The conference’s host began his introduction: “You have all been summoned here today because you are considered amongst the best in your respective professions. I’ve arranged for this conference to be attended by the world’s most renown marketers, the most respected engineers, the most admired craftsmen, the most published social psychologists and sociologists, the world’s most lauded and creative designers along with experts in manufacturing, retailing, ecology and supply-chain matters. If you are here today, you are all without peer – the crème de la crème of your respective endeavors.

“I brought you here to challenge you with a task that has been characterized by some as the Holy Grail of our consumer society. I don’t agree, of course. Indeed, I believe that this four-day conclave of the world’s most brilliant minds will result in a solution to the challenge. And that challenge is to design the world’s perfect gift. Our Holy Grail will be found!

“This must be a gift that is, like you, without comparison. It is to be the retail manifestation of your cumulative brilliance. Before you begin your work, you should know that the essential qualities of this gift are everything that you’d presume. It must be memorable, meaningful, practical yet possessing exquisite beauty. Everyone must not just want one but feel as though their lives are incomplete without one. The presentation must be alluring to behold and silken to the touch. Its essence must be plucked from every consumers’ dreams. It must complete a person – complementing as well as complimenting its recipient. When given, it must make the recipient feel more powerful, more intelligent, more desirable and potent. This is a gift that must approach divinity, yet be eminently affordable and easy to market.

It should be within reach of every consumer throughout the globe and not just to those with wealth and privilege. Ladies and gentlemen, as daunting as this task is, I am confident that the assemblage of ability in this room can identify this one item of perfection.”

“Excuse me”, interrupted one of the guests. All eyes shifted to this unassuming, almost timid voice in the back of the large hall. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your inspiring soliloquy as it was wonderfully motivational. But might I interject a quick observation?

“Yes, of course”, replied the conference master. “Let the process begin!”

“Well, I apologize for any seeming naivete on my part, in listing the qualities of this perfect gift, haven’t you just described a heartfelt kiss?”