In the first week of November this year, we launched, in partnership with Sofinco, a retail center called RIL Shopping. If you have visited these pages lately, you cannot have missed this information.
By performing a number of sales, in partnership with retailers who brought their warm enthusiasm along with their involvement, we have gained experience and knowledge that is truly unique because beyond our intuitions, our opinions or our beliefs, it is by trial and error that we have learned the most.
RIL Shopping, in its approach, keeps its promises. Retailers who participated are satisfied, nevertheless there are issues for improvement, of course, but they were aware of that in advance. And the results, especially for certain sales, are very considerable. A few thousand Euro were made, all sales included… which is very little in terms of e-Commerce, but still a great result in the given condition, that RIL Shopping is only opened for four hours in a day, while being within a reach of an audience that is way smaller than on the web.
Looking back at the first plan of this project, we had expected to have retail days until the 31st of December 2008, and that we would have obtained enough experience to take the next step. (Yes, of course there is a next step ) Now, by the encouragement of these remarkable results, we have decided to continue the exploitation of RIL Shopping in 2009, while we focus on various issues.
First of all, we will reduce the number of sales, based on a frequency of once per week. This decision is not linked to a lack of candidates, on the contrary: many shopkeepers are eager to give it a try, including participating in the costs of setting up systems inworld. The reason is that the hugh drive that we have adopted since the launch, does not leave us enough time between two sales, to produce as we would like. We have learned, and decided to implement improvements, for which we need the time between sales events.
In addition, we have decided to concentrate our efforts on two points.
The first issue of consideration, is to facilitate the user experience for all residents who come to purchase or to visit us. It is one of the permanent activities of any retailer -either online or physique- and we cannot escape from this basic rule. Some changes are already in place, such as the possibility of buying a product without the need of any HUD (Heads Up Device) or handling more complicated than a few clicks to validate details. It still needs improvement, but it is a great step forward and it brings a lot of convenience, even for a newcomer. A dozen others are subject to investigation or already taken in development, whether on the payment process, the presentation of products or the process of handling itself.
The second main subject to our attention is, to emphasize the impact of human presence in the device. The great strength of this marketing-model to sell a product in the virtual environment of Second Life, is to put the human being at the center of an easily accessible place inworld. Thus, the seller and the customer will be able to exchange freely on matters that affect them directly. Thus, among the good results we can state that the turnover is multiplied from 3 to 5 compared to competitive businesses and the turnover per customer has increased by 20 to 35%. The reception, the advice, the assistance with the purchase, but sometimes the retailers conviction because of her best understanding of the expectations of the potential customer; these are all part of the empowerment of the system. We will pay attention to this topic, and help human to take any possible place in RIL Shopping.
In spite of all, RIL Shopping is not a goal in itself! This is an important step, but just a stage in a larger process. We are prepared to host the first commercial, more sustainable settlements, such as to open stores in Second Life, where you can buy goods as you would do in a shop around the corner. Our technology is sufficiently mature and proven to consider Second Life as a territory in which you can add value, but also acquire what suits your needs. Of course, a brand or distributor must have the audacity, an open mind and he has to accept the challenge to launch a project like this… but it is as we innovate, we can all grow stronger and we will endure the current times of financial crisis.
We are talking about a very small place, populated by thousands of French and more than a million residents globally, both in Europe and the United States. The large majority of these residents are usually adults, have an income level that is slightly higher than the average household income for their country and have a strong involvement to what is happening in Second Life. This does not justify it, and I do not just for marketing purposes but for commercial purposes, to invest a few thousand euros in a digital store? If certain brands become established in small towns, they do so at a much higher cost and potential for a less important?
We observed with much attention the activities of the Boulanger team, when they created a store in Second Life. It was brave, positive and visionary and -most important-, by this it was also confirmed by others than us, that trade in the virtual universe has an incredible potential. Now we can go much further than that, and really open this new channel in relationship with the market, talking to customers and … TO SELL!
On personal note: David Castéra or I would be happy to share ideas and opinions with any retailer or manager of a product or brand who understands the possibilities, even if he has no particular project at hand. Over 50% of our time is devoted to conviction … and that is exciting!
