I?ll admit it. I am a fan of video games. For me, last week was especially exciting because it was the week of the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Basically, it is a trade show for the video game industry where Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony can show off all their new gadgets so that we (the consumers) can start saving our money in advance. It?s quite thoughtful of them, really. Of course, just about every game developer is there showing off their latest games, and it?s always exciting to see what new experiences we can look forward to. But this E3 there was one thing that really got my attention - the Nintendo 3DS. It?s Nintendo?s latest handheld game machine that has the ability display stereoscopic 3D graphics without the need for glasses. These days, 3D is all the rage with films like Avatar, and others, trouncing on the box office. But you always have to wear those glasses. Even new 3D TVs require expensive glasses to work. Somehow, though, Nintendo was able to beat them all with its 3.5 inch screen that works perfectly with the naked eye. It can even take 3D digital pictures.

So you might be wondering, ?How does any of this relate to my business?? Well, a while back I remember someone from Nintendo, maybe it was their president, say in an interview that Nintendo doesn?t try to just give people what they want. Instead, Nintendo?s goal is to give people what they don?t know they want. They constantly innovate and try to find something new? something unexpected? but something that when people see it they say, ?I have to have this.? I think that?s something that can apply to any business, no matter what you do. And if you do it right, you?ll have everyone else chasing after you.

Just look at the Nintendo Wii. It is significantly less powerful than any of its competitors, and yet it sets sales records and has Microsoft and Sony scrambling to come out with their own motion controllers. Nobody saw it coming.