Ep 96, 5 Characteristics Of Best Selling Toys & Games
Playing At Business - toy & game business podcast with Steve Reece
Release Date: 03/23/2023
EP 112 - 8 Characteristics Of Toy Companies That Stand The Test Of Time
Playing At Business - toy & game business podcast with Steve Reece
What makes a toy company last for generations? In this episode, we break down the eight essential characteristics that separate fleeting fads from industry legends. From unwavering brand identity to innovation that evolves with consumer trends, we uncover the secrets behind long-term success. Expect insights into adaptability, quality, nostalgia, and the magic of emotional connection. Whether you're a toy industry veteran or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode delivers practical wisdom for building a business that stands the test of time.
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Ep 111 - Tariff Tribulations
Playing At Business - toy & game business podcast with Steve Reece
It's been a wild start to 2025 with tariff tribulations abounding. From supply chain disruptions to retail price rises, these developments have produced a complex landscape for Toy & Game companies to try to navigate. Join us as we unpack the challenges, explore strategic responses and offer some tips to help you navigate the current situation.
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EP 110 - So You Invented A Board Game, Now What? How To Commercially Launch Your Game
Playing At Business - toy & game business podcast with Steve Reece
In this episode, board games business expert Steve Reece of runs through the steps in completing a commercial launch of a board game (also includes a card game or other cardboard based Games). If you are wondering what you need to do next after you came up with the idea of a Game and made a Gameplay mechanic, then this episode is for you.
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EP 109 - TOY & GAME STARTUPS: 10 TIPS
Playing At Business - toy & game business podcast with Steve Reece
Over the last decade and a half or so, we have advised 200+ Toy startups and Game startups. There have been a number of recurring Tips and bits of advice we have given. This podcast covers those Top Ten Tips for startups in this whacky world of Toys & Games. This is a definite must listen for new entrants to the business of Play!
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Ep 108, Toy Biz India Trade Show Review
Playing At Business - toy & game business podcast with Steve Reece
This episode reviews the Toy Biz trade show event in Delhi. This time round more than 400 exhibitors were at the show. Host Steve Reece runs through his experience at the event, and discusses the many opportunities for Toy & Game companies in India.
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Ep 107 - Which Toy & Game Trade Shows Should You Attend?
Playing At Business - toy & game business podcast with Steve Reece
This is the question we get most often. There are a number of key trade shows in the Toy business, and historically there has been a commom complaint that we have too many of these shows and that the schedule is inefficient. The pandemic gave us a good opportunity to consider our show schedules and to reassess what makes most sense for our businesses. In this episode we run through the main shows and talk about how to decide which shows to participate in.
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Ep 106 - Board Games: 10 Key Success Factors AKA What I learnt Working On The Best & Worst Selling Games Of All Time
Playing At Business - toy & game business podcast with Steve Reece
In this latest episode host Steve Reece shares 10 Key Success Factors for Board Games based on decades working with and on some of the most iconic Games of all times, including Hasbro's stable of Family Games such as Monopoly. Clue/do, Risk, Game of Life and many more. Unusually Steve also acknowledges working on the worst selling board game of all time, as well as the best. If you are in the business of Games this is a must listen episode. Sign up for our free email newsletter on the Toy & Games industry here:
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Ep 105 - Spielwarenmesse 2024 Toyfair Review & EU Toy Market Outlook For 2024
Playing At Business - toy & game business podcast with Steve Reece
Another Spielwarenmesse Toyfair in Nuremberg has been and gone. This episode reviews this years show, and based on conversations at the show and market data released at this time gives an analytical outlook on the key drivers and trends of the European Toy market for 2024. Sign up for our free Email Newsletter here:
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Ep 104: 2024 Global Toy Market Outlook, Another Year Beckons
Playing At Business - toy & game business podcast with Steve Reece
2020 and 2021 were unexpectedly boom years for the Toy business overall as locked down families invested out of season in play activities for their homebound children. 2022 and 2023 were significantly worse years for the Toy trade. The question now is what happens in 2024? Host Steve Reece talks through the factors affecting Toy market performance in 2024 in this latest episode. For more Toy business analysis, check out our Linked In newsletter here:
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Ep 103 - Why Product Selection Is Critical For Toy Companies (AKA Why I Turned Down Settlers of Catan)
Playing At Business - toy & game business podcast with Steve Reece
In this episode we take a look at how choosing the right products to launch is the fundamental success factor for Toy & Games companies. Host Steve Reece uses an example of when he turned down a now famous & massively successful product as an example of how sometimes turning away good products is necessary in order to focus on what will work best for your company and the business model and market positioning of your company. For more analysis & insights into the global Toy market, check out our Linked In newsletter which has 5000+ subscribers (including readers from all...
info_outlineThere are some recurring characteristics of best selling Toys & Games. In this episode we run through the 5 most important features. This is not so much creative inspiration as it is a ticklist for new Toy & Games products in development.
Our business is a Consultancy to Toy & Games companies. We have worked with more than half of the biggest Toy companies in the world, as well as 100+ startups and small businesses. Our main areas of business are:
- Export Sales Consultancy - let us help you sell more of your products overseas.
- Growth Consultancy for start ups with funding
- 'Traditional' distribution Consultancy for companies who launched with success on Amazon and want a fast track acceleration into other 'traditional' Toy & Games distribution channels around the world.
- Strategic Sourcing Consultancy - we advise companies on how to diversify their sourcing from being over reliant on China to other geographies including India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico & Europe.
- Recruitment - many of our clients who we have helped with expanding their distribution come back to us to help them find key staff members to allow them to go direct to retail in key markets.
- Consultancy phone calls - this is the entry level service we offer, comparatively low cost, but normally rated 5/5 in terms of value & impact from our clients.
To find out more about our Consultancy services & how we can help your business, just click here: www.ToyIndustryJournal.com/toy-business-consultancy