Together with the great team of Sofinco, we are at Stonfield InWorld most passionate about RIL Shopping and its opportunities to become an exceptional channel for selling high quality goods against considerable discount. Even to just imagine the chances that this brand new sales-channel has, using the Virtual Universe of Second Life, gives us the shivers by excitement. This channel is marvelously well suited for sales of complex products but also for sales with a very specific emotional perception.
After some promising earlier sales, improving one after another, we decided that the process is ready for its next big step in the long course to go, as it is now already stable enough to move up a gear. For this reason we launched a major sponsorship, with a few key gifts that we hope to be attractive and “in spirit” of the service.
Now it is time to take a next step and face a larger challenge: we are going to sell cars!
Again, just like the sales that have passed until today, the sale at RIL shopping in Second Life is considered to be a sale online, but in contrast to ordinary webshops, it gives the seller and buyer the warm experience of the social aspects of shopping that was until now exclusively reservated for shops in physical life. A real person is there to advise you, guide you in your choices and accompany you throughout the process.
However, we are well aware that a car is probably one of the most improbable products that one could buy in a virtual world like Second Life. For this reason and with the complicity of Jean-Pierre Pla and the whole team of SAAB Signatures in Toulouse, we have decided to offer this high quality SAAB against a totally incredible price, with discounts on new or used cars, ranging from €1.300,- to €10.000,-! Yes, you read it well this is no typing error
Prices can be accessed at this sale and only on the RIL Shopping in Second Life and quantities are - of course - very limited, so it will not ongoing!
Needless to say that this sale will be carried out by SAAB Signatures, official representative of the brand in Toulouse. The payment will not be mandatory and online buyers have all the services and guarantees as a regular and usual rule in this type of purchase.
In these hard times on the economic front, we are very pleased to offer, in partnership with Sofinco and of course, SAAB Toulouse, such an exceptional opportunity as to achieve a special transaction, but also to write history by becoming the the first persons in the world to have bought and sold a real car in Second Life
Thank you very much to Jean-Pierre Pla and his team for having agreed to join and play the game with as much enthusiasm!
Again a new step has been taken into improvement of sustainability by use of virtual worlds.
Virtual Worlds, such as the well known 3D-web browser “Second Life”, are a powerful tool to change the way businesses and institutions are operating. And above this; Virtual Worlds can help companies, organizations and institutions to decrease their carbon footprint and to perform without taking too much advantage of natural resources. And, by doing this, contribute to a more sustainable way of life for everyone.
On initiative of Crédit Agricole and together with the team of Stonfield InWorld, a special Learning Management System has been developed to teach employees in the organization how to use Second Life. This week, a group of employees of Crédit Agricole PG, performing as beta-testers of the Learning Package, have started to receive on line lessons of the basics to use Second Life. Basics such as how to use the menu’s and user interface, how to move and fly with the avatar and how to modify the avatar to their own liking.
The great idea behind this project is, that if all employees in an organization understand how to use Second Life, they can organize their meetings and appointments in this Virtual World. The huge benefit for the organization is not only on saving on their traveling budget, but also the decrease of their carbon footprint by much less use of transport, which leads to less pollution of the environment.
Starting with these employees of Crédit Agricole now, the ambitious goal is to teach all 1800 employees of Crédit Agricole PG how to use Second Life before the end of 2009, and to organize the majority of their meetings in Second Life, in stead of having to make business trips and meet in physical life (’real’ life). After the employees have finished their courses, they will have to do a special developed test after which they will receive their personal Web Passport. In this way, the Metaverse will be integrated again and even more in daily, common life.
The team of Stonfield InWorld is continuously active and ambitious to start up and give performance to innovations that concern the use Virtual Worlds, or ‘Metaverse’ and that contribute to a higher level of efficiency for companies and organizations and at the same time help to reduce their carbon footprint and participate in a more sustainable economy and life.
Because of this passion for innovation, the expertise of the Stonfield InWorld team has a fast growing reputation, not only in France where the company is settled in three places: Oloron Sainte-Marie, Toulouse and Paris, but also abroad.
For this reason, co-founder of Stonfield InWorld - Pierre-Olivier Carles - has been invited to the Technology in Business Conference 08 by it@cork in Cork, Ireland on Wednesday 26 November 2008. In his speech, he will explain how Virtual Worlds can reduce companies’ carbon footprints and he will also present the business case for ‘Campus CA’, an e-Learning Solution in Virtual Worlds created for the Credit Agricole Bank.
