07.13
I read a blog from Fast Company, comparing Apple’s iPhone to Google’s Droid. These two companies are going head to head in marketing their latest phones. It’s a heated battle and the blog talks about how Google needs to learn from Apple. You can skip the two videos below, but if you want to fully understand what I’m talking about, watch at least one minute of each video. As you watch these commercials, ask yourself which commercial you connect with the best, and why.
First, here’s an advertising video from Google:
Now, here’s an advertising video from Apple:
Which commercial did you connect with better??? I had the same answer… Apple. It’s obvious, isn’t it? Fast Company’s Blog gives three lessons that Google can learn from Apple. It’s three lessons that WCC can learn from, too.
1. There’s a difference between good usability and a great experience
Even though something is technically correct, people connect to an experience, not to sterile facts. When we greet people during the ‘welcome’ time of a worship service, that’s a Google approach. When we talk to people we don’t know after the service, invite them to our ABS Group, or ask them to join us at Moe’s for lunch… that’s an Apple approach.
2. A tool doesn’t have to be boring
Did you notice that Apple’s video is 2X longer than Google’s??? But I’d choose Apple’s over Google’s any day of the week for one obvious reason. It’s not boring. This is why our church leaders work hard to make the truth engaging. Kids Rock is a great example of leaders who teach truth in engaging and interesting ways. Truth doesn’t have to be boring.
3. No-one needs a screwdriver
People don’t feel they need tools; they need solutions to problems in their life. People never ‘lack a screwdriver’; instead, they need a screwdriver to hang a painting on the wall. Apple gets this. Google doesn’t. Apple taps into what people want… to be connected. We need to remember this, too. People who don’t attend church aren’t waking up in the morning thinking, ‘Wow! I need to find a church!’ Instead, they’re thinking, ‘I’m lonely and need a friend.’ ‘I’m exhausted and my life is way out of balance.’ ‘My sixth grader needs some good influences in his life.’ That’s why I don’t ask unchurched people, ‘Where do you go to church?’ early in a conversation.
So as we think about the 70′s Date Night, for example, remember that people aren’t staying awake at night asking, ‘I wonder where I can find a great place to take my wife (or girlfriend) on a date with some 70′s music?’ They’re wondering, ‘Where can I find a friend?’ Ask a couple to JOIN YOU for a fun night out. Bring them on your arm. They don’t need a screwdriver, but they do need a friend.
Proverbs 17 teaches us, “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” It doesn’t say ‘a friend talks about love.’ It says ‘a friend loves.’
Let’s be a church modeled after the authentic Jesus (Apple), not an inauthentic religion (Google). People don’t need a screwdriver, but they do need a friend.
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts. Join the discussion and post a comment!
Oh… how did you like my parallel between Jesus & Apple? 
Wow, Ken, great analogy. No one will ever guess that you are an Apple fanatic. I would add that relationship building happens in many ways and on many levels. For those in the business world, think about how you would approach a new prospect or a new recruit. For singles out there, how would you pursue your love interest? For parents, what legacy do you want to leave with your children? True relationship building happens on “your” time and is not a casual hello. Also, action speaks louder than words in interpersonal relationships. What you do is as important, if not more important, than what you say. This is a great rebuttal to the “hypocrisy” objection posed by many non-Christians.
Ironic you posted this today as I’ve been doing some quick research on the Android phones and the iPhone for a friend who is in the market. I’m probalby going to pay the price for this – but I would buy an Android. That being said, let me comment direclty on the two videos you reference. The first is posted by “androiddevelopers” and is targetted at geeks (like myself) that want to know what the phone can do – technically. From the first video – I got information about the API, technical features that 85% of the people out there won’t even use (or notice) but they made me drool… Watching the Apple video (and talking to a local spiked hair singer) made me go “Wow, I need a retina display!”
I don’t think you are comparing apples to oranges here. Apple has 1 phone, one product, one service. Google Android is simply and operating system – which runs on HTC, Motorola, Google Nexus One and other devices. Google has left the advertising up to the vendors (Carriers, phone makers, etc). Apple is a one stop shop – which makes the product, OS and does all the support/advertising. It’s all exclusive and not shared! Google is spreading the love (and the work) around. I don’t think leaving advertising up to developers will ever make you rich!
Technically – the Android (in my opinion) is a better option. Peal back the fluff, the smoke and mirrors and the EVO blows it out of the water – the first video (and other research) helped me to understand that.
