In this exercise, we are exploring beyond the "who", "what", and "why" into the specifics of my opportunity. As an opportunity, there is an unmet market need in Gainesville and other banned counties for a product that is conducive for use with a paper straw. The current solution, using plastic straw lids, is inefficient and needs modification. This product would just be the lid, not beyond into paper straw territory, as that is an entirely different commodity.
I interviewed five people with an unmet need in a paper straw county, but have not realized it yet.
Product: Commercial plastic drink lids that are compatible with paper straws, so that the straw is not rendered ineffective by the sharp prongs of typical lids.
Interview #1 Alivia:
Alivia is an environmental sustainability major. She keeps a plastic, reusable water bottle with her wherever she goes. Because of this, she doesn't encounter the issue of needing a lid. The only commercial place she buys drinks is Starbucks, where she has a Starbucks purchased metal tumbler to use for her coffee.
Interview #2 Mary:
Mary is a student at the University of Florida. She has a low budget, and almost never goes to commercial eateries in Gainesville, opting instead to use the dining hall which has its own standard, reusable flatware.
Interview #3 Jake:
Jake is also a student at UF. Jake saves all his disposable income for beverages in bars, which come lidless and usually without a straw (in a college town). He says that if he wants a straw, he can ask and receive an effective paper one (no disruptive lid), but it is unnecessary.
Interview #4 Marissa:
Marissa is an older Alachua County resident. She thinks commercial drink shops are a scam, so she does not patron any in our area. She only likes water, and usually carries a water bottle with her for drinking purposes.
Interview #5 Nathan:
Nate is a grad student at the University of Florida. He has an express interest in conserving the environment and tries his best to carry a reusable plastic water bottle with him. When he needs to order a drink, he usually finishes it fast enough that he does encounter the limp/useless paper straw issue.
There are certain businesses and people that are excluded from the need for this product. Of these are the die-hard conservationists who keep an alternative cup option with them at all times. Persons who do not order commercial beverages are also excluded from this need.
This is the difference between the desire to quench your thirst and the desire to be ecologically friendly. The underlying principle that is within these exclusions is the need to be prepared, and not have a last-minute commercial drink need. Environmentally conservative individuals prepare themselves with a cup alternative, while non-beverage drinkers bring a drink alternative.
Inside the boundary:
Who: Patrons of businesses that sell drinks.
What's the need: The need is an effective straw/lid combo that allows for successful transportation/drinking.
Why the need exists: People get thirsty.
Outside the boundary:
Who is not: Environmentally conscious individuals, Frugal individuals, Bottled water drinkers
What the need is not: Environmentally sustainable, reusable, free
Alternative explanations: People dont always want to spend money on a drink/lid and dont always need a lid with their drink ex:bars, in sit-down dining.
I interviewed five people with an unmet need in a paper straw county, but have not realized it yet.
Product: Commercial plastic drink lids that are compatible with paper straws, so that the straw is not rendered ineffective by the sharp prongs of typical lids.
Interview #1 Alivia:
Alivia is an environmental sustainability major. She keeps a plastic, reusable water bottle with her wherever she goes. Because of this, she doesn't encounter the issue of needing a lid. The only commercial place she buys drinks is Starbucks, where she has a Starbucks purchased metal tumbler to use for her coffee.
Interview #2 Mary:
Mary is a student at the University of Florida. She has a low budget, and almost never goes to commercial eateries in Gainesville, opting instead to use the dining hall which has its own standard, reusable flatware.
Interview #3 Jake:
Jake is also a student at UF. Jake saves all his disposable income for beverages in bars, which come lidless and usually without a straw (in a college town). He says that if he wants a straw, he can ask and receive an effective paper one (no disruptive lid), but it is unnecessary.
Interview #4 Marissa:
Marissa is an older Alachua County resident. She thinks commercial drink shops are a scam, so she does not patron any in our area. She only likes water, and usually carries a water bottle with her for drinking purposes.
Interview #5 Nathan:
Nate is a grad student at the University of Florida. He has an express interest in conserving the environment and tries his best to carry a reusable plastic water bottle with him. When he needs to order a drink, he usually finishes it fast enough that he does encounter the limp/useless paper straw issue.
There are certain businesses and people that are excluded from the need for this product. Of these are the die-hard conservationists who keep an alternative cup option with them at all times. Persons who do not order commercial beverages are also excluded from this need.
This is the difference between the desire to quench your thirst and the desire to be ecologically friendly. The underlying principle that is within these exclusions is the need to be prepared, and not have a last-minute commercial drink need. Environmentally conservative individuals prepare themselves with a cup alternative, while non-beverage drinkers bring a drink alternative.
Inside the boundary:
Who: Patrons of businesses that sell drinks.
What's the need: The need is an effective straw/lid combo that allows for successful transportation/drinking.
Why the need exists: People get thirsty.
Outside the boundary:
Who is not: Environmentally conscious individuals, Frugal individuals, Bottled water drinkers
What the need is not: Environmentally sustainable, reusable, free
Alternative explanations: People dont always want to spend money on a drink/lid and dont always need a lid with their drink ex:bars, in sit-down dining.
Hello Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your blog post. I think the idea for using reusable straws that are not paper is a great idea. The interviews you did are very in depth. I think you have thought a lot about this and have considered your options. I agree that there is definitely a big consumer market in those who are not only more environmentally sustainable, but also people who don't like paper straws. I think carrying your own mugs/cups around would be the best option, however, not everyone will remember to do this so the other ideas suggested like having alternatives to paper and plastic straws are good.