17A Elevator Pitch 2

I tried to make this video more client-centered rather than trying to pitch to all the potential consumers, seeing as we've decided who our target audience is. I also felt more comfortable speaking about the product because I've spent much of the semester working specifically on this idea.

19A: Idea Napkin 2

19A: Idea Napkin 2

1.     I’m a big fan of the outdoors. I like to work hands on, and sometimes get a little rowdy. I’m very active, whether it’s watersports, mountain biking, or snowboarding, my favorite activities require a lot of quick movement. I have noticed that many of these sports take place over large areas and are difficult to stay hydrated during due to a lack of storage. Along with this, my dog’s tail is a wrecking ball that will easily topple any unsecured beverage.

2.     I am offering a drink koozie that secures one’s drink to a surface so that the individual doesn’t have to worry about their drink getting spilled by their dog/cat, spilled by themselves in the dark, or knocked over during active outdoor activities.

3.     I am offering my product to animal owners, as well as people who enjoy outdoor activities that require a lot of movement.

Looking back at assignment 18A:

The avatar:

-       Drives a mid-size/large SUV to hold their dog, paddleboard, kayak, etc. (Maybe a green or light blue Subaru).

-       18-30 years old. If older, are still very active.

-       Enjoy National Geographic and Animal Planet.

-       Could have messy children or friends.

-       Own dogs or cats who get a little too close to their drinks.

-       Enjoys their beer so much they couldn’t stand losing a drop.

-       Tired of cleaning spills.

4.     This product is useful to customers because it could prevent major damage to electronics inside the home and is useful and efficient when participating in outdoor activities. Sometimes our pets get way too close to our drinks, and their strong tails can often send those drinks flying, ruining our belongings, and creating quite the mess for us to clean up.

5.     What sets me apart is my ability to conceptualize and then create. I’ve always thought of myself as proactive; trying to solve problems to make life easier. But I’ve also grown up as the son of a construction worker, learning to use tools and create objects to solve these problems, rather than just think of what my solution could be.

“Feedback Memo”

I believe that the broad potential consumer base acts as both a weakness and a strength. It makes it hard to appeal to the other large group of consumers when advertising to one, which I believe are both very close in size. I have been active and hands on for as long a I can remember, which is why believe that my history has been fit into the need for a koozie that will keep my drink secured, whether from my dog, myself, or the natural elements.

18A: Customer Avatar

 My ideal customer could be from a wide variety of backgrounds and have many characteristics, as I believe that my product could be found useful by anyone. However, I believe that there are two kinds of customer who would be more likely to find a daily use for this product: the large dog owner, and the outdoorsman.

The avatar:

-       Drives a mid-size/large SUV to hold their dog, paddleboard, kayak, etc. (Maybe a green or light blue Subaru).

-       18-30 years old. If older, are still very active.

-       Enjoy National Geographic and Animal Planet.

-       Could have messy children or friends.

-       Own dogs or cats who get a little too close to their drinks.

-       Enjoys their beer so much they couldn’t stand losing a drop.

-       Tired of cleaning spills.

Honestly, I feel as though I have everything in common with this avatar, minus the children. I love the outdoors and love my dog even more. But I’m definitely tired of cleaning the beer spills, especially since I plan on finishing them. My friends do get a little rowdy which can also cause some spills. I don't believe this is a coincidence, mostly because we were asked to identify thigns that bug US at the beginning of the course, and have built off that since.

15A: Figuring Out Buyer Behavior No. 2

Interviews:

1)    Justin (close friend) – As a dog owner and outdoor enthusiast, he agreed there was a need for this product both inside and outside of the home. Although he doesn’t really see alternatives, he believes his best bet is to find a shorter heavier cup, like a mug, that has a lower center of gravity and less chance of getting knocked over. Effectiveness is key, seeing as cups and koozies don’t usually cost much anyway. It could be a product sold at any major retailer like Target or Walmart, as it doesn’t demand financing or difficult transportation.

2)    David (roommate) – After living with my dog during the past semester, David totally understood why I had come up with this idea. He said if they existed, he would’ve gotten one for me months ago before my dogs wrecking ball of a tail ruined his homework numerous times. “It’s such a simple idea with such a useful application”, and “would’ve saved me time and energy if I had one already”. Again, David believes that the effectiveness of the product and ease of use is what would make it sell and that any dog owner that walked by it while shopping would show interest.

3)    Lauren (girlfriend’s roommate) – As the owner of a small dog at home and recently a curious kitten, she wishes this was already on shelves. Small dogs often times jump off your lap and sometimes onto your table, and cats will often just jump up and walk around like it’s all good. In this house, the search for an alternative has yet to occur. Rather, it’s a matter of avoiding the situation entirely, which is often just an inconvenience.

Conclusion:

The alternatives that seem to be the most prominent are short heavy cups that are somewhat stable and have a low center of gravity, or just total avoidance of the situation in the first place. Purchase decisions for these kinds of items seem to be easy for all of those I interviewed. It shouldn’t be an expensive product, around the price for a regular thermal koozie, but it’s value outweighs the cost in that it will potentially save a lot of money for the owners. This has a great effect on the consumers post purchase evaluation of the product as it proves it’s worth and effectiveness.