Now … at this point, you are probably saying “Scott, you completely missed the point. It’s not about phones.” No – I didn’t – I just am a geek! Some of us do need Google. I’m in the middle of listening to “A Case for Chirst” by Lee Stroble. It’s facts, it’s details, it’s statistics, it’s evidence, it’s more information that a lot of people need – but it’s help me to go “I believed before, but now I KNOW!”
One thing I think Google and Apple are both doing well is introducing new features for old devices through upgrades to the operating system. Users of the 3GS can still do a lot of the iOS4 stuff. (Why am I brining this around?) I think it’s important to remember that everybody in the lobby that has been there for a while isn’t feeling like a Droid 2.2 or an iPhone 4. Sometimes the “old people” need love too.
Just like the bumper sticker says – Jesus loves me with my tattoos…. I bet he loves people with Androids, too!
Great thoughts. Thanks for sharing them. I love the discussion !!!
I sent Ken this via email, but it is applicable to this blog today, so I’ll put it out there for people to comment on.
I’m very comfortable/gregarious with people I know. However, I’m not the same with people I don’t know. I have a hard time going up to people I don’t know and talking and forming a relationship. In fact, I haven’t had a new friend or relationship in years. (Where friend = someone you go to a movie/braves game with)
If you asked me to name my closest friends, they would all be people from college who live on the other side of town. I’m open to new friends, I just have no clue how to find them. And if I were 100% honest, I’m happy with my life with Kerry and don’t “feel the need” for new friends. 1/2 the time we have opportunities to go do something, I have to force myself out of the house – always end up having fun – but its a deliberate effort to go. I suspect a lot of people are like me (at least I hope I’m not the only one struggling with this
)
So, I suspect the real reason I don’t “invite people” is manifold – all areas I would like to change 1) I don’t have a “comfortable” way of reaching the unchurched and 2) I don’t know how to build new relationships and meet people 3) I’m pretty happy with the life I have and making new friends is an effort/investment and potential to be rejected
So…How do you meet new people and build new relationships? How do other people in our church who are “good” at this do it? How do I invite a couple to lunch when all I worry about is “Will my kids be good or freak out”? How do I meet people who aren’t at church and help plug them in? And how do i continue to develop the heart of Jesus so that I care so much about people going to hell that I don’t care about how good my kids are and the potential rejection?
Alan, you just described me to a “T”….you are not the only one who struggles with this. I’ll add a question to your list, too……how do I stop worrying about what to say when the conversation wanes or the introductory questions are answered?
Btw, your MIL is one person I admire / envy for being able to reach out to people so easily.
You’ve raised some great questions! I’m going to teach on this in the next sermon series, ‘Breathe’ (August). Let me see what I can answer there, then see what questions you have…
Apple has always taken the side of un-complicating the complicated. The non-techie approach. Maybe that’s why they say their devices are for the “rest of us”. However you get there, get there. Thank God we have the choices that so many people would give anything to have. God has made it so simple to believe and to follow him. It is we who complicate it. Random thoughts from a senior Apple fanatic starting way back in 1983.
OK, Apple is very effective at advertising, and they have been very creative with their products. I am currently working on the design of chips that provide this kind of service. What I would say is, providing the “Apple” experience requires a tremendous infrastructure, and folks that do the nerdy stuff behind the scenes. When the iPhone was first launched it almost brought down the phone companies networks because of the huge amounts of bandwidth required.
My point here is that without the infrastructure (well grounded, mature (not necessarily old), creative, and above all ACTIVE Christians) providing this kind of support, the experience might look good, but if if falls short of delivering on it’s promises, people will move on to the next thing being hyped.
How ever we do it, the focus has to be on providing an opportunity where people can have one on one “face time” with God. That’s where change happens! That’s where the excitement is!
The video you included with this for Android came from the developers. No wonder it is a dry technical discussion have you ever talked to a software developer? Try a couple of these videos instead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnaAQwGcBks&NR=1&feature=fvwp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w83UQkiuNZQ&feature=PlayList&p=61DCEBE1AAE78661&playnext_from=PL
Three Reasons Why WCC Should be Like Droid
Being accessible. The iPhone is built on a closed proprietary platform that Apple rules with an iron fist. Android is built on an open system that is accessible to all. The word of God should be accessible to all people and there should not be someone at the top filtering his message to suit their needs. WCC has done lost of things to be accessible to as many people as possible. Heck we even changed our name.
It’s ok to be me. People want to make their phones their own. In the Apple world you have very limited options to customize your phone. One example is profiles. iPhone restricts the user to one profile where Android supports multiple profiles. Apple’s product runs on one platform where Android runs on dozens. One of the main reasons I attend WCC is that I can be me. I can show up in shorts and a t-shirt, slacks and a dress shirt or a coat and tie and that’s ok. I can be me to worship with God and fellowship with my friends.
