MetroNaps
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plainjanemom.com/.../08/metronap-sleep-pod3.jpg images.usatoday.com/.../24/inside-sleep-pod.jpg
MetroNaps: "Enter tired and exit wired"
Created by:
Victoria Golden, Kathryn Sullivan, Jillian Koravos, Michael Littera, Matthew Kehlmann
Company History
MetroNaps was founded by Arshad
Chowdhury and Christopher Lindholst. In 1998, while Chowdhury was
working as a banker in New York City, he came up with the idea of the
company while seeing his coworkers dozing off on the job. He later
tested the business concept in 2003 while he was a graduate student at
Carnegie Mellon University. The factors he included in making his
business plan were privacy, sound, whether or not people would be
willing to pay, how far they would be willing to travel for this nap,
and what makes a comfortable napping environment.
What is a Sleep Pod?
MetroNaps is an up and coming company based on the need for naps in today’s sleep deprived society. The company uses futuristic looking sleep pods, called EnergyPods, at specialized sleep centers in order to provide busy employees with a place to recharge. The sleep pods themselves are large white fiberglass recliner with a hood that can be pulled down for privacy. The pods play soothing background music through Bose speakers, which serves as white noise to cancel out the sounds of the office or city. MetroNaps has napping down to a science, even the tilt of the chair is designed to optimize relaxation and prevent hair and clothes from wrinkling. The napper is woken up in exactly 20 minutes by a gentle vibration and the pod’s acoustic alarm. At the company’s headquarters in the Empire State Building in New York City, there are 8 EnergyPods in a dimly lit room where customers can take a 20 minute nap for only $14 or become a member and pay $65 for unlimited naps. Companies looking to increase the productivity of their employees can buy an EnergyPod to install directly in the office for $8000 per pod. The company plans to expand beyond its original location and so far has been very popular among the businessmen and women of New York with upwards of 100 customers per week.
The below YouTube video gives the Australian news' view on the up and coming technology of sleep pods by MetroNaps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMkpRLJV_tM
Why is MetroNaps successful?
Location, Location, Location: When the EnergyPod was first introduced, MetroNaps opened their first location in the Empire State Building. However, business was initially slow and most customers were found to be employees in other companies based in the Empire State Building. As a result, Chowdhury decided to “bring naps to companies instead of waiting for the fatigued to come to him.” His vision was to allow employees to escape the noisy, chaotic work-place atmosphere without having to travel too far. What sets MetroNaps apart from its competition is the fact that it allows employees to rest in this type of atmosphere. In addition, Chowdhury aims to provide a product that is both “compact and private enough not to require a separate room of space to be set aside for napping” (Chaudhuri 2007). MetroNap’s previous location could have possibly discouraged customers from making the trek from their offices to the sleep center. Now, instead of battling Empire State Building security, employees can now conveniently enjoy naps from the comfort of their own office. Having an EnergyPod within twenty feet of an employee’s desk will allow him or her to incorporate a nap into their daily routine.
New Sleek Design: After introducing the EnergyPod in 2004, Chowdhury knew that the device’s design was a key factor in making the leap from a center in the Empire State Building to individual work-places. In 2005, founder Arshad Chowdhury altered the design of EnergyPod, making it more “work-place appropriate” (Chaudhuri 2007). The new version of the Pod is easy to assemble and dissemble, making transportation a non-issue. In addition, the new design sports a privacy visor to keep out light and sound in addition to built-in timers to avoid oversleeping. These features boost an individual’s ability to nap, and will hopefully encourage the employee to use the EnergyPod frequently.
The Reality of the Situation: Especially in today’s economy, employees are working longer hours and spending more time in the office. The body’s natural response is to grow more and more tired, decreasing the potential of quality productivity. In the words of Chowdhury, “Fatigue is not a Fad” (Chaudhuri 2007). Due to this trend, employers are showing more interest in the amount of sleep their employees are getting, and boundaries between corporate-life and private-life are disappearing. Therefore, this new and innovative idea introduced by MetroNaps will prove to be a much-awaited upgrade to the office atmosphere. Sociologists Vern Baxter and Steve Kroll-Smith explain, “Colonizing the nap at work is part of a larger trend that is reconfiguring the once bounded relationships between home and work and public and private space and time" (Chaudhuri 2007). With this new technology, employers are now able to encourage employees to nap in the workplace.
