no idea that essential tremors (ET) were such a big problem in people’s lives. Even just watching the people in the video try to eat was frustrating for me. I can’t even imagine the frustration and willpower those people possess while dealing with ET every time they eat. The Gyenno Spoon is a fantastic product in my opinion. It deals with a problem that is often overlooked and attempts to better the lives of its consumers. Some people may argue that $300 is way too steep a price for a spoon, but I believe that it is much more than a spoon. It is an advanced piece of technology that allows people to perform an action that they previously had great difficulty executing. The ability to perform an essential action is much more important than the $300 a person could save by not buying the Gyenno Spoon.

Reply
Joshua Alexander Bailey
1/26/2016 08:44:49 pm

I think this is a wonderful and Mindful way to help many people. people have no idea the indignity that comes with not being able to preform simple tasks that other people take for granted. having an invention like this doesn't just save people a small inconvenience. it gives them the ability to be themselves again without having to rely on other people to preform simple everyday tasks. the $300 asking price doesn't seem particularly steep for something that employs complex technology like this. there is some relatively high tech engineering involved in the creation of the balancing effect in that spoon and for something with such versatility, if it is well made, a $300 asking price seems reasonable for the product. I would rate this a Mindful in my book.

Reply
Kyle Bjroman
1/27/2016 08:05:55 am

In this day and age it is nice to hear about a successful company creating something truly helpful rather than something that we humans don’t really need. I am impressed with the “high tech” spoon and can only begin to imagine the effects that it will have for the user. I wonder what this company will do next. Will they go back to creating new “cool” but “unnecessary” tech or will they shift their focus and dive into marketing in a more good natured “self-help” approach? Hopefully they will do both! One day I hope to follow in this company’s footsteps, and while doing cool things, truly be passionate about helping others.

Reply
Miriam Thurber
1/27/2016 10:53:43 am

My grandmother suffers from severe Parkinson's disease. While I understand the difference in these tremors and the ET mentioned here, she still would have greatly benefited from this spoon. I've watched her transition from being a fully capable adult who was well-respected and loved throughout the community for her innovative thinking and willingness to help, into a woman who can't form sentences and is known for her inability to perform simple tasks alone. One of these tasks is eating. While she currently doesn't have the capacity to understand embarrassment, much less experience it herself, a few years ago her inability to even lift an eating utensil was humiliating for her. A tool such as this would have been revolutionary for her. I'm glad something like this is finally on the market! The marketing surrounding this product is most definitely mindful, and I look forward to seeing how this affects our society.

Reply
Jason Polansky
1/27/2016 12:34:31 pm

This is very interesting. I have never heard of such an innovative product, but it seems like it would be very useful to someone who has this motor disability. This is a very specific and rather small target market, so the product would have to be somewhat expensive, but it would surely be worth the cost. It made me think about how Braille books and technology are expensive, but they are worth the price because I use them to function on a daily basis.

Reply
Anne Squire
2/18/2016 08:01:11 pm

I think this is a great tool! I believe it is very hard for people to ask and even harder to ask for help when the task is "one a two-year can master". My aunt has hand tremors and whenever someone would go to help her with eating or other task she would tell us to leave her be because she could do it by herself. She never wanted to burden us. This spoon allows the person to be able to do the simple task of eating by themselves and feel "normal". Even though it is expensive it is a god investment and it is mindful marketing.

Reply
Caleb Ostrander
2/18/2016 09:42:39 pm

I think that this is awesome. Knowing people that have had these kind of muscular control issues, there definitely comes a great amount of internal struggle and shame in not being able to perform simple motor tasks such as eating or putting on clothes. It is incredibly sad to see this in adults that have been able to do these things their whole life all of the sudden not be able to perform these tasks with any sort of dignity. Because of this, I think this product is a wonderful idea and an extremely mindful and ethically strong one at that. Not only is this a revolutionary product that could create a whole new market, but it also is something that is extremely beneficial to people that struggle with these muscular control issues. I am very impressed with this product.

Reply
Emily Worth
3/1/2016 07:30:54 pm

This is really cool! I've never thought twice about using utensils to get food in my mouth and I can't imagine how frustrating it would be for people with this condition. This spoon must be an amazing development for them. The video was particularly heartwarming to see. Usually, I am frustrated with technology and the ever-increasing internet connectedness of regular, day-to-day objects. It tends to seem unnecessary. However, this spoon is an excellent example of internet technology used to significantly benefit its user. This product is more than just another "smart" product; it is actually changing peoples' lives for the better. I find this use of smart technology very respectable.

Reply
Blake
3/28/2016 12:41:45 am

This is such a cool technology. Hopefully, this product will be able to be more widespread in order to help as many people as possible that suffer from ET. This is definitely mindful marketing, as the company is capable of both profiting from a new product, as well as enhancing the lives of many in a purely good way.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe to receive this blog by email

    Editor

    David Hagenbuch,
    founder of
    Mindful Marketing    & author of Honorable Influence

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014

    Categories

    All
    + Decency
    + Fairness
    Honesty7883a9b09e
    * Mindful
    Mindless33703c5669
    > Place
    Price5d70aa2269
    > Product
    Promotion37eb4ea826
    Respect170bbeec51
    Simple Minded
    Single Minded2c3169a786
    + Stewardship

    RSS Feed

    Share this blog:

    Subscribe to
    Mindful Matters
    blog by email


    Illuminating
    ​Marketing Ethics ​

    Encouraging
    ​Ethical Marketing  ​


    Copyright 2020
    David Hagenbuch

Proudly powered by Weebly