Amazon Whisperer

• Describe the revenue drivers you currently include in your business concept for this class. Revenue drivers are the different ways you make money. 

In order to make money for my app, I am going to have advertisements pop up on the app that costs $1.29 and no advertisements on the app that costs $3.29. Therefore, those who want to avoid ads can, just at a higher cost. This way I make money on both versions of the app.

• Describe what kind of product offering you believe should be next. What's the next thing your customers want?

Right now my app solely identifies and describes celebrities. The next thing my app is going to do is recognize famous landmarks, statues, brand logos, and team logos.

• Describe how this "next" thing will enhance your existing product/service offering. Does it improve the user experience, does it increase customer switching costs, does it foster customer loyalty, etc.?

This “next” thing will enhance my existing product and improve the user experience by answering more questions for my consumers. While of course my consumers could simply type a bunch of things into google to get an answer, this app allows you to quickly take a picture to get your answer. There is no need to open google and try and type something in that the computer can identify. This app answers questions for consumers in an easy and effortless manner.

• Go to Amazon and try to find a product that is similar to the one you want to offer next. Describe the product. Include a picture of the product.

Unfortunately, my business is an app and Amazon does not offer a product similar to mine. The only thing semi-related I could come up with is the game 20 questions. My app is essentially a much easier, simpler, and high tech version of 20 questions. Instead of waiting around and asking 20 questions, a simple picture provides you the answer.

• What are the customer reviews for the product? What, exactly, do customers not like about the product? What do they like about it?

Customers love this product. Many say it provides their family with so much entertainment and the device almost always answers the questions correctly. However, most people do not like the latest version they like the one in the picture above the most.

• Describe what design/usability changes you'd make to the product. 

I would update the product to look slimmer and more modern, while mostly keeping the same functionality as that is what the customers want.

• Describe why you think this product would make a good addition to your current product/service offering.

Again, since my business is an app I wasn’t able to find a product that made a good addition to my business. I simply thought the two were semi related.

Week 11 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

I found it to be surprising that so many companies don’t already have an innovation strategy in place. Being organized and setting realistic goals and outlines seems like common sense to me. So I am surprised that big companies fail in this category.

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

I thought Pisano’s concept regarding “The Innovation Landscape Map” was slightly confusing. Further explanation and detail would help me understand better.

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

     a. What company do you believe has the best innovation strategy?

     I would ask this question because I trust Pisano’s opinion and am curious.

     b. Which category of innovation do you believe is most critical: routine, disruptive, radical or 

          architectural?

     I would ask this question because I am curious and it could help me in the future.

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

 I do not believe the author was wrong about anything in this reading.

My Unfair Advantage

1. My organization (human capital)
    My organization is unique and I have my own way of doing things. Obviously others are organized as well, however, no one is exactly how I am.

2. My outgoing personality to accomplish my goals (human capital)
    My outgoing personality and determination provides me the drive to accomplish my goals and achieve my business. Again, other people are obviously determined and outgoing as well, however everyone is different.

3. My friend Christie who knows how to code for my app (human capital) 
    My friend Christie knows JAVA and other languages of code and she can help me bring the app to life. While other people know how to code as well, my friend Christie and I live together so she can help me very conveniently

4. My friend Dani who is very creative and can help me with the design layout (human capital) 
    My friend Dani is very creative and even has her own business making sneakers. I can learn from her on how she runs her current company and she can help me with the design layout of my app. Again, other people can provide these services as well, but my friend Dani and I live together so she can help me very easily.

5. Kenny McDonough (social capital, one of the people I contacted last week) 
    One of the people I contacted last week offered to help me and provide me advice throughout my journey. I believe this a very good network and source of social capital.

6. Scott Goldstein (social capital, one of the people I contacted last week)
    One of the people I contacted last week works in the technology sector and he can help advance my app immensely.

7. Amy Josephson (social capital, one of the people I contacted last week)
    One of the people I contacted last week specializes in marketing various apps. This contact can help me advertise my app to the correct sector of the market.

8. My cousin Erica who works in PR and can help me market the app (social capital)
    My cousin Erica works at a PR firm in New York City and has a lot of experience in the marketing field. She too can help market my app to the correct people.

9. My parents (financial capital)
    My parents will help support me, to a certain extent, in building my business.

10. My savings (financial capital)
      I will use my own personal savings to begin my business.

I believe my top resource is one of the people I networked with last week, Amy Josephson. Amy specializes in both technology and marketing which I believe are the two most important aspects to my business. Therefore, I believe Amy Josephson is the most beneficial.