Anyone who wishes to meet Pierre-Olivier Carles at this conference is hereby invited to get in touch.
Last Thursday, 6th November 2008 the long announced and long awaited opening of RIL Shopping in Second Life TM was a fact. This shop, at its first opening selling exclusive chocolate by D’lys Couleurs, is special compared to all other shops in Second Life, because real goods are sold in stead of just goods in pixels. The chocolate purchased at RIL Shopping will be delivered to the customers door within a few days. This very new step in e-commerce will be the first in a new way of shopping on distance.
Compared to all other webshops that have been known until now, RIL Shopping is the first to open its doors in the 3D web environment of Second Life ™, and where all goods can be seen in their real, 3D shape.
And while the customer is making his or her visit in the shop, a shop-assistant is always around to assist. These shop-assistants, who have been trained specially for RIL Shopping, can help each customer personally with his or her choice, but also guide in the registration, which must be done on the RIL Shopping website as well as at RIL Shopping in world.
This personal attention to every customer is one of the reasons why RIL Shopping is special.
Shopping on distance, both in the well known webshops as well as in the virtual environment of Second Life, has never taken the place of ‘real’ or better: physical shops and will never mean to take over either.
Shopping, as a social way for people of spending quality time, will never be replaced by shopping on the internet or even in Second Life. At the other hand, shopping on the internet has turned out to be a great improvement for people who are disabled and therefor not able to go out shopping if they need or want to. The same goes for people who live in rural places who have to travel a long distance to do their shoppings in ‘real’ or physical shops. The market that has been opened, also to these groups, is enormous and the only thing needed is a computer with internet connection.
Although the improvements are great, the one thing that is still missing in webshops, is the personal attention that gives the customer the social perception that changes shopping into spending quality-time.
And this high valued quality is another reason why RIL Shopping in Second Life is special. It adds quality-time to shopping on the internet.
To make RIL Shopping really work, and especially with high quality products against considerable discount, the main challenge now is to convince the residents of Second Life and explain to them that it is easy and efficient to shop at RIL Shopping and that they will really have a delivery after their purchase.
This is the challenge that the initiating teams of Stonfield Inworld and credit bank Sofinco are facing right now.
RIL Shopping, managed for Stonfield InWorld by Richard Malterre, is not opened 24/7 like other, common webshops. This makes it possible to provide personal attention and service to every customer. Opening hours will be announced in advance at RIL Shopping in Second Life, as well as on the website, www.ril-shopping.com together with the specialties that will be offered for sale.
The very next sales, only available for residents who live in France, Belgium or Luxembourg, of special and exclusive wines by Château Labastidié, will be on the 12th of November from 17.00 to 21.00 CET. On the third opening day, the 14th of November from 17.00 to 21.00 CET, exclusive and high-quality gifts provided by Bagatelles.fr will be offered for sale in RIL Shopping against considerable discount.
Written by Pierre-Olivier Carles (17 October 2008)
Virtual Worlds uses, both for business and private life, are rocking, but the main part of our planet doesn’t know it. It could be the best kept secret in the world.
That’s the reason why we decided to make this movie. We want to evangelize et help people understanding why and how the Internet 3D (may be Second Life & OpenSim ?!?) could change the way companies are working and people are living…
Written by Pierre-Olivier Carles (15 October 2008)
Hello World ! Today, we are thrilled to announce we are launching RIL Shopping, to give the third dimension to e-Commerce and bring it in Virtual Worlds, starting with Second Life !
We have worked hard on this project… but not alone. RIL Shopping has been created in partnership with Sofinco, one the leading consumer credit establishment in Europe (20 countries and more than 17 Millions clients) who works hard too with our team.
In few words, resident will be able soon to buy in Second Life goodies, sportswear, wine, cars (Yes, real cars that you can really drive :-)), Geek stuff, and many more real goods…
What’s new ? An incredible thing ! You’ll have all the benefits of traditional e-Commerce on the web 2D but with the advices, warm welcome, support of a real salesperson (behind his or her avatar, of course !).
