Forming an Opportunity Belief: A Twist on Opportunity Identification

Belief

  There has been a fair amount of rain lately, which is making it inconvenient to mow the lawn. I was contemplating an idea. The idea was the ability to mow the lawn without getting wet or demolishing the equipment. It would be similar to a Roomba, but it would mow the lawn and be weather resistant. The need for that type of equipment is extensive, especially in today's society where everyone wants to salvage money. The opportunity could be used for people, who are on a schedule, have families or even the incapable. The need for equipment that could withstand the damage of weather and be entirely robotic, without the use of a person has existed for a long period of time. To meet this need now people have to withstand the natural occurrences of weather and carry out the process. Everyone has to get their lawn mowed. I am about 70% sure the opportunity exists in the world.

Prototypical Customer #1 

  The first prototypical customer is a 32-year-old male, who works 50 hours a week and has a family. His need for this solution is of great importance because it would be a solution that would be useful for him. Since he works many hours, has a family, and doesn't have that much time to do maintain the lawn it would make it easier for him. The male says he lives in a neighborhood that has an HOA, which he has to maintain the lawn to specific standards and when it rains for days it makes mowing difficult. He has noticed the need for a long period of time, but he only needs the solution sometimes. To address their need as of now, he has to wait till he has time and when there's no rain. The male would be interested in the solution because he says "he would never have to mow again".  

Prototypical Customer #2

  The second prototypical customer is a 53-year-old female, who has medical issues(spine) and works about 30-35 hours a week. The solution is of greater need because with her medical issues she can't mow the lawn herself. She has to pay someone else to do it or get a family member if they have time. She became aware of the need since she has been aging and her medical problems haven't allowed her to mow the lawn. She hasn't always needed the solution because she enjoys the outdoors and didn't mind when it rained, but as of now, it's a need. The 53-year-old female would be ecstatic for the solution, she could get her lawn mowed with a push of a button, without the worry of weathering of the equipment.

Prototypical Customer #3

The third prototypical customer is a 22-year-old male, who works about 40 hours a week. The solution isn't substantially needed but could be useful when it rains or when he's occupied. He hasn't acknowledged the need for a solution. Right now the male has to simply mow, even when it starts raining he says he usually just finishes unless it's too bad. Even though he mows the lawn, the solution would make it where he doesn't have to worry about doing the work by himself. He also explained that he wouldn't have to worry about the weathering of his equipment since it would be weather resistant. The male would be content with the solution and thought it was an interesting idea.

Reflection 

I've learned that this opportunity could be seriously pursued through the evaluations and opinions of the prototypical customers. From the perspective of all three, the solution seemed like an interesting idea and it helps with their situations. Some prototypical customer may enjoy doing their lawncare themselves, but the solution would help if they were occupied,  having weather problems, or even incapable of the doing the lawn. I was surprised to hear such positive feeback from the solution. It seems that the solution could be effective.

Summarize

How much of your original opportunity is still there?

The opportunity is still there, but it may need some tweaking to make reach more possible customers( younger adults). It seems that the solution is not a need for people who are capable of doing the lawn themselves, but with the equipment being weather resistant it gains positive feedback. I'm still optimistic about the opportunity still existing.

Do you believe that your new opportunity is more accurate than when you started?

Yes, I believe the opportunity is more accurate now after gaining the feedback to perfect the solution. Now I know I have to appeal to the younger generation for this product because they often don't see the need. Older adults often don't mind to mow, but the solution makes it easier for their schedules or incapabilities.

How much do you think entrepreneurs should 'adapt' their opportunities based on customer feedback?

I think entrepreneurs should always adapt their opportunities to the customer feedback because they're the ones using it. It helps perfect the solutions to the needs, which creates a stronger opportunity.