Outliers

Basic school level statistics teaches us about caution in using outliers in collections of data points.

The tech industry, in contrast, loves to use outliers to make customers feel good about discounts.

Software vendors tell customers to be happy with 70-80% discounts, when not one in their customer base has ever paid full list. The full list is a clear outlier, but regularly used as the benchmark.

AT&T recently introduced a international roaming plan where they tell customers to be happy because it discounts the current plan where a 3 minute YouTube download costs $ 40. 

So, now comes Rogers and shows iPhone users its love by benchmarking against RIM's Blackberry users. Now that's low to make customers of your fellow Canadian, RIM the outliers.

Of course, AT&T has a new outlier to benchmark against -  Rogers would charge a Blackberry Bold user for downloading a YouTube video clip when roaming in Europe even more - $ 76.80 or US $ 72.

Here's my suggestion - download the Safe Bet video by Outlier on either AT&T or Rogers when you are across the pond and it is a Safe Bet you will be a "past" outlier if you try to expense it :)

Comments

[the doctor]

"It's all an illusion
Cause thats what you said
It's part of the process
I'm starting to fuse them
I'm wise on the topic
Of constant confusion
I love you
Then I hate you
Then I love you again

How'd I get up here
I always thought
I'd end up way down there
Only I would stop to even care
Oh Oh Oh Oh
Oh Oh Oh Oh"
Up Here by Powder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAxtymbkWXE