VetScratch
07-04-2003, 08:49 AM
Q: Can handicapping software/database products find profitable systematic methods?
A: Yes.
A: Can profits persist if these products are put on the market?
Q: Not unless the systematic method has the same characteristics as a lucrative business venture.
Q: What do you mean by that?
A: Most truly lucrative (legal) business ventures are characterized by attributes that discourage competition. Examples are prohibitive entry costs (for capital equipment, franchise rights, startup research, high-priced expertise, etc.); some kind of product or service anchor that promotes customer loyalty; or a synergistic match between your product/service and a special market niche or profession.
Q: Huh?
A: The genetic pharmaceutical business has great potential, but it is very costly and difficult to enter.
A: Sun or Apple may announce a great O/S, but how many users will junk their current PC to jettison Microsoft?
A: A product or service uniquely suits a special market niche or profession such that benefits you provide do not extend outside your targeted customer base (i.e., you help a market niche or profession protect and maintain its position of advantage or privilege).
Q: What kind of handicapping software/database products are doomed to failure?
A: Anything that is suspiciously cheap (measured by acquisition costs and usage costs).
A: Anything that is extremely popular with handicapping mainstreamers.
A: Anything any fool can comprehend and use.
A: Anything that functions as a black box as opposed to a decision analysis tool.
A: Anything that promises success without a considerable investment of time, energy, and intellect by the same tiny minority of handicappers who already work hard enough to enjoy success.
A: Yes.
A: Can profits persist if these products are put on the market?
Q: Not unless the systematic method has the same characteristics as a lucrative business venture.
Q: What do you mean by that?
A: Most truly lucrative (legal) business ventures are characterized by attributes that discourage competition. Examples are prohibitive entry costs (for capital equipment, franchise rights, startup research, high-priced expertise, etc.); some kind of product or service anchor that promotes customer loyalty; or a synergistic match between your product/service and a special market niche or profession.
Q: Huh?
A: The genetic pharmaceutical business has great potential, but it is very costly and difficult to enter.
A: Sun or Apple may announce a great O/S, but how many users will junk their current PC to jettison Microsoft?
A: A product or service uniquely suits a special market niche or profession such that benefits you provide do not extend outside your targeted customer base (i.e., you help a market niche or profession protect and maintain its position of advantage or privilege).
Q: What kind of handicapping software/database products are doomed to failure?
A: Anything that is suspiciously cheap (measured by acquisition costs and usage costs).
A: Anything that is extremely popular with handicapping mainstreamers.
A: Anything any fool can comprehend and use.
A: Anything that functions as a black box as opposed to a decision analysis tool.
A: Anything that promises success without a considerable investment of time, energy, and intellect by the same tiny minority of handicappers who already work hard enough to enjoy success.