Stepping outside of the corporate world, EnergyPods can be put to good use for almost anyone: “According to a recent study done by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, research has found that 40 million Americans suffer yearly from chronic sleep disorders, and an additional 20 million complain of occasional sleeping problems” (Saether 2008).This proves that the the market for the sleep-deprived is rapidly growing. MetroNaps has become one of the leading companies "emerging to profit from sleeponomics" (Myser 2006).
The below video gives a synopsis on why the MetroNaps company is so successful in addition to how it enables people in the work place to relax during the day without waking up groggy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYGCBmmk_ho
Where are sleep pods used?
Chowdhury was inspired to create EnergyPods after seeing his collegues and co-workers dozing off during work hours. As of 2007, the company had installed about 100 devices for client companies including Procter & Gamble, Cisco, Stanford Medical Center, Carnegie Mellon, and the Jetsetter Spa at Miami International Airport (Chaudhuri 2007). MetroNaps has managed to expand their market outside the corporate world. Recently, he opened a MetroNaps at Vancouver Internation Airport. In addition, universities are catching the fever: “The Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia ordered four pods for napping students” (Saether 2008). MetroNaps now has retail centers in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Germany, and Denmark (Chaudhuri 2007).
This is a poster in an Australian airport.
palisades.ods.org/albums/album96/metronaps.jpg
The science behind the sleep
One of the crucial reasons that MetroNaps is so efficient and effective is because of the science behind the “power nap”. The term “power nap” is thrown around frequently, and sometimes even looked down upon. However, the effects of taking a short nap are clinically proven. As long as one does not enter into the dream phase or REM phase of sleeping (over 30 minutes) one should wake up with a refreshed feeling and in reality a refreshed mind. Power napping has been proven to do the following: decrease stress, increase alertness and productivity, improve memory, and increase cognitive functions and creativity. A NASA study found that pilots who took 26-minute naps were one third more productive and efficient than those pilots who didn't. (Richardson, 2007)
How does MetroNaps use IT for Competitive Advantage?
MetroNaps Takes on Web 2.0
In an attempt to better understand “zombie nation,” as the company’s UK sector calls it, MetroNaps has established a blog so that EnergyPod users, sleep researchers, and the everyday sleep deprived person can comment (Lindholst). Users contribute experiences, related articles, and interesting facts to the blog: The idea is to look at working hours, sleep deprivation, fatigue, health and napping” (Lindholst). MetroNaps is focused on learning more about the correlation between the corporate world and levels of fatigue. By posting articles, studies, and research regarding anything involving a lack of sleep, the company enlightens consumers and allows them to express their thoughts on the matter as well. According to MetroNaps customers know best. The blog is prefaced with, “If there is anything you think we have missed please feel free to comment and point us in the right direction” (Lindholst). In other words, MetroNaps is using the wisdom of crowds to analyze the current status of today’s corporate society. The company is looking to see how the fatigue is affecting the corporate world and in turn, assessing how EnergyPods will play an important role in overcoming these negative effects.
The blog explains the effects of fatigue, recent findings in the field, as well as interesting and related news stories that provide insight for both the company and the consumers. MetroNaps also promises to keep bloggers abreast with current offers, news, and events from the company, mainly in the United Kingdom. Topics found in the blog include, napping, sleep stress, and working hours. Established in January of 2008, the blog sports headlines such as, “Healthy Workers,” “Crunch is Killing Sleep,” and “Lack of Sleep May Raise Risk of Heart Attacks” (Lindholst).
Getting the Pod Just Right
Yes! While the EnergyPod is just one of many sleep-aid products on the market, Chowdhury emphasizes that his company “offers not just the equipment to nap on, but also the tools, tracking devices and education to make these tools effective” (Chaudhuri 2007). MetroNaps has integrated tracking devices into their products to “monitor usage and provide clients with feedback” (Chaudhuri 2007). In addition, the device provides clients with the device’s functional information in addition to the benefits gained from using the product. This is carried out through educational seminars.
The feedback obtained through clientele use allows Chowdhury to improve his devices and model them to the consumers’ wants and needs. Research showed that the amount of privacy and relaxation was most important in taking a nap. He also discovered that sound and light played a huge role: “MetroNaps tries to counter the sound issue with constant white noise that emanates through the office, as well as optional CD players that offer nappers a mix of ethereal synth noises and natural chirps, warbles and whooshes” (Metz 2004). In addition, Chowdhury found that a dark room lit by soft wall lamps yielded the best naps.
MetroNaps Teams Up with Apple and Pzizz
While at Macworld 2008, MetroNaps displayed several EnergyPods and allowed spectators a free twenty-minute trial run. More importantly, the company introduced its partnership with Apple and Pzizz. Once inside the EnergyPod, noise-cancellation headphones focus one’s attention on the enthralling sounds and soothing music that allow the user to fall asleep quickly and partake in a “powernap” (Orphanos). The music, words, and sounds are delivered via a software offered through a Mac and Windows application called Pzizz. Developed by Matthew Ashenden, Pzizz is a software that produces energy-regaining soundtracks that have been integrated into MetroNap’s “brainwave stimulating program” (Orphanos).
Apple has introduced this software to their array of applications that can be downloaded to a Mac computer. The soundtrack, which is available for $69.95, can then be transferred to an iPod if one doesn’t have time to find an EnergyPod. The Pzizz software is also available in 100 billion different nap combinations, each combining Neurolinguistic Programming with relaxing sounds and music (Orphanos).
Sources
images.usatoday.com/.../24/inside-sleep-pod.jpg
Picture 2 taken from a USA today article of a woman sleeping in a MetroNaps pod.
plainjanemom.com/.../08/metronap-sleep-pod3.jpg
Picture 1 taken from a blog of up and coming technology.
palisades.ods.org/albums/album96/metronaps.jpg
Picture 3 of an Australian airport poster.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMkpRLJV_tM
This is the embedded YouTube video above, which is an Australian newscast about the MetroNaps sleep pods that are being newly inducted into the work offices of Autrailia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYGCBmmk_ho
This embedded YouTube video is a metronaps employee explaining why the business is so successful.
Lindholst, C. 2008. "MetroNaps UK Blog," MetroNaps UK. December 1, 2008.
This article exhibits how MetroNaps uses a blog to learn about sleep related stories and hear from their customers.
Metz, R. 2004. “Profiting from Nonproductiveness”, Wired. November 15, 2004.
This article shows how companies could benefit from using MetroNap's sleep pods for their employees.
Chadhuri, S. 2007. “Out of the Bedroom and Into the Office”, Fast Company. September, 2007.
This article explains MetroNap's business strategy and how it has created a market.
Mets, R. 2004. "Profiting From Nonproductiveness," Wired. November 15, 2004.
This article explains how Chaudhuri was able to modify his device to cater to consumers' needs.
Myster, M. 2006. "$20 Billion for a Good Night's Rest," Business 2.0 Magazine. October 1, 2006.
This article explains the emerging market for sleeponomics.
Orphanos, P. 2008. "MetroNaps and Pzizz team up at Macworld 2008," MetroNaps Australia. January 16, 2008.
This article gives an indepth description of the partnership between MetroNaps, Pzizz, and Apple.
Richardson, V. 2007. "Better than Coffee: Power Naps can do the Trick", Edutopia. April, 2007.
This article gives an overview of the positive effects of taking a short power nap during the day.
Saether, L. 2008. “Sleepy? Try catching some Z's in a pod,” CNN.com. Friday, August
8, 2008.
This article explains that the positive effects of EnergyPods are not limited to simply the corporate world.
Comments:
1) Seems to meet all of the project requirements. Appropriate length, good amount of sources, nice use of videos & images and very well organized.
2) I really liked the use of photos, it made it easy for me to see how the product was designed and why its design is conducive to napping. I especially liked how at the end you cited a study that proved that nappers were more productive, because in my mind throughout the article I was questioning whether it was really worth the investment.
3) A few recommendations I have would be to look over spelling & grammar one more time. I remember seeing the word provides spelled provies near the end of the project. I also would consider putting the number sold and the study as to why they are effective towards the beginning so your reader is not questioning its importance until the end of the article. Overall very well done though, it was an interesting topic to read on.
Ben Kajer
1) Seems to meet project requirements.
2) I really enjoyed the pictures, videos, and the format of this article, excellent job!
3) I however did notice that you talked a lot more about why the EnergyPod is successful than the technology behind it. Professor Kane emphasized that this project should concentrate on how companies use their technology as a business advantage. Because of this, I suggest putting "the science behind the sleep" closer to the beginning of this article. Also, Professor Kane stated we need at least 10 sources, I don't believe pictures count toward those sources so try to find 3 more.
contributed by Janny Yu on Dec 2 1:56pm
1) This project does a very good job of meeting the assignment specifications because it does an adequate job of outlining an emerging technology. This technology definitely benefits companies in that it increases worker productivity, and the group does a decent job of portraying this.
2) I really liked the numerous videos that were short and to the point. They were informative and entertaining, which definitely helps in the description of this product.
3) I think that this group focuses too much of a proportion of their research on the description of sleep pods and their effect on people as a whole instead of focusing on how the sleep pods and the rest they provide will help workers become more efficient and advantageous to their company. In the section "Where are sleep pods used," it mentions that "MetroNaps has managed to expand their market outside the corporate world." This information is not particularly applicable, and I would suggest to replace it with more information on how companies can become more successful by investing in MetroNaps.
contributed by Christopher DeLuca on Dec 2 2:02pm
Very cool project. Seems to me like for the most part it meets all of the requirements. My favorite part is definitely your topic, it's unique and interesting, I really enjoyed reading about it. I agree with Janny in that their needs to be more about the technology behind the Sleep Pod, it seems under emphasized. Additionally, I would try to fix the format of the videos embedded in the sight because they have those blank boxes next to them. Just a visual thing, otherwise, great job!
contributed by Alyssa Mooney on Dec 3 10:59am
1. Your project meet the assignment criteria very well. I do believe that Janny raises a good point in the amount of sources though.
2. I believe that the strengths of this project are the pictures, videos, and the cited articles. Without them, I know I would have been trying to figure out what a pod was. Also, I think that the topic was fabulous as well. It sure caught my attention. You are definitely educating many people on a new topic.
3. As stated above, I believe that the formatting could be adjusted a tad bit. Possibly moving the company history to the first point- that way we have some background on the company to start off with. Also, I think that you should group the topics that relate specifically to the sleep pods together. It might be more helpful for the reader to follow.
All in all, good work! I enjoyed it.
contributed by Kyle McCartan on Dec 3 1:53pm
1) The project seems to meet all of the criteria of the project. I would suggest trying to find some information about POS technology in the wiki to link it to, since that was a term that we've talked about in class.
2) I liked the in depth information that you provided with regards to the actual functions of the sleep pods. It was very informative and, as mentioned above, your videos and photos did an excellent job of supplementing this text to create a great image for the reader.
3) As Janny said, I would like to see more about the way that MetroNaps uses the technology that they've developed for competitive advantage. Obviously there isn't much of an industry developed yet so this can be pretty difficult, but I like what you did with the POS technology and I think a little more information like that would be beneficial. For example, it says that, "MetroNaps has integrated tracking devices into their products to 'monitor usage and provide clients with feedback.'" What kind of feedback do they provide? Examples of the way this POS service works would definitely be helpful. Overall, good job with this project!
contributed by Michael Zarrilli on Dec 3 6:04pm
1) The project meets the assignment by discussing the technology and advantage behind an up-and-coming invention, but at the same time the information regarding the technology is a little scarce, whereas it seems the page is mostly focused on the success and practicality of the sleep pod.
2) What I found to be most interesting about the project was the description of the design of the sleep pod. At first I was skeptical about the idea, but it seems that the pod was built perfectly in order to provide a peaceful and comfortable nap to the user.
3) The part of the project that I believe needs improvement is the technology behind the sleep pod. It would be interesting if the group discusses how MetroNap went about researching the most practical design for the pod.
contributed by Alexander Bowler on Dec 3 6:57pm
1) I thought this project was very direct in its approach in explaining all the information that we as learners need to know. I do believe that there are some areas that need a little more explanation, there were some parts that were just skimmed over and not really gone into depth about.
2) I enjoyed the fact that this project explained why this product makes sense in the present time, and this project did a very good job in making this current to our times.
3) I did think that there were some more work that could have been done to show more of the business side of this company, maybe even if you were thinking about that aspect of the project like you were trying to convince us to invest in the business that might help.
contributed by on Dec 4 12:40am
This project not only meets the requirements, but it really captured my attention. I really enjoyed this project because I love to nap. Even today I was napping in the reserves section in the library. I located a corner seat with a foot stool/chair, turned my iPod on, listened to some classical music and napped for about 30 minutes. I would really love to see these sleep pods on campus. Sometimes I'm afraid that I will be snoring in public, but with these pods, I will be able to have the privacy needed. As a student, I would have attempted to find some research about these sleep pods coming unto campus. Perhaps the sleep pod idea is stiil too early in the developing stages to be incorporated unto any campuses; however, it would be interesting to see how it would affect campus and its students.
contributed by Sang Il Lee on Dec 4 1:16am
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