The segment that I have decided to interview for this assignment is college aged kids. In particular, I interviewed those who are more active than not because they would have a higher chance of meeting the same unmet need as myself. For this, I waited at my house around dinner time and asked my roommates and friends until I found three people with the same need. My idea is a shoe cleaning product that can help take the dirt and other marks off of shoes quickly and cheaply. I chose to interview around dinner because at this point of the day most people had already either walked around campus, gone to the gym or other places that could have potentially made the shoes dirty during the course of a regular day.
For all three interviews, the three people all began to notice their need approximately a month after the purchase of their latest pair of shoes. Two of the interviewees stated they began to notice the need slowly, whereas the last person stated that he was caught in a storm on a scooter and rain/dirt impacted his shoes. However, they did not know what to do to fix this. None of the three made a direct or instantaneous move to fix their shoes once they realized their need, however this took anywhere from 3 to 4 months to finally act on this need. All three stated that they googled "How to clean shoes". Two of the three said that the ways they found took a lot of time, and only did a satisfactory at best job of cleaning the shoes, and the third said after he used a google recommended way that there was no noticeable improvement. I have found throughout these three interviews that they all noticed their need shortly after purchasing new shoes, but took much longer to act on this need. I have also learned that they did not have a set, quick way to clean shoes. My conclusion then is that this product would be especially popular amongst college kids. The reason for this is that a college student has an ever changing schedule and thus can sometimes be restricted on time, which would make a quick use product popular. The quickness of the clean would also be a focus in the production of the item, because this quickness would lead to less effort by the consumer, who would then be more willing to buy it. I would describe this segment interviewed as very aware of their need, but not very willing to search for information or to constantly use a lot of effort to clean shoes that will then become dirty again.
Friday, February 23, 2018
Friday, February 16, 2018
Idea Napkin No. 1
I am James Gallagher, I’m a twenty
year old from New Jersey. My talents include my people skills and my innovative
thinking on the fly. My experiences include helping my parents open up a surf
shop, as well as working on the beach for the past several summers. My
aspirations include eventually going to law school and becoming involved in
business expenditures. My business idea is a product that cleans shoes quickly
and efficiently, all with a cheap price tag. I would see this business playing
a big part in my life, but not something that would be a 24/7 kind of a thing.
I am offering this shoe cleaning service to people off all ages, however I
could see this being popular with people that have stopped growing. The reason
for this is that people are more willing to buy a cleaning product for a shoe
they know that they will not grow out of, whereas they will let a shoe stay
dirty when they know they will be getting a new pair soon. Therefore, I
especially see my product selling with people in their late teens, twenties,
and thirties, and especially those who are more active. People will benefit
from this service because it will allow their shoes to look new all the time,
and will prolong the need to buy a new pair. What sets me apart is that I am
constantly getting my shoes dirty and trying to find newer and better ways to
clean them.
I believe
that these different aspects of my life will mesh together to help with the end
product of the shoe cleaning. My background has many diverse elements and
experiences, and I have various ambitions in life. Because of this, I believe
that my company would be more open to adaptations to fit the consumer’s ever
changing need. However, if there is anything about my product and design that
is weaker, it is that I would be hesitant to fully commit to it right away when
the product is in the beginning stages.
Thursday, February 8, 2018
Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2
My opportunity that I tested in the original "Testing the Hypothesis" post was a way that would quickly and cheaply clean dirty shoes. Although many people would have surely been interested in such a product, there were still some people who did not want this. For this, I found five new people who I saw walking around with dirty shoes, and interviewed them. For them to qualify for this section, they also had to state that they were not interested as well.
The Who: These were five of my friends, but had no interest in a product that quickly cleaned shoes. They are all people around the age of twenty, and who lived mostly active lifestyles
The What: The need that I have identified differs once it becomes something that does not fit into a schedule. Since cleaning shoes is not vital to life or survival, many other tasks take priority over this when they are urgent or need to be done.
The Why: The reason for almost everyone that fell outside of the boundary was that they simply did not care about their shoes or the way they looked. Four of the five stated that they do not care about the way they look since they are just shoes and are bound to get dirty again, so they found no need to put in the effort, and the last person stated that they would rather just buy new shoes once the old ones get too dirty or near ruin.
almost like new. they care about.
The Why: Shoes are always on the move and The shoes are bound to become dirty again so
are bound to get dirty through activity. there is no need to buy this product.
The Who: These were five of my friends, but had no interest in a product that quickly cleaned shoes. They are all people around the age of twenty, and who lived mostly active lifestyles
The What: The need that I have identified differs once it becomes something that does not fit into a schedule. Since cleaning shoes is not vital to life or survival, many other tasks take priority over this when they are urgent or need to be done.
The Why: The reason for almost everyone that fell outside of the boundary was that they simply did not care about their shoes or the way they looked. Four of the five stated that they do not care about the way they look since they are just shoes and are bound to get dirty again, so they found no need to put in the effort, and the last person stated that they would rather just buy new shoes once the old ones get too dirty or near ruin.
Inside the Boundary Outside the Boundary
The Who: People who want their dirty People that do not care about the state of their
shoes cleaned. shoes, even if they are dirty.
The What: The need to make the shoes look The need is not a priority or anything thatalmost like new. they care about.
The Why: Shoes are always on the move and The shoes are bound to become dirty again so
are bound to get dirty through activity. there is no need to buy this product.
Solving the Problem
The problem that I have selected to try and find a solution for is from my bug list, and this "bug" is the long lines that occur outside of sporting events, concerts, and other such prominent events. These lines can take many minutes, and are quite annoying for the average person to go through each time they want to attend an event. Many times, the hold up comes from the scanning devices that employees use to check the tickets to ensure validity. Often it is not accurate when scanning the barcode, and thus takes multiple attempts, which then causes a delay. The solution to this problem would be to provide some sort of device that automatically checks the tickets, and does not require employees. Such as how to get into many dorms a student is required to have a fob to get in, this idea would be similar, where a customer would show this device the ticket (either an electronic ticket or the actual), and it would automatically scan the barcode, as long as it is in the perimeter of the box. The employees or volunteers that once scanned the tickets could then be assigned to watching the lines to make sure that everyone scans through to get in.
Friday, February 2, 2018
Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1
The opportunity I would like to pursue would be a way to quickly and cheaply clean dirty shoes. Many people get their new shoes dirty very quickly, either through weather, going out frequently with them, or just the dirtiness of streets and sidewalks. Currently I clean my shoes relatively frequently and it is a time consuming task, especially for my white shoes.
The Who: Everyone that has shoes that are dirty, or that will get dirty in the future that would like them to look clean again.
The What: There is not an easy and quick way to clean shoes within a few minutes.
The Why: Being on the ground constantly means they will constantly get dirty, so people do not want to spend a lot of time cleaning them.
In the who, there is no one else that would need a shoe cleaning product other than those people who have dirty shoes, or soon to be dirty shoes. The what can be challenged because there are many different colors of shoes, and the materials that they're made with, so finding a one-cleans-all solution could be tricky. The why can be challenged by the people who would rather either just buy new shoes, or that do not feel like exerting the energy into cleaning the shoes.
For my interviews, I talked to 5 of my friends (John, Joe, Robby, Michael, and Nico) and listened to their thoughts. I started off each interview with a few broad questions before going into more specific ones. I found that each person has an issue with their shoes, and each wishes that they had a product that could clean these quickly and effectively. This strengthens what I thought of for my who, because I had suspected a few might have had no interest. I then asked how they are currently dealing with this problem. Two of them responded that they're doing nothing, two others said they have lengthy processes, and the last said that he stops wearing the shoes once they get too dirty. Why did each person say they followed that process? The general thought was that their way was the most economically and time effective way that they could think of. Each then stated that if they could buy a relatively cheap product that could clean their shoes, they would be customers.
The Who: Everyone that has shoes that are dirty, or that will get dirty in the future that would like them to look clean again.
The What: There is not an easy and quick way to clean shoes within a few minutes.
The Why: Being on the ground constantly means they will constantly get dirty, so people do not want to spend a lot of time cleaning them.
In the who, there is no one else that would need a shoe cleaning product other than those people who have dirty shoes, or soon to be dirty shoes. The what can be challenged because there are many different colors of shoes, and the materials that they're made with, so finding a one-cleans-all solution could be tricky. The why can be challenged by the people who would rather either just buy new shoes, or that do not feel like exerting the energy into cleaning the shoes.
For my interviews, I talked to 5 of my friends (John, Joe, Robby, Michael, and Nico) and listened to their thoughts. I started off each interview with a few broad questions before going into more specific ones. I found that each person has an issue with their shoes, and each wishes that they had a product that could clean these quickly and effectively. This strengthens what I thought of for my who, because I had suspected a few might have had no interest. I then asked how they are currently dealing with this problem. Two of them responded that they're doing nothing, two others said they have lengthy processes, and the last said that he stops wearing the shoes once they get too dirty. Why did each person say they followed that process? The general thought was that their way was the most economically and time effective way that they could think of. Each then stated that if they could buy a relatively cheap product that could clean their shoes, they would be customers.
Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends
1) The Rise of Digital Currencies
I found my topic through a google search, and the main site that I used was a New York Times article. The information in this article states that digital currencies have risen in value and popularity exponentially over the past few months. Thus, because of its increased sphere of influence, the prototypical customer is someone that is of investing age, which ranges from late teens through the working years. This opportunity would be relatively hard to exploit. The opportunity in mind was to start a website or app that allows for the purchase of every different type of coin, with each purchase taking off an interest fee for the company. I saw this opportunity because the world is moving more and more digital, and thus I believe it has sticking power, whereas older generations might believe it is simply a fad.
2) The Rise of Money Transfer Apps
I once again found my topic through a google search, and used a Los Angeles Times article as my background research. This is yet another growing trend, especially for many millennials. The information stated that these sort of apps that send money directly to and from bank accounts, no matter if they're different banks or not, will only grow in popularity through the years. It stated that it is only a matter of time until each bank has its own sort of app for this. The prototypical customer is anyone that has a bank account. This opportunity would be relatively hard to exploit, as it would require the making of an app or site that can transfer funds, with yet again either a fee for each transfer or a delayed transfer that lets interest build briefly, as Venmo itself does. Once again, many in the older generations struggle with technology as it is, so this is an opportunity that I saw because I am of the group that already uses the few apps for this that there are.
3) New Tax Reforms
I found my information on a businessdaily.com article, and this was an article that stated that this reform will have massive effects. There are many opportunities because this law will effect all levels of business. The most likely customer would be anyone planning to open a business that needs advice. The opportunity is relatively easy to exploit, as there are hundreds of ways to go that would be profitable, such as opening an advising firm. I saw this opportunity because it has been in the news a lot recently, whereas others might have missed this if they do not watch the news or get alerts to their phones.
4) Raises of Minimum Wages in Many Cities Across the Country
I found this information on another businessdaily.com article. This source of information stated that there could be even more raises in cities coming within the next year. Many opportunities exist because thousands of people will be making more money. The customer with the unmet needs would be all of the minimum wage workers that will get raises, but will not know where to spend it or how to save it. This opportunity is easy to exploit because there are many directions that one could take with this, such as an advising firm or other businesses that cater towards people with money but need help. I saw this opportunity because I believe the wages will continue to rise with the times, whereas other may think they'll stay the same.
I found my topic through a google search, and the main site that I used was a New York Times article. The information in this article states that digital currencies have risen in value and popularity exponentially over the past few months. Thus, because of its increased sphere of influence, the prototypical customer is someone that is of investing age, which ranges from late teens through the working years. This opportunity would be relatively hard to exploit. The opportunity in mind was to start a website or app that allows for the purchase of every different type of coin, with each purchase taking off an interest fee for the company. I saw this opportunity because the world is moving more and more digital, and thus I believe it has sticking power, whereas older generations might believe it is simply a fad.
2) The Rise of Money Transfer Apps
I once again found my topic through a google search, and used a Los Angeles Times article as my background research. This is yet another growing trend, especially for many millennials. The information stated that these sort of apps that send money directly to and from bank accounts, no matter if they're different banks or not, will only grow in popularity through the years. It stated that it is only a matter of time until each bank has its own sort of app for this. The prototypical customer is anyone that has a bank account. This opportunity would be relatively hard to exploit, as it would require the making of an app or site that can transfer funds, with yet again either a fee for each transfer or a delayed transfer that lets interest build briefly, as Venmo itself does. Once again, many in the older generations struggle with technology as it is, so this is an opportunity that I saw because I am of the group that already uses the few apps for this that there are.
3) New Tax Reforms
I found my information on a businessdaily.com article, and this was an article that stated that this reform will have massive effects. There are many opportunities because this law will effect all levels of business. The most likely customer would be anyone planning to open a business that needs advice. The opportunity is relatively easy to exploit, as there are hundreds of ways to go that would be profitable, such as opening an advising firm. I saw this opportunity because it has been in the news a lot recently, whereas others might have missed this if they do not watch the news or get alerts to their phones.
4) Raises of Minimum Wages in Many Cities Across the Country
I found this information on another businessdaily.com article. This source of information stated that there could be even more raises in cities coming within the next year. Many opportunities exist because thousands of people will be making more money. The customer with the unmet needs would be all of the minimum wage workers that will get raises, but will not know where to spend it or how to save it. This opportunity is easy to exploit because there are many directions that one could take with this, such as an advising firm or other businesses that cater towards people with money but need help. I saw this opportunity because I believe the wages will continue to rise with the times, whereas other may think they'll stay the same.
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