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Can one be too innovative? I'm ready to give up.

caromorgan

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I know, I know, we all talk about innovation as some kind of super-power or key-to-riches.

But... here's my problem... for 10 years of more, I've been developing online software for the conference/exhibition industry. It's really, really good stuff.

But the industry is stuck in the '70s.
They don't understand what the internet can do for them, or the value of real-time bookings.
Their internal systems were designed before the internet, and as a result are clunky, time-consuming, inaccurate and often back-to-front. They employ a lot of staff to run these crappy systems - staff who don't want to lose their jobs to a better way.

I can't change the industry.
And I can't even get most people to look at my solutions, because they are in a constant state of over-worked panic due to the lack of ...well.. exactly what I am offering them.

The resistance to change is huge. And I find myself constantly developing more and more amazing features that I can't sell.

I'm ready to throw in the towel, to be honest.

Any advice?

Caro
 
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Davejemmolly

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Try to pitch it at newly establishing conference spaces, before they get sucked into the old system.

Rethink your business model?
Maybe instead of an expensive custom initial pricing strategy, selling a more affordable subscription model?

No idea if this is relevant, as I know nothing about the exhibition industry.

But if you have a clearly better solution, keep the faith!

And google the story ‘three feet from gold’ - I think it was in ‘think and grow rich’
 

caromorgan

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Try to pitch it at newly establishing conference spaces, before they get sucked into the old system.

That's a good idea.
Finding them may be tricky, but I know some people who know people... :)

And google the story ‘three feet from gold’ - I think it was in ‘think and grow rich’

Will do. I fear I've been there for about 7 of the last 10 years, though, and I'm getting demotivated.

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated :)

Caro
 

Dramolion

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for 10 years of more, I've been developing online software for the conference/exhibition industry.

Who is your target-customer ?

Most people who go to conferences enjoy going to conferences, if they wouldn't they would 've switched to Skype or another service decades ago.
Instead of trying to take away on the process try to add value to it instead.
 
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caromorgan

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Who is your target-customer ?

Most people who go to conferences enjoy going to conferences, if they wouldn't they would 've switched to Skype or another service decades ago.
Instead of trying to take away on the process try to add value to it instead.

Hi there
I wasn't clear, sorry.
The target market is event organisers... in this case it's a real-time booking system for exhibitions.
 

Ninjakid

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Spend less time developing, and learn how to sell.

Elon Musk went through the same hurdles while developing Zip2. Almost no one understood what it was let alone wanted to be part of it. They just kept knocking on doors until people wanted to try it.

Don't spend time developing new features, get people to buy what you have, and THEN improve it.

Why don't you give a handful of them away for free at first? Have you beta tested your software?
 

caromorgan

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Spend less time developing, and learn how to sell.
Very good advice. I try, but I am certainly not a natural (INTJ).

Don't spend time developing new features, get people to buy what you have, and THEN improve it.

Yep, that's the conclusion I am coming to. I've sunk too much money into developing something whizz-bang, and it's too much for the potential client to get their head around. I need to sell a basic version, and tell them about the extra features further down the line.

Why don't you give a handful of them away for free at first? Have you beta tested your software?
It has been used by one or two clients. It works just fine.
But even that can be a hurdle... the first client refused to endorse or refer us, because they didn't want their competitors to know about the software. Hahaha, aaargh :)
 
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