Fatal design flaw. Apple’s products are elegant and pretty to look at. They make the masses bow down and worship them. Apple fan boys can be pretty manic. But unlike God Apple has some pretty serious flaws. The antenna issue that kill reception based on how you hold the phone and the lack of a multi-tasking operating systems are just a couple. So I don’t think a comparison of the church to Apple would be good. I am by no means saying that Android does not have issues but is is open about its flaws and it’s open design allows others to fix the flaws and improve the overall product. In the same way that WCC has flaws but by being open and receptive it is possible for it’s members to enact change and to create a better product.
Thanks for putting out a blog that makes me think. When I saw your message it really got me going and it was a lot of fun to try and defend my Droid. I am not as eloquent a writer as you are but I think I did ok.
Just keep in mind that while the iPhone stands around and looks pretty the Droid Does!
I think we need to take some aspects from both commercials. Apple does a great job of making their product appealing to the consumer, just like we want to be appealing to those interested in learning more about God. Our church dropped “Baptist” in our name to do just that. We also need the technical aspects. We want the people that are interested in God to know what we believe based on what we have learned from the Bible. Our church also addresses this with the Lunch and Learn that Ken and Shawna host. Sorry Ken, but their is a little Droid in you too.
You’re hilarious! Shawna says that I’m all Droid – an Apple wanna-be.
I think of Droid as being more like the legal aspect of Christian salvation and Apple as being the Grace example of understanding how God is and how He loves us.
I am still learning how to use a cell phone, so I know that Grace is what I need. I can not understand the Droid, but I know more about the Apple (grace) so as I go about my daily living I can relate to God’s teaching and learn more about what He wants for my life and about what kind of man to be!
What I am struggling with is whenever something is going on at church I invite our neighbors (husband and wife) The husband is a believer the wife is not. She thoroughy enjoys every event at our church but still hangs on to be a non-believer. What else can I do other than pray that she comes around? I don’t want her to come around for my glory, I just don’t understand; believing is so clear and I get frustrated when someone doesn’t. (pushy yankee)
) They r both coming to 70″s Date Night. HELP! Is there anything more I can do? Oh, and BTW I love to invite people to church even if I don’t know them and I know nothing about Droids or Apples. (if I can’t eat it what good is it!!) lol
Prayer and persistence are the keys. God doesn’t give up on them. That’s why we keep investing and inviting.
Unrelated note: I loved the kneeling time we had 2 weeks ago. I was there with our two oldest kids, and I felt moved to turn around and kneel in my chair during the time of prayer. We were in the back and I didn’t think anyone was looking. Well I would never have expected it, but when prayer was over I looked up to find my kids were kneeling on either side of me. It stunned me what an impact and example we give to our kids, especially when we demonstrate humble posture in prayer.
All I want is a Jitterbug, so I’m not the best person to comment on the phone analogy. I want a phone that has big numbers and gets reception in the Gobi Desert.
On the meeting and greeting topic, I guess my family is a bit more reserved. I think the hard part is coming to a church and feeling like it’s a closed system. Getting greeted at any church is fairly common. It’s what happens afterwards that counts.
I’m a military brat, so I’ve lived everywhere. I don’t have the personal history in one place that most people do. I did some of my most important growing up in Japan, so my perspective is different. Japanese can be very “closed system”, but once you’re in, it’s wonderful. It’s ok with me if there are closed systems in a church so long as there is a way to find your place.
In the military, there is this notion of a ‘sponsor’. When you come to a new base, a ‘sponsor’ adopts your family and helps you to integrate into the new environment. Our sponsors in Japan were very important for getting us off onto the right foot.
There’s nothing wrong with having close friendships at Church and being comfortable. What’s needed is a sponsor to stay with you and help you to find your place. A sponsor to find out what your gifts are and understand your temperment well enough to help you find the right ABS group. To me, this is the piece that’s missing. New people need a guide in the beginning. But new people also need a guide who does follow up to make sure that the guide’s original hunches about how to integrate you are still on target.
I have a growth plan at work. I’m sure it would seem presumptuous to some people to have something like this at church. But it’s a great touch stone. Some day, I want to grow up and be who God intended me to be. Rather than trying to figure it out myself, it would be wonderful to have someone who was sheperding my walk with God and continuing to help me find my place in the Body.
The best answers are hardly ever good programs. The best answers are usually people connecting with people. I think this is how Jesus approached His Ministry. It makes sense to me too.
Does this mean we’ll need duct tape to work properly? : )
Well, duct tape fixes everything regardless of the problem. Duct tape first and ask questions later!