My son was given a second interview for a summer job yesterday. Now this is in fashion retail, with a chain store, at minimim wage; however, it is at the Eaton Centre in Toronto. It was a very extensive interview with questions, such as, "do you believe in aliens" and "if you were a kitchen utensil, what would you be?"
Well, my son answered for the later, that he would be a "spork." I'm glad that he didn't say "foon." Even though it is the same thing. It is a cross between a fork and a spoon. When I asked why he had chosen the spork, he said because it was awesome! It was a combination of two things that could do much more than either one of the combo. The name spork is catchy and upbeat, whereas foon sounds so much like loon or goon - not good in a job interview.
I think that this situation is a good example of "change the name and you have a new product." I asked my son, if he had ever heard of a runcible spoon - no, he hadn't. Yet, I know that I had read him "The Owl and the Pussycat" when he was young; it's one of my favourites, possibly because the language is a little antiquated and I love preserving the old way things were said..as in..."they dined on mince and slices of quince, which they ate with a runcible spoon...somehow saying "foon" would just not have cut it,so to speak.
Spork has a Star Trek quality about it. Would Dr. Spock have used a spork? Runicible spoon - not so much; but I know that Captain Picard would have read The Owl and the Pussycat. Anyway, the next time that you are in a position to name a product, think of the many overtones and nuances there are to the name you are about to bestow on a shop, a pattern, a yarn shade - spork, foon or runcible spoon could make it or break it!!
I hope that my son gets the job and I hope that you have a prosperous day!! Someone needs to create an icon for the Dr. Spock sign. It too is awesome!!
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