Please have a glance to the Press Release and you will understand what’s happening
***
For nearly 2 years, the company Stonfield InWorld has invested in a comprehensive program of research and development to build a new sales channel that combines into a single format: easy access to offerings of e-commerce, proximity of commercial advice on offerings and the ability to offer financing.
With its expertise in virtual worlds, today Stonfield InWorld announces the creation of RIL SHOPPING in Second Life, in partnership with SOFINCO.
The official opening of this new space will take place on 6 November with a sale of outstanding “real” products.
A new way to sell and buy online: “RIL SHOPPING does not replace local shops, the vast
distribution or e-commerce trade” says Pierre-Olivier Carles, co-founder of Stonfield InWorld.
“It adds to existing channels a new way to sell and purchase online. The brands, distributors and / or merchants regardless of their types of offers can offer their products while providing their customer service levels close to the local shops.”
To be opened on 6 November, this unique space in Second Life will allow each brand to meet the expectations of Internet users in online sales: quality products at exceptional prices, the possibility of being informed directly on each product and the offers of consumer credit.
Organized as a private sale, RIL SHOPPING differentiates itself by its ability to accompany each resident during an online purchase, for his advice and assistance but also by the possibility of offering loans for consumption thanks to the presence of SOFINCO consultants.
The presence of a sales-assistant helps to improve the processing rate from 5 to 10 depending on the type of product, RIL SHOPPING offers businesses wishing to change their sales quickly, sales-formats by private, objective and adjusted terms for 4 hours in a few days.
Needless to be an expert in computer science to facilitate a sale in RIL SHOPPING; experts are in charge of Stonfield InWorld and the full development of the virtual shop and they will also accompany the specialist who will guide visitors.
The establishment of this new virtual space by Stonfield InWorld answered the need to be totally in tune with the market. It aims to serve customers better, and offers new opportunities for businesses through a economic potential.
Economic size: Linden Lab, Second Life publisher identified 771 536 French users to 31 December 2007, with an average age of 34 years and “more than average” revenues.
The desire for development and innovation has succeeded in finding an ambitious partner:
SOFINCO, a leading consumer credit establishment in Europe and the pioneer in financing for e-commerce has the strong belief that the Virtual Universe represents a true revolution in online commerce.
SOFINCO teams have worked with those of STONFIELD INWORLD to bring the shopping experience for residents of Second Life to a level of unmatched service and quality.
To learn more (but in French, sorry :-)) : the blog of RIL SHOPPING: www.ril-shopping.com/blog
About Stonfield InWorld:
This company, settled in Oloron Sainte-Marie
(Pyrenees Atlantiques), also based in Neuilly sur Seine and Toulouse, became in a short time a player in the market for virtual worlds (Second Life, There.com, OpenSim, Multiverse). It offers businesses of all sizes and all sectors, comprehensive solutions for integrating Internet and virtual worlds in their development strategy.
Member of the Linden Lab’s Solution Provider Program, Stonfield InWorld also focused part of its efforts to research and development on sale online (e-commerce) and training (e-learning) to make two poles of growth with high added value for its clients on Virtual Worlds.
In September 2007, Crédit Agricole entered the capital Stonfield InWorld and became the largest shareholder. Clients of the consultancy and service are companies like Réunica, the Navy, ENST Bretagne, Suez Environment, Saint Gobain Glass, IBM, Sofinco, Alvarez & Marsal, Intersport…
About Sofinco:
SOFINCO, a subsidiary of Credit Agricole SA is a leading consumer credit establishment in Europe with 17.6 million customers. Present in 20 countries, SOFINCO makes 60% of its turnover abroad and is experiencing a sharp increase in its activity.
Sofinco is dominant in all trades of credit to the Consumer direct sales, financing at the point of sale (Equipment Market home markets for recreational vehicles), partnerships.
Sofinco has developed partnerships with major retailers and distribution of many institutions.
Visuals pdf format high definition are sent on request from the press service
PRESS CONTACT STONFIELD INWORLD and SOFINCO:
Virginia Heuzé - Florence Gillier Communication –
virginieh@fgcom.fr / tel: +33 1 41 18 85 55
Written by Pierre-Olivier Carles (8 September 2008)
As expected, you will find below some elements regarding the recruitment that we have just achieved via Seesmic.
