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Multiplying the ways in which consumers can interact with your brand is often quite the challenge.
It usually requires companies to branch outside of their comfort zones, much like an oral hygiene business diving into the world of frozen foods.
So we at Bored Panda decided it would be interesting to take a look at the times when big names announced products they weren't really known for.
After all, he who never takes risks doesn't get to drink champagne, right?
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Audi Is Dog Friendly. My Car Came Back From The Service With These Dog Toys On The Back Seat. Both Of My Labrador Retrievers Went Nuts
RELATED:
#2
My McDonald's Themed Deck Of Cards Has The Queen Holding The Burger, So There Wouldn’t Be A Burger King
indiecognition 2 years ago
But the deck is probably missing 4 cards, since they wouldn't want to include a jack in the box
It's easy to understand why companies decide to diversify. 65% of CEOs of large companies around the world predict that in five to seven years, their firms' main competitors would be different from their main competitors today, and 63% say that new competitors with new business models would pose a major threat to their firms' core business.
The CEOs estimate that in the next decade, 40% of the value their companies created would come from entering new markets and launching new business models. Clearly, the business landscape feels highly unstable to them, which is no surprise given that new technologies continue to upend industries and wipe out businesses at a remarkable rate.
#3
My Dad Owns A Working 40-Year-Old Mitsubishi Sharpener And You Can Adjust The Sharpness Of A Pencil
Axel Tojo 2 years ago
Mitsubishi is one of the old Japanese mega corps called zaibatsu. They have since been broken up into smaller companies and that's why you can find anything from Mitsubishi cars and banks to nuclear power plants and, indeed, pencil sharpeners. Fun fact: Mitsubishi means "Three diamonds", so now you know where the logo comes from.
#4
Subaru Branded Honey From My Local Dealership. Harvested From Their Rooftop
#5
Just Bought A Porsche Today, And They Gave Us Paper Clips Shaped Like Porsches
The good news to them is that now is a great time for companies to try to build new engines of profitable growth.
One study estimated that global investment capital had tripled in the past three decades and stood at 10 times the global GDP.
Additionally, high-growth industries today don't require as much investment as they once did; disruptive businesses can scale up faster in size and power with less capital.
#6
Crayola Calculator
Somewhat-Guilty 2 years ago
OMG!!! I completely forgot about this!!! I had one... Use to cheat on math when I wasn't allowed a calculator hehehehe.
Micky C 2 years ago
Well you must have had stupid teachers considering it says calculator on it. 🙄
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Laura Isabel 2 years ago
Man I can only imagine how COOL it would've been to have THAT in school back in the day! GEN X approved!!!
Hayley Hill 2 years ago
I mean s**t, I want one for my desk at work. Badly! I'ma look it up.
Load More Replies... Bad Alchemy 2 years ago
Um, okay, maybe for a conversation piece. But it's gotta be so uncomfortable to use.
Laura Probst 2 years ago
I had one of these!!! Didn't work the best - the "crayons" occasionally stuck while doing a problem - but, man, was it cute! 💖
#7
When You Order A Knife Directly From Fällkniven They Also Send You These Branded Band-Aids With Your Package
#8
I Was Cleaning Out An Old Apartment And Found A 1982 Coca-Cola Screwdriver Set
#9
This Was In An NHS Hospital In The UK. They Have A Toy MRI Machine In The Hospital Waiting Room
Regal Kitten 2 years ago
seems like a good idea to help children who are scared of an MRI machine get over their fear
However, experts point out that diversification is an unpredictable, high-stakes game. First of all, companies usually face the decision in an atmosphere not conducive to thoughtful deliberation.
For instance, an attractive company comes into play, and a competitor is interested in buying it. Or the board of directors strongly urge expanding into new markets. Suddenly, senior managers must gather mountains of data—including internal rate-of-return calculations, market forecasts, and competitive assessments—under huge time pressure.
Diversification as a corporate strategy goes in and out of vogue on a regular basis. Simply put, there is little conventional wisdom to guide managers as they consider a move that could greatly increase shareholder value or seriously damage it.
#10
This Luxurious Watch
#11
USB Power Bank Disguised As A Mini Generator
#12
This Turkish Muslim Girl Working At McDonald's Has A McDonald's Branded Hijab (Istanbul, Turkey)
#13
My Neighbours Also Park Their Lamborghini In Their Front Yard
Before diversifying, businessmen must think not about what their company does but about what it does better than its competitors.
