It’s a Croc, or is it?
5 Comments Published by Frank Lane May 28th, 2007 in Alignment, Focus, Innovation, Linkage, NamingThe cool waterproof shoes, Crocs are an excellent example of getting Focus, Alignment and Linkage right all from the very beginning.
I don’t know how many pairs of Crocs they have sold, but it looks like every child and teenager has at least one pair. I am neither a child nor a teenager and I finally bought a pair. I bought them to use as bedroom slippers that would not try to come off when I went up and down the stairs in my house. Now I find myself wearing them out on errand trips etc., when I pay little attention to how I am dressed. I have even walked the treadmill in my Crocs. I can report that they are far more comfortable than they look, and just as versatile.
One of the things that makes a Croc a Croc is appearance. They may be different colors but all Crocs look the same. Well not any more. Visit the Crocs website and you’ll see that Crocs has yielded to the lure of the brand extension Siren, and begun to introduce shoes that look absolutely nothing like a Croc. Makes me sad.
Take your money and run. My neighbor invested $100,000 into Crocs and now it is worth $20 million. I agree, other shoe companies have are trying to look like Crocs and now Crocs are trying to look like other shoe companies.
Frank, you make some great points. I, too, have been stunned by the success of Crocs. Perhaps, I wouldn’t be so surprised if I had tried a pair myself. Will have to take a pair for a spin.
When that day comes, I’ll be sure to not make the mistake of wearing socks with my Crocs. Saw this entertaining post on Random Good Stuff and it made me think of your Crocs article.
Josh, I hope readers will go the link. I proves that just about everyone in America except you has a pair.
What’s amazing is the breadth of their market. I have seen them worn by 80-year-olds and 5-year-olds of both sexes. Some of the colors look positively radioactive. Who’d a thunk it?
Did you go to the link in Josh’s comment?