For information, we were looking for a Commercial Project Manager, whose main mission is to support the development of one of our most strategic projects.
The problematics of our query were:
– Find a profile able to integrate into a team already in place sharing our values and our culture,
– The candidate should have an excellent knowledge of Virtual Universes and Internet 1.0 or 2.0… and a good vision of the possible 3.0
– Find a SALESMAN because the mission includes a part in Business Development and a part of evangelizing (new market to create, an economic model to invent, a strong creativity based on the sectors knowledge).
– Doing the recruitment between 15th July and 15th August, so quiet in our beautiful country,
– Keep sexy and desirable for the best candidates, while we are a young and relatively “modest” business (and therefore unattractive to the largest part of graduates seeking a career in large companies).
These difficulties have led us to seek a different medium to diffuse our offer, which would be more representative to we are (or at least what we hope to be! ;-)), Simple, innovative and effective … And it is with Seesmic that we decided to work on this project.
Here’s the video. Unfortunately, my pitch is in French as we were looking for a French speaking candidate, for a job based in Paris. Sorry for that…
(Update Résultat) Stonfield InWorld a recruté dans Seesmic Débrief après clotûre du processus de recrutement d’un Chef de Projet Commercial, dans Seesmic, pour Stonfield InWorld (http://www.stonfield-inworld.com)
And the video he sent us with Seesmic, in French too…
We drawn several interesting lessons :
– The recruiter is filmed (and it’s even more true if the same recruiter is the future manager of the candidate !) Can personify the post and give it soul. Candidates know, therefore, before applying, what to expect. In a way, they will choose before you make your own selection. In the end, you have fewer candidates but much more focused. The processing time in shorter, more interesting and you do not have to answer a load of people completely beside the point.
– You deliver much more information than any other medium, without limiting access to other sources of information, like your web site or blog, for example. So it’s some of your culture and your values that you send out, in addition to your job description and vacancy.
– The answer to the video acts as the first interview. It is a little degraded because less interactive and sometimes intimidating, but it’s full of lessons. Some people have applied without making a video, what we didn’t set as totally discriminatory, but it wasn’t good neither. However, remember that these videos are created with little means and not specially figure of speech professionals. So we’re very indulgent on the form and mainly focus on the substance.
– It’s easy to show your ad and relay it, but most of all, you can “defend” it. At Stonfield InWorld, we believe that our teams have much to give and get involved heavily in the company, but the company must also give them a lot in terms of atmosphere, working conditions or project quality. So when you forget certain points in your presentation or if questions come to those who view it, you can give them precise answers. Of course, some questions are very spontaneous and sometimes be seen as disturbing (especially when they are raised by people who do so only out of curiosity) and requires some kind of transparency, but I think that if you’re not able to defend the profile, as well as your company and / or your values, you simply do not deserve the “good applicants”!
Other elements may still be highlighted and some options are still missing in Seesmic, but the main thing is there. The quality of the Californian start-up is undeniable and I think that Loic and his team can be proud of what has already been accomplished.
For us, the idea of using Seesmic for recruitment was a total success, despite our lack of experience on the subject and the difficulty of the task we tackled.
Big thanks to Cyrille (aka Vinvin) and Loïc for their priceless support during this experience !
Damn, IBM has just released the Ad we would have loved to have done ! ☺
I guess the main message is “ Stop talking about what your company could do in Virtual Worlds… and just do it!”
This is exactly what we thought, about a year ago, at Stonfield InWorld. Since we started this company, we have explored many Virtual Worlds, set up some great events in-world, designed some superb places… and more than that, we have provided some Virtual World solutions where we even talked about Return on Investment with our clients!
Of course, we sometimes took the wrong road ( which prevented us from taking our clients there !), but, above all, we really pushed ahead with our two favorite topics: e-Learning and e-Commerce.
The ITC Project (Immersive Training Center) is well on its way, as is the Shopping Attitude project (e-Commerce), which is close to being released !
IBM is leader in practically all the markets the company targets. The Company’s very last news from Virtual Worlds 2008 in New-York yesterday are awesome. IBM is also Stonfield InWorld’s client, often its business partner and sometimes its supplier. We have dozens of friends there (and maybe even one of my best friends !) and are honored to have this excellent business relationship.
But at the end of the day, what makes me more excited with this note is the determination of the first IT company in the world, to evangelize a market that so few of us understand and support.
When Stonfield InWorld says “Virtual Worlds are one of the Kill Apps of the Internet of the Future” , I can understand some people don’t trust us so easily… but when IBM says that, people should ask themselves why is Big Blue so confident ?
By the way, I would like to quote a young guy, retired from the IT market, who said some months ago in Paris – France : “We are going to bring the Web from the second to the third dimension, a dimension where you’ll be able to walk through cities, shops…” Bill Gates.
Euh… Bill ? I know you were wainting for us but we are ready now, you can start moving !
OpenSimulator, a project well known as OpenSim, has just found significant and active support from RealXtend, a joint-venture between two Swedish 3D specialists.
If the video doesn’t make you see why it’s so important for Virtual Worlds’ future, then check out this Road Map.
Under testing for the next release (29th of February 2008)
* Free-form non-humanoid avatars * Global avatar mesh, skeleton, textures, attachments and animations * Single sign-on to multiple worlds for teleporting * Avatar generator * Avatar attachment tool to help set 3D meshes to different bones * Unlimited amount of attachments per bone * Teleports between realXtend and Secondlife * Avatar storage to move avatar appearance between realXtend grids/worlds * Mesh tool to scale and set pivot of 3d models * Server launcher and configuration application * Home automation example using X10 technology * Bot with Python scripting * Media library for world builders * Server status window
Roadmapped features
* Direct3D rendering for better performance * Support for OGG Vorbis * Support for video (other than quicktime) * Avatar generator and attachment tool integration to rexViewer * OGRE materials support * Procedural textures to reduce network load * On-the-fly compression for mesh up/downloading to reduce network load * Client side prediction * Improvements to in-world building tools * Avatar off-line mode, with scriptable behaviour * Texture projectors * Weather support * Integration with skype/google spreadsheets/openoffice * Inverse kinematics * Avatar face/head animation based on live video camera data * Lip synch for VOIP * Cloth physics * Vehicles’ support * Global rights management for objects in distributed architecture (you can set rights for objects as in SL) * Wallet and transactions
Clearly, OpenSim will accelarate its development before Summer 2008. It’s definitely another - huge - step towards interoperability.
At Stonfield InWorld, we are following this progress closely as well as carrying out our own work on this topic. Our main concerns are business uses such as e-Learning, e-Commerce or Collaborative Work…
Take a look at these two tutorials below…
The first one is about including a VNC screen directly in RealXtend and the second one shows how to import objects directly from Maya. Our team did that two weeks ago, on Stonfield’s RealXtend servers.
By the way, many thanks to the RealXtend Tech Team for their awesome work !
RIL Shopping, in its approach, keeps its promises. Retailers who participated are satisfied, nevertheless there are issues for improvement, of course, but they were aware of that in advance. And the results, especially for certain sales, are very considerable. A few thousand Euro were made, all sales included… which is very little in terms of e-Commerce, but still a great result in the given condition, that RIL Shopping is only opened for four hours in a day, while being within a reach of an audience that is way smaller than on the web.
) Now, by the encouragement of these remarkable results, we have decided to continue the exploitation of RIL Shopping in 2009, while we focus on various issues.
The first issue of consideration, is to facilitate the user experience for all residents who come to purchase or to visit us. It is one of the permanent activities of any retailer -either online or physique- and we cannot escape from this basic rule. Some changes are already in place, such as the possibility of buying a product without the need of any HUD (Heads Up Device) or handling more complicated than a few clicks to validate details. It still needs improvement, but it is a great step forward and it brings a lot of convenience, even for a newcomer. A dozen others are subject to investigation or already taken in development, whether on the payment process, the presentation of products or the process of handling itself.
We are talking about a very small place, populated by thousands of French and more than a million residents globally, both in Europe and the United States. The large majority of these residents are usually adults, have an income level that is slightly higher than the average household income for their country and have a strong involvement to what is happening in Second Life. This does not justify it, and I do not just for marketing purposes but for commercial purposes, to invest a few thousand euros in a digital store? If certain brands become established in small towns, they do so at a much higher cost and potential for a less important?
