My Customer’s Avatar

My customer is a hands-on individual who is constantly on the lookout for continuous improvement. He or she drives a later model vehicle which requires some routine maintenance from time to time and enjoys a do it yourself project over paying a contractor. They recognize a bargain and are therefore smart with money because they don’t have a huge surplus of it. My customer is a problem solver. They enjoy puzzles and riddles, and get a great deal of satisfaction from seeing a project to completion. Their hobbies are active and somewhat competitive but not overly so. Again, they mostly are looking for self-improvement. They are early adopters of products that make their life easier and more enjoyable, but also on the lookout for ways to help others. They are generous, kind, and motivating.

To put it simply, I am my customer avatar. My product fits my needs and personality to a tee and I don’t think at all that it is a coincidence. It would be difficult to be passionate about something that contradicted your personality or lifestyle. I believe entrepreneurs start with what they know and are familiar with. The product or service may change as feedback is presented over time, but the core and soul of the idea is firmly founded in the personality of the entrepreneur.

Halfway Reflection

It’s hard to believe we are halfway through this course already! Dr. Pryor does an outstanding job of giving a baseline of information and asking us to interpret and dissect it into real world practical application. I really enjoy the style and structure of this course, and the ability to make the information individually relevant. We are not simply quoting or memorizing, but building a lasting understanding of the entrepreneur’s journey. The difficulty of assignments varies from simple self-reflection to way out of my comfort zone recorded interviews and elevator pitches.

I have set up a schedule for myself that up to this point is working out pretty well. I read the assignments for the upcoming week when I have completed the current week’s assignments and begin brainstorming and figuring out the logistics. Next, I work on reading and commenting on other student’s blog posts. A lot of valuable information can be gained from this as well as the comments made on my own posts. I watch the lectures for the week prior to jumping into the assignments because often tips or direction is given which makes the assignments easier or at least better defined. I then complete the assignments and start the process over again. I try not to forget about the free extra credit quizzes on Fridays. I know that if I stick with this schedule, I will succeed in the class, so that’s what I do.

Some of the assignments cause a little stress when first reading them but I try to remember that every one of us is in the same boat. I trust in Dr. Pryor’s techniques and move forward with the exercises knowing that the process is what’s important and not necessarily the final product. I’m not sure if I would call that tenacious as much as simply overcoming a little stage fright and just doing what needs to be done. For the most part, everyone in class is very supportive and constructive in their comments and it feels good to accomplish a goal no matter how small.

The advice I would offer to future students is to set up a schedule that works for you. I have detailed my schedule above, and it feels logical and productive. After a couple of weeks it just starts to flow. Next, don’t worry about what your classmates think of your ideas or how you perform your assignments at first. Follow your own intuition and then utilize the comments and suggestions to fine tune your process. We are all on the same path and there is no need to be embarrassed or scared. Lastly, I would recommend watching the lectures and then doing some additional research on the topics that are of interest or seem particularly relevant to your cause. This is an introductory class with no textbook, but Dr. Pryor gives multiple resources and recommendations of where to go for additional information. Digging a little deeper on your own can give you valuable knowledge, and knowledge makes everything that much easier.  

Sheed

Sheed – The combination of the words Should and Need. When the expectation exists for you to complete a task and also great benefit comes from performing it.

I sheed to eat healthy today so I feel better tomorrow.

I sheed to go to crossfit today so I can get stronger.

I sheed to get this assignment done on time.

This word came out of my mouth by accident when talking to a coworker about going to crossfit one evening. He certainly understood the context of what I was saying and didn’t even bat an eye. I decided to run with it for the past two weeks. I presented it to my family at dinner stating that I sheeded to cut down on the pasta so I don’t feel bloated. My family laughed at my word, but again they understood the meaning perfectly. I spoke the word at least once daily and was never corrected on my speaking error and was never questioned about what the meaning behind it was. I suppose people just believed I misspoke and went about their business. My sons and wife were the only ones who chuckled and felt comfortable enough to call me out on it. A few nights ago my son mockingly used the word telling me, “I sheed a new pair of tennis shoes”. We laughed about it and I explained the assignment to him. It definitely feels weird purposely saying a word I know doesn’t exist, but I think I can continue the experiment intermittently and see where it goes.

Reading Reflection No. 1

I chose to read The Wright Brothers by David McCullough and was not disappointed in the detailed history about these amazing brothers. I previously had limited knowledge of their remarkable invention and have even visited the Wright memorial in Kill Devil Hills, but had no idea the level of dedication and ingenuity these brothers possessed. They were truly a gift to mankind and innovators on the most magnificent scale.

I was surprised to learn that neither Wilbur nor Orville were ever married or had children. Their dedication to the mission of flight was unyielding and took priority over families of their own. I was also unaware that Wilbur died at the young age of forty five. It is amazing to me what he was able to do during his short life span and the lasting effect it has had on mankind.

The consistency of character of the Wright brothers is what I admire the most. They were always true to themselves, never swayed by outside influences, and possessed a sort of humble confidence and indifference to popular opinion. They were not greedy or selfish or egotistical in any way. What rare traits in men of genius.

The Wright brother’s quest for flight was wrought with adversity and failure. The gliders and flyers they fabricated crashed hundreds of times and needed to be rebuilt again and again. But each failure provided valuable information and the ability to grow and improve. The limited information on aeronautics at the time was riddled with errors, so the Wright brothers needed to learn on their own the physics behind their flyers and create new designs and concepts. They created wind tunnels to study wing designs and observed birds for hours to gain inspiration. They were also 100% self-funded during their ordeal and needed to maintain a successful business in their bike shop to afford them the opportunity to pursue their dream. I’m certain this slowed down their progress, but the work ethic and drive they possessed was unparalleled .

Both Wilbur and Orville were highly intelligent men. They took it upon themselves to seek out information or create their own. They were not educated beyond a high school level, but as innovators and inventors, they were masters of their trade. They were also skilled mechanics and good businessmen. The successful bike shop business kept just enough money coming in to fund their dream of flying. After the success of their airplane, they demonstrated extremely noble diplomatic relations with high ranking government and military officials of multiple countries as well as the common man. I consider this a gift to be able to remain true to yourself no matter the company you are in.

After the successful flight, the book goes into detail of how the brothers attempted to sell their design and turn a profit off of their invention. The United States initially declined to support the Wright’s airplane but the French were extremely interested. A brokerage company also wanted to broker sales of the airplane in Europe. The demands for demonstrations and the underhandedness of all parties involved was a little confusing to digest. This at a time when the brothers should have been in full celebration mode with the support and praise of the United States government and private US companies alike. I felt ashamed that the brothers were not treated more fairly.

Reading the book gave me a feeling of closeness to the Wright brothers and an admiration beyond words. I would love to ask them since they chose never to fly together when perfecting and marketing their airplane, what they were feeling when they finally did go up together. They had been through so much together and it must have felt like the ultimate victory lap. I would also ask what their secret to staying so dedicated and committed to something that spanned over a decade. They never seemed rushed, and went about every detail methodically and patiently.

Clearly the Wright brothers believed in and displayed unbelievable hard work. They never took shortcuts and rarely outsourced any job or duty. They relied on and gained strength from one another. Their dedication and workmanship is certainly something I hope to model and aspire too. 

Idea Napkin No. 1

I am an organized, detail oriented, and motivated individual who is always searching for a more efficient way of doing things. I am a husband, father of four, Navy veteran, part time student, and a full time employee. Reducing task time and effort expended are of the utmost importance to me. I have an engineering background thanks to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, and have been a supervisor at a gas turbine power plant for the past 15 years. I recently became the Process Safety Management and Risk Management Plan Coordinator for my company’s anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system. I plan to earn my Business Degree over the next couple of years and continue to advance my career within my organization. I recently took up the hobby of sailing and discovered fasteners on my sailboat that proved cumbersome and awkward to operate.

My original goal was to fabricate something that allowed my family and I to split the cotter pin retaining rings of these fasteners more effectively; a simple device worn on the finger with a metal or hard plastic tab to simulate the fingernail and pry the rings apart. What I have discovered is the multitude of items and situations in which people need to pry something open. The resulting product has therefore grown into a ring with several different tab orientation and design options and has become more universally marketable.

I offer my product to customers who are not satisfied with the current condition of things, and who can recognize a better, simpler, safer, and more efficient solution to a problem. Those that are set in their ways or choose not to look for improvements in their day to day life will not see any value or necessity in my product. They must have an open mind and be willing to try something new. I see this as my key customer characteristic. There are no demographic exclusions that I can think of.

My customers will immediately see the value in my product by the time it saves and the frustrations and injuries it reduces. It will be a significant bargain for a couple of dollars.

Being trained and working in the engineering field has ingrained in me an attitude of always searching for continuous improvement. There is always an opportunity to become more efficient. Coupled with that is my strong attention to detail and desire to help others. These characteristics will ensure a quality product that does what it says it will do.

I believe these five elements absolutely fit together. My product is something that I believe in and need in my own personal life. I will take the time and care to create it to my specifications and then share it with whoever is willing to give it a try. 

Elevator Pitch No. 1

Hey there! Have you ever jammed something under your fingernail when trying to pry something apart? Man! That is some of the worst pain around. It’s like a torture technique to remind you of how dumb you can be. It just makes me cringe to think about it. I believe everybody can think of something that needs to be pried apart and can use a little help in doing so. Bartenders, mechanics, sailors, fishermen, battery installers, the elderly, and many, many more are all viable customers for a fantastic and simple new product that will become available very soon. The beauty of this product is its simplicity. What I’m talking about is a ring worn on the finger with an attached tab to simulate the fingernail. We no longer need to injure ourselves or go through the frustration of not quite getting that damn thing apart! These rings can be made in all sizes and colors and the tabs can be of different shapes and orientations to match the customers need. Pointy, flat, thick, thin, curved, or sharp like a blade. The possibilities are endless. These rings can be sold in hardware stores, marine stores, auto parts stores, convenience stores, and of course online. Who wouldn’t spend a couple bucks to try out an incredible new product that saves time, frustration, and maybe even a fingernail or two? Can I set up a meeting with you to discuss in detail my product and proposal? You won’t be disappointed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc4GK6c-f38

Testing the Hypothesis Part 2

The interviews continue to offer valuable insight to my original design and concept. I have simply not come across many people who encounter these fasteners on sailboats, but the more I discuss the reasoning with people, more opportunities pop up. From the interviews and through observation, I am gaining valuable insight as to where my device could be utilized. These range from diesel truck mechanics, bartenders, the elderly, box openers, frequent key ring users such as rental managers, and battery installers. Some people simply don’t have a need at all or are satisfied with how they are currently coping with prying apart difficult objects. But for the most part, I am discovering that with small variations, this could be a useful tool to just about anyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3Ee0CCIVY8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1042D9CZok

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Emwt3xnsLyk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdOEL_HyjrM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUIywvmdbqA

Inside the Boundary

Anyone who has difficulty prying apart things and who are open to innovation fall inside the boundary of opportunity. My device saves time, frustration, and offers a layer of safety previously not thought about. The more people encounter the need to pry things apart, the more relevant it seems.

Outside the Boundary

As stated above, some people are just not interested because they don’t encounter these situations often enough to seek a better option or are satisfied with how they currently are doing things. To them, there is no need, and there is no convincing them otherwise. Stubbornness, set in their ways, and resistance to innovation are some explanations as to why they fall outside the boundary of opportunity.

Tweaking the Innovation

My product is a wearable device with a specific design to assist in opening retaining rings (think key rings) such as those found on sailboat fasteners. The sale of this device is my only revenue driver at this time.  The items would be slight variations of the device such as ring size, color, and shape of the tab.

The benefit of my product is preventing fingernail injury, decreasing frustration, and saving time.

The tangible is as basic as it sounds, simply a metal ring to be worn on the finger with a tab that extrudes from it to simulate a fingernail.

I really can’t pinpoint an augmented benefit. You basically are getting the device with no extra bells or whistles beyond the tangible components and the benefit it will provide.

As far as innovation goes, this is where my product can be tweaked to offer better utility to much larger market. For the original purpose, a tab that extends beyond the finger is great, but I could make that tab able to swing around 180 degrees and be out of the way when not needed. The tab could be a small fixed tab extending upward if that is more comfortable to users, maybe when more force is needed to pry something open. The tab could be larger for a bartender or someone opening cans repetitively. The tab could be equipped with a knife edge for someone who opens cardboard boxes all the time. These innovations center around changing the tangible or basic design of the original concept, but with those slight changes, more customers receive benefits to suit their needs.