There aren’t many edible items that sound more gross to me than chocolate covered wasabi beans.  Yet, they are exactly the kind of treat that can attract a crowd.  What can you learn from this?

First – being different is important.  Wasabi goes with sushi, and Id never put chocolate on my tempura roll, but somehow the combination is unique enough to grab your attention.

Different is memorable and exciting–mundane is drab and uninspiring.

Second – the success of this weird wasabi chocolate blend speaks to the power of appealing to a specific niche. If you are building an organization or designing a product, keep a very specific target audience in mind.  Mixing chocolate and wasabi may sound awful to most of us, but theres a select group of passionate chocosabi consumers.

Third – Be different, but go with what works.  Yes, I’m telling you to find a unique differentiation, but not too unique.  In this particular case, chocolate and  wasabi may be a new combination, but spiced chocolates are nothing new.  Find something that people already like (spicy chocolate) and introduce your own twist.

Whether you are building a new product, or organizing a party for a friend–look for a way to be different, but not crazy different.  Think about what your niche would love most.

~ Bryan