Can you provide examples of products that are used differently than their intended purpose?

The toothpick and milkshake examples in the book 'Competing Against Luck' illustrate the concept of a product's 'resume'. This is a metaphorical document that lists all the jobs a product can fulfill, not just the ones it was designed for. Toothpicks, for instance, are not only used for cleaning teeth but can serve various other purposes. Similarly, a milkshake can fulfill different jobs, creating diverse consumer experiences. These examples highlight the importance of understanding the full range of a product's potential uses and the experiences it can provide to consumers.

The concept of a product's 'resume' is a metaphorical way of describing all the qualities, skills, and capabilities of a product in fulfilling various 'jobs' or needs of the consumers. It's not just about how the product was designed or intended to be used, but also about how consumers actually use it in real life. This concept is directly related to consumer experiences as it encompasses all the different ways a product can be used, which in turn shapes the experiences consumers have with the product. For instance, a toothpick might be designed for cleaning teeth, but consumers might use it for other purposes like crafting or checking the doneness of a cake. These varied uses contribute to the overall consumer experience.