Consider the history of Blue Circle Industries, a British company that is one of the world's leading cement producers.
In the 1980s, Blue Circle decided to diversify on the basis of an unclear definition of its business. It was, the company’s managers thought, in the business of making products related to home building. So Blue Circle expanded into real estate, bricks, waste management, gas stoves, bath-tubs—even lawn mowers.
#14
Twix Seasoning For Popcorn, Ice Cream, Cookie Dough And More
#15
This Radio I Found In My Attic Is Built To Resemble A Coca Cola Vending Machine
#16
McDonald's Made A Fry Radio In The '80s And My Dad Gave Me His
#17
Found This Old Volvo Cap Where The Strap Is A Seatbelt
According to one retired executive, “Our move into lawn mowers was based on the logic that you need a lawn mower for your garden—which, after all, is next to your house.”
As you might've guessed, few of Blue Circle’s diversification forays proved successful.
#18
The Ketchup And Mayonnaise Packets I Got From A Restaurant With My Food Are The Opposite Brands Off What I Would Consider Their Specially
Heinz made the mayo and Hellmann's made the ketchup.
#19
Dodgeball At Dodge Car Dealership
#20
Fried Chicken Scented Fire Log
#21
Dad Still Uses The Coleman-Made, Marlboro-Branded, 12V Car Refrigerator He Got From A '90s Marlboro Catalog
Diversification will remain a tough task, and managers must study their cards carefully. It takes smart players to know when it’s best to place their bets and when it’s best to fold.
But, as we can see from the pictures, they're still gambling.
#22
If You Thought That The Perfect Soap Doesn't Exist, Here's For You
#23
Volkswagen (VW) Is The Largest Producer Of A Particular Type Of Sausage (Currywurst) In Germany
#24
Colgate Beef Lasagna
#25
The Michelin Tire Company Is The Same Michelin That Issues Michelin Stars To Restaurants And Hotels
Little Wonder 2 years ago
IIRC it's because they started producing travel guides for people on driving holidays.
#26
IKEA Is Now Selling Hats Made Out Of IKEA Bags
#27
I Got KFC Socks With My Delivery Order
#28
LEGO Brick Shoe Box
#29
This Hairdryer With A Ferrari Motor
#30
I'll Wear This To The Next Wedding
#31
Dr. Pepper, I Think You Went Too Far This Time
#32
Dr. Pepper Scented Tissues
#33
Big Mac Shower Gel (Courtesy Of Austrian McDonald's)
#34
Hello Kitty Pasta Sauce Anyone?
Bernd Herbert 2 years ago
There's a reason why that brand is in second place of the highest-grossing media franchises.
#35
Wife Asked For A Car For Her Birthday And I Promised Her That While I Was Drunk. So, Here It Is - I Bought Her A Toyota Car
#36
Guinness - The Famous Brand Of Beer And "The Book Of Records"
Regal Kitten 2 years ago
I feel like a lot of world record attempts started with the words "hold my beer"
#37
Samsung Runs A Fashion Store In South Korea
Amy Watkins 2 years ago
I accidentally read the headline as "Samsung RUINS a fashion store ...." LOL
#38
Strawberry Mentos Bath Bombs
#39
Samsung Made The Barbells At My Gym
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What do you think ?
Chucky Cheezburger 2 years ago
Surprised I didn't see Yamaha here. Makers of fine motorcycles and musical instruments.
Sam Lin 2 years ago (edited)
That's also what i wanna say，the logo of YAMAHA motorbike is actually three tuning forks.
Load More Replies...
PattyK 2 years ago
Many of the items above say, “This item was made by [Ford, Mitsubishi, etc.]. But the fact that a company’s brand is on an item doesn’t mean the item was *made by* that company; it just means that the company licensed the maker to put the company’s brand on the maker’s item. For instance, #99, Lamborghini cigarettes. Lamborghini doesn’t make cigarettes; they paid the cigarette manufacturer to put the name Lamborghini on the cigarettes or the cigarette manufacturer paid Lamborghini for same.
Ian Conelley 2 years ago
Lamborghini was a tractor and equipment manufacturer before it ever thought about building cars.
Ian Conelley 2 years ago
I've no idea if it's true, but the story goes that the founders of Lamborghini and Ferrari had an argument and Lamborghini makes cars, now.
Load More Replies... Jack flick 2 years ago
Wait till you find out about Yamaha and Kowasaki musical instruments and motorcycles
Jefferson Selvy 2 years ago
Husqvarna makes motor cycles, machine guns and sewing machines
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Waite Forit 2 years ago
I used to have an Arm & Hammer adjustable wrench from the 1800s. I sold it to a person who collects antique tools.
Jutta Plötz 1 year ago
My guess is that you need the same materials for both
Load More Replies...
Shawnna Clement 2 years ago
I'm surprised General Electric isn't on the list somewhere. They started making electrical supply and distribution equipment. Then home appliances and jet engines. Yet, they ended up being the largest credit card company in the 1990's. I did a summer engineering internship with them while in highschool and studied GE in business college because of how they were always able to diversify their products based on their share of market demand. Interesting history. In my career, I rebuilt many 100+ year old GE electrical substation components. Many people find it alarming that most East Coast of the US is operating off 100+ YO equipment, but they just don't make things of that quality anymore.
Flauschrausch 2 years ago
Ich frage mich oft wie dumm und/oder aufmerksamkeitsgeil manche "Autoren" hier sind. Die meisten gezeigten Gegenstände sind ganz einfach Werbeartikel und das mit dem Traktor und anderen Sachen ist Ahnungslosigkeit. Wisst ihr eigentlich wie viel Firmen andere Sachen gemacht haben bevor sie die Sachen machen die sie heute machen?
ADHORTATOR 2 years ago
Tja, der Großteil der Leser scheinen Amerikaner zu sein, denen fällt sowas vielleicht nicht auf :-)
Load More Replies... Chucky Cheezburger 2 years ago
Surprised I didn't see Yamaha here. Makers of fine motorcycles and musical instruments.
Sam Lin 2 years ago (edited)
That's also what i wanna say，the logo of YAMAHA motorbike is actually three tuning forks.
Load More Replies... PattyK 2 years ago
Many of the items above say, “This item was made by [Ford, Mitsubishi, etc.]. But the fact that a company’s brand is on an item doesn’t mean the item was *made by* that company; it just means that the company licensed the maker to put the company’s brand on the maker’s item. For instance, #99, Lamborghini cigarettes. Lamborghini doesn’t make cigarettes; they paid the cigarette manufacturer to put the name Lamborghini on the cigarettes or the cigarette manufacturer paid Lamborghini for same.
Ian Conelley 2 years ago
Lamborghini was a tractor and equipment manufacturer before it ever thought about building cars.
Ian Conelley 2 years ago
I've no idea if it's true, but the story goes that the founders of Lamborghini and Ferrari had an argument and Lamborghini makes cars, now.
Load More Replies... Jack flick 2 years ago
Wait till you find out about Yamaha and Kowasaki musical instruments and motorcycles
Jefferson Selvy 2 years ago
Husqvarna makes motor cycles, machine guns and sewing machines
Load More Replies... Waite Forit 2 years ago
I used to have an Arm & Hammer adjustable wrench from the 1800s. I sold it to a person who collects antique tools.
Jutta Plötz 1 year ago
My guess is that you need the same materials for both
Load More Replies... Shawnna Clement 2 years ago
I'm surprised General Electric isn't on the list somewhere. They started making electrical supply and distribution equipment. Then home appliances and jet engines. Yet, they ended up being the largest credit card company in the 1990's. I did a summer engineering internship with them while in highschool and studied GE in business college because of how they were always able to diversify their products based on their share of market demand. Interesting history. In my career, I rebuilt many 100+ year old GE electrical substation components. Many people find it alarming that most East Coast of the US is operating off 100+ YO equipment, but they just don't make things of that quality anymore.
Flauschrausch 2 years ago
Ich frage mich oft wie dumm und/oder aufmerksamkeitsgeil manche "Autoren" hier sind. Die meisten gezeigten Gegenstände sind ganz einfach Werbeartikel und das mit dem Traktor und anderen Sachen ist Ahnungslosigkeit. Wisst ihr eigentlich wie viel Firmen andere Sachen gemacht haben bevor sie die Sachen machen die sie heute machen?
ADHORTATOR 2 years ago
Tja, der Großteil der Leser scheinen Amerikaner zu sein, denen fällt sowas vielleicht nicht auf :-)
Load More Replies... You May Like 50 Hilariously Bad Rip-Offs Of Well-Known Brands (Best Of All Time) 25 Best Shark Tank Products That Actually Saw The Light Of Day
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