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Historically, I have always tried to think of a "killer idea", so focusing on "process" is a little new to me. I am currently training myself in the basics of creating interactive websites, and making iPhone/iPad apps. Once I get the basic skills, it will be time to decide what I want to do. I have some ideas already, but I thought I should make sure I am not skipping over anything obvious.
I have been reading MJ's book, Felix Dennis book, and researching "The Foundation" group ("paperless pipeline" developers). To start at the 10,000ft view, I started to make lists in order to identify the (N)eed I will attempt to fill. I'm not sure if I will be targeting consumers or business, and with a new or existing product.
When I made the lists, it became obvious the needs were different depending on whether you were selling to a consumer or a business, and whether there was existing competition or not. For example:
Consumers have a need for a new product because it:
Increases pleasure
Makes them look/feel smarter (caffeine drinks)
Makes them look/feel more attractive (clothing)
Feels/tastes/sounds good (alcohol, ice-cream, music)
Decreases pain
Stops pain (aspirin)
Avoids pain (padding)
Consumers buy your product over an existing product because?
You are better at Quality (Fudruckers)
You are better at Price (grocery store)
You are better at Convenience (McDonalds)
Businesses need your product because it:
Increases profits
Decreases expenses
Decreases time/labor
If selling to consumers, it seems a lot simpler/safer to simply beat an existing seller on Price, Quality, or Convenience, than to justify a new product ("Blue Ocean"?). If the process is the ideal way to beat them, it would seem Quality would be most directly influenced ("build a better mousetrap").
If selling to businesses, then profit, expense, and labor would all be easily effected by process improvements.
In making these lists, I am trying to identify if there is a certain category of buyer or product I should be focusing on. My "tool" to satisfy needs will be website/iphone/ipad based.
My gut instinct is that there is too much competition for typical web-surfing consumers, and targeting businesses with a SAS product (software-as-a-service) would have a lot less competition.
Any suggestions, or am I over-thinking this?
I have been reading MJ's book, Felix Dennis book, and researching "The Foundation" group ("paperless pipeline" developers). To start at the 10,000ft view, I started to make lists in order to identify the (N)eed I will attempt to fill. I'm not sure if I will be targeting consumers or business, and with a new or existing product.
When I made the lists, it became obvious the needs were different depending on whether you were selling to a consumer or a business, and whether there was existing competition or not. For example:
Consumers have a need for a new product because it:
Increases pleasure
Makes them look/feel smarter (caffeine drinks)
Makes them look/feel more attractive (clothing)
Feels/tastes/sounds good (alcohol, ice-cream, music)
Decreases pain
Stops pain (aspirin)
Avoids pain (padding)
Consumers buy your product over an existing product because?
You are better at Quality (Fudruckers)
You are better at Price (grocery store)
You are better at Convenience (McDonalds)
Businesses need your product because it:
Increases profits
Decreases expenses
Decreases time/labor
If selling to consumers, it seems a lot simpler/safer to simply beat an existing seller on Price, Quality, or Convenience, than to justify a new product ("Blue Ocean"?). If the process is the ideal way to beat them, it would seem Quality would be most directly influenced ("build a better mousetrap").
If selling to businesses, then profit, expense, and labor would all be easily effected by process improvements.
In making these lists, I am trying to identify if there is a certain category of buyer or product I should be focusing on. My "tool" to satisfy needs will be website/iphone/ipad based.
My gut instinct is that there is too much competition for typical web-surfing consumers, and targeting businesses with a SAS product (software-as-a-service) would have a lot less competition.
Any suggestions, or am I over